IFBKJV.com Blog Directory

2012-02-25T01:38:00.001-06:00

The Lord has opened up several doors for us in the last week that are very exciting. We have been praying for a printer that could print our tracts at a fraction of the cost and we have found two. One is in the States and another in The Philippines. We can now get 10,000 14 pt card stock tracts for $180 including shipping in the States and 10,000 for $220 in The Philippines. While the price is higher in the Philippines it is actually a better deal because that is the price we are paying now and we won't need to ship them there which will save money on shipping. The Brother in the Philippines has also agreed to ship for us to countries close to him which will also save money on shipping costs. But we need your help. We are looking for anyone who would be able to help fund some of these projects. You are familiar with our 2012 Outreach and we again want to get as many of the 2012 tracts printed and handed out while we can. Our missionary friend in the Philippines has completed the Tagalog version of the video and would love to be able to hand out the tracts after he shows the video in villages. Please pray about what God might have you do to help us in our efforts. We still also ask prayer for the money to come in on the DVD duplicator we wish to purchase. Again also we need people to also use out materials so if you would like to place an order for tracts please fill out the form here http://afterdeathwhat.com/tracts.htm Please ignore the description size as the tracts are around 3.25x4.5 Have a great day. God bless. :)

Abortion Clocks

2012-02-24T18:17:00.001-06:00

Another more up to date (worse), detailed website: http://www.numberofabortions.com/

Having Meaningful Friendships & Keeping Them

2012-02-23T02:56:00.000-06:00

I don't claim to be an expert in "friendships" since I myself am prone to taking the FB route of friendships and just speaking to people online, but never approaching them in real life and actually getting to know the person! I am getting better at it though by the grace of God.

In this post, I wanted to share from a biblical point of view what are the right and wrong ways to establish friendships. I might not be an expert but God is an expert and he has given us his Word :)

How to have meaningful friendships

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18 v2

To have a meaningful friendship - first YOU must take the initiative and show yourself friendly to others. It is no good saying to yourself that others must come to you first. A person that has friends is usually the one who is open to initiate and cultivate friendships without waiting for others to initiate.

At times we are drawn to Christians who are in our own social class and we shy away from other Christians who we see as "different" to us. This kind of mentality will give you the friends you want, but not necessarily the friends you need.

Jesus was known as the friend of sinners! He identified with those who were socially unaccepted or unpopular i.e. the publicans. In Mark 15 it is said of Jesus that he was numbered with the transgressors. Jesus knew about being friendly...in fact he is the friend who sticketh closer than a brother.

If you want meaningful friendships, then FIRST be friendly to others; the more you do so the more God will bring the right Christian friends to you who will stick with you through good times and bad times.

How to keep meaningful friendships

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. - Job 6 v15-17

Alright! So to have friends you must be friendly to others. In order to keep friends though....you must NOT do what Job's friends.

It is out of the scope of this devotional to go into the story of Job's friends, but Job himself summarized them in chapter 6 v15-17 as "fair-weather friends"

If you want to keep good friends then you have to be a friend to others not only when things are going well for them, but when things are going bad as well.

When the heat is turned up on your friend, still love that person and stand by them and be a friend through hardships.

Proverbs 17 v17 says "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

True biblical friendships are hard to come by. A friend who is there for you through hardships and who loves you is a real blessing indeed. In order though to have these kind of friends you must first be that kind of friend to others.

May we follow the LORD's example found in scripture about having and keeping friends.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15 v13

God bless

Lost Hymns

2012-02-20T12:42:00.002-06:00

Jesus, the Lamb of God
Isaac Watts
Rev. 5. 11-13

Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the throne;
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
But all their joys are one.

“Worthy the Lamb that died,” they cry,
“To be exalted thus.”
“Worthy the Lamb,” our lips reply,
“For he was slain for us.”

Jesus is worthy to receive
Honour and power divine;
And blessings more than we can give,
Be, Lord, for ever thine.

The whole creation join in one,
To bless the sacred name
Of him that sits upon the throne,
And to adore the Lamb.

This can be sung to the tune of "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" with a little adaptation:

Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels all round the throne;
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
But all their wondrous joys are one.
“Worthy the Lamb,” they cry,
“To be exalted thus.”
“Worthy,” our lips reply,
“For he was slain for us.”
“Worthy the Lamb that died for us!"

