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Morning Devotional...


Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.
1 John 3:1


The young believer revels in this--I was a lost sinner, at enmity with God, and now I am called a son of God, a child in God's family.

Here is marvellous love indeed "that brings a poor, vile sinner into His house of wine."

It, however, is not only for the young, because the more we mature in the things of the Lord, the more we marvel at the wonders of His love.

No matter how old we are in the faith, may we never look on His love in any lesser degree.
                                                                  --Reg. L. Jordan

Now Pat--did you do that to get me to laugh again-that was so funny..all those kisses..
I was trying to post on the other one and wanted to say thank you for the hugs.. and the prayers..
Thank You for the laugh too..
I love you guys..
Rachelle

Another prayer request-today when i went into the eye doctor I took our 10 year old-anyway she ended up needed glasses-can you please pray for her that God would gaurd her heart-I know that kids can be so cruel and tease and I just don't want her heart to be crushed and then not wanting to wear glasses--she really needed them.
Hugs
Rachelle

I seem awful needy today lol.
Rachelle

Hahahhaha...Pat, you all are to cute.

Rachelle -- If we were never needy, we would oftentimes not know how wonderful our brothers and sisters in Christ are!!!

I read an awesome book tonight.  It was called "The Dream Giver" and it is by the same person that wrote "The Prayer of Jabez,"  Bruce Wilkinson.  If you feel that there is "something" you are supposed to do, or something that you have always wanted to do, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am not joking.  I was in tears, adn that was just the preface .  It helped me to see that God wants me to be a "Somebody" not just a "Nobody" and He will help me get there!!!!

Click this link and go here --  NOW

http://www.thedreamgiver.com/

What are you waiting for?


Why are you still reading this??


It is NEVER too late to pursue your dreams.  GO!!

karmat~What is up with all these new books with Jabez.? What does it mean?  I was looking at all the books and there are so many. I didn't have time to look at any of them.  Could you explain a little? Thanks
Sonja

I was at a craft show with my Mother and Great-Aunt for most of the day and had an enjoyable time.  While there, we saw a table that was just full of angels crafted of various materials to be used as ornaments and my Mother commented that it would have been nice to have had a digital camera to snapa photo with for posting here.

Sarah, I loved your verse yesterday.  

Pat, nice work on your PSP lessons.  I am not a photographer, and enjoy looking at the special effects of those that are.

Sonja, I will post a banana bread recipe in the food section for you.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Pat you are too funny.

Rachelle about the glasses.  My 10 year old has had glasses for over a year.  She never takes them off. I was concerned too but she was so pleased to be able to read the overheads at church and to sing, that meant more to her than anything kids have said.  Elizabeth is outspoken and once she was teased she simply said "Well anyway, I can see!"  I believe we underestimate the spirit of our kids.

Pat that was another of Jack's favourite hymns wasn't it?

Night all,  Hope I sleep tonight, these nights laying awake are brutal.

Love and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Judy

Sonja -- "the Prayer of Jabez" was a little book he wrote a few years ago that literally took the Christian community by storm.  I never read the whole thing, but it is basically about trusting God enough to pray for him to "expand your territories" and is based on a short prayer in the Old Testament by a man named <drumroll> Jabez.  I'm sure some of the others have read it and can tell more about it.

It was so popular, they "rewrote" it for teens, children, etc.

Rachelle, my daugher also has required glasses for about 10-12 years.  At first she didn't want to wear them, and quite often didn't.   Once she realized that she really could see better with them than without them, the ridiculing and teasing no longer mattered.  All I can advise is to have patience and be supportive.

Karmat-
Thank You for the advice on the book- I checked the website out and the book looks interesting. I will look at the bookstore on Friday and read a little more about it.
I hope I didn't give the impression that I didn't like being a Mom at all because I wouldn't trade it for anything-I feel that being a Mom is one of the highest callings that God gave to us.
But, sometimes we have hard days..But, I know that I do have the victory in Jesus and that like Judy said THIS TO SHALL PASS.. I totally believe that JUDY was right in its Halloween time and things get stirred up-I know that the enemy is out there to attack.
Hugs
Rachelle

Hi Sonja...  The Prayer of Jabez is a book written by this man that Karma mentions and it is based on a couple of verses in the Bible in 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10...

9Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez,[1] saying, "Because I bore him in pain." 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.


The movement that is spreading across the globe suggests that this is a "model" prayer.

There are conflicting schools of thought on this among evangelicals.  

I urge people to read and memorize the verse in 1 Thes. 5:21 which says, "Test all things; hold fast what is good."

I won't say more about this tonight.  

I think I'll go and find a sermon that I found some months ago about this prayer.  If I find it, I'll post it here and you must have Real Audio to listen to it.  I know I enjoyed it.

I don't believe that it was God's intention for us to quote this prayer daily as the book suggests that we do.

Now, I must get to bed!  But first I will look for the link if I can find it.

And these are my thoughts on this and my opinion only.  I have the book.  I personally don't recommend the book.

I found the sermon, Sonja.  

It's very easy to listen to and lots of scripture to relate to.

Prayer of Jabez[/b] by Richard Caldwell, Jr.


Have a good Sunday, folks!  

Oohhh, Y'all are so wonderful here!  I love all the hugs and support for one another ... and the fun, too! <Pat>  This is, indeed, the best place on the internet ... bar none!

I would love to respond to each post I've read this evening ... and I really have, here in my own little home.  It would fill up this page and spill over into the next one if I did, though.  Just be assured that I love each and every one of you and count it a great privelege to be a part of this happy family.

RACHELLE~I know there are times when our nerves and stamina are put to the test ... especially when we have family!  I want you to know that everything that has been posted for you is exactly what I'd say, too!  I just got here too late, that's all.  

PAT~I really love looking at your lessons for PSP... You are so gifted in this area and I am just the very best "audience" you could ask for!  I love the photos of you and Papa John!  I remember that meeting in Atlanta, too!  Yup, you really did kiss him...or was it the other way around?  hmmmm And, weren't you sitting on his lap?  

I heard from my youngest daughter tonight, and things are going along pretty well there again.  She had some good news for me about my granddaughter (her eldest) in Southern California.  I am blessed and praising the Lord for His loving care.  God is good ... all the time!

I'm off to look at some of the other forums ... Nita told me she put a photo someplace here ... I gotta see it!    

Y'all have an awesome day tomorrow (today) and I'll be back ... promise!!

My dear and loving friends in Christ...........

Please allow me a couple of minutes to give you my thoughts on "Joining in on purchasing every book that comes down the pike".

Jesus Christ called me just exactly as I am.  I may, or may not have sufficient finances to purchase more things to improve my satus.  Improve it?  How can I improve Lee Kirkwood's status by buying more things?  God said He will provide my needs, and He will answer every prayer I present to Him.  NO, He hasn't said He will give me my selfish wants, but He will keep me clothed, with  food for my health, and shelter from the elements.  A new car?  That's not a good prayer.  Hey, He may take the one I have away from me and provide a bicycle.  He may even allow me to suffer physically, or through the loss of a loved one like Job, or suffer any number of other ways for the purpose of bringing me to what He WANTS me to be.  I ask you:  Who was the richest woman in the bible?  If you happen to tell me that it was a litttle old lady who gave the widows "mite" you are 100% correct.  Do we want to be richer than her?  It's impossible, she gave her all.  Jesus also said to the rich young ruler: "Give all you have and come, follow after Me."  He didn't tell him to improve himself with more.

