Wanna' Play?

I've started a guessing game over on Zoe's Adoption Blog if you're interested in playing. If you win, I'm going to try and get something special for you while we're in China. Come on over and play!

Looking out for your brothers and sisters.

For a congregation to be strong, brothers and sisters need to look out for one another. When problems start to arise we need to be able to nip them before they get out of hand. Paul talks about these problems as leaven in bread, that grows until the whole loaf is all puffed up. Unpleasant as it sounds, isn't it a necessity for strength? There have certainly been times when I have become puffed up and I wish someone had punched me down like you do a big loaf of dough that has gotten too big for the pan! I would gladly rather withstand the air being punched out of me than rather upset the whole bakery!

Of course, no one wants to be a person that goes around pointing out everyone else's faults. (Well, almost no one!) A greater problem arises with folks that have appointed themselves as fault finders! But read this text and tell me what you think.

1 Corinthians 5:6-11
Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with any who claim to be fellow believers but are sexually immoral or greedy, idolaters or slanderers, drunkards or swindlers. With such persons do not even eat.

A New Look For The Blog

Hey folks, Jamie found this blog template and we thought it would be a nice change for our blog. A couple of the links were dropped since they hadn't been updated in a long time. Let me know what you think of the new look.

Spirituality

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:15 - 20

In these verses God through Paul calls us to several things – most importantly to be filled with the Spirit. It is only through the Spirit of God that we will achieve anything that matters spiritually. Weather the things we read in the verses above, or the fruit of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control listed in Galatians 5:22.

It is so like us to try – to no avail – to do the things He has called us to do, or to become the spiritual beings He has called us to become, in our own strength. But there is absolutely nothing we can do of ourselves to attain spirituality. We really have allowed Satan to confuse us as to just how strong and able we are.

The good news? God is able to lead us in the paths of rightousness. He is able to call us to Spirituality, and then help us attain it. He is able to tell us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,” and then give us a spiritual heart so we can fulfill the call he has given us.

God desires us to be more that religious; He wants us to be spiritual – He wants us to have relationship with, and live by His Spirit…
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25

Good Quote

The quote is from Isabella Rossellini who has an adopted son:

"adoption has the dimension of connection-not only to your own tribe but beyond, widening the scope of what constitutes love, ties, and family. It is a larger embrace. If more people adopted, we would stretch past our immediate circles and, by reaching out, find an unexpected sense of belonging with others."

Precious

Jesus Is Better

I just found this and wanted to share it. I personally am not a fan of Santa Claus and this helps to explain why. I believe the spirit of Christmas is not Santa but the Holy Spirit. Enjoy reading!


Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus

Santa Claus lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere.

Santa Claus rides in a sleigh... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa Claus comes but once a year... JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa Claus fills your stockings with goodies... JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa Claus comes down your chimney uninvited... JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa Claus... JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa Claus lets you sit on his lap... JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa Claus doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy (or girl,) what's your name?"... JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa Claus has a belly like a bowl full of jelly... JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa Claus can offer is HO HO HO... JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa Claus says "You better not cry"... JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys... JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa Claus is a "jolly old elf"... JESUS is the King of Kings.

Santa Claus may make you chuckle but... JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa Claus puts gifts under your tree... JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

Been to Jamie's Blog Lately?

If you havn't already, make sure you go to Jamie's blog and watch the video he posted. Especially if you're not feeling very loved by God right now. Jamie's blog can be easily visited by looking to the right side of this screen and clicking on the words "For What It's Worth".

Enjoy.....I know you will.

Jennifer

How important is attitude?

“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”
Victor Frankl

This quote does several things to me – it motivates me because I know God is in control and wants to work in our lives…“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13.

It reminds me of the sacrifices that have been made and lives laid down for me, first and most importantly by Jesus on the cross, and also by countless soldiers who fought wars for the freedom of our country.