Jesus is worthy to receive
Honour and power all divine;
And blessings more than we can give,
Be, Lord, both now and ever thine.
“Worthy the Lamb,” they cry,
“To be exalted thus.”
“Worthy,” our lips reply,
“For he was slain for us.”
“Worthy the Lamb that died for us!"

The whole creation join in one,
To bless the blessed, sacred name
Of him that sits upon the throne,
And to adore the precious Lamb.
“Worthy the Lamb,” they cry,
“To be exalted thus.”
“Worthy,” our lips reply,
“For he was slain for us.”
“Worthy the Lamb that died for us!"

KJV Verses, A Graphics Resource

2012-02-16T11:31:00.011-06:00

Here is a graphics resource I wanted to share for KJV verses. I use these as my desktop rotating backgrounds, and have also used them on my facebook group: Post a Bible Verse for the Day. You have to be careful, as some of the real older graphics are not KJV. Here are a few examples:

Women & Soul-Winning

2012-02-16T02:31:00.001-06:00

It’s rather easy to get the impression that soul-winning is a male endeavor! A casual reader of the Bible or a nominal Christian today might think that going out there and winning the lost is a task placed solely upon the shoulders of men.

The task of reaching the lost with the gospel though is a God given role to every single born again believer, male and female without exception. Allow me to expand!

The original great commission given by Jesus Christ was to his disciples which were his church when he was on Earth! Christ was the head of that church, he taught them the Word, they prayed together, sang psalms, he sent them out two by two soul-winning, he reproved rebuked and exhorted them…all the hallmarks of what a great new testament church should be was present in Jesus Christ’s ministry to the disciples.

Some of his last parting words to his disciples, before he ascended up to the Father is what we commonly know today as the great commission.

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” ~ Mark 16 v15

Now we know that Christ is the head of every single scriptural church today.

This truth is made crystal clear in the beautiful picture of marriage.

“……..Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject into Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing………..” ~ Ephesians 5 v22-24

Much like how every good marriage is a picture of Christ and the church, the same with every scriptural church....Christ is the head of that church and the pastor is known as the under-shepherd to the one Great Shepherd Jesus Christ.

So the command to preach the Gospel to every creature is to every single scriptural church standing today and ever will stand.

Churches are made up of mixed multitudes of people both male and female, if ever a church hopes to reach as many people as they can with the Gospel then it’s going to take the combined efforts of all believers not just men.

We read in the book of Acts 1 how there were gathered about 120 believers! Many who were women and it states so within the context.

These are the same believers who were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 who went out and got about 3000 people saved.

This was a fulfilment of the prophet Joel’s words when he said “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants hand handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy” explained by Peter in the Acts 2 narrative

3000 people could only be saved with the combined efforts of all the believers working together being filled with the Holy Spirit. God is no respecter of persons he will use both men or women to save the lost, all he needs is a willing vessel.

Remember the Samaritan woman in John 4? When she was saved by Christ, she went out with the good news and got other people saved.

I believe in women preachers (not behind the pulpit preaching! God forbid) but out there in the harvest where the labourers are so few! In the highways and hedges and door to door with the news of glad tidings.

We read many times in Paul’s writings how he wanted the women that laboured with him in the Gospel to be looked after, he praised the efforts of god fearing women like Phebe, Priscilla, Mary, Julia, Chloe, Euodias, Syntyche, Eunice and Lois etc who helped him and who were bold enough to open their mouths and give people the Gospel.

God is not restricted by numbers or whether your male or female, he is though restricted when believers make excuses and are not willing to put in the work or the time for the Gospel.

The magnitude of winning the lost is a lifetimes work, a work that is so important, that it should be impressed on every believers heart.

New Song of the Month, Lyrics

2012-02-13T11:52:00.002-06:00

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me;
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
No, I was found, was found of Thee.

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea;
'Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou, dear Lord, took hold on me.

I find, I walk, I love; but, oh, the whole
Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee!
For Thou wert long beforehand with my soul;
Always, always Thou lovedst me.

I Sought the Lord (Him Seeking Me) - http://www.godlychristianmusic.com/music/play2.aspx?id=413&type=song.mp3 Most of the time the songs I post monthly, are singer written. However, this is an old psalter hymn, written by an anonymous source sometime before 1878.