Christians all to often jump from one fad to another and only give a wink at their "First Love", in their exploration of [new ways] to "FIND Him", or to "Get MORE of Him."  We all know that we [got] )Received) ALL of Him upon our salvation.  Each one of us has four of the most important treasures on earth, and they are: The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and a Bible.  Please, you tell me what more do we need?  The Lord through His Holy Spirit has provided each one of us all the wisdom we need [in] His Bible that will last a lifetime.  Who on earth can tell us (Born Again Christians) how we can improve our lives any better than Jesus Christ?   I'll say it.......There are many, many preachers like Robert Schuler who will be in their pulpits the Sunday after the Rapture.  Why? Simply because he, like so many others, are "False Teachers" dragging potential children of God into the ibis with their feel good, get more preaching.  Our Lord tells us they will say Lord, Lord, I prophecied in your name, and He will tell them: "Depart from me ya acursed, I never knew you".  I may be opening a can of worms here and I apologize if I have stepped on anyone's feet, but I am telling you not like Lee says it, but in love as God says it.  BTW, I won't buy the book.  

Karmat................

We are already "somebody", and in the Lord's  and our eyes, nobody's don't exist.  Everyone is loved by the Lord, even the lost.  My pastor always says...."There are two kinds of people in this world, the saints and the aints".  That covers everyone in the world.  Do you agree?  And might I add Karmat, you and I, through the Holy Spirit, are doing our best to reach the aints that God has been calling all their lives.

LEE~Can of worms or not, I fully understand what you are saying!  I have never read the Prayer of Jabez; I saw one video on the Secrets of the Vine; and I don't have the $$$ to buy "every book that comes down the pike!"    God knows my heart ... I am His and He is mine.  I love Him so much more every moment of every day ... all I want is more of Him!  

PAT~I am downloading the MP3 version of that sermon ... I think I will enjoy listening to it!

What I've discovered about books: lol

From the time I first met the Lord, I've read books that have moved me in the direction the Holy Spirit was leading.  It would be as though God had led me to hear about the book, and as Karmat has felt, it excites you because it's as though God, Himself, was speaking through it.   And again......I've bought books that everyone else was talking about, saying how it blessed them, and was sorry I did.    When I purchased Tommy Tenny's book, The God Chasers, I wasn't sorry.  That's because it spoke to my heart on the need for desiring God with all my heart.  Usually when a book really blesses me, is when God has already started speaking to me an an area, and the author is writing about that same thing.

  (like when Iain writes from his own pain and speaks into us what we are saying to God, or He is saying to us.....or what we are feeling, and not saying....you know what I mean)

Maybe that's why the book that Etta Sue is speaking is so exciting to her.  It's speaking to her.......and many others from what I've read here.

I've always wondered about the Prayer Of Jabez because I know that the prayer of Jabez was just a few verses in the OT, and though he does show us how it isn't selfish to pray for God's blessing,  it is just one prayer.....certainly not what my conversation with God would be every day.  I've never bought the book, but have heard others talking.

 I have always been so blessed and inspired by Tozer's books, and Oswald Chambers, Phillip Yancy, and also it is, again, because they are writing the same things that seems to be the dialogue between my spirit and the Holy Spirit.  Does that make sense?  I sure hope so.    

And I would guess we've all had books, tried to read them, couldn't concentrate on them, so put them away.  Then one day, you pick it up again, and can't believe you had not felt interest the first time.   I think it's just that it wasn't God's timing for you to read it then.  Or maybe this has just happened to me.  lol   I certainly won't speak for anyone but me.

  I still don't know what I'll do about my camera.  It's according to how much it costs for repair.  That's when I'll know if I'm getting a new one, or fixing the old one.

  Rachelle,  my grandaughter, Angel,  needs to wear her glasses too.  She has 20/200 vision.  She absolutely won't wear her glasses because it makes one of her eyes huge.  The first time she wore them, a boy called her frog eyes.  She has large eyes anyway, and has had things said about them.  She told her mom she'd rather be blind.  Angel is almost 14, so I think Kim will check into contacs for her.  She sure needs to do something.  Can you imagine...20/200??   How can she see?  She goes to her eye doctor soon to talk about contacts.  And, honey.....you can be needy here all you want.  There are lots of hugs to go around.  Isn't it good that we are never all down at the same time. ?  God is good.

 Praying for Beth...

Good morning All 8.45 AM

Thank you Pat for the devotional and the nice hymn

Lee also thank for your good words.

