Jamey's Blog

Prayer of Healing

2011-12-12T10:33:00.002-06:00

Psalm 41:3
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. (NIV)
Healing Prayer

Dear Lord of Mercy and Father of Comfort,

You are the One I turn to for help in moments of weakness and times of need. I ask you to be with your servant in this illness. Psalm 107:20 says that you send out your Word and heal. So then, please send your healing Word to your servant. In the name of Jesus, drive out all infirmity and sickness from his body.

Dear Lord, I ask you to turn this weakness into strength, suffering into compassion, sorrow into joy, and pain into comfort for others. May your servant trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness, even in the middle of this suffering. Let him be filled with patience and joy in your presence as he waits for your healing touch.

Please restore your servant to full health, dear Father. Remove all fear and doubt from his heart by the power of your Holy Spirit, and may you, Lord, be glorified through his life.

As you heal and renew your servant, Lord, may he bless and praise you.

All of this I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

source: Mary Fairchild

Our Faith IS a Person

2011-09-26T09:27:00.002-05:00

“Our faith is a person; the gospel that we have to preach is a person; and go wherever we may, we have something solid and tangible to preach, for our gospel is a person. If you had asked the twelve Apostles in their day, ‘What do you believe in?’ they would not have stopped to go round about with a long sermon, but they would have pointed to their Master and they would have said, ‘We believe him.’ ‘But what are your doctrines?’ ‘There they stand incarnate.’ ‘But what is your practice?’ ‘There stands our practice. He is our example.’ ‘What then do you believe?’ Hear the glorious answer of the Apostle Paul, ‘We preach Christ crucified.’ Our creed, our body of divinity, our whole theology is summed up in the person of Christ Jesus.”

C. H. Spurgeon, in Lectures Delivered before the Young Men’s Christian Association in Exeter Hall 1858-1859 (London, 1859), pages 159-160.

God Gives the Word in time of Need

2011-08-24T16:05:00.003-05:00

I was talking to a friend over instant message chat today, and the situation need a Word from the Lord. I'm not going to post here the context of that person's conversation but I do want to share how the Lord used me. Not I Lord but You!

In response to how to get through a hard time:

You search for the goodness of the LORD ... here, today ... wait upon the LORD and be encouraged ...
God's voice is still and it is small ... the noise of the world covers it up ... getting yourself to a quite point (literally or not) centers you on His voice ...

Later on in the conversation:

... all of God's promises (in the Bible) are true ... but some are not just given. They have prerequisites. Some have us to just listen, other have us to call upon Him, while others have us in a state of asking for repentance. Then there are ones that have us obeying the Word of the Lord ... but his Grace and Mercy covers all ...
For me, I needed to "fix" me first ... but before that I had to surrender all to God ... then He "fixed" me from the inside out ... I am human, I mess up ... but I have an advocate with the Father through His Son ... it doesn't give me a license to do what I want ... but it covers me when I miss the mark and fail ...
... if you are a saved child of God ... then forgiveness starts with forgiving yourself.
being a Christian has nothing to do with shame and guilt ... regardless of what you may have heard ... it simply has no part in the Love of God.

I post this because in reading back through the IM message, I became blessed to realize that He used me ... God, give the increase, in the name of Jesus, Aman.

Sharing a study on the names of God

2011-01-28T12:16:00.000-06:00

I lead this study back in December of 2008 at my Church on a Wednesday. I thought I would share this here at he start of new year to remind me and others of our focus and the importance of that name.

Link to this study on my Google document page.

Cool iBand - GodTube Link

2010-12-14T10:49:00.000-06:00

Lift up hands that hang down.

2010-10-04T09:21:00.000-05:00

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Heb 12:12-13 (KJV)

There are times when we need to take a new grip looking for that straight path. However, we also need to help others take a new grip when their hands are tired so we all may be healed.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to lift up hands that hang down, not only mine but others as well. Praise your Name!!!