This website has original songs from singer/songwriters. You have to weed through them, but there are many very nice songs to choose from. They have some really cute kid's songs and teen choruses. I am always looking for new songs to sing in church that others may have never heard of. There are also a lot of scripture songs, but be aware, not all use the KJV.

Loving the Unlovely

2012-02-06T11:27:00.000-06:00

We all have people in our lives who are easy to love. It is easy to give and show love to these people because it is a give and take relationship. We know that when we show love to them, they will in turn show love to us. Perhaps you can think of a person in your life right now like this - maybe your best friend, a parent, sibling or someone in your church.

It is natural for us to love those who love us. Even those of the world will love those who love in return. Jesus spoke of this in Mt 5:46, "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" There is no reward for this kind of love. True love is giving without expecting anything in return.

Jesus talked of loving the poor, loving those who could not return the favor. When He says poor, I do not think this necessarily means in a physical sense. Who is there in your life that is difficult to love? Someone that may not necessarily love you back? What about the awkward person who always seems to say the wrong thing at the wrong time?

Being a teacher, sometimes I am often faced with students that are difficult to love. A student once asked his teacher, "do you love all your students?" Honestly, there are some of my students I don't "feel" like loving. But, wait a minute! Love is not just some fuzzy feeling we get from being around a certain person. Love is a decision. I must make the decision to love that student who tries every possible way to wear out my patience. I must make the decision to love that awkward person others may see as a misfit.

True love is putting others needs ahead of my own. This may not be as difficult to do for some people, but what about the people I really don't like or care for? When we reach this point, we are beginning to show Christlike character. For it was Him who first loved us - just the way we were - poor miserable sinners with nothing to offer.

Well Done, Faithful Servants

2012-02-01T22:12:00.004-06:00

Matthew 25:23 "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant;" Please pray for the Casias family. Missionaries for 29+ years, murdered Jan. 31, 2012, in Mexico. It will brings tears to your eyes, bless your soul, and make you wish you did more for Christ, when you read of person after person in their guest book they have served for God. http://casias.org/home.html

They came to our church (we support them) not too long ago, telling us of the serious problems in Mexico, and asking for prayer for their continued safety. Even though they knew it was dangerous to return, their love for God, manifested in their love for the people of Mexico, drew them to return to the field. Mrs. Wanda Casias' body (67) was found by her son, and Bro. John Casias (76) was missing, but soon found nearby, dead. We know their bodies may have remained here on earth, but they are in heaven tonight! They both died doing what they desired to do, serve the Lord faithfully. Thank God for faithful servants who bravely spend their lives in the service of Jesus Christ. Please sign their guest book with your condolences for the family. They leave ten children.

2 Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

Let us remember to always pray for our missionaries and their work on the field! 1 Thessalonians 5:25 "Brethren, pray for us."

About the Casias (from their website): "John and Wanda Casias are Strong Bible Teachers. John believes the preaching of the Bible to be God's ordained means of pointing people to Christ and of spiritually maturing believers. We believe in Evangelistic Singing. Music with a Clear Message. The special music and congregational singing are unmistakably songs of praise to God and of His salvation through Jesus Christ. Our Churches Display Compassion for All; Genuinely Friendly Atmosphere. John and Wanda truly care, not just for the Mexican people, but about all the people. Their desire to be used of God, and to be a blessing to all those who God puts in their path. We believe all born-again Christians need to be Faithful to the Gospel. We stay Active in Outreach ministries. Our ministry extends throughout Mexico and throughout the world by supporting missionaries through the “La Primera Iglesia Bautista Fundamental e Independiente” in El Cercado, Santiago Nuevo Leon Mexico. This is one of the first churches John and Wanda organized in the Republic of Mexico. (The First Independent Fundamental Baptist Church)."

10 Things You May Not Know about Your Pastor

2012-01-31T21:52:00.000-06:00

1. Preparing a single sermon takes 8-12 hours or more. So, you see, he really does "work"! :-)

2. Unless he grew up in the town in which he pastors, he doesn't know your great Aunt Roberta's sister-in-law from her first marriage who now lives in Florida with her cat, Muffin. Likewise, he probably doesn't know where the Oak tree is that you used to climb on as a child, which is beside the road where he should turn to get to John Doe's house. (Names are fictional, please don't sue me.)