Rachelle i also was 10 years old then i have get glasses an i have still glasses.

What funny photo's Yesterday about about John

My nose is still funned up and i cough and i must
sneeze  i am feeling me not so good.

But i wish you all a blessed Sunday
Bye Love Ria

GOOD MORNING ON THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF WINTER.

Thank-you Pat for the inspiring words once more.

                      SECRETS OF THE VINE

"new branches have a natural tendancy to trail down and grow along the ground" he explained."But they don't grow fruit down there.  When branches grow along the ground , the leaves get coated in dust .
When it rains they grow muddy  and mildewed. The branch becomes sick and useless"
"What do you do " I asked, "Cut it off and throw it away?"
"Oh no" he exclaimed . "The branch is much too valuable for that . We go through the vineyard with a bucket of water looking for those branches. We lift them up and wash them off ". He demonstrated for me with dark, calloused hands. "Then we wrap them around the trellis or tie them up. Pretty soon they're thriving".

As he talked I could picture Jesus' own hand motions when He taught in the vineyard that night .  He was showing how the Father makes sure His crop comes in sure and sweet.  When the branches fall into the dirt , God doesn't throw them away or abandon them.  He lifts them up , cleans them off, and HELPS them flourish again.

Suddenly I had a burst of insight ....LIFT UP...CLEAN....I have never read JOHN 15 in the same way again.

                                   Secrets of the Vine
                                     Bruce Wilkinson.

I have both Secrets of the Vine and Prayer of Jabez and I have enjoyed each of them.  I DO NOT RUSH TO EVERY NEW ITEM ON THE AGENDA...I DIDN'T RUSH OFF TO GET THE TORONTO BLESSING  either!!! However, I do recommend these books and I shall indeed get hold of a copy of "The Dream Giver" as recommended by Karmat because I find Bruce is a very READABLE  writer.

I suppose as we discuss the Toronto Blessing I should say in closing...

                     CATCH THE SPIRIT

                   THE JABEZ PRAYER
.Or as B.W. expresses it "The cry of a Gimper named Jabez"

AND JABEZ CALLED ON THE GOD OF ISRAEL SAYING,
"OH THAT YOU WOULD BLESS ME INDEED,
AND ENLARGE MY TERRITORY,
THAT YOUR HAND WOULD BE WITH ME,
AND THAT YOU WOULD KEEP ME FROM EVIL,
THAT I MAY NOT CAUSE PAIN!

So God granted him what he requested.
                   
                        1 CHRON 4:10 (NKJV)

There is a time in our lives for the use of this prayer...It does work! Not as a testing of God but as an act of faith....

May the Lord Bless you all Indeed
This Sabbath.

Jenny.

Well, it never does to just read what everyone else is reading in Christian circles, because as Nita says if the Lord is leading you to learn something, there are Christian Authors who have "been there".
But just to jump on the bandwagon of the "BOOK THATS HOT TODAY!"
Well you will either get nothing out of it or put it down part read.
Basically Lee is correct, although  I do insist that we can get a great deal of teaching from many great Christian Authors just for the fact that many passages in Scripture can be difficult to understand and a good Concordance alongside our Bible is really essential.
It is all too easy to read every popular book or novel that is advertised as the essential book for todays Christian and thereby making wealthy some not very good authors! lol
But the classics like "Pilgrim's Progress," and Oswald Chambers, are very helpful also some devotionals like "Streams in the Desert."
Great books by great Believers who have suffered for their faith "CORRIE Ten Boom" for instance and Dietrich Bonhoeffer the German Pastor who died under the hands of an evil regime, these help us to understand how suffering for Christ makes us the people we are.
Suffering is not always a good word among todays Authors because if you write a book calling Christians to experience suffering for the Lord you find that you won't sell many books lol!
But we all as Believers suffer, in many different ways as those who use this board can testify.
May God encourage us by many different means to walk the Christian path "looking unto Jesus THE AUTHOR and finisher of our faith."
May God the Holy Spirit guide us into ALL Truth
and guard and inspire our reading too.
Regards Chris.