Quote of the Day

2010-09-21T13:47:00.001-05:00

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)

“My brethren, it was more difficult, if such terms are ever applicable to Omnipotence, it was more difficult to create a Christian than to create a world. What was there to begin with when God made the world? There was nothing; but nothing could not stand in God’s way – it was at least passive. But, my brethren, in our hearts, while there was nothing that could help God, there was much that could and did oppose him. Our stubborn wills, our deep prejudices, our ingrained love of iniquity, all these, great God, opposed thee, and aimed at thwarting thy designs . . . Yes, great God, it was great to make a world, but greater to create a new creature in Jesus Christ.” (Spurgeon)

Outreach for an Introvert

2010-08-06T10:25:00.003-05:00

As some of you may know, I am an introvert ... in other words I love to be alone. To give an example to all my extrovert friends - I'm completely happy when at a party to be near an exit, next to the wall, examining a potted plant - those type things. From a Christian perspective, however, this can be really hard on outreach. Christian Bible Studies dot com, has a great article that I would love to share called, How can I reach out to others when I am an introvert.

For all my extrovert friends ... I would love for you to also read the following article called Caring for Your Introvert.

That is a lot of reading, I know, (here is the guilt trip) if you really love me then you would read these articles.

:-)

Quote for today ...

2010-05-14T09:11:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite quotes from Spurgeon:

Charles H. Spurgeon, the noted Baptist preacher, made it clear that salvation comes at the time of faith in Christ. He used a simple illustration. "The hand of faith that receives Christ is similar to children receiving an apple in their hands. You hold the apple out to the child and they must step toward you in order to receive it from you. This is a mixture of faith and receiving on the child's part. It is the same with someone who wants to receive salvation. What the child's hand is to the apple, your faith is to salvation. The child's hand does not make the apple, improve the apple, or deserve the apple; it simply takes it" (All of Grace, Charles H. Spurgeon, p. 61).

Seeing through Heaven's Eyes

2010-05-05T21:00:00.007-05:00

I was looking at a blog report where someone took the time to survey thousands of people on how color names are so different when viewed by different people. The survey bombarded its participants with color after color asking them to name what they saw. I didn't take the test, thankfully, but that made me think of how it's the same when talking about religion. Through a bit of study, I became interested in a term that is defined as, "A prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his or her own." Yes, the term is "bigot". What does that have to do with color names? Well, just the part where color names were different from person-to-person; perspectives of people seeing/hearing/reading the same event.

In the Bible, John 5:10-18 Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. If you don't know the whole story, then I would recommend you read John's account. Reading the story you will find that after Jesus' miracle, a controversy arose. The Jewish leaders of the time wanted to know who had told this cripple man to take up his bed (actually a sleeping-mat or a bedroll) on the Sabbath. What?! The Son of God just healed a man crippled for 38 years and you want to know who told him to take up his bed? (John 5:12) Talk about missing the point, or in this context the miracle. These people missed that a great work of God was done before their eyes. These leaders were not interested in who healed the man, but they wanted to know who told him to carry a bedroll.

Thus men often assume that a certain course or opinion is proper, and when anyone differs from them they look only at the difference, but not at the reasons for it. One great source of dispute among men is that they look only at the points in which they differ, but are unwilling to listen to the reasons why others do not believe as they do.—Barnes' Notes on the New Testament

There was a reason for what Jesus did and how he did it that much is obvious. But for the leaders of that day to so blatantly miss the Messiah makes me wonder how blinded they had become to even the correct interpretation of the Law. To miss an opportunity to see Jesus, and miss who Jesus was makes me wonder. How many opportunities to see God's light went unnoticed because it was presented "differently" than the normal? How may would never listen because it was so against the grain? As an example, if you have ever listened to the song The Perrys’ sing, “If You Knew Him.” If you could just see what I see, feel what I feel. Not because it is a point to "win" in an argument. But because it is a heart knowledge that the Holy Spirit lives within me. In my little post here I'm trying pointing to the idea of what a familiar cliché words as, "Not being able to see past your nose." - admittedly have done the same myself.

Jesus went on to tell the healed man there was a greater danger. (John 5:14) "Sin no more", but the verse says something before that and it makes me Praise the Lord. The Bible says that, "Jesus found him in the temple" to tell him a very important message. Jesus was concerned for his spiritual health not just the physical. In other words Jesus loved him (and us) so much that Jesus found him - this healed man who was crippled for 38 years. The danger is to continue in sin. The danger is that it would have been better for crippled man to remain crippled than to live healed and in sin. Living a life of sin is worse than the infirmity.

There are two songs that I'm reminded of; I want to share a line from each.