3. He isn't psychic. If you know someone who is sick or in the hospital, a phone call would be appreciated.

4. If he is a true man of God, he doesn't use his pulpit as a place to "get even". If he preaches on lying, it's because it's in the Bible, not because he knows you're doing it. To think such is to be paranoid. And under conviction by the Holy Spirit, who, by the way, knows you've been lying.

5. When he doesn't take one of your suggestions, it could be because he knows something about a particular situation that you do not know. Trust him.

6. He would be thrilled if you go forward during the invitation and get saved or get right with God (if you need to). He won't be angry, judgmental or condescending. Seeing people get saved or get right with the Lord is what he lives for. Do it. You'll be happy, he'll be happy. See? It's a win-win! :)

7. He wants people to come to church even more than you do.

8. Gossip hurts.

9. Gossip hurts.

10.Gossip hurts.

Posted by Valerie Basham

Amazing Grace

2012-01-26T11:40:00.000-06:00

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come;

'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far

and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun.

Lost Hymns

2012-01-25T12:26:00.001-06:00

Breathing after Holiness

Isaac Watts

Ps. 119. 5, 29-37, 133

O that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!

O that my God would grant me grace

To know and do his will.

Order my footsteps by thy word,

And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

Make me to walk in thy commands;
’Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.

Can be sung to the tune of "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing".

Ministry127 and Graphics

2012-01-16T11:24:00.001-06:00

I have mentioned Ministry127 here a few times, and they are a great resource to share. One of the things I like best about Lancaster, is that they freely share their online resources (a belief I share). They allow you to repost and use almost everything you find at Ministry127. If you are not familiar with it, it is a ministry of helps from Lancaster Baptist Church (West Coast Baptist College), with Pastor Paul Chappell.

An area of Ministry127.com I appreciate is their graphics work section. They provide these images for powerpoints, blogs, pictures for your church bulletin - really anywhere you want to use them. I have even used them as backgrounds for verses for my facebook page, and I have seen a number of tracts designed using them. To get right to the graphics, click here: ministry127.com/resources/slides. Here are some recent examples:

One nice feature, is that they also upload blank graphics, so you can customize with your own text.

Welcome!

2012-01-13T00:08:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the newest blogger here at the blogroll: A Plain Path

This blog takes a verse every day, and includes an audio (nice music!) devotion. Check it out, it's a great resource and I am enjoying the daily devos personally as well.

Also, please note our email here has changed.

Why You Don’t Like Tim Tebow

2012-01-09T14:24:00.001-06:00

Well okay, maybe not YOU, but there are a lot of those out in traditional and social media who love to do what ever they can to belittle and mock Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Denver Broncos. To be fair, there are those who are fans of Tim Tebow who go overboard the other way. But that discussion is for another post another day. As far as why he is so divisive, and what he does that causes such vitriol? While there may be many reasons behind this, here are the two major ones that I can come up with:

He is very outspoken about his faith, and that always rubs people the wrong way. The sad truth is that most of our society couldn’t publish fast enough and loud enough how great he has been in unexpectedly leading his team to victories if they knew that he was: getting drunk with his teammates afterwards, in a sexual relationship with some Hollywood scarlet, etc. How often does the media bemoan all the bad qualities of athletes, and yet when one comes along who is the opposite of MOST, he is mocked and belittled for it? But that is to be somewhat expected from non-Christians.
- What surprises me most (and maybe it shouldn’t) are all the Christians who fall into this category. But maybe it has to do with the fact that we see someone who does what we know we should be doing but have always convinced ourselves that it is impossible – sharing our faith publically and at work. Tim Tebow is an ever present example to all Christians on how to practically fulfill the Great Commission in our own life, and that convicts us.
He is doing more with less. This one is a little more tricky to spot, but I really think many have a problem with Tebow because they perceive him as having “no talent,” and yet he is leading his team in surprising fashion. Maybe the source of their negativity is in a lack of their own accomplishments. Seeing someone who shouldn’t be doing what he is doing makes them feel guilty for not doing more with their life when they have more self-perceived “talents” in their own business field.