CHRIS...

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP...

I have just heard a lovely recording on our local Radio Station...and would love to get it...it was a choice of Bishop Joe Aldred on Ed Doolan's programme.

      "COME BEAR THE WOUNDED SOLDIER".
any info please?

I am glad to see dear DIETRICH  Bonhoeffer mentioned..the Lord Bless his memory at this time! His words are such comfort to me...HE IS AN INSPIRATION FOR ALL OF US to "STAND UP AND BE COUNTED."...and of course dear "Auntie" CORRIE and her family including  dear sister Betsie who died in Ravensbruck must be remembered also.

RIA  ..  DO YOU KNOW "Schapenduinen".....

Jenny X

I agree to some point....an author writes to make money.  BUT 4200 church....not individuals are doing this '40 Days of Purpose' all at the same time.  That is powerful in itself.  It has scripture throughout.  I have read each of those scriptures several times.  But when put in this manner it seems to me to give me more meaning.  

I just know that 15 days into this book, 'The Purpose Driven Life' has made ME have multiple more thoughts of God.  And I believe when you are thinking of God then you are aware of God's presence.  

Why is it when I have an idea, it seems someone always shoots it down?  But God is with me.  He loves me.  He knows what is in my heart.  That is all that matters.  

I don't have time to do my daily thing today.  I am off to church to hear another sermon on 'The Purpose Driven Life' along with 700- 800 others who will be in our services today.  

LEE

and one of my Ministers always said there are two kinds of saints...
those with a Big "S....aints"

and those with a small "s....aints".......

SAME WAGES!

Hi there LEE. God Bless Brother...
Jenny X

John (who is not a reader) has read The Prayer of Jabez and thoroughly enjoyed it.  There has been a lot of hoopla about it but he thoroughly enjoyed it.  

It always seems that something good that God has given us  enemy takes and perverts.  It is so sad when that happens.

I have a busy day ahead.  I have to pick up Megan and then grab a film (I forgot yesterday) to take pictures of the Sundayschool classes.  One of the teachers has requested this so that she can put them on the bulletin board.  Sounds interesting eh?

We have s misty rain here today.  Not a nice day at all, +7 in the shade so it would be nice if the rain stopped.

Got to get going, God bless all of you and your families.

I had to wear glasses from when i was 3 (when i had eye surgery) til when i was 12 or so i don't wear them now b/c the Dr said they aren't helping me any. so the vision in my right eye is 10/20 and in my left 20/100 . so my vision is terrible but they say there is nothing they can do about it unless we want to spend some big time money  . anyways thanks for the comments on the email about moses and the computer! i need to finish getting ready to go we leave for Kingfisher in 30 minutes and i still have a few things left to pack!
SArah

Good morning.  Books are interesting.  Some are good and some are bad.  I used to buy a lot of books but no longer.  One reason is $$$$, and another reason is I like to read so much that I use our library more and more.

As I have mentioned I am getting stronger each day.  This week instead of the wheel chair I'm going to try to just use my cane.  Earlier this morning we are having a ground breaking for an addition to our building but we will not go to that.

I hope you all have a good day.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

[/color]

Quote from: Lee Kirkwood on October 26, 2003, 01:32:05 AM
Karmat................

We are already "somebody", and in the Lord's  and our eyes, nobody's don't exist.  Everyone is loved by the Lord, even the lost.  My pastor always says...."There are two kinds of people in this world, the saints and the aints".  That covers everyone in the world.  Do you agree?  And might I add Karmat, you and I, through the Holy Spirit, are doing our best to reach the aints that God has been calling all their lives.

Lee, I agree.  I know I am "somebody." And I know that no one is "nobody."  BUT, there are people (Christians) walking through this world without victory because they think they are nobody.  I know I am somebody, and I know God has called me to do something only I can do.  And I have been trying to do it.  BUT, I was meeting with discouragement upon discouragement upon discouragement and wondering why God wasn't making it easier.  In my head, I know why, but my heart was working to absorb that message.

