…you are the image of your creator!

Revealed Splendor
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Many times in my life the splendor and glory of God bursts upon me in sudden and astonishing ways. When I was much younger, it felled me to my knees. Now that I am older, this majesty that explodes before me spiritually puts me on my face before God. I cannot fathom even from the depth and breadth of my soul just how wonderful and marvelous God is to astound me, pointedly and specifically. After 20 years of marriage, God gave me permission to leave my husband. I had been providing for him for almost three years—providing his liquor and his women while he lounged…

Kiss Of Passion
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

The heart beats faster with every gaze into the eyes of your love. Your hands sweat and it's harder to breath. The excitement level is near maximum capacity and you wonder how you could ever live another year, day or moment without the love. It's beyond passion and purpose. It's what you were made for. It's internal and eternal. It's consuming and it's more than desirable. To live without your love is to die daily and it's to wade in the deepest darkness of the shallow waters of an empty and directionless life. Yet we dodge our love daily for fear of rejection and we lay aside the…

Having
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

In the Hebrew language, there is no word for “have”. The concept is not even in the language. Therefore, nothing can really be possessed or owned. Nothing can be “had” by adding or subtraction. “Having” (as most understand the word…) can not be possessed. Also, as Christians we can “have” only in Jesus Christ. All things are in Christ, simply because He is the creator, the sustainer, the power of continuance are only possible in and through Him. The well known expression “you can’t take it with you” is…

Respecting Others is Glorifying God
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Do you show respect to others in your life? Do they show the same to you? What do you regard as respectful behavior? Is it merely doing as one says when they say they'll do it, or does it dive much deeper than that, demonstrating by not only backing up what one says, as much as one does? According to Wikipedia, the definition of respect is: "Respect gives a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling…

Bible and Quote - April 21-25
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

The children of Your servants will continue, And their descendants will be established before You. Psalm 102:28 Don’t let these parenting years get away from you. Your contributions to your children and grandchildren could rank as your greatest accomplishments in life. James Dobson, 1936- Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits.. Psalm 103:2 Make not mercies that are great - little. Jeremiah Burroughs, 1600-46, English Puritan Congregationalist preacher (Bless the Lord) Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness…

Wait for the LORD
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the ones who seek him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:24-26 Jeremiah calls the Lord his portion. God is his inheritance. An inheritance is a gift or a legacy given to an heir. He further states he will wait for it. He speaks here of the benefit of waiting on the Lord. When a believer waits for His guidance and direction, he or she learns of God and of His ways. They spend…

Whatever
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Someday I plan to write an article called, "You know you're getting old when..." I know, someone has probably already written it. As the popular response is today...whatever! I never thought I'd say this, but that word carries a world of meaning. Of course it depends on how it's said and why as to the reaction of those receiving it. Two people are involved in a heated argument. One feels that their point is crystal clear. The other responds that they just cannot believe it. "Whatever!" A teenager has been confronted by their parents with being late getting home from a date.…

No Justice, No Peace
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

You've seen the signs, I'm sure. You know the situations, I'm sure. "We're outraged because bad things have happened and we don't think we've received justice!" Well, I'm not going to talk about those situations. I'm going to talk about a different one. It isn't really hard to go through Scripture and find a host of reasons to complain about justice. I mean, just start with the concept of Hell. Hey, what's up with that? We're looking at some not-too-bad people who just don't "accept Christ as their personal savior" and, boom, they're going to eternal damnation?…

Fire Hydrants and Ill-Considered Tasks
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish. – Luke 14:29 A couple years ago, I was involved in a big construction job that involved a lot of remodeling. Consequently, there was a lot of dirt. The construction equipment tracked inordinate amounts of mud on the formerly pristine streets of this upper class neighborhood and so it was decided that we would borrow hoses from the fire department, attach them…

Paul's Pleasures (1-5-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Pleasures come in all varieties and types and today's study will show this to be the case. Some have erroneously thought that pleasures of any kind were to be avoided. It is true that pleasure can involve doubtful or even sinful behavior, but it is also true that, depending upon one's frame of reference, pleasure can also be derived from that which edifies and builds up. To set the stage for this message, I call to your remembrance the well known fact that the apostle Paul had his infamous “thorn in the flesh.” (see 2 Corinthians 12.7). This was not Paul's “A”…

Hope and Light Shine Forth
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

We are in Isaiah Chapter 57, where we see an amazing theme or truth emerging. 1 – There is a theme here of God’s Second Home. I will dwell with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit – contrite could be translated CRUSHED. Here is the word of……