…you are the image of your creator!

Resistez!
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

“And I assure you of this: If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I, the Son of Man, will openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God’s angels. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before God’s angels. – Luke 12:8-9 Two hundred years ago, in the southern French town of Aigues-Mortes, a young girl named Marie Durant was dragged before the court and charged with heresy. Marie was a Huguenot. She was bright, attractive and only fourteen years old. In those days, fourteen was marriageable. She was commanded…

Comfort in Penitence III - Psalm 38 (11-24-10)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Like the man I saw in the grocery store yesterday who apparently skipped a treatment of hair coloring, I know that after this introduction, my roots will be showing. As a younger man in the late sixties, I used to enjoy a CBS TV show called Hee Haw. It was a country variety show with an oversized emphasis on corn pone, corn liquor, and just pure corn! One of the regular items on the show featured the singing of a customized weekly song called Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me. If you're too young to remember it, check it out on You Tube; if you remember it, that's all it will take to…

When No One Understands You
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

What are we to do when no one else understands our goal – when we know that it is Almighty God who has given us a goal, and aim, a purpose. God gave Noah a vision to save the planet. How did Noah handle getting this Ark built when there were so few people around him who realised what was happening? God had……

When No One Understands You
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

What are we to do when no one else understands our goal – when we know that it is Almighty God who has given us a goal, and aim, a purpose. God gave Noah a vision to save the planet. How did Noah handle getting this Ark built when there were so few people around him who realised what was happening? God had……

The broken jar
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Sometimes broken things fascinate me. It was a passion with my Dad to fix broken things. He was an engineer without a degree. If something was beyond repair, he would set the thing aside to make sure there were no parts or pieces that could be used to fix something else. I cannot testify that he ever threw anything away except maybe used paper towels or Kleenex. There isn’t enough room here to itemize all the handy tools and gadgets that Dad had engineered. When he passed away, my sister and I found little bitty pieces parts organized in boxes, cans, and other containers…

Run for Your Life
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

One warm day while walking on a trail, I saw an etched message carved on the path. It read, “TURN BACK”. For a moment I actually felt a touch of concern. Then I had to laugh at the humor. But isn’t this what we often hear in our minds when we want to try something new or when the Lord is showing us a bit of our future. I’ve heard this voice many times in my life. It was loudest when I went parachuting. Everything inside of me yelled, “STAY IN THE PLANE!” Obviously, it was a false alarm. I remember opening night of a play in which I had a…

The Search For Comfort
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

"For this is a rebellious people, faithless and lying sons, children who will not hear the law and instruction of the Lord; Who [virtually] say to the seers [by their conduct], See not! and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us what is right! Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceitful illusions. Get out of the true way, turn aside out of the path, cease holding up before us the Holy One of Israel. - Isaiah 30:9-11 (AMP) Smooth things were comfortable - in the days of Isaiah. And also, today. In our times, many attend churches in order to be comforted. We live in a harsh…

Inside The Mind Of A Narcissist
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Is it just me, or has our society become increasingly, narcissistic? Up until the past few years, I really hadn't even heard this word used before. But, to start things off, some of its meanings are stated below from the online source, Wikipedia: Narcissism is a term with a wide range of meanings, depending on whether it is used to describe a central concept of psychoanalytic theory, a mental illness, a social or cultural problem, or simply a personality trait. Except in the sense of primary narcissism or healthy self-love, "narcissism" usually is used to describe…

Bible and Quote - November 18-22
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24 Should all the hosts of death and powers of hell unknown put their most dreadful forms of rage and malice on, I shall be safe, for Christ displays superior power and guardian grace. Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, English hymn writer, theologian and logician Whom have I in Heaven but You? And I have no desire on earth besides You. Psalm 73:25 Let God be first, and the second rises higher in the scale than when we thought it first. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository…

"Make My Joy Complete"
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV) Paul writes to the Philippians; he encourages them to look into their hearts and consider their stance with Christ. He points out that they should receive a building up, an empowerment, from being in His presence. The apostle then spells…

In Privilege's Way
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Something happened this past weekend that was barely a blip on most people's radar. I don't remember hearing mentioned on any of television's news magazines or reports. Perhaps I just missed them. The event was the death of Philip Crosby. He was 69 at his death. Died of natural causes unlike his three brothers. Philip Crosby was the last remaining son of Bing Crosby and his first wife, singer/actress Dixie Lee. Philip was one of a set of twins. His brother, Dennis, preceded him in death in 1991. Dennis, like his brother Lindsay in 1989, committed suicide. Their older brother,…

A Joy Alignment
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Some thoughts from Hebrews. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3) What "cloud…