We welcome your stories of the "heros" in our community. They can be soldiers in God's Army or in our war on terror. We also welcome testimonials and inspirational stories of how you chose the "road less traveled" that led to a life of "joy and peace that surpasses all understanding".
More Great Quotes
By Various Authors
A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell. – C.S. Lewis
Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count all the apples in one seed. – Robert H. Schuller
Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. – George Mueller
Depend on it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. He is too wise a God to frustrate His purposes for lack of funds, and He can just as easily supply them ahead of time as afterwards, and He much prefers doing so. – J. Hudson Taylor
Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway. – Mary C. Crowley
Everyman's life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers. – Hans Christian Anderson
@ July 16, 2010
Inspirational Quotes for Independence Day!
By Various Christian Saints
One with God is a majority. - Billy Graham
He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all… Our forefathers opened the Bible to all. - Samuel Adams
In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? – Benjamin Franklin
This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed. – Patrick Henry
Just as all things upon earth represent and image forth all the realities of another world, so the Bible is one mighty representative of the whole spiritual life of humanity. - Helen Keller
@July 2, 2010
More Great Quotes…
By Various Christian Saints
"In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God." - John Bunyan
God's wounds cure, sin's kisses kill." - William Gurnall
"As Christians, I challenge you. Have a great aim - have a high standard - make Jesus your ideal...make Him an ideal not merely to be admired but also to be followed.” - Eric Liddell
"The sorest afflictions never appear intolerable, but when we see them in the hand of God, Who dispenses them; when we know that it is our loving Father who abases and distresses us; our sufferings will lose their bitterness and become even a matter of consolation." - Brother Lawrence
"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." - C.H. Spurgeon
"All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning." - Oswald Chambers
"The Hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of moral crisis, preserved their neutrality." - Dante
@ June 18, 2010
More Great Christian Quotes
By Various Christian Saints
"If any man should ask me what is the first, second, and third part of being a Christian, I must answer 'Action!' - Thomas Brooks
"In all trouble you should seek God. You should not set Him over against your troubles, but within them. God can only relieve your troubles if you in your anxiety cling to Him. Trouble should not really be thought of as this thing or that in particular, for our whole life on earth involves trouble; and through the troubles of our earthly pilgrimage we find God." - Augustine of Hippo
"Never forget that God tests his real friends more severely than his lukewarm ones." - Kathryn Hulme
"They gave our Master a crown of thorns. Why do we hope for a crown of roses?" - Martin Luther
"Besides each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." - St. Basil the Great
@June 11, 2010
Great Christian Quotes…
By Some Very Honorable Men and Women
"I had rather be in hell with Christ, then be in heaven without him." - Martin Luther
"It is not possible to speak of the right to choose when a clear moral evil is involved, when what is at stake is the commandment, Do not kill!" - Mother Teresa
"Guilty? Yes, no matter what the motive, love of ease, or a desire to save from suffering the unborn innocent, the woman is awfully guilty who commits the deed. It will burden her conscience in life, it will burden her soul in death; but oh! thrice guilty is he who, for selfish gratification, heedless of her prayers, indifferent to her fate, drove her to the desperation which impels her to crime." - Susan B. Anthony
"A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent." - John Calvin
"We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world." - Helen Keller
"Set yourself earnestly to discover what you are made to do, and then give yourself passionately to the doing of it." - Martin Luther King Jr.
@June 4, 2010
Mothers in Israel
By Patrick Odum
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Villagers in Israel would not fight;
they held back until I, Deborah, arose,
until I arose, a mother in Israel. (Judges 5:7)
Deborah was ahead of her time.
Her story's told in the book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5. The book tells of the escapades of several early leaders in Israel, prior to the development of the monarchy. The “Judges,” as we call them in English, seem to have been mostly tribal chieftains, Robin Hood – like outlaws, or particularly skilled warriors who fought or led local wars against the nations that threatened Israel as they carved out a place for themselves in the land God had given them. Samson and Gideon, a couple of the best-known characters in the Bible, come from Judges. And then some of them are overlooked.
Like Deborah.
She was ahead of her time: a woman of influence in a time when it was men who had the influence. She was a prophet, the text tells us, and she led Israel as judge in a difficult twenty years when God had raised up a Canaanite king, Jabin, and his fleet of chariots to subjugate Israel. Most of the influence she had seems to have been because of her reputation for fairness in settling disputes. Eventually, though, her influence filtered out into larger arenas.