Now, most who like to criticize Tebow will never say it has to do with either of the two listed above. But most articles, commentaries, tweets, etc. point to one of these two reasons. And at the end of the day, isn’t that one of the big problems within our society: taking our own shortcomings out on others who succeed where we fail? It is the idea that if I can blow out someone else’s light, mine will burn brighter, which is just not true.

Instead of finding reason’s to tear someone down, how about we congratulate them and then examine our own life to see whether or not we are using our talents, gifts, abilities, and blessings as a testimony for God to the benefit and blessing of others?

Stop Doing and Start Growing: Grow in Grace

2012-01-05T11:38:00.002-06:00

{My goal is publish every Monday my previous Sunday morning’s message (Yes, I realize that I am starting this on a Wednesday!). My primary goal is to be a benefit to those who were there and want to review something that was said. But if this can be a blessing to those who are not here, then great! I don’t type out full manuscripts before I preach. This is just an outline. I will work on getting ahold of the full audio version of each sermon and posting those, as well.}

Click Here For the Full Audio Version

SERIES: Stop Doing and Start Growing

TITLE: 01 – Grow in Grace
TEXT: 2 Peter 3:18
INTRO:
· What is the primary feeling felt by the majority of Christians today: Love…Joy…? Contentment…Peace…etc?
· For many, if not most, it is …GUILT.
· We have programmed ourselves that the more we do, the more God likes us: Attendance, Bible reading, offering, evangelism, etc.
· Therefore, we think the opposite is true – when we sin, God is so angry with us that He disowns us and there is no way we can return to Him…the church…etc.
· All of this is the result of faulty understanding of the Gospel and of Grace.

o Weak definition of Grace & the Gospel that leads us to believe grace only involves us when we sin.

· Our goal is to correct this mindset in 2012:

o AM – Fruit of the Spirit – not something we do, but something that flows.

o PM – The Gospel – for Christians!

· This morning, we need to start with the issue of Growing in Grace.
I. WHAT IS GRACE?
a. Grace – charis –
b. 5485. χάρις charis, khar´-ece; from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):^{^[1]}

i. So, Grace is not just something that God bestows upon us, but something God flows through us.

c. For many, grace is only something that involves either salvation or something we need when we sin. But grace is much more than that.

i. We are STRENGTHENED by grace – 2 Timothy 2:1–4 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

ii. We ENDURE SUFFERING by grace – 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

iii. We GIVE when GIVING IS DIFFICULT by grace – 2 Corinthians 8:1–2 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

iv. We SING when SINGING IS DIFFICULT by grace – Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

v. We ARE WHAT WE ARE by grace – 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

d. When we do not recognize and exercise the grace of God within us, it means it was given to us in vain.

i. Paul used his grace, and it was grace that used Paul.

ii. William Barclay – The Christian must daily experience the wonder of grace, and daily grow in the gifts which grace can bring.[2]

II. WHAT IT MEANS TO GROW IN GRACE?
a. Grow – the word is a present, active imperative and means to be constantly growing, not in spurts.

i. Spiritual spurts may get more initial recognition, but continual growth has lasting impact.

b. The fruit of the Spirit, which are listed in Gal 5:22-23 and we will be studying for the next couple of weeks, are evidences of growing in grace.
c. Growing in grace does mean that you must experience and go through trials and even suffering.

i. Wiersbe – We never really experience the grace of God until we are at the end of our resources.[3]

ii. The lessons learned while enrolled in the “School of Grace” always cost a lot, but are worth the price.

d. To grow in grace means to be more and more like Jesus.

i. John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

ii. We grow IN grace BY grace!

Close:
· Have you experienced Eternal Grace?
· Have you experienced Daily Grace?

o Are you growing in grace? Let’s grow in grace in 2012.

^{^[1]} Strong, J., S.T.D., LL.D. (2009). Vol. 1: A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (77). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[2] William Barclay, The Letters of James and Peter,(Saint Andrew Press; Edinburgh, Scotland, 1960), pg 415
[3] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2, (Chariot Victor Publishing, Colorado Springs, COL, 1989), pg. 470

Chat with Vera: TYNDALE: The Man Who Gave God An English Voice by ...

2012-01-03T19:24:00.001-06:00

Chat with Vera: TYNDALE: The Man Who Gave God An English Voice by ...: Meet William Tyndale, a contemporary of Martin Luther, and Thomas Moore. David Teems presents a thorough history of the life and work of Wi...

