Believing God

In preparing for the Believing God study starting Sept. 8th, I've been studying faith in Scripture. Here's a high overview of what I've found. Faith is used more than 259 times in the Bible which reflects the importance of faith. Not only for salvation but also in continuing our faith walk on a daily basis with God. It brings to mind a song I used to sing in vacation bible school as a child

Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.


Here are some scriptures that reveal how faith impacts and should reflect in our lives.

We are told to continue in faith, to be steadfast in faith, abounding in faith, established in faith, sincere in faith. We are also told to pursue faith in 1 Tim 6:11 along with other pursuits of righteousness, godliness, love, patience, gentlness. In 1 Tim 6:12 we are told a good fight is the good fight of faith! The just shall live by faith it tell us in Hebrews 10 and that it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith in Hebrews 11:6. We are told that God is the author and finisher of our faith in Hebrews 12:2 and that our faith will be tested according to James 1:3. 1 Cor 2:5 our faith is not to be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. I have to shout Hallelujah Christ is risen because according to 1 Cor 15:14 if Christ didn't rise from the dead my faith would be empty. 2 Cor 5:7 we are to walk by faith not by sight - I know that is a difficult one for me but God has been stretching me quite a lot in that area recently! 2 Cor 13:5 we are told to examine our faith to see if we are in the faith. I live by faith in the Son of God it tells me in Gal 3:11. One of the gifts of faith is the promise of the Spirit through faith Gal 3:14. We have a weapon to use against all the fiery attacks of the devil which is the shield of faith Eph 6:16. If we use that with the other weapon the sword of the Spirit - Victory! The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith Rom 1:17. We are justified by faith Rom 3:28 and our faith is accounted to us as righteousness Rom 4:5,9. Faith gives us access Rom 5:2. One more, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God Rom 10:17

Sneak Peek on the New Esther Study

Beth Moore's Esther, Web Promo from Greg, LifeWay on Vimeo.

Free Glitter Graphics

NOGS

Having finished the NOGS(No Other Gods)/Kelly Minter study online with Beth Moore and getting ready to dive into Believing God on September 8th made me reflect on how much the body of Christ is blessed with gifted Bible teachers. Having fresh and new perspectives shown from their gift of teaching which help us reflect on life's issues that challenge us to examine ourselves against the Word of God on what needs to be given over, relinquished, repented from, surrendered, and broken free from in our lives. Not just for freedom sake alone but to be free to live the life God has purposed and planned for us for His glory. To recognize that fact alone is HUGE when you think of all the daily implications in a person's life that envelopes. My greatest desire is that I never fail to walk moment by moment with Him as the center. That I respond automatically out of the Spirit versus my own selfish desires. I pray that I continue to have a thirst and desire for Him and that I don't get complacent with mediocrity.

One of my favorite quotes from the NOGS study this summer is "He brought us out . . . to bring us in." We say goodbye to say hello. When we surrender our "idols" and empty ourselves, God is there to fill it!

CHECK OUT THE NEW CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT!

FORGET OBAMA AND MCCAIN!

ULO'S SITED

Unidentified Living Objects were sited at the Hale household recently! Look for the article posted in the National Enquirer coming soon. Scientists are trying to determine where and how these "creatures" arrived. At first observation, they seem to be docile, pleasant, and relatively friendly. But the jury is still out on whether this calm demeanor is an attempt to lure you into thinking they are "friendly's" only to cause you to let your guard down before they "pounce!" Please report any additional sightings to the National ULO Center located in Washington, D.C.

Sisterhood of the PVC Peeps

I am blessed for the many friendships I've made with my precious sisters in Christ from church. What an encouragement, inspiration, and testimony they have been walking in their faith walk with God.

For the peeps I've known for years it has been a wonderful life walk together through many different seasons of our lives together. We've been on the mountain tops and we have been in the valleys of life together as life as directed our paths in a vast array of directions. However, I am ever so grateful for the lessons I've learned walking in faith together and praising God for the highs and the lows with you.

Some of the peeps I've known for a short time; but I am amazed at how precious they become in your life in what seems like a blink of an eye! They have encouraged my faith by reflecting their amazing faith and trust in Christ through some amazingly tough trials in their lives that they face currently. Being able to observe and hear their amazing faith has been such a precious blessing during this time in my life! Isn't God wonderful bringing people into our lives to touch us in the different facets that we need a special word of encouragement, a special word of faith, or a "special" word of admonition?

