(please remember to mute my music player first, thanks so much!)
Obsessed: To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.
The idea of holding back certainly didn’t come from scripture.
The bible teaches us to be consumed with Christ and to faithfully live out His words.
The Holy Spirit stirs in us a joy and peace when we are fixated on Jesus, living by faith, and focused on the life to come.
An excerpt from Crazy Love, by Francis Chan
I don’t know about you, but I sure need a good laugh after this week.
After watching the news nightly it’s hard not feel really concerned about our economy. I recently read this and it made me laugh. Truly laughter is the best medicine.
Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!
You know the economy is really bad when....
☻CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
☻You got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
☻You went to buy a toaster oven and they gave you a bank.
☻Officials from the Obama administration meet with small businesses — GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup, and GM — to discuss the Stimulus Package.
☻Mothers in China are telling their children to clean their plates because children are starving in America.
☻McDonald's is selling the Quarter-Ouncer.
☻People in Beverly Hills have fired their nannies and are learning the names of their own children.
☻The bank returns your check marked as "Insufficient Funds" and you call them to ask if they meant you or themselves!
Join us today over at the Homesteaders Heart for more laughter.
JOHN NEWTON ON TRUE PATRIOTISM
(John Newton wrote Amazing Grace)
From John Newton's Letters:
True patriotism!
Dear friend,
Allow me to say, that it excites both my wonder and concern, that a Christian minister such as yourself, should think it worth his while to attempt political reforms. When I look around upon the present state of the nation, such an attempt appears to me, to be no less vain and foolish, than it would be to paint the cabin--while the ship is sinking! Or to decorate the parlor--while the house is on fire!
When our Lord Jesus was upon earth, He refused to get involved in disputes or politics, "Friend, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" Luke 12:14. "My kingdom is not of this world! If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight!" John 18:36. God's children belong to a kingdom which is not of this world; they are strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and a part of their Scriptural character is, that they are the "quiet in the land." Psalm 35:19.
Satan has many contrivances to amuse people, and to divert their thoughts from their real danger!
My dear sir, my prayer to God for you is--that He may induce you to employ the talents He has given you, in pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every existing evil; and to engage those who love and fear Him, (instead of wasting time in political speculations, for which very few of them are competent,) to sigh and cry for our abounding abominations, and to stand in the breach, by prayer, that God's wrath may yet be averted, and our national mercies prolonged! This, I think, is true patriotism--the best way in which people in private life may serve their country.
I consider the ungodly as saws and hammers in the hand of the Lord.
So far as they are His instruments, they will succeed--but not an inch further! Their wrath shall praise Him, and be subservient to His designs!
If our lot is so cast that we can exercise our ministry free from stripes, fines, imprisonments, and death--it is more than the gospel has promised to us! If Christians were quiet when under the cruel governments of Nero and other wicked persecutors, when they were hunted down like wild beasts--then we ought to be not only quiet but very thankful now!
It was then accounted an honor to suffer for Christ and the 'offence of the cross'!
Those are to be greatly pitied, who boast of their 'liberty'--and yet they do not consider that they are in the most deplorable bondage as the slaves of sin and Satan, under the curse of God's law and His eternal wrath!
Oh! for a voice to reach their hearts, that they may know their true and dreadful state--and seek deliverance from their horrific thraldom! May you and I labor to direct them to the one thing, which is absolutely needful, and abundantly sufficient.
If I had the wisdom or influence to soothe the angry passions of mankind--I would gladly employ them!
But I am a stranger and a pilgrim here in this world.
My charter, my rights and my treasures, are all in heaven--and there my heart ought to be. In a very short time, I may be removed (and perhaps suddenly) into the unseen and eternal world--where all that now causes so much bustle upon earth--will be of no more importance to me--than the events which took place among the antediluvians!
In the hour, when death shall open the door into eternity--many things which now assume an 'air of importance', will be found as light and unsubstantial as a child's dream!
How crucial then, is it for me--to be found watching, with my lamp burning, diligently engaged in my proper calling!
For the Lord has not called me to set governments right--but to preach the gospel, to proclaim the glory of His name, and to endeavor to win souls! "Let the dead bury their own dead--but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God!" Luke 9:60. Happy is that servant, whom his Master finds so doing, when He returns!
As you have forced me to respond--both duty and love have obliged me to be faithful and free in giving you my thoughts.
I recommend you to the care and blessing of the great Shepherd and Savior; and remain for His sake, your affectionate friend and brother,
John Newton
David said,
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
A thankful heart should be a way of life for us.
But did you know that it can save your life?
When Jonah disobeyed God and ended up inside the whale, he told the Lord, “I will sacrifice to You with…thanksgiving” (Jo 2:9 NKJV). When he did, God made the fish spit him up on dry land.
When you’re in the pits and all hell is breaking loose around you, that’s when you need to raise your voice in praise.
Nothing demonstrates trust, like thanking God when you’re in the throes of crisis. A thankful heart does two things:
1. It builds your faith. The reason “we [can] walk by faith [and] not by sight (2Co 5:7 ), is because we know that regardless of the circumstances, God’s working on our behalf (See Ro 8:28).
David said, “Magnify the Lord with me”(Ps 34:3). To magnify something is to enlarge it.
When you focus on God instead of the problem, God becomes bigger and the problem becomes smaller.
Plus, “Faith cometh by hearing…the word of God” (Ro 10:17). Hearing God’s promises coming from your own lips, causes faith to rise in your heart. So start talking!
2. It restores life. Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father…thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me” (Jn 11:41-42 NKJV).
Something wonderful happens when you start thanking God for saving, protecting and providing for you. Your faith soars. You gain the confidence to command those things in your life that you thought were dead, to live again.
So, cultivate a thankful heart! In all things… (Devotion by Rick Godwin)
Please join Lisa and other over at Extravagant Grace for more Word Filled Posts!
(Please remember to mute my music first!)
It’s been a while since I posted on TSMS. I’ve missed being here and visiting others as they share songs that have ministered to them. It’s good to be back!
The song I’m sharing today isn’t a new one, but one I pray and cry out daily to Jesus.
Truly the more we seek HIM, the more we will desire to know Jesus and be with Him.
I pray I will never be satisfied, but ever searching and reaching out to know Jesus.
Join us today over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders as Amy faithfully hosts this each Saturday.
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11
After many years of dealing with the aches and pains associated with back problems, I finally gave in decided it was time do something about my many limitations.
It seemed like whenever I would attempt to start exercising to strengthen my back, it always resulted in a set back where I was in more pain.
The feeling of frustration quickly lead to defeat, and then this brutal cycle would start over. I wondered how could I ever get back in shape if I couldn’t even do some basic exercises? I wanted more then anything to be able to enjoy all the things I used to do before I injured those lower discs.
I was determined to find a solution.
Then a few weeks ago I made the decision to try once again. Only this time, I would have to make some very bold moves behind my declaration.
I joined the local YMCA.
Please join me over at The Cafe to hear what happened next!
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