“It’s hard to understand what we can’t clearly see, but Heaven will reveal life’s mysteries.”
-"On The Other Side Of Time” sung by Gordon Mote on the Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory album.

"… to see everyone through Heaven’s eyes …"– “This Life” sung by Gordon Mote on the Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory album.

What would have the story been if the Jewish leaders saw this crippled man being healed through "Heaven's eyes?" What would we do different if we saw through the eyes of Heaven?

Lord, help us see through the eyes of Christ. When we don't have time to understand, when we don't want to be bothered, when we simply have too much going on in our lives to hear the still small voice of God. Help us to hear You and to listen to others, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

John 3:16

2010-05-05T13:15:00.000-05:00

GOD	(the greatest Lover)
SO LOVED	(the greatest degree)
THE WORLD	(the greatest number)
THAT HE GAVE	(the greatest act)
HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON	(the greatest Gift)
THAT WHOSOEVER	(the greatest invitation)
BELIEVETH	(the greatest simplicity)
IN HIM	(the greatest Person)
SHOULD NOT PERISH	(the greatest deliverance)
BUT	(the greatest difference)
HAVE	(the greatest certainty)
EVERLASTING LIFE	(the greatest possession)

Everlasting God

2010-04-03T08:28:00.000-05:00

No age can heap its outward years on Thee;Dear God! Thou art, Thyself, Thine own eternity. -Frederick W. Faber

Before the mountains were born / or you brought forth the earth and the world, / from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2

I'm Singing

2010-02-13T09:52:00.001-06:00

by: Kari Jobe

Quote for Jan. 13th 2010

2010-01-13T09:27:00.000-06:00

Before you can do anything for the world, for your community, and even for your family, you have to settle one question, and that question is the question of your salvation. Are you truly saved? Do you know the difference between religion and relationship?

- Dr. Tom Elliff from a 1988 message titled "Build an Ark and Save Your Home"

Intention

2009-11-18T15:52:00.003-06:00

Alexander de Seversky, U. S. aviator and engineer, was once visiting afellow flyer in the hospital. The young man had just lost his leg; deSeversky, who had had an artificial leg for some time, tried to cheerhim up. “The loss of a leg is not so great a calamity,” he said. “Ifyou get hit on a wooden leg, it doesn’t hurt a bit! Try it!” Thepatient raised his walking stick and brought it down hard on deSeversky’s leg. “You see,” he said cheerfully. “If you hit an ordinaryman like that, he’d be in bed for five days!” With that he left hisfriend and limped into the corridor, where he collapsed in excruciatingpain. It seems the young man had struck de Seversky on his good leg! (from Today in the Word, October 29, 1992)

I wonder if de Seversky, when entering this man's hospital room, intended to get hurt. Well, no he didn't. His intention was to try and help this man by encouraging words. Those words resulted in a different outcome - for de Seversky at least anyway. That brings me to the topic of choices.

Even with intentions are good, choices can result in a different outcome. In Luke 14:28-30, Jesus talks about careful decision making during an illustration.

"For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Luke 14:28-30 (NASB)

A lesson in counting the whole cost before taking action is what we must learn. However good they may be, our intentions can not be seen. After all, we have had much more time to formulate those intentions before starting our 'action'. While during the event, other people can only see actions - current actions. So, that leads me to benefit of the doubt. What does this idiom mean? Thanks to an internet search, I found, "to believe something good about someone, rather than something bad, when you have the possibility of doing either." Wow, the possibility of doing either - ouch. I'm guilty of not thinking about the possibilities during an event. I have some people to apologize too. But is not that how things go? We are in the middle of some event where we are thinking of ourselves? Yes, we are all selfish creatures at times and some more than others, but that is another topic for another post.

Intentions are not a means to an end - in other words - a means to achieve your goal. Look at it this way, that left de Seversky with his only good leg in a lot of pain. Bad for de Seversky - good for the man in the hospital bed - in that story. But, how many times does the coin land on its other side and the outcome hurts others? "...sit down and calculate the cost..." (from Luke14:31) sitting down with people around us and explaining our intentions is the only way intentions become external. But as my three-year-old is learning, consequences still apply.