New Song of the Month, Lyrics

2011-12-13T11:34:00.002-06:00

The crowd is pressing, thronging Him,
He seems so far away.
I wonder if I'll ever have the strength to make my way.
In desperation, I push through, I must, I must succeed,
In touching One who has the pow'r to meet my every need.

CH: Closer to Jesus, that's where I long to be.
I long to have the hem of His garment just within my reach.
If I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me,
I want to be…closer to Jesus.

I've touched Him, now I know His pow'r
Is more than I could see.
So suddenly, the sin and guilt is gone, and I am free.
He turns to me, and oh, the great compassion in His voice,
Thy faith hath made thee whole, He says,
And now I can rejoice! (Let me be)

Closer to Jesus - http://www.godlychristianmusic.com/music/play2.aspx?id=553&type=song.mp3

This website has original songs from singer/songwriters. You have to weed through them, but there are many very nice songs to choose from. They have some really cute kid's songs and teen choruses. I am always looking for new songs to sing in church that others may have never heard of. There are also a lot of scripture songs, but be aware, not all use the KJV.

2011-12-10T18:10:00.001-06:00

This seems to be a hot topic and will only get hotter as we get closer to the day. If you have not done so please take 9 minutes to watch this! Please also pass this on to family and friends. God bless. :)

Questions For Pastors When Being Forced Out

2011-12-03T16:00:00.002-06:00

I have not read any statistics on this lately, but I am sure that a vast majority, upwards of 90%, of pastors have faced the situation of being forced out of the church in which they pastor. It is never a pretty picture, and usually ends in a bad way. Why does this happen? Should a pastor ever leave? Though these questions seem to be easily answered, it is not so simple when you are in the middle of the hurricane fighting to strengthen the things that remain!

Sometimes you feel that nobody cares about you. Having faced a form of this on a couple of occasions, I know exactly how it feels when the people that you love, pray for, help, and would die for, want to see you leave. It is also quite amazing how a pastor is treated by his fellow preachers when he does leave. It seems that when a pastor shares all of the gory details, making himself look good, that pastors are quick to get behind him. However, when a pastor tries to keep things "hush hush", somehow he is always the problem; obviously hiding something. The truth of the matter is that neither scenario is 100% accurate.

Listed below are some questions that a pastor should ask himself when he feels that he is being forced out!

#1 - Pastor, Are You Digging The Hole Yourself?

Many times, pastors are the ones who are digging the hole in which they find themselves.
Look around and see if there are others in the hole with you!

#2 - Pastor, Are You Doing Right?

Sometimes, as pastors, we forget that we are capable of being the problem.
Before we dogmatically place blame upon certain members of the congregation, let us be sure that we are not guilty of some sin; public or private!
Like God did with King Saul, He might be allowing trouble to come our way to chasten us!

#3 - Pastor, Are You Seeking God's Glory Or Your Own?

Being a glory hound will bring a church split in a hurry.
Your agenda, reputation, and will is not what is most important, no matter how spiritual you make think they are.
Pride in our own lives can be subtle and hard to detect.

#4 - Pastor, Are You Falling On The Wrong Sword?

Sometimes the issues (SURFACE ISSUE) which precipitate the forcing out of a pastor are complicated, but they can be rightly discerned.
Is the issue you are dieing over worth it?

#5 - Pastor, Are You Walking With God?

Being in the center of God's will is what is most important!
Contrary to popular opinion, it is sometimes the will of God to clear off a spot and do like Moses and Joshua... "Who is on the LORD's side" - "Choose you this day"
No matter how bleak things might seem, knowing for certain, the will of God brings comfort!

#6 - Pastor, Are You In Consultation With Your Pastor Or Another Objective Brother?

When in a difficult situation like is being described in this post, one needs help from their pastor.
War should not be waged alone, and it should not be waged by twins either. Don't surround yourself with people who you know to be 100% agreeable with you.
A fresh pair of eyes can make the difference between victory and disaster!

#7 - Pastor, Are You Mistaking The Actions Of A Few For The Consensus Of The Majority?

When hurt and troubled, the giants seem to be in the majority!
No matter how much venom is being spewed at you, take the high road and remember that not everyone is against you!

#8 - Pastor, Are You Looking At The Bigger Picture?