So for all the "peeps" out there, I love you and I appreciate you tremendously! I thank God for bringing your walk in life across my life path. God bless you abundantly as you have abundantly blessed my life with your friendships!

"You Choose, Dad"

"You Choose, Dad!"
Reflections on the sudden departure of my son to Heaven
By Greg Laurie

Thursday, July 24, 2008 was the most devastating day of my life. The unimaginable happened.

We never think about our children leaving this earth before us. But it happened when my son, Christopher, was suddenly called to heaven.

At first, I couldn't comprehend the news. It was like the worst dream I had ever had, and I wanted to wake up. But I couldn't. Friends and family were immediately at our side—loving, hugging, and holding us.

But in the end, there are no answers for a situation like the loss of a son.

In accepting God's will, Job said,
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21 NKJV)
In acceptance, there is peace, but not always answers. God grants us "a peace that passes understanding," not one that necessarily gives understanding. There is no "why" in the midst of our pain, just "what" and "who."

I loved my son with all of my heart, but I have to say, he gave us some hard moments. He would be the first to admit that he had been a prodigal at a point in his life. But his mother and I always loved him and prayed for him. He knew that, and we know he loved us.

The last years of his life were glorious. He had committed himself completely to the Lord, and wanted to serve God with his talent. And he was so talented.

People would often come up to me and say, "Greg, your son Christopher is an artist just like you!" The truth is, he was a far greater artist and more talented then I ever was.

He designed much of what we see around us in this year's Southern California Harvest campaign, including bumper stickers, posters, and flyers. This is how he was serving God, by creating beautiful art that pointed people to the beautiful message of the gospel.

If there is one thing I'd ask people to do to pay tribute to Christopher and to serve God in this particular moment, it would be to make sure you get a Harvest Crusades bumper sticker on your car, and put up posters around Southern California.

There is a selfish reason for me asking this, for Christopher—or "Topher," as we called him—poured his life into that design. In fact, he designed my personal Web site, our Harvest webpage, almost all of my book covers, and so many other things. Every time I see one of those stickers on a car, I point it out to whoever is in the car with me and say, "Topher designed that!"

But the reason he designed these stickers and all of the other art he designed or had a hand in, was to use his gifts to serve God. He wasn't called to preach specifically (though he could speak effectively and persuasively when he wanted to).

Christopher's calling was to use his artistic skills to glorify God and point others to Christ. He also poured his heart into the design of this year's Harvest Crusades event at Angel Stadium, as well as the crusades to come later this year in Philadelphia and New York City. He loved to see people come to Christ, and that is why he did what he did—and why I do what I do.

When we were in Israel several months back, Christopher made a public proclamation of his new dedication of the past few years by being baptized in the Sea of Galilee, where our Lord began His ministry. I had baptized him in the Jordan River in Israel, when he was a young child, but this time he was doing it to acknowledge what God had been doing in his life.

Christopher and Brittany had recently begun hosting a Bible study in their home for others to grow spiritually. We were marveling at what the Lord was doing in their lives.

I cry for my son every day. Sometimes, every hour. Sometimes, every few minutes. I miss him and I wish I could take his place, but I can't.

My wife Cathe is grieving with me. She is the most godly woman I have ever known. I cannot imagine why the Lord allowed me to have such a wonderful wife.

My son Jonathan has been our rock, and has helped me to think through the many decisions we are facing in this difficult hour. God is going to use him mightily.

My daughter-in-law Brittany is a sweet and lovely woman of God. She is trusting God through all of this, and opening her heart to whatever His will may be. And Brittany's family has been an amazing source of support to their daughter every step of the way.

In the midst of this tragedy, I have been reading and thinking about 2 Timothy, the fourth chapter in particular. I felt that there was a part for both Christopher and me. My part (and really our part) begins in verse 2:
"Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you." (2 Timothy 4:2–5 NLT)
Those are my marching orders, and that is what I intend to do by God's grace and with His help with even a great commitment and passion.

Christopher's part is found in the verses immediately following, beginning in verse 7:
"I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return." (vv. 7–8 NLT)
No life is an incomplete life.