God's Call

2009-11-05T16:01:00.002-06:00

Can you remember a time when God called you? Summarizing, the apostle Paul explained God's call to salvation in Christ with a few words. "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me," Galatians 1:15-16. He reveals Christ in us. The call of God to salvation is through the gospel by His grace.

Some lightning photography

2009-09-21T12:12:00.006-05:00

Some lightning photography from my back porch.

Can you put your name into this verse?

2009-09-15T14:52:00.003-05:00

Try it!

"For God so loved ____________ that He gave His only begotten Son for ____________, that (if) ____________ believeth in Him, (then) ____________ will not perish, but ____________ (will) have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

Studying the book of Hebrews

2009-09-08T14:57:00.000-05:00

The Letter to the Hebrews is an amazing book -- nothing like anything you see in the rest of the New Testament.

In some places it soars. The "Hall of Faith" of Hebrews 11, for example, recites the faith of the patriarchs in terms that always lifts me up and inspires me.
In other places it's downright difficult. Several verses are frankly hard to understand clearly, but intriguing nonetheless.
Here and there you'll find stern warnings and exhortations. How should we take them?
Occasionally you almost need hip-boots to wade through the various tabernacle sacrificial rituals from the book of Leviticus. But if you take the time to understand what is being said, you'll be staggered by the implications.
It's filled with high-grade nuggets of Christian truth that will stay with you all your life!

For more information and to study the book of Hebrews follow this link.
http://www.jesuswalk.com/hebrews/

Interesting data about why people go to church.

2009-07-07T13:51:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered why people choose to go to church. The people over at Church Relevance have the results of studies conducted to answer just that question.

i am second

2009-07-03T10:50:00.001-05:00

If you haven't found this site yet ... please take a moment to view at least one of the videos. http://iamsecond.com

God Declares His Glory

2009-05-28T21:04:00.000-05:00

Quote for today ...

2009-05-27T13:55:00.000-05:00

“Water which is distant is no good for a fire which is near.”

-Apples of Gold

Ran across this verse today ... it's my new fav of the day.

2009-05-27T13:00:00.003-05:00

I have been trying to get back into Wednesday night Bible study preparation since my Church has been taking the past several to host a health and wellness class. I have found that it has made me idle in studying. This verse however has stoked the fire again.

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Cor 9:22 (KJV)

Commentary about this verse that really brought this home to me.
... the example of St. Paul, attend to the end he had in view, and the manner in which he pursued that end. It was not to get money, influence, or honor, but to save SOULS! It was not to get ease but to increase his labors. It was not to save his life, but rather that it should be a sacrifice for the good of immortal souls!
—Adam Clarke's Commentary

Awsome Song "All You Need Is Jesus "

2009-05-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

A Map ...

2009-04-29T15:26:00.000-05:00

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.'

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.'

Does your heart and life have Jesus in it? Where are your priorities? If Jesus isn’t first, then I’m sure you’re experiencing difficulties. Put Jesus back where He belongs, and everything else will just fall into place!

(from an e-mail forward)

Alive

2009-04-06T15:20:00.001-05:00

Praise God!

Please watch the following video (link), its to a site that has videos for churches ... you can preview it. Wow, wonderful imagery.

Why am I a broken Christian?

2009-02-17T11:52:00.002-06:00

Was reading a blog the other day where the poster was commenting that he felt like a broken Christian. The following was my response to that post:

I was raised in Church, and also have been part of ministries that are still going strong for the Lord today. These ministries have one goal and that is the spreading of the Good News of the Gospel of Christ - not judging. To make this post more to the point, that is our goal; to spread that news just as Paul did (and instructed) to the churches and in his letters. People are going to come to know the Lord if they have only been under the Truth (the Word). Faith comes by hearing. What people do with that truth we really have no bearing - just as we can't create anything with just speech as God did in the beginning times. It's a freewill choice. Sometimes I think that churches today mask evangelism as really judging people (blanket statement I know but the church is failing somehow by not showing the Love of Christ in their out reach).

I don't know where I lost it (joy), but I read in Psalms 51:12 where the writer was asking God to restore the joy of HIS salvation. Well, the only way that I know to loose the joy of God's salvation is by my sin. I am eternally secure, but my relationship with God is broken when I sin. So, what am I saying, I'm broken because of my sin? I read that God does break down His children to build them back in the way He has planed for us ... all I can say to that is God, build away! Happiness is a feeling that is as fleeting as the wind. Joy is something that I have when I'm in the presence of God.