She got a message, apparently – a word from the Lord to a young man named Barak. She called him to her tree, the tree she sat under during the days, rendering her judgments, and she told him what God had said. He was to gather ten thousand soldiers from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and go to war against Jabin. He was to lead his army up Mount Tabor, God would bring Jabin's army to the Kishon River valley, and Barak would lead a charge down from the mountains. “I will give [them] into your hands,” the Lord promised.
Barak's response to Deborah was, “OK, but not unless you go with me.”
Pretty radical for the time – a woman at the front. Deborah agrees, though God tells her that because Barak wants her to come along, it will be a woman who takes out the Canaanite general (which seems to be just fine with Barak!). The battle goes pretty much as anticipated: Deborah gives the word for the charge that finishes the Canaanites, and a woman named Jael kills their general while he sleeps in her tent, hiding out from Barak and his soldiers.
I love the song, credited to Deborah and Barak, that celebrates one of the most unusual military victories in a national history known for unusual military victories. The song celebrates how, at a time when the soldiers in Israel were afraid to lift a finger against the Canaanites, Deborah arose “a mother in Israel.” It celebrates how Deborah, as Israel's national conscience and de facto general, reminded her people of who it was that they were supposed to trust, and who they were supposed to be. Because of Deborah's courage, the song says, Barak took heart. And because Barak took heart, soldiers from tribes all over Israel came out to join his coalition. Jabin's army was routed, and his hold on Israel began to fail.
All because Deborah believed God's promises, and rallied others to believe them too.
“Mother in Israel” sums it up pretty well.
Because that's what mothers do – best, and instinctively – they believe in God's promises, and rally their children to believe in them too. Sometimes they do it with the help of their children's father, sometimes without him, sometimes in spite of him. Some of them do it in their roles as full-time homemaker, while some of them juggle careers as well. Some of these mothers in Israel focus their attentions on their biological children, and maybe their friends. Some of them adopt children who'd be motherless without them. And some are “mothers in Israel” to the boys and girls, men and women, who populate their churches and neighborhoods and classrooms. (Interesting, isn't it, that we call Deborah a mother and know nothing about her biological children – or even if she had any.)
Mothers in Israel come in all shapes, sizes, ages, temperaments, and circumstances. Their economic status can vary, as can their education, race, and skill set. Some may be acknowledged leaders, while others are just known and respected because of their wisdom and good judgment. What they have in common, though, is that they listen to God and they inspire the people who depend on them to be who he says they are and to do what he says they can.
So Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who challenge us not to compromise what we know to be right for anything, however valuable it might be.
Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who remind us how valuable we are to God when we forget. And who remind us that we aren't quite as great as we think when we think too much of our own abilities.
Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who remind us of what matters when we lose our way: loving God and our neighbor. Acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God. Peace, love, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who teach us firsthand and in living color about God's love, grace, and mercy.
Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who tell us the stories in which we find ourselves.
Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who somehow push us to be better without ever making us think that they could love us any more than they already do.
Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who never let us settle for being good enough, who refuse to let us take refuge in easy lies and empty comfort, and who won't let us believe that any challenge is bigger than our God.
Happy Mothers' Day to the mothers in Israel who give us their heart, their strength, their youth, and would never think of taking anything in return.
We owe all of you a great debt, and can only repay it with our appreciation and our love. And we know, of course, that you've never asked for anything else.
Thank you to our Mothers in Israel, for solving our squabbles and calming our fears. And even more, for paying attention to God and telling us when we need to hear it most who he says we are and what he says we can do.
We love you, we appreciate you, and we honor you.* And we're not going anywhere if you don't go with us.
* Especially you, Laura, Mom, and Edie.
To read more from Patrick Odum, please visit his website at FaithWebBlog.com.
@May12, 2010
Sister Alissa Lynne’s Life Testimony
By Sister Alissa Lynne
Praise the Lord, my name is Sister Alissa Lynne and God is truly awesome and wonderful. He has blessed me so and I would like to share what He has done for me in my life. For the Lord is with us always, even when we do not know Him, He knows us.
At the age of six months old, I got the Asian flu, at the time there was a strain going around that was ending the lives of infants and senior citizens. My mother took me to the doctors and pretty much the doctor said to give me the medicine and that is all they could do. My mom took me home, and said she watch the life leave me, I was just as limp and swallow breathing. She told me that she rubbed me down with rubbing alcohol and prayed over me. She said she placed her child on the altar of God and committed my life to Him. An hour later I was bouncing up and down on her leg and showed no signs of having a thing.
At the age of 8 years old, I was laying in my bed and felt some one shake me. I woke up to a room full of smoke and no one there. I got up and told my mom, as we were all out the house, my bedroom blew up. The room was destroyed but I was not there! To this day, I know I was touched by God! AMEN!