Christopher completed his task. He finished his race (he used to be quite the runner when he was younger, too!), and he is safely in the arms of Jesus. But I will be honest with you; I still deeply, deeply miss him.

My wife, Cathe, was the greatest of all mothers to Christopher, from the time he was little through the years of his young manhood. She never stopped praying for him.

Christopher would make us beautiful cards by hand each year, be it for our birthdays or Mother's Day or Father's Day. For his mom, whom he loved so much, he gave her a special shadow box with a photo of him, an image of a cross, and a little piece of paper with a statement by President Abraham Lincoln, which said, "I remember my mother's prayers, and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all life."

There is a story I have often told about a time I took Topher shopping for Star Wars figures in the late '70s. I had told him to pick out one he wanted. He thought about it a long time, and finally decided on one of the small figurines from the bottom shelf, which as I recall, was the Han Solo one.

Meanwhile, I had been looking three shelves up at Solo's spacecraft, the Millennium Falcon. I said, "Well, why don't we get this to go with your new figure?"

His little eyes lit up. "Dad! Thank you!" And he gave me a big hug.

We would come home from the toy store with some big new prize like this, and sometimes my wife would roll her eyes, because we really couldn't afford it. But then Topher and I would run upstairs to his room, plop on the floor, open up the toys, and play with them together.

Looking back now, I don't regret any of it. Nor does my wife.

After a while, Christopher learned that when we were in a toy store and I asked him what he wanted, his best bet was to say, "You choose, Dad!" And I would always get him something better than he would have chosen for himself.

I have often used that as an illustration to point out that we should let God choose for us, and never be afraid to commit an unknown future to a known God. God's plans for you will always be better than your plans for yourself (see Jeremiah 29:11—13).

Now in this moment of crisis, I am the son and I am in the place where I am saying to God, "You choose." It's not the choice I would make, but I believe He has chosen well, and I rejoice that my son in heaven with Jesus Christ.

My heart is broken, but I also know I will see him again. This all has made heaven closer and earth less attractive to me. It has increased my burden for people who do not know the Lord. I have a personal investment in heaven.

Thank you for your prayers—and even for your expressions of personal pain. People have written me from all around the world with such beautiful, touching, encouraging words. I have been called by great men and women of God who have spoken into my life in ways I have never heard before, about what the Lord will do through these days of loss and grieving.

It is a luxury I do not deserve.

Many of you knew our Topher and loved him, too. But this we know, our faith is real. There is Life—Life with a capital "L"—after death.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25 NKJV).

And then He must have looked His friend Martha right in the eyes, and said, "Do you believe this?" (v. 26)

I do believe it.

Jesus also said, "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life" (John 5:24 NLT).

Thank God for that hope. I trust you have it, too. If you don't, I invite you to go to a site my son designed, where you will find out more.

http://www.knowgod.org

Greg Laurie
July 31, 2008 © 2008 Harvest Online; All Rights Reserved.ContactChristopher Laurie
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Please Pray for Pastor Greg Laurie & Family

Statement on the Passing of Christopher Laurie, Son of Pastor Greg Laurie

July 24, 2008

Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., died Thursday morning in a car accident. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.

In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Stella, as well as his brother Jonathan. Christopher and his wife are expecting another daughter in November.

Memorial plans for Christopher are pending. More information will be posted at www.harvest.org as details become available.

Here's our "young" people after a 4 1/2 mile hike today!

Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization
that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that
it was there long before they were.

A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back.

Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local
paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:
Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 am, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet.

Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.

The response:
Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of
F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the
grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m.. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom.

We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respect.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF

COLORADO OR BUST

COLORADO BOUND! Please pray for our Palm Valley Church youth who are making their way to Colorado for a week of fun crashing the Rohlinger's Family Vacation! I know they were all excited to go and get the week rolling this morning bright and early at 6 a.m. Pray that God uses this time to impact their lives significantly for Him.

Truths

If you haven't been doing the No Other Gods study this summer with Beth Moore, you have been missing out on a good one! I would encourage you to jump in. It's not too late! It's been a lot of fun not only studying the Word but also being encouraged to try "new" recipes and expanding our culinary skills! Watch out Bobbie Flay we might have a throw down! I tried Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti for the first time last night - three thumbs up from the kids, a lukewarm thumbs up from my husband - he was okay with it as long as it was drenched in salsa.