The presence of God's joy should come through corporate worship. Unfortunately, many times worship services are anything but a joyful experience. I realize that God reveals Himself to us in worship in a variety of ways. Nevertheless, the only thing I can find to describe His revealed presence in worship is joy according to Psalm 16:11.

I pray that God will show me the path of life He has for me. And in that path the Bible promises me/us that in that presence is the fullness of joy and at His right hand (Heaven? or earth? I'm thinking Heaven as that is where His right hand is ...) are pleasures for evermore.

Thanks for reading,
Jamey

The following was left in the comments of the other blog site: (emphasis mine)

I think what you’re tired of (in responce to being tired of being broken) is what all Christians who really stressrelationship over legalism desires; being real. We (as Christians)strive to look above reproach so much, that we seldom focus onwhat God is really showing us about ourselves that’s keeping us fromgetting closer to Him, so while we’re stressing 8 ways to this, 12 keysto that & 20 steps to prosperity, none of those things reallycenter around Jesus Christ & that is where the real fatigue setsin. As far as not being broken, I don’t think that it’s a bad thing tobe broken (based on Mark 4), but I think that the joy should be in thegift of eternal life that we receive by accepting Jesus as our Lord andSavior, as well knowing that these light afflictions don’t compare toeternity spent with God. Living life in light of eternity instead ofbasing it on these clown hucksters that peddle the gospel for attentionand/or profit financially.

My first 2009 quote ...

2009-01-08T13:46:00.001-06:00

It has been some time since my last quote ... so for my first one of 2009:

"Is the work you're doing actually leading you where you want to go, or merely keeping you busy?"

This quote was from a blog by Seth Godin talking about what we keep ourselves busy with may be taking us away from and connecting with people.

Little Foxes

2008-12-16T15:10:00.000-06:00

Song of Solomon 2:15 says,

"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."

A fox, in search of food, would go into the grape orchards and eat the grapes. You may think that this would spoil the crop. Maybe so, but those were the big foxes. The small or little foxes, also hungry, would come into the orchards but being small could not reach the grapes. Instead, they would chew on the base of the vines thus killing the whole vine. Instead of the farmer simply losing one crop, he would lose the whole vine.

Understand that spiritually some things we do or allow, how little or insignificant, can also be disastrous.

Interesting the meaning of disastrous: having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin.

What are your little foxes? Don't allow them to bring to ruin your walk, witness, life, etc. for Christ.

A Christian Look at Depression

2008-12-16T09:28:00.003-06:00

Use this link if the video doesn't play.

Moses and the burning bush ...

2008-12-08T20:16:00.001-06:00

Do you notice the burning shrubbery?

Strange question isn’t it, because thankfully for the Children of Israel, Moses did. In Exodus chapter 3, Moses was an obscure shepherd on the backside of a desert, humbled, tending a flock of sheep that didn’t even belong to him. This is a long way from being a prince of Egypt. On this day, Moses was in the everyday humdrum of his life when he saw a burning bush. Strange enough to Moses that he stopped to look at this wonder as the bush, on fire, wasn’t being burned.

I want to ask you if during your everyday schedule you notice any burning shrubbery along your path? Or does the hurried pace of today’s life have you moving so fast that you don’t notice such wonders. God was waiting (Exodus 3:4) for Moses to turn aside and take the time to see what He had to say. Do we take the time to hear God’s instructions? Do we take the time to read God’s Word daily so we too can see the wonders He has in store for us? Even the burning bush, as great as that sight was, wouldn’t change anything until Moses received the Word of God. Notice, stop, and then received God’s Word. Please don’t allow the noise in your life to keep you from receiving what God has for you.

The question isn’t, as Moses asked, “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11) The question should be, “Who is God.” What does it matter who we are when what counts … is … who God IS. He is the I AM. “Who is God to me,” you might ask. He is who you need Him to be. Are you sick? You need the Lord our Healer. Are you in danger, have you lost your way? Then you need the Lord my Sheppard. Are you afraid of anything? Then you need the Lord is Peace. Do you have a battle to fight? Then you need the Lord is my Banner.