At the age of 17, colon cancer attacked me. The Lord blessed me to overcome this disease. At the age of 25, thyroid cancer came to me and the Lord blessed me to overcome that illness. At the age of 33, I had cancer in my uterus, and yet again God blessed me to be here still. At the age of 38, I was diagnosed with Lupus and though I have days of flare ups, my organs have not been damaged and I know that I am healed in the name of Jesus.
From the age of 6 years old until I was 17 years old, I was molested by my step father and grew up in fear that my family would perish if I told anyone. My relationship with my mother was gravely strained and when I was able to move out, I did! I started a life of hanging out, drinking, sleeping around, experimenting with drugs but really not giving a care about my life.
I got married twice to two men who were abusive to me in more ways than one. I was at the lowest point ever in my life that I had ever been. I was a walking zombie. I wanted to die and after years of trying to kill myself and spending time with therapist and hospitals, nothing was working.
My 2nd husband of 8 years left me for another woman leaving me with my son to raise alone. I was devastated and hurting beyond belief. I knew I had to go to church and it was what I needed. I walked in the doors and felt so better. I joined the church and was baptized on July 24, 2008. The enemy attacked me as I was not reading the word of God as I should and surely was not praying as I should. I would half way do what I had to do.
The day that changed my life was when I decided I was going to take matters into my own hands; I jumped in my van and banged on the door of my estranged husband with the thought of killing him, his girlfriend and myself. As I was banging on the door, begging them to come out, a voice screamed in my head – GO HOME! I felt so different and for one moment there was a peace that came over me. I got in my van and have no idea how I got home. I was crying and could not stop. I called my aunt who is saved, and poured it out in tears.
When we got off the phone, I cried it all out to the Lord and when I was done crying, I looked in the mirror to see what God saw. I did not see what He saw but I did see me. I saw that I had to see me as He saw me. But for the first time in my life, after hearing Him speak to me to love Him with all my heart and trusting in Him, it was the beginning of a new life in Jesus.
I started talking to the Lord more, I started hearing His words to me and I was blessed to be filled with His Holy Spirit in speaking in tongues on March 2, 2006. My life has not been the same since! I am a blessed woman and sometimes I wonder why He loves me so, but you know what He loves me so much that He blesses me every day with new grace and mercy!
He sent me a man of God into my life who loved me through the pains and hurt of my past life. Jesus showed me the love of life in Him. He has shown me that He can be all that we need and when we are in Him we can live life abundantly. He has set me on a new path and a new walk in Him. I have never been this happy in my life. Sure things happen and pains come but the Lord heals me in all that I go through as long as I go to the Lord and give it to Him.
I am a blessed woman and He has laid a path before me that is awesome because the path is in Him. He has healed me in all aspects of life. I have been healed in my body, my mind, my spirit and soul! God is just so awesome, just spending time with the Lord can change your life for all eternity. I am standing in His word and I know that He will keep me!
May you continue to stand in the Lord and know that He can deliver you from any situation that you find yourself in. He will bring you out of mess that the world has dealt you and even the mess that we ourselves create! God is awesome and I am blessed in Him.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Praise the Lord and keep walking in Jesus for your life.
Love your sister in Christ,
Sister Alissa Lynne
About the Author: She is the Founder of Women Living 4 Jesus (www.womenliving4jesus.org) You can read my life story at Living Victorious site - www.livingvictorious.com/thetruthmainpage.html
@ April 23, 2010; Source: Narrow is the Path
An Incredible Day In The History Of Haiti
By Jerry Miel (Feb 17).
I think that I will remember this day as one of the most significant in my life, not because of what I did, but for it's meaning...
Today was the one month anniversary of the great Haitian earthquake.
About 3 days ago the Haitian President announced that there would be 3 days of holiday from work for the purpose of fasting and prayer. This is absolutely historic. If you have ever been in Haiti as a visitor or missionary, could you ever have imagined such a pronouncement? Could you image such an announcementfrom the U.S. President? This morning I saw a young Haitian- American woman, the leader of a work team, crying because the Americans could not understand the incredible importance of this day and wanted to go about business as usual. Remember, it was only about 6 years ago that a former Haitian president called the nation to come together to rededicate the nation to Satan.
This was not "a minute of silence for the deceased" or something as equally insignificant. Whatever the President might have originally intended, this became a real commitment for the Haitian people. As I sit here this evening, I can hear the preaching coming from a nearby church. Services have been going on all day...
Let me tell you what I saw and felt today.