It also convicts me (BIG TIME) because I know my attitude is not always what it should be. I know God has given us the ability and will give us the power to choose our attitude in any situation, but sometimes instead of choosing a right attitude I allow a rotten attitude to be chosen for me. I know I choose it, but that’s not how it feels – when something doesn’t go the way I think it should, or when people don’t demonstrate the heart of Jesus, it feels as though someone has a say in my attitude. And it makes it easier to have a bad attitude if I have someone to blame for it other than myself. Yet the truth is – God has given me the ability to choose, and Philippians 2 tells us that our attitude should be the same as Jesus’ attitude when he humbled himself and gave his life for us on the cross.

The Adventures of Pvt. BattleHard Bear

Some kids at an Alabama elementary school adopted a soldier in Iraq and sent him a stuffed bear. The soldier has been taking photos of the bear's adventures and sending them back to the kids along with a running commentary. Good for a smile. Here's the LINK

*** Edit ***
I did a little research, there probably won't be any more updates to the story since the adopted soldier returned to the states in Sept. 2006. -Al

It's Time Again!

Are you going to Ashland with me? It's December 10th this year.

***EDIT***
Apparently the video that worked perfectly fine this morning, has been removed now. Sorry about that. The video was an advertisement for David Phelps' Christmas tour this year. It was a great video and I wish you could have seen it. Tim, Dave, Sarah and I are going to the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland at 7:00pm on Dec. 10th for this and we're wondering if anyone else is interested. This is a relaxed, family oriented and beautiful concert. There is not a bunch of jumping up and down to loud music. At the most, there will be people standing and clapping their hands to a few of the songs, but for the majority of the concert, everyone is sitting down and listening to David's amazing voice. When he sings, you can hear a pin drop out in the audience. I don't know how to explain it, but he has this strange ability to hush a crowd. This concert is for all ages and you need to get your tickets ASAP because the radio station is going to start advertising this concert on Wednesday and the tickets will go like hot cakes!! His concerts are always sold out no matter where he sings! Give the Paramount a call and order your tickets and then let me know that you're coming.....cause I just want to know. ;)

It's ok if we don't get to sit together. We can all meet up with one another before the concert for dinner or just say goodnight to one another after the concert is over.

You won't regret coming to this concert. You will have a wonderful and relaxing evening that will make you excited for Christmas to just hurry up and get here. The name of David's new Christmas CD that just came out in September is "One Wintry Night" and let me tell you, it's fantastic! Lot's of acappella singing and some instrumental as well. Just simply beautiful! I can't wait 'til the concert!

He is also going to be joined on stage by a Christian comedian named Thor Ramsey. This is one of Tim's favorite comedians and we have become familiar with him by watching the Christian Comedy show "Bananas" on SkyAngel.

Just get a ticket and come! It'll be great to have you there!

Oh yeh.....tickets prices are $30 for floor seating and $25 for balcony seating. We are planning on sitting in the balcony this year.

from Landon Saunders

What Are You Waiting For?


"I hate to tell you what it feels like to know I spent 20 years of my life waiting for something that was never there."



Those were the words of a retired Air Force Colonel. We were flying together on the same plane when he said: "I spent 20 years looking forward to the day I got out, the day I retired. But now that I'm out, it's not what I expected it to be. I hate to tell you what it feels like to know I spent 20 years of my life waiting for something that was never there."


I looked at him for a few moments. He was well-dressed, composed, had a comfortable lifestyle, had attained some success…and still he was feeling this real sense of emptiness. He had spent a lifetime waiting for something that wasn't there. Have you thought about what you're waiting for? Will it be there?


Don't you hate waiting? We head for the express lines in grocery stores. We walk away from restaurants when the lines are too long. At the movies, long lines make us nervous as we worry about having to sit on the front seat. We hate to wait.


And so, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for your life to be happy? For someone to love you? Are you waiting for tomorrow? Are you waiting to live?


That's the greatest illusion of all 'cause life won't wait on you. It won't wait until you get it all figured out. You can't put it on hold. You can't even preserve one moment. It's here and now, with no power for postponement. If you're going to live, you better be about it. Don't wait on your dream house, your promotion, until the kids are through school. Don't spend your life waiting to feel good about yourself. Do it now!



Landon Saunders

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

Proverbs 29:25

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.”