For those offended by prayer in schools, I’m offended by murder in schools! I’m not clamoring to get prayer back [in schools], I pray for my
kids anyway. I’m just hoping to reiterate the importance of exercising the right perspective on true offense.
The absence of formal prayer in schools today begs for us to pray with or for our children, other students, teachers, workers, administrators, and principals in schools from where we are…
Lord thank you for protecting and covering our children in Madison
schools and we ask, praise and thank you in advance for your continued
favor and blessings today and the days ahead. Also, please console and strengthen the families of the innocent victims involved in the senseless tragedy that took place this morning in Connecticut. In Jesus name!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Christmas is a wonderful nostalgic time of the year. This season, get your shopping done early so you can relax and take in the atmosphere and spirit of the season. When you shop early you eliminate the negative feelings associated with the rush of traffic and pressure of trying to decide which gifts to buy.
Here are some of the benefits of getting your shopping done early:
You can visit the mall for different reasons (see below) like to park in the back and enjoy the walk to the door.
You can sit back and watch others shop until they drop while sipping on your favorite specialty drinks from Starbucks or Orange Julius. If you think drinks are too high think of it as a Christmas gift to yourself.
You can take a scroll like walk throughout the store to listen to the music and study all of the beautiful decor.
You can take the family out to IHOP for a wide warm cup of their hot caramel chocolate and desert only! Or, you could kick back with family and friends over a few movies, and concoct your own specialty Christmas beverage.
You can pull out the board games or wrap and unwrap a new game on Christmas eve to enjoy with family and friends.
You can read… Hopefully about the true meaning of the season. Whether you believe in Christ or celebrate Christmas or not, He’s the ultimate reason why this season is the MOST WONDERFUL TIME of the year!
I know, stick to the program!-:)
Ok. You can take the wife or hubby or significant other out someplace you’ve never been before. Preferably some place classy with music, candlelights, and dinner. Maybe you could enjoy a dance. Nothing heavy though!
You can visit a park with lights and turn on the radio.
You can… (You tell me). What else can you think of?
Now in order to pull this off, you have to make a list of the people you’re shopping for this year. Try this approach:
Who:
-Immediate Family (Home plus mom/dad)
-Extended Family (relatives)
-Friends (best or close)
-Other (job, church, school, etc)
Gift Types:
-Wrapped Gift List
-Gift Card List
-Photo Gift List
-Non-monetary Card List
Establish a budget of how much you’re willing or able to spend on/for each of them. If you have a large family, get together and agree to one gift ONLY from each member. This should make it easier for individuals to focus on a single quality gift purchase over several smaller insignificant ones (no offense) all while increasing the number of quality gifts an individual may receive from each member.
Since kids love Christmas the most, it may help to tell them up front that they’ll be receiving 1-2 gifts from mom and dad (etc.) and the other guy who flies around all night on Christmas eve with the help of a red nose reindeer. There are all kinds of ways to approach this. Not all families are created equal.
Now as you work out your shopping budgets don’t forget to budget money for the special nostalgic moments you’re looking to create.
The sooner you can figure things out and get the all important obligatory shopping out of the way, the sooner the real fun can began!
Skittles!
PC
“Happy Thanks Day”
“Salvation: The free offer expires when you do.” — @RickWarren
“@easeyoursoul: Eternity is more important than anything you’re doing or dealing with today!” — Colin Smith
Are we going to drive people or draw them? It appears many Christians are doing a fine job of driving people away from church and maybe even God these days. Love draws…
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 KJV)
If we remember that God does the drawing if we lift Him up, maybe it won’t be so difficult to love all people and let God do His work!
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4 KJV)
HOLINESS TAKES TIME! I’m reminded of the scripture that tells us to work out our own salvation…
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:12-15 KJV)
And in times like these, I could surely use a trusted pray partner. Trusted in that this someone won’t be the kind of person who prays a Pharisee-like prayer exalting himself above his brother who he deems as less holy and unworthy.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:11-14 KJV)
The best thing about the election is that it should invoke an outbreak of spiritual reckonings through fasting, praying, revivals, retreats, solemn assemblies, singing, clapping, worshipping, and unity and fellowship amongst “Spirit-filled” believers.
Which reminds me:
“Hey, white brothers and sisters, us black folk over here think we’re saved too.”