Peniel and I had planned an inspection trip up to the Artibonite Valley today. Right or wrong, I don't really know, but since it was the only opportunity, we went ahead with the trip. As we left the guest house about 7:30 am, we were met by throngs of well dressed people headed to various churches. The sounds of Christian music and worship filled the air everywhere. The next observation was that there was NO traffic. Port-au-Prince streets are always clogged and overflowing with bumper to bumper traffic. This morning there were only a few vehicles on the roads, a few small buses (tap taps), some UN and military vehicles, and a few private cars. We had clear sailing through town. The same was
true of foot traffic. Usually the streets are clogged also with people walking. Today there were only a few and many of them dressed for church. The only place that there were traffic blocks was in front of several churches where the congregations had overflowed the buildings and the yards and had moved out into the streets as well.
The next observation was that EVERYTHING was closed! We could not find even one business or gas station open. There were no intercity buses running. Whereas the sidewalks are usually overflowing with millions of street venders, we only saw a few here and there. The huge outdoor market near the wharf where thousands work each day and is spread out to cover most of the street, was EMPTY.
Where were all the people? They were in churches and makeshift meeting sites. Every church (except a JW church) had services going on, almost always overflowing into the streets. Beside broken down churches, services were taking place outside. In homeless camps, there were services. Everywhere the nation was gathered to worship and pray. No, I did not see any voodoo, Islamic, or Buddhist services. This scene was repeated in every town and hamlet that we passed during the day.
Tonight, Pastor Ignace, who is sharing the room with me, asked this question: "Can people still say that Haiti is a voodoo country?" What has been happening and is continuing to happen in Haiti did not happen because of the earthquake. It has been happening because the Haitian people know how to pray. This is a tremendous outpouring of God's power as the result of prayer. Twenty years ago I started praying for the Gospel to change the Haitian culture. I think that I am seeing God do that work.
The only sadness that I feel today is for our nation. While a nation that has long been under Satan's domination is turning to God with total commitment, our nation, founded on Godly values has rejected God and is rapidly trying to forget that his name even exists. Let us pray for revival.
4-MIN VIDEO of HAITI DAYS of PRAYER-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30rWm84z-zg
God bless you all!
@March 4, 2010
Family - God's Boot Camp
By Cindee Re
It was Tuesday morning. My sons were working through a biology study guide together, preparing for a test. My 8th grader enjoys all things science, but my 10th grader would rather have his teeth pulled than study biology. He'd willingly spend twice as long studying the Constitution of the United States in its original language than a fourth of that time with a microscope. Today was no exception. As my younger son attempted to answer his older brother's unrelenting questions, he lost his patience and muttered something unkind. Already frustrated and now provoked, my older son slugged his younger brother.
People issues - ugh! - by far the most challenging moments of my homeschooling day, but also often the most rewarding.
I sent my older son to his room to cool off, and talked to my younger son first. As usual, science wasn't the problem, expectations were. Too often we expect things from others we have no right to expect. Today, my older son expected his younger brother to do all the studying and feed him the answers, not only unrealistic, but wrong, a lose-lose situation.
When we expect others to distract us from our boredom, ease our loneliness, dispel our insecurities, or love us through our most unlovable moments, we expect too much. People can't fulfill our deepest needs, but God can, and He promises us in Philippians 4:19 that He will: "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." With a beautiful promise like that, why do we continue to seek fulfillment in fellow, fallible human beings?
As I talked with my boys later that morning, I reminded them that God placed each of us in this family together on purpose. He knew it wouldn't always be easy, that there would be arguments and conflicts, and that tempers would sometimes flare. Yet God created families, because this is where we learn about whom God is and what grace means. This is where we learn to love one another deeply from the heart, to put God first, and to adjust our expectations of others. Family is where we learn respect and trust, teamwork and values. It's where we learn to encourage and pray for one another, where we learn to put the other person's needs ahead of our own. Family, like military boot camp, can be exhausting and exhilarating, challenging and freeing, frustrating and sometimes even overwhelming, but it's also where we learn to see one another not as we are today, but for whom we can become as we grow together in Christ. Seeing others' potential inspires us to persevere together through the rough patches, and as we do, we begin to learn what it means to willingly lay down our life for our brother.
Father, thank you for Your precious, priceless gift of family, and the opportunity to grow together into the people You created us to be. May we never take it or You for granted. Amen.
About the Author - Cindee Snider Re lives in Sussex, Wisconsin with her husband, their five children and two cats. She enjoys quiet evenings, long walks, homeschooling her children, good books, lots of tea, and traveling on the Harley with her husband. http://www.breathedeeply.org
@ January 29, 2010; Source: Faith Writers
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