Why did God tell Moses, when asked, to tell them “I AM WHO I AM”? God is “the becoming one”. In other words, God becomes whatever is lacking in our time of need. The name I AM invites us to fill in the blank to meet our need. A divine name that Jesus took upon Himself often, linking Himself with the voice from the burning bush. (Read John 8:24, 28, 58; John 13:19; John 18:4-6)

Allow, ask God to be your “I AM”.

"The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people (Gen. 22:14).
"The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).
“The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24).
“The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45 Isaiah 6:1-3 also Psalm 68:17; 104:4; 148:2). This declares His leadership and sovereignty over the host of heaven.
“The Lord your Sanctifier.”Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify [“observe as clean” “be kept or keep holy”] you.). This declares the desire of God to set His people apart for special service.
“The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1). This declares the guidance and provisional care of the Lord. It also declares the close relational fellowship between the Shepherd and His sheep.
“The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6). This declares that true righteousness is of the Lord.
“The Lord is there.” This declares the presence of God, especially in regards to His relationship with His own (Ezek. 48:35).
“The Lord our Healer” This declares that God is the Great Healer of all afflictions; both physical and spiritual.(Exodus 15:26; II Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 41:4; 147:3; Deuteronomy 32:39; Malachi 4:1,2)

More on the names of God on ChristianAnswers.net

Pray and seek God's will, then go Vote!

2008-10-31T14:15:00.003-05:00

Election day will soon be here and no matter what candidate you side with, the time to vote will soon be upon us. The believers at the church of Corinthians were trying to push the "line" and see how much they could get away with and still be Christian. Paul told them that even though things were lawful for people to do, all things are not expedient for the believer. In other words, the Corinthian Christians were so focused on their own rights and their own knowledge they could only ask but one question. "What is the harm to me?" They should have asked what good can this be for me. Simply because we can do something doesn't mean it's beneficial.

We need to seek the things that are helpful and things that edify. We should want to go with Jesus, not try to "get away with" as much as possible, we only serve to hinder others when we do.

A fellow blogger is offering this verse for us to cling to before November the 5th, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor 10:31 (KJV) He closed his post with the following:

The verse I've shared is the challenge for us all, and the blood of our soldiers and of Christ speak louder than any response or petty comment I could return to you. I would request that each of you vote, but I'd prefer to request that those of you that do BOLDLY claim to be a Christ-follower would glorify God by seeking His will during these next few days. His will will be done. That's all we can seek and He will guide us into November 5th better than our next president could ever dream of being able to.

I say, Amen!

Let's not hide the Gospel

2008-10-14T13:18:00.002-05:00

My pastor's message, on Oct. 12th, was on 2 Corinthians 3:8 through 4:4

I couldn't help but think of people in the ministry. The message was on being veiled but allowing Christ to remove the veil. Chapter 3:17 is what caught my mind's eye. "... where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." on to verse 18, "...[we] are change into the same image [of the Lord] from glory to glory, ..."

Then starting in chapter 4, "... as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty ...". I really am thankful to meet people in this ministry who will work to the "fields white to harvest" and not hide the gospel as said in chapter 4:3 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:" ... and that is something we can not do ... God's light must shine!

More quotes ...

2008-10-03T13:15:00.005-05:00

From a blog talking about how often do you invite people in your community to church?

"...we are not saved to sit, we are saved to serve."

Another that someone Twittered a few days ago that I thought was good from a past President:

I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born. ~Ronald Reagan, quoted in New York Times, 22 September 1980

How Do You Cope with Politics?

2008-09-24T14:09:00.011-05:00

A fellow blogger, blogged on a topic that I wish I did - mainly because it captures a bit of how I feel. The question of his blog was around maintaining mental stability during an election year then asked the question, "how do you cope". I wanted to post my comment on his article here. Why? well I don't hear people talking about this view point from a founding father of this Nation.

… in George Washington’s Farewell Address he warned against the party system:

Washington against the party system: Link 1 - Link 2 (Links to full farewell address.)

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with illfounded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

So, very simply one can look at history, the current state, and see that he was right. A bit off topic for this blog but, that is the reason I haven't nor plan on signing up to support a party.

Answering the question of How do you cope? ... I pray.

Today - learning of a loved ones Parkinson Diagnosis.