The problem you face, when being forced out, is much bigger than you and your family!
As hard as it is on family and friends, keep the big picture in mind!
There will be another brother to follow you if you do, in fact, leave the church. Please try to avoid a scorched earth policy... for his sake!

#9 - Pastor, Are You Wanting To Leave In The First Place?

Are you just looking for an exit ramp!
If you are looking for any excuse to leave, then leave and keep your mouth shut!

#10 - Pastor, Are You Willing To Admit Possible Mistakes And Work Things Out?

It could be that the whole reason you feel pressure to leave is from a mistake on your part.
Regardless of the actions taken by others, try your best to admit your mistakes, bear the consequences and move on WITH the congregation.

Conclusion
Leaving a church voluntarily or by force of opinion/vote, is never easy. In the best of circumstances, when a pastor leaves a congregation, it is difficult to move forward. Often, people are caught in the middle and never recover fully from the unfortunate course of events. Assuredly, if a pastor considers the aforementioned questions, then he possibly can make a better decision about whether or not to leave the church he dearly loves.

Christmas tree or no Christmas tree :)

2011-12-02T14:15:00.002-06:00

If I've heard it once....I've heard it a million times (pardon the exaggeration). Certain circles look down upon the lowly Christmas as a sign of idolatry, the eyes of scrutiny and the fingers of mockery point to the passage of (Jeremiah 10 v1-5) as proof that placing a Christmas tree in your home is one that should be avoided at the highest degree.

Alright....let's view the actual passage then, and see exactly what Jeremiah..or better yet the Holy Ghost through Jeremiah was talking about.

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. ~Jeremiah 10

On face-value, I can see why these passages may be interpreted to Christmas trees, but a little understanding of idolatry and what constitutes idolatry easily diffuses this mis-understanding pretty quickly.

In Deuteronomy 4; God in my opinion gives the clearest explanation of what idolatry is, for the sake of length, I shall not paste the verses here, but I encourage everyone to read the chapter.

To summarise what idolatry is, it's the making of any graven image of any likeness in Heaven, Earth or in the seas - not to mention worshiping the sun, moon & stars or all the hosts of heaven. God not only forbids making these images, but he also forbids worshiping them. A two-fold command which not only is against the creating of images of God, but also against bowing down and worshiping them.

The LORD did not show himself in any manner for which the Israelites could copy as he states so in Deuteronomy 4, as he spoke in a voice out of the mount.

Alright! So how does this all relate to the Jeremiah 10 passage? Well if you do a bible-study of idolatry, it's always people taking wood, stone or metal and either melting it into a graven image or carving it into a graven image. In Jeremiah 10....it's no different.

V3-4 of Jeremiah 10 specifically make a point of explaining how a tree is cut down with the axe of a workman. The "ways of the heathen" spoken about continues to state in v4-5 how the tree is covered in gold and silver (no not gold balls and silver tinsels lol) but actual gold and silver. The tree is cut and propped upright with nails so it "does not move".

Idolatrous images were made in different ways, either from wood, stone or from metal. What the workman would do is either carve the wooden image, cut the stone into an image or melt the metal and form an image. This is what God specifically states He is against.

v5 of Jeremiah 10 is the most telling verse and the key which unlocks the right interpretation of these passages. God states in v5 how these carved trees cannot speak, move or think evil. Therefore "fear them not". What clearly is being described here is not just a tree cut down, but an idolatrous image propped up and decked with gold and silver made to resemble God or a god.

This my friends is not the same as a christmas tree, which is indeed cut down (if you want an real tree anyway lol) decked with tinsels, gold or red balls and covered in lights. What is described in Jeremiah 10 is a graven image "graven" being the keyword.

Of course, if people choose to worship a Christmas tree then that too is idolatry. Although having a Christmas tree to mark the occassion of Christmas is not wrong in itself since it does not even qualify as a graven image.

So yeah!! I would love to be more depth with this study, but I think I've spent more time than is necessary on such an unecessary subject as Christmas trees :)

Just got tired of people mentioning this passage in conjunction with Christmas trees, that I thought I would study the passage and prove what is really being spoken about.

If you want further proof of what I mean, just read the whole chapter of Jeremiah 10 and you will quickly see how this passage is dealing with graven images and idolatry...

After 18 months of battling cancer, she says.....

