Happy Easter!

CHRIST is RISEN!

And,
  
  HE
      is
         coming
                 back
                      again
                            soon.


Are you ready?

The Wearin' o' the Green

Reposted from 3 years ago:

The earth wears green so well!

Today I shall wear green as well. Afterall, Irish accounts for one-fourth of my national heritage, so today I celebrate being, at least partially, Irish.

As for the color green, green signifies growth, and that's my deep desire! So, today I wear green, not only to participate in this Irish celebration, but also to celebrate growth in my life--which I want always!

This is LIFE-SAVING Information - Read & Share

 I urge all my friends to read and share this information with others!  It will save lives!  Someday it may be your life that someone is able to share--just because they heard this information from you!"

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

                     It only takes a minute to read this:

 
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE -- Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by these four simple things:

S - SMILE  *Ask the individual to smile.

T - TALK  *Ask the person to talk and speak a simple sentence
                      (i.e. "I like chicken soup.") coherently.

A - ARMS   *Ask the person to raise both arms.
 
T - TONGUE  *Ask the person to stick out his/her tongue.
 
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

             New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.  If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Thank God for the sense to remember the STAT steps, STAT.

If everyone who gets this information shares it, you can bet that at least one life will be saved.   

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just For Me & Just For You

 Since this month celebrates Valentines Day, here's a paraphrase on the "Love Chapter" in the Bible (I Corinthians 13). 

This is not for someone else.  This is for me.   This is also for you.  Read it as for you alone.       It is not here for the benefit of "someone else".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Love never gives up--it is patient and kind--never rude.

Love cares more for others than for self--it isn't always "me first."

Love doesn't force itself on others by demanding it's own way.

Love is not irritable--it doesn't "fly off the handle."

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have--it is never jealous.

Love doesn't show off to others--it is never boastful.

Love doesn't have a "swelled head"--it is not proud.

Love takes pleasure in the flowering of truth--

it rejoices when the truth comes out.

Love does not take intense pleasure or satisfaction

 when others grovel in their humility.

Love doesn't keep track of the wrongs of others--it never looks back.

Love puts up with anything--it endures through every circumstance.

 

Love always looks for the best--it is always hopeful.

  

Love trusts God always--it never loses faith.

 

Love keeps going to the end--it never dies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"If we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us."

 

"As we live in God, our love grows more perfect."

 

(I John 4:12-b, 17a)

Psalm 23 - Everything We Need

The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's a Relationship!

 

I shall not want ----- that's Supply!

 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ---- that's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters ----- that's Refreshment!

 

He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness -- that's Guidance

 

For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!

 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- that's Testing!

 

I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!

 

For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!

 

Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me ----- that's Discipline!

 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies------ that's Hope!

 

Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecraton!

 

My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!

 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ---- that's Blessing!

 

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord ----- that's Security!

 

Forever ----- that's Eternity!

The Fruit of the Spirit

The result of "walking in the Spirit of God!

(letting God be in control of your life)

It happened last night...the big moment arrived...

to step across the line!

A Turning Point - 2013

Today – I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering.  I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my direction is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back now!

 I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purpose with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s Glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love, and communicate His word.   

Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven. I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family. 

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possession, position and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.  

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running with me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission focused so I cannot be bought. I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.   

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.  

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is Yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord – Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!” 

Bill Burch

The “Plus+Factor” Connection

Last Sunday of 2012

2012 thoughts to take into 2013:

1.  What if God's closeness in my life depends on the depth of my closeness to Him?

2.  What if God's constant "connectness" to me is based upon my connectedness to Him?

3.  What if the reality of God's Word at work in my life depends upon the amount of time (and frequency of times) I spend reading God's Word?

4.  What if my ability to "hear" God depends on the amount of stillness I create in my life to actually listen for Him, along with my level of expectation to actually sense Him speaking to me?

5.  What if . . . (you fill in the blank with your own desires for your relationship with God).

Specific Requirements for a Meaningful Relationship

with God:

 

1.  Priority - spending time with God (unhindered fellowship with God)

     Is this too difficult for you?

 

2.  Stillness - quiet, undistracted, focused totally upon God (leads to closeness with Him)  Is this too uncomfortable for you?

 

3.  Connection - with the "Vine" (promotes spiritual nourishment for strength and vibrancy)  Is this too confining for you?

 

Evidence of Genuine Faith:  Make it all Match! 

 

1.  Living out what you tell others about your faith in God

 

2.  Living out what you say you believe about having faith in God

 

3.  Living out what you desire in a genuine, meaningful relationship with God. 

 

Two More Thoughts:

 

1.  What if the "rapture" happens in 2013?

 

2.  What if going to Heaven depends up on your relationship with God?  Are you ready to go?

What If?

What you see is what you get!

 

 While some see a “fiscal cliff” with gloom and doom,

I see an interesting adventure ahead!

 

While some see failure in our government,

I see an opportunity for change!

 

While some see disappointment in our current leadership,

I see a new appointment with God Almighty!

 

While some say, “There is no hope!”,

I say, “With God all things are possible!”

 

While some see only despair and darkness,

I see a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

While some see “the end of the road”,

I see a bright new beginning!



Immanuel--God With Us

T'was the day after Christmas and all was at rest.

Yet; the winds were a-howling and doing their best

to disturb peace and quiet, giving calm a test! 

Despite all the fierceness of that noisy racket,

just outside the door lay a beautiful, white blanket.

It covered the landscape and warmed my whole mindset.

For it represented my anticipation

of Christmas day and the happy celebration,

for the busy season was now in full completion!

But then, what in my pondering mind should appear—

the reason for the snow on Christmas day became clear—

it represented joy in the message that we hear.

The name of the Babe is Immanuel—God with us!

He surrounds us, covers us, we call Him Jesus—

for He’s the One who came from Heaven at Christmas!

The reason for the season is what we proclaim,

but where is the true joy and the peace in the same?

Have we forgotten what’s so good about His name?

He came to bring peace and joy to all who believe,

and fill our hearts with His love if we’ll just receive.

He came to be with us, and He never will leave!

If we’ll only trust Him and invite Him inside,

His love will stay with us; in our hearts He’ll abide.

Not only that, but under His wings we can hide!

He offers salvation and cleansing from all sin.

His presence stays beside us, for He lives within!

His power can fill us, and our battles He’ll win!

Like new fallen snow, we are renewed day by day,

Our lives take on new freshness when to Him we pray.

His joy, His peace, and His love are in us to stay! 

His love is the reason for joy in the season.

His peace can remain while all around us is pain.

His presence stays the same, for Immanuel is His name!

Happy Birthday, Dear Jesus!

Guess Santa knows . . .

...Oh, just see what a glorious fill...

Guess Santa must know the importance of reading the Bible and smellin' good!

Guess Santa must also know that a bunny-lover needs to keep her feet snuggly warm!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!