2008-09-23T16:15:00.005-05:00

Shock, that is the only word that I can say, maybe numb. My Mom was diagnosed with Parkinson disease today. OK, the symptoms had become noticeable prior, but I was praying for something else. You know, something easy to treat. As I normally do, I jumped on the web and started to search and read. I had done this already, but grimaced and never read past the first page of sites. Today, I read further. I wanted someone to come up to me and give me the 101, the "OK, here is what you need to know" information. Wow, can some sites be emotionally deficient. I then rememberd Micheal J. Foxx and looked for his site; ah better, you feel as if you are getting current news. Then to National Parkinson Foundation's site, also a good site. I looked at their forum and started to read the open thread. I started feeling better after reading a thread called "How long have you had PD?" and seeing the larger numbers that indicated years. Then I saw a quote on someone's post, "Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into a flame by another human being. Each of us owes our deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." -Albert Schweitzer. It is time for me to pray that I can rekindle my Mom's light.

I'm a Christian, my Mom is too, so we know what the ultimate healing is. However, the Bible says to pray that people be healed - and that is what I have prayed and will be praying.

Please pray for my Mom, Marion for healing. Pray for my Dad, Neal, too; he also is taking care of his Dad during this time. "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults , with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor 12:10 (NASB)

Blog link Title "You Can Trust In God"

Ike Uncovers Civil War Ship - Amazing - but not true :(

2008-09-16T12:29:00.003-05:00

This link is still interesting ... however it is not believed to be a civil war ship.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Link to Video

Sticky Note Fun ... how funny!

2008-09-14T00:10:00.000-05:00

Eepybird's Sticky Note Experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

Found this quote today ...

2008-09-11T13:51:00.000-05:00

"Life isn't about surviving the storm, but learning to dance in the rain" - unknown.

Quotes about writing, editing ...

2008-08-28T10:11:00.000-05:00

"An editor ... comes down from the mountain after the battle and shoots the wounded." -unknown

"Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp-post how it feels about dogs." -Christopher Hampton

Link to an entry on our Family Blog

2008-08-16T10:30:00.000-05:00

An entry on our faimly blog about me being married to a teacher >>> Link

Good quote and a must see video ...

2008-08-16T02:11:00.000-05:00

I know I'm late to the pick up here, but if you haven't heard about Randy Pausch then you should take the time to view this video.

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." -Randy Pausch

A good song for bed time.

2008-08-15T21:29:00.002-05:00

This song gets your two year old just about ever time ...

I now have an iPhone

2008-08-09T13:30:00.005-05:00

well ... I did it ... I got an iPhone. Other than my iPod, it's my first Apple product that is as close to a mac as possible without really having a mac. Anyway, I resisted the urge for the first generation iPhone ... mainly because I had a smart phone already that I was happy with. It was a Nokia N62 from AT&T. Billed as a business phone it didn't have a camera and I was fine with that. The N62 was/is a really OK phone, but the down fall was that AT&T stopped supporting it and Nokia stopped releasing any updates for that phone. AT&T either took out the Wi-Fi or had it disabled. So ... along comes the 3G iPhone... GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G ... a phone that has the possibility to really be a all in one device. I guess only time will really tell. My first rant about the iPhone is ... battery. Yeah, me and everyone else on this big blue planet. Well, it really is bad. After turning all the options off ... and only using the 2G and GPS ... 8 hours and the battery was dead. That was 10 phone calls averaging only 4 min in length and using the GPS with maps 5 times (I do understand that the maps download). Oh, 6 pictures too. I think that is really low on the use of the phone. I have called Apple support and have an appointment with the Apple store soon ... I guess they will check out the battery and see if its a crap battery; I have heard of two other people who got a bum battery right out of the box. So, we will see.

A great video ... please watch

2008-07-18T23:16:00.001-05:00

2008-07-01T22:06:00.002-05:00

I had my self a runnin' spell after watchin' this one ...

another quote ...

2008-06-09T14:49:00.003-05:00

And yet another quote that I like ...

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

A good Quote ...

2008-06-06T10:55:00.000-05:00

My new fav Quote ...

Who is more irrational? A man who believes in a God he doesn't see, or a man who's offended by a God he doesn't believe in? - Brad Stine

My old blog that was on Yahoo ...

2008-06-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

http://geocities.com/jameyparker_gaz/index.html