One of the great revelations or "ah-hah" moments so far from the study was on page 62of our workbook when it states, talking about Genesis 3, Satan spoke a lot of true things, yet none of it was THE truth. He still does that today doesn't he? He's still able to confuse us with partial truths or a little truth but not the complete picture. That's why it is so vital to know the Word, study the Word, and memorize the Word - I'm preaching to myself! How many of us know a person or persons who have been led into a different religion or have accepted even some of the culturally acceptable truths of spirituality so readily?

Okay shifting gears, this spoke to me so I thought I would share it with you.

This comes from the Streams in the Desert book, “Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. Distrust, however, holds on to a corner of the envelope and then wonders why the answer never arrives.”

Consider

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Freedom

The Key to Freedom
by Garold Andersen

"If you hold to my teaching, you are truly my
disciples: then you will know the truth and
the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

“Arbeit macht frei” (work will make you free) was the phrase written over Nazi work camps during the Second World War. It’s a great slogan for anyone wanting to enslave a nation. Today we don’t buy it. In our enlightened world we know that truth, not work, is the key to freedom. We scour books, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet, searching for those nuggets of truth that will continue our great liberation.

The search, however, reveals a complex snag. What truth? Which newspaper articles should we believe? Which sources are reliable? The more we dig for the truth, the more this new slogan seems no better than "Arbeit macht frei." If anything, we sense a heavier burden rather than a deeper freedom. "You will know the truth..." That's the maddening part. How can we know it? Some would say you can't: truth is just a fable. Others would say it's relative. Jesus said it's relational.

Of course, when Jesus spoke of truth he wasn't referring to the superficial information one gleans from a trip into cyberspace. He also wasn't speaking of math, science, or religious knowledge, which comes in varying colors and shades. The One who created life was instead speaking of the absolute, unchangeable core of life: the foundational truth that gives meaning to our existence. Is there really such a deep understanding that could give all humans freedom regardless of their external condition? Jesus said, "Yes, I am that Truth."

When we choose to believe His radical claim, our initial reaction is joy and relief. We sing, “Jesus is the answer…”, take off our shoes, and set up camp. We have a sense of having arrived. The search is over; the answer has been found. But in reality we haven’t really heard all of His words. So Jesus walks into the midst of our retirement camp and repeats His challenge, “IF you hold to my teachings and become my life-long disciple, THEN you will know (experience) the depths of reality...you will know Me and I will destroy your misconceptions of life, shake your faulty foundations, and set you free." This proposal is altogether different. The light begins to dawn. Jesus didn’t post a campground sign for the kingdom of Truth; rather He has extended an invitation to a relational journey. In the depths of our hearts, if we’re honest, we’re a bit disappointed. We wanted there to be an answer - simple, black and white, and a one-size-fits-all remedy. As the party music fades, the tents come down, and the traveling shoes are laced back onto our feet, we mourn the death of our easy solution. In the midst of this disappointment, we can almost forget that we have been invited to the greatest adventure on the earth: a journey with the Creator of life.

In this superficial, fast-paced world we love sound-bytes and quick fixes, but “Jesus is the answer” isn’t a real solution; it’s merely another slogan. And the version of Christianity that has been built on that thin slogan has left many disappointed and disillusioned.

The inner freedom and ultimate meaning we all desire is not found in the simple recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus isn't the answer; He is the truth. There is a profound difference between the two. It’s easy to get excited upon discovering a treasure in a field. It’s quite another thing to sell everything you own in order to purchase that field. Yet that’s the image of discipleship. The continual dismantling of our broken concepts of life and building on His view is the only way to gain the treasure of truth and freedom.

Real freedom, according to Jesus, is the outcome of a relational journey with the truth. It is an ongoing process of replacing the untruths of this world with the empowering ways of God. Romans 12:2 says, “Don't be conformed to the ideas of this age, but be transformed by renewing your mind.” Remember, you have not arrived at the truth; you are on a life-long journey with Him.