2011-11-30T06:30:00.002-06:00

I am grateful to have a day to reflect on my many blessings. Here are some of the things I was thankful for today:

The opportunity to experience the joy, pride, and even frustration of being the mother of teenage boys.
Healthy parents.
Siblings who jumped on planes to attend appointments with me.
Siblings who attended appointments with mom and dad when I couldn't.
Siblings who sent care packages, cards, and texts.
A family that made sure I ate well.
A sister who hung out with me for twelve hours of surgery and chemo.
Siblings-in-law who spent hours on the phone and internet helping me find solutions.
Friends who wore "Vera shirts" on Fridays.
Answered prayers.
Strength and peace during a trying year.
Assurance: "To live is Christ; to die is gain."
Laughter.
Hair.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery; today is a gift. That's why it's called the Present." I am so thankful each of you! I love you!

What’s The Password

2011-11-29T12:00:00.001-06:00

Let me say this upfront if you have been redirected back to this blog post: I’m Sorry. My intentions is not to offend you, hurt your feelings, or make you angry at me. Maybe you saw the link and clicked on it, or are a regular reader. Please understand, I am not trying to offend you. But there is a problem. It creeps its ugly head up around this time of year. It is the “Merry Christmas” uproar.

I know, I know, what am I saying?!? This is what I am saying: why are we making a big deal about this? While I cannot prove this, I would not be surprised if many American Christians believe the following fictitious account:

When a person dies, they are immediately transported to the gate of heaven. There, some historical religious person (like Paul, Peter, or maybe Gabriel or another angel) waits to either let people in or keep them out. As you walk to the door, you knock two times and a little hinged door opens up and the voice inside asks, “What’s the password to let you in to heaven?” You excitedly and emphatically answer, “Merry Christmas!” The door then swings wide open, and you enter in to heaven as countless others stand sulking on the outside saying, “Why did I say Happy Holidays?!?”

It always amazes me as to all the people who get so bent out of shape when some department store decides to hang a banner that read Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas. It is as if some people think that Jesus was speaking to Target, Wal-Mart, etc. and not the church when He said, “Go ye therefore into all nations…” These stores are not in the business of spreading the Gospel, they are in the business of making money. That is what they base their decision on. Christians, on the other hand, SHOULD be about the business of spreading the Gospel into all nations.

So, am I saying that you should not say “Merry Christmas”? NO. I always using the phrase because that is what I am celebrating. Here is my point: instead of getting mad at a store for taking “Christ out of Christmas,” lets get upset with ourselves for thinking it is someone else’s responsibility to do what God has commanded us to do.

So now, when I see the phrase “Happy Holidays,” it is a reminder to me about my responsibility to spread the Gospel. How about you?

Delightful children's Christmas storybook: "My First Story of Christmas"

2011-11-26T17:16:00.002-06:00

As a mother of 5 and grandmother to 13, I have read many, many books to children through the years. When Moody Publishers sent me "My First Story of Christmas" by Tim Dowley and illustrated by Roger Langton, I felt joy and delight to be able to read, enjoy, and review it for adults of all ages who are looking for a book for that special child - be it their own child, a dear grandchild, or one to whom they simply wish to bring a bit of joy.

"My First Story of Christmas" is a brightly colored, artistically beautiful and pleasant book to look through and learn from. The story of our Saviour's birth is told straight forward and holds true to the Biblical account and yet is in words and tone that very young children will understand and enjoy having read to them. I also envision the young "reader" treasuring this as a book they can read themselves.

The book is sturdy. That is something very important if you're expecting the book to last for several years as a family treasure. The binding is good and pages strong.

Tim Dowley's telling of the story is greatly enhanced by the beautiful pictures by Roger Langton. The drawings are simplistic yet definitive and colorful. I like the references to Judea, King Herod, and Bethlehem for it gives real "place" to the story and enriches the learning experience.

This will make a wonderful gift that will be appreciated by both adults and children.

ISBN-13: 978-0-8024-1758-9 ISBN-10: 0-8024-1758-2

It Was Me!

2011-11-18T11:08:00.001-06:00

I just found this song which played on WVGV (an online radio station our church uses regularly), and was happy to find it on You Tube! I also added it to the playlist here (click the Music tab). Enjoy! The song has a great ending!

Wait for the second part - "That Was Me".