…you are the image of your creator!

The Goddess
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

"No! You will not die," the serpent said to the woman. "In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate [it]; – Genesis 3:4-6 (NASB) There is a recurring theme throughout the course of history that finds its source in this initial act of rebellion. Our ancestress Eve longed for divinity and in reaching for that unattainable state,…

The Door of Faith (3-25-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

For the better part of three years Paul and Barnabas labored in the spiritual fields of Cyprus and Asia Minor. They preached to, exhorted, strengthened, and equipped the new converts so they could stand fast in the faith once they were on their own. As one of the final acts before departing and returning to Antioch in Syria, Paul and Barnabas "…appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting." (Acts 14.23). Once they arrived back at their sending congregation, Paul and Barnabas "…reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened…

Three Lessons from Three Men - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

We are in Daniel Chapter 3 reading of that incident when three of Daniel’s close associates have been thrown in the fiery furnace – and miraculously they emerge unharmed. What can we learn from these three men? They had been some years in Babylon and had stood for God and for godly……

Are You Hoarding?
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Matthew 6:19-20 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal I admit it. I enjoy watching…

Grace, Mercy, Peace - in that order.
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Jesus uses the word mercy with the intent of compassion, kindness, or good will towards those who are miserable and afflicted. The Greek word is éleos. According to Vine’s it is the outward manifestation of pity and assumes the need of the one who receives it. So when Jesus says, “The merciful will receive mercy,” that assumes the need of the one giving the mercy as well as the one the merciful bestows mercy upon. How fascinating! Oh, not that God receives mercy. No, God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), so what He pours out of the windows…

Lighter Burdens
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

There are times when living life in our world can be expressed only by one word: a burden. Especially this is so in the lives of Christians. Once one believes in Jesus Christ, and begins to change, it may seem that their life and the whole world has changed. Of course, the world is changing - faster that ever before, ever since God created it. The world - and it's inhabitants - have been changing ever since creation. But for the Christian, their personal world may seem to have become completely out of time with what is going on in the world, the lives of those around them, their…

Your First Fifty Years
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I’m turning the big 50 this week, a milestone in a person’s existence, and more than likely the halfway point in a human beings life. Surprisingly to me, it seems pretty pleasant because I feel good, appear well, and am looking forward to the next 50 if I’m blessed to do so. I’ve become one who believes life can get better as we age because by this time we’ve all learned a few things, experienced much, hopefully loved and cared for others, and been a friend to many. Fifty years doesn’t seem possible because I remember certain events from my childhood…

Bible and Quote - April 6-10
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease And with the contempt of the proud. Psalm 123:4 Deliver me, Jesus, From the desire of approval and the fear of humiliation. Gold Dust, 1880, French collection golden counsels for sanctification of daily life Had it not been the Lord who was on our side.. Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul. Psalm 124:1a,5 Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. M. Beattie, b1948, author Song of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds…

God
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

Protects His Children “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and mountains tumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” (NLT) Psalm 46:1-3 Have you ever felt God’s protection as you worked through a difficult circumstance? I’m sure you have. Have you prayed for God’s protection over a friend or family member? We have done it when we ask His presence with another person as we intercede for him or…

The Best You Can Do
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

James Garner, as Bret Maverick on the long running TV western, used to make the comment, "My old pappy used to say..." Evidently his old pappy was full of pithy sayings and folksy wisdom that stuck with his son as he went through life. Well, I was blessed with a very wise old pappy of my own, and a lot of what he said has stuck with me over the years. One of the things he told me has been a constant thought with me since my days as a teenager. "Whatever you do, if it's worth doing, do it the best you can." Every song I sing, every person I visit, every relationship I enter…

Pick and Choose
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

If you've been around much at all, you've heard the accusation. "You Christians pick and choose which verses you're going to obey." Pretty common. Why do they say it? Well, at the bottom, of course, it's because they figure if they can cast aspersions on us, they can use that as a reason to ignore God. Fine. But what is the more surface reason? Well, it's largely based on the fact that we don't follow the Jewish laws of dress and food and animal sacrifice but do aim to follow the moral law, not for salvation, but to obey the God we claim to follow. Because of the fact that…