In "Experiencing God," Henry Blackaby talks alot about callings and prayer.  One thing that he has taught that makes a lot of sense to me, is that when God call you to do something, he will confirm in four possible ways.  Bible study, prayer, circumstances, and other believers.  Yes, before anyone says it, I know that Bible study is enough.  But God, in his grace and mercy knows that we humans doubt and worry, so I think he will let us have confirmation through other ways as well.  Ways beyond Bible study and prayer are important as well because sometimes, if not all the time, if one person is called to do something, someone else is probably called with them (especially in the instance of God calling a church to do something.)

So what does that have to do with "The Dream Giver?"  Everything.  For several weeks, I felt that God had pointed me in the direction of something I needed to do.  I wanted to double and triple check, because it could look like I was pursuing material wealth, or material things, and I wnated to "try" my heart and make sure it was pure.  

Not long after I had prayed the prayer that I did, and felt the nudging from God that I did, I heard a scripture that supported it fully.  Then, a fellow believer confirmed it as well.  Then, I read this book, and now I feel I have a clearer vision.  

Mind you, I was settled after the Bible verse.  The other two "just came along."

About reading every book that comes down the pike.  This book is the first one I have read since I requested "She Said Yes" from the book exchange, so I hardly think I do that.  When I do read something though, and I enjoy it, and find value in it, and I know I associate with others who enjoy reading and may be facing the same issues I am, I will recommend it.  I also don't recommend buying everybook that someone recommends.  However, when the local library gets it, it doesn't cost a thing to read it.  

I have also read almost every book that Chris mentions at some point in my walk.  Each one also encouraged me and strengthened my faith in Christ in some form or fashion.  He is correct, they are classics, but they were new too, at some point.  


I guess my point is, this book helped me in my spiritual walk, and to have even more confidence in my Christ and to work more effectively and victoriously for Him.  I also know there are people on this board struggling with what Christ has for them, and I felt that this book would help them with that.  If recommending it means that to you (plural, not Lee specifically) I am somehow pushing to do what everyone else it doing, all I can say is I am sorry you feel that way.  It was an eye opening book, and is very valuable reading, I think.

It is not a fad to read a new book.  It is not a fad to participate in something new.  The only difference between a fad and a classic is about 25 years.  I would agree that the Bible is all we need.  There is no reading material in the world that compares in any way to it.  So, I guess if all we read is the Bible, and we don't need outside reading, this whole bulleting board would be pretty much unnecessary, wouldn't it? Yet, everyone in here, I think, at some point has expressed that this forum did something for us. A book, in printed form can do the same.

Thanks for the devotional Pat and your words of advise.  I spent a restless night and with more time this morning to get ready for church, stopped by early and seem to have stepped into another muddle.

It has been my experience that we can take the good from books and leave alone the part that doesn't touch our heart or spirit.  Mine is a quiet faith and I don't rush after everything that comes along....but when people are blessed and grow from something...then trust that God is involved.  Even if we don't read the books, we can be blessed from the growth of those who do!

Do not agree with you about Robert Schuller Lee.  Not my choice of church but have had many blessings from his TV Ministry when unable to attend church.  I believe in postitive thinking when Jesus is the leader.
Would never doubt the salvation of others, based on their prosperity.  Nor would I be so bold as to judge....

Must go now.  Chris, you have a wonderful way of stating truth, thanks dear brother.

Gods Blessings to all.

Good Morning Everyone!

I've never had my computer do what it did!  It went back TWO hours!  I was so mixed up when I came here thinking that it would be right but it isn't!


What interesting conversations we get in here!  I must hurry now but will be back later.

It's taken me awhile to figure out WHAT the time really is and it's later than I thought!

Well everyone, Allison and little Simon are home now.  They had a great night last night, and Simon only woke three times through the night, which is pretty good for a two day old.  They're getting settled in pretty comfortably.  I'm going to stay home with Allison this morning so I can watch Simon while she gets a bath.  He's soooo adorable!  Jen.