Are white Christian evangelicals and full Gospel churches the only ones in the divine perfect will of God? Is heaven segregated? Is the only way to heaven membership in a Caucasian lead and/or predominant ministry?
If the church ever expects to get on the same page politically — and I believe we should be — then this division (on Sunday mornings and in our pulpits) and hypocrisy (Paul said we haven’t arrived yet) must come to a screeching halt. We must be willing to come together and address out differences.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18 KJV)
If in your understanding you believe The Lord is talking about the sinner person coming together to reason with Him what excuse does the church have before Him? I reckon we have some reasoning to do as well.
Our enemy is NOT DIVIDED!
PC
To all my passionate political brothers and sisters:
The Church must stand against all immorality — including greed, hate, and warmongering — not just the ones we dislike or detest. Division. disdain and discrimination or judgment amongst Christian leaders and lay members has contributed greatly to a divided country and a society losing its way everyday. Please don’t take my word for it. Look up a Christian friend or foe on social media and you’ll find proof of this by taking time out to read their post reactions, comments and statuses. People are saying things like God is still on the throne… He’a in control… the end is near! Really? When has God ever left His throne other than to die for ALL, I say ALL mankind? God has always been in control! As for as the end, we don’t need an election to tell us the end is closer… earthquakes, wars, rumors of wars, giving in marriage, famines, pursuing our own lust, the love of many waxed cold, etc.? These are the real indicators. Remember St. Matthew chapter 24? Its all in there! It even warns of the very elect being deceived. “Lord, please help us…” I believe the message in this year’s election results clearly starts with 2 Chronicles 7:14-16: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
WHAT???!!!
Are we going to continue to gloat if you voted for the President or pout if you voted for the Governor OR will we “the blood washed saints of the Most High” examine ourselves to see if we be in the faith?
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV)
Look, we can’t stop what lies ahead. It’s inevitable! Luke reminds us:
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:26-28 KJV)
Now, our hearts shouldn’t fail us for fear if we are God’s elect. Neither should we be on opposite sides of the fence. the fact that many of us are tells you we really have some major work to do OR we aren’t as loving as we think we are. Have we forgotten that without love we are nothing? (See 1 Corinthians 13). Also, Jesus reminds us about leaving things undone… He goes as far as to call us vipers. Check out Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 and read on down. Oh yeah, we’re included too - especially if we’re guilty of these actions.
Look, time IS running out. Collectively or Individually, we’re all leaving here some day. The real question for the Christian is: will we be deceived and found unprofitable servants because we’d rather argue and stand in self-righteous pride OR will He said, well done? (See Matthew 25:12-30)
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30 KJV)
If the Church doesn’t have enough love to humble ourselves together and pray together and worship together and talk together and work together, don’t expect the world to figure it out! Jesus promised us power! I believe He kept His promise. Is “THE GIFT” in you, me, us? Is it? We’re the ones holding on to the talents now.
I’m putting mine to an exchange right here and right now. No, this isn’t the only thing we need to do, but it is an appeal for us to get it together and get together so God can bless us!
I’ve made my move. Now you make yours.
We Can Figure This Out!
PC
If you encourage someone (adults) to make a right and/or better choice, and they insist on making a bad and/or wrong choice, allowing them to do so does not make you guilty of their wrong choice.
God has given us all the precious gift of choice. Do we have a responsibility to bring about the kingdom of God on earth? Absolutely! That’s why politics are still important. This responsibility is clearly evident in the rearing of [our] children, the management of our personal lives and resources, and the showing forth of the light of love in a dark of hate (for God’s precepts) society. However, if we choose to ignore what God expects in the process and things go wrong, God is NOT GUILTY of or for our wrong choices. It’s on you (us).
We have been given complete authority to impose our will in many ways. Making someone act right is not one of them.
The Lord would prefer that we all choose Him. It’s the right choice. However, God is NOT going to make anyone unwillingly choose Him. At least not yet! And neither will I.
Apply to everything…
PC
If the Church or Christian doesn’t or refuse to find a way to demonstrate consistent Godly love and compassion for sinners, the Lord may test those we love with those same sins… To humble us!
Remember Proverbs 10:12; 1 Peter 4:8
Getting out to vote is a MINDSET! Bundle up, charge your phone or iPad, bring a book or a friend, grab your iPod, whatever… Don’t let anything or anybody stop you from casting your vote!
Get it done; make it happen!