july 2, 2006 complete
** The purpose of the church, financially, is not to accumulate as much money as possible but to give away as much as possible. -- Jerry Hayner
** If your family doesn't appreciate you, take heart. Jesus faced the same thing in his family. –Max Lucado
JOY 7
*Freedom — what is it? How far does it go? And what are we free from? As we gather to worship on this July 4 weekend, we are reminded that long before there was a United States or any country or states, there was and is Almighty God. It is the freedom we have in Him that allows all other things to exist and be what they are. What is this freedom? The prison bars of our sin have been opened by Christ, and we are forgiven and free to live the life of a child of God. Any other life is still in prison and that is what we need to tell our world today! Those who live in Christ are not tyrants, they are not law-breakers. Instead they are ready to share the love, mercy, grace, and compassion of Jesus to make their home, their community, and their country a better place in which to live!
Today is a celebration of freedom! In Christ we are free from the bondage of sin and live under the blessings of God and His unending mercy and grace. As Americans, we are free from tyranny and oppression, given certain unalienable rights as citizens of the United States. As we gather to celebrate these freedoms, we must never lose sight of the fact that America IS you and me! We are a line of people who have willingly paid the price to preserve and protect our nation’s freedom. We have been blessed as no other nation on earth. Yet we must be cautious of our pride in such accomplishments for our trust must not and cannot rest in our own strength. One of our greatest freedom fighters, President Abraham Lincoln, said over a century ago that it was the duty of nations and individuals to “recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proved by all history, that those nations only are blessed who God is the Lord.”
Despite the "Do Not Touch" signs, a museum was having no success in keeping patrons from touching--and soiling--priceless furniture and art. But the problem evaporated overnight when a clever museum employee replaced the signs with ones that read: "Caution: Wash Hands After Touching!"
"I don't see the big picture. I don't have a clue. But I know God does. I'm going to declare that, even if I don't feel it right now."— Steven Curtis Chapman
Christian motto: I'm going to Heaven, having a great time doing it, and want to take as many with me as possible.
"What can I do today that I would be proud to look back on at the end of my life?" -- Unknown
** Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something. -- From Life's Little Instruction Book, Volume II
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!!!"
MONEY
It can buy you a House, But not a Home.
It can buy you a Bed, But not Sleep.
It can buy you a Clock, But not Time.
It can buy you a Book, But not Knowledge.
It can buy you a Position, But not Respect.
It can buy you Medicine, But not Health.
It can buy you Blood, But not Life.
There is no oil, if olives are not squeezed...
No wine, if grapes are not pressed...
No perfume, if flowers are not crushed...
Have you felt any pressure in life today?
Don't worry... God is just bringing