Life is filled with issues that are real. They require wisdom, mercy, and inner strength, not one-size-fits-all solutions. The Son of God doesn’t offer us easy answers; He invites us to a journey of transformation and freedom. Anything that is real takes time, and this journey with Jesus is as real as it gets.

This Week
Ask this question: Are you free? Remind yourself that you are His disciple: not one who has the answers, but one who knows the God of wisdom and truth.

Prayer
“Lord, give me the heart of a disciple. May I be teachable and once again embrace the journey. Daily reveal Yourself to me and release me from the things that bind me so that I might be a witness in this world to the fact that You are indeed the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As we journey set me free.”

Definitely Not Normal

In our summer siesta study, No Other Gods/Kelly Minter, we are learning that our identity is in Christ. We are His and His alone and in being such, we are a peculiar, alien if you will people. We should be looked at as "foreign" because our lives should stand out as so breathtakingly "good" in comparison with others. I look introspectively and ask myself does my life "stand out" for Christ. If not, why?

As Kelly Minter says, "Not a goodness that comes from self-righteousness or legalism, but a goodness that is the fruit of obedience." Mmmm, obedience seems to be a theme around here lately! I am challenged by the part that says indulging in our sinful desires will snuff out the burning goodness and we become - hold your breath - NORMAL. Yuk!

We are new creatures in Christ, old things are passed away, ALL things have become new. We already have Christ's power through the Holy Spirit to live a life "FULL-ON" for God. It's up to us to CHOOSE to OBEY.

Palm Valley Church Women's Retreat 2008

OBEY

Jeff Bridges certainly got my attention today when I was doing some reading in the book, Walking in the Spirit, regarding how our choices may drain our spiritual reservoir. WARNING: Your heart might get pricked.
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It is time for us Christians to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are "defeated" by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be well if we stopped using the terms "victory" and "defeat" to describe our progress. Rather we should use the the terms "obedience" and "disobedience." When I say I am defeated by something, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may, in fact, be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey. We have chosen to entertain lustful thoughts, or harbor resentment, or shade the truth a little."

Get out of spiritual poverty - choose to "OBEY" Christ!

Don't Pass This One Up!

Thank you www.justcallmegrammy.blogspot.com for this! Worth watching - God's amazing grace and mercy! Powerful!!!!

Welcome - Summer Siestas!

A "big" hello to all the summer siestas doing the "No Other Gods" study by Kelly Minter. If you dropped in today from the forum http://forums.delphiforums.com/siestas/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E, post me a comment to let me know. I can't wait to get started on this study together! Lord please let my workbook get here today:) God bless you amazingly and abundantly above all you can think or imagine!

HAPPY 49TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

I want to wish my parents, Roy and Sharon Shoecraft, Happy 49th Wedding Anniversary! Today is their "big" day! They commented on how "fast" 49 years went. Amazing! I'm so grateful to have never been through a divorce of parents but had an example of them working through the tough times and loving through the good times together.

Aluminum Foil

A gal pal shared this with me and I have to admit I was one of the one's who didn't know. Are you one of the ones who didn't know? Let me know:)
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I've been using aluminum foil for more years than I care to remember. Great stuff, but sometimes it can be a pain. You know, like when you are in the middle of doing something and you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time.
Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, "Press here to lock end". Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up.
I'm sharing this with my friends that did not know this.

GOD IS MY ROCK

Yahweh Tsuri - The Lord my Rock. During all the uncertainty in our day, I'm very grateful that God is my rock. He provides my shade, my shelter, my safety. In the "old" days rocks were used to construct altars, temples, houses, and city walls. Heaps of rocks were also used to mark important events in Israel's history. God's commandments were etched on rock. He is faithful!

Psalm 144:1-2,7-10
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer.
Reach down your hand from on high, deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners, whose mouths are full of lies whose right hands are deceitful.
I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword.

I Samuel 22:2-4
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior from violent men who save me.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

CHARACTER

YOUR CHARACTER IS THE SUM TOTAL OF YOUR EVERYDAY CHOICES. DAY BY DAY, WHAT YOU THINK, WHAT YOU CHOOSE AND WHAT YOU DO, IS WHO YOU BECOME.

AMERICAN SOLUTIONS.COM - GET THE WORD OUT

Let America become self-suffient with our own natural resources and bring the gas prices down. Sign the petition today and forward this information on to family and friends. Get the word out!



