…you are the image of your creator!

Why do we doubt?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

There was a story told long ago about a certain wealthy man. He had so much wealth he struggled to remain alive because he did not want to leave behind his wealth when he died. When that fatal day finally came, the angels came for him, and he begged and pleaded to bring at least some of his gold with him to Heaven. The angel tried to explain to him that naked he came into the world and naked he would leave. But, his gold had never let him down. He had always been able to open locked doors with it and to build bridges to foreign lands with it. So after vigorous pleading, the angels…

Stealth Move
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

It was the same pattern as before. Subtle, stealth and snipe are the staple words for how He works. It’s His modus operandi to apply maximum damage with little visibility. Who is this guy? He is God. But not just any god, He is the God of army angels. In the beginning He spoke the stars, moon, sun and earth into existence. But when it came to mankind, the reflection of Himself, He took special attention. Silently He molded the future of the earth’s existence, keeping the fallen, in anxious terror. It was a stealth move. We see it from time to time…

The Best Witness
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Should you be witnessing your belief in Jesus Christ to your friends, neighbors, fellow employees, to people passing by you on street, etc.? The way you live your life becomes your witness regardless of whether others around you know about the details. They are influenced by only a few things: -How you treat them. -How they see you live. Let your life be your witness…if or until they ask to know more. And then, only a little at a time. They are potential babies in Christ. If they respond in a positive willingness to know more, they can digest only milk for a while if…

Celebrate Yourself!
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

There’s a wonderful saying, “Go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated.” When I think about these words, so many meanings come to mind: the people in your life and their attitudes towards you, the places you frequent socially, your workplace environment and those you meet for the very first time. They also raise the questions: are the people and surroundings you deal with supporting, loving, befriending, even helping you when you need them the most? Or do they pull you down, surround you with negative energy, refuse to acknowledge…

Bible and Quote - November 16-20
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

(David) Return, O LORD (Y@hovah), rescue my soul; Save me because of Your lovingkindness. Psalm 6:4 Lost in fear, distrust and regret, my soul pleads for a rekindled cognizance of Your presence and a renewed confidence in Your faithfulness. (David fearing death) For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol (eternal place of exile from God) who will give You thanks? Psalm 6:5 It is futile to bargain with God. His wise decisions are based on His character and His promises, not on what we can render to Him. (David) I am worn out from groaning; all night…

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

Love, Mercy, Grace “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ Even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you are saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV) “But because of his great love for us. . . ” We know God has a motivation for all He does. It is a simple one. He loves us. “. . . God, who is rich in mercy. . . .” When we list the attributes of our heavenly Father one of the ones we mention is mercy-the quality of withholding just punishment for our…

Popped Corks
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Ever see a bottle of champaign opened? The cork in a bottle of wine is inserted before the fermentation process is completed. As a result, great pressure builds inside the bottle from the fermentation. The cork, when given a little nudge, pops off the bottle. Sometimes it gets fired across a room, sometimes it just pops up a tad. Fermentation is the introduction of a living organism to a fruit juice which causes the sugar to change to ethyl alcohol. The process causes carbonation which builds the pressure under the cork. It's kind of like what happens when you shake a bottle…

Anthropocentric
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). A "word of the day" entry: "anthropocentric". We can find a dictionary definition, but let's see if we can figure it out from its roots. "Anthropos" is the Greek word for "man" -- primarily "man" as a group, not a gender. You know ... humans. Then there is the "centric" part. I think most of us can figure that out. So, simply put, "anthropocentric" means "centered on humans". On one hand, it is fundamental to humans to be anthropocentric.…

Parent Types
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin their lives. - Proverbs 19:18 Let me ask you a question: What kind of a parent are you? “Peter Pans” try to be mistaken for their teen’s older sibling. They know the name of the lead drummer of the latest rock band and can actually recite the words of heavy metal songs. They watch MTV and share clothes with their teens. “Good old boys” try to get along with their kids by sharing beer with their underage friends and lending them a car for their date alone…

Comfort and Light (12-30-10)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

The greatest story, the story of comfort and light, continues with quotations from Luke 2: 21And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law…

Never Allow the Word of God to Frighten You
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Isaiah 56 - "This is what the Lord says" – might that phrase frighten some people – as with these words Isaiah Chapter 56 opens - and this is one of the main reasons why we come Sunday by Sunday - to hear what the Living God says. And not just on Sundays –……