Sign the petition at the link listed below - it's quick and easy.

Birds are flying out of the Nest

As a momma bird, I am having a bit of a challenge adjusting to the birds flying more frequently out of the nest! I love it and I hate it all at the same time. Is that even possible?

My youngest, is leaving on a trip to Florida today without me. Can you believe that and WHY she would even contemplate such a trip without her mother, I ask in jest?

Actually, I am excited for her! Go Brittany - go, go, go! Somehow that Go Speed Racer tune pops into my head - random I know! What an adventure of fun, relaxation, and a beach loving time! Oh, did I mention watching a NASA shuttle liftoff?

The other, middle child-I know if she reads this her eyes will be rolling around in circles-is looking for work. It's been interesting watching her and a few friends doing the "job hunting" scene. They've been quite diligent at it and putting in a "ton" of applications. Okay, well not a "ton" but 4 at last count. She tells me it seems like way more!

My oldest is busy with football weight training and summer school. Trying to get a jump ahead for his senior year. Researching into college and all that involves is such a delight! Found some fabulous web sites to help us out though - I'm so thankful for the internet. What would a parent do without it?

Well, my precious little birds are about ready for full release - not really - but sometimes it seems like it. I am excited but apprehensive about that. Lord, lift them up with wings like eagles!

Agapao

What does it mean to Agapao (perfect God love) God? In our Breaking Free class, Beth spoke about how Christ asked Peter if he agapao (love) him in which Peter replied twice, "Lord, you know I phileo (brotherly love) you. Finally, Jesus asked him the third time, "Okay, Peter do you phileo me?"

Christ wants us to AGAPAO him. Looking deeper at what agapao means drives me deeper into looking at it from God's perspective.

1 John 4:8 tells me that God is love. Taking the next step to find God's definition of what love looks like, I look at 1 Cor 13:4-7. I ask God for a fresh new look at this familiar passage. As I study each of the adjectives that describe love - patient, kind, longsuffering, gentle, not envious, not prideful, seeks not his/her own, always behaves appropriately, not easily provoked, doesn't think evil thoughts, doesn't rejoice in sin, rejoices in truth, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails - I realize anew this describes God. This is His character, this is who He is.

God wants the best for His children. He's always perfecting our faith as He loves us and wants the total completion of our faith to glorify Him. Going through a trial in my life right now I asked for Him to fill me with Agapao love. I appreciate Him showing me in 1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear. Enlightening me that I wasn't "perfectly loving" Him when I'm focusing on the "trial" with fearful thoughts - I am failing to "Agapao" Him. He wants me to trust Him completely out of my understanding and knowing of who He is and whose I am.

His promises our true, He always keeps His word, He's faithful, He's dependable, He's perfect.

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!

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 91:14-16
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

2 Corinthians 12:9
He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses. So that Christ's power may rest on me.

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden. Like a spring whose waters never fail.

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

Thank you for your word Lord, your truth, your unfailing love - I ask that you reveal to me how I may have agapao-perfect love for You and not settle for phileo. Fill me with your wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that I always abide in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

What Your Latte Says About You

You don't treat yourself very often. You find that indulging doesn't jibe with your very disciplined life. You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast. You have a healthy relationship with caffeine. You're definitely not dependent on it. You are a child at heart, and you don't ever miss the opportunity to do something playful. You are complex and philosophical, but you are never arrogant.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

HAIL AT THE HALE HOUSEHOLD

Yes, that's right. We received a blessing of hail at the Hale household today, May 22, 2008. What some of you might not know is that we live in Arizona and for us to get this gift this late in May is a miracle! Especially as a couple of days ago, it was 112 degrees outside.

The kids sure enjoyed getting wet and "attacked" by the hail! What a way to start the summer break from school as today was their last day of school:)

Steven Curtis Chapman

You might have heard about the loss of little precious Maria, the youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. Please remember their family in prayer during this tragedy. My heart is very heavy for them in their time of grief and mourning.

Steven and his family have been HUGE adoption advocates over the past few years...Maria (held by her father in the pic above) was the youngest of their three adopted children.


Here are a few lines from a song Steven wrote last year about his daughter...

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something
The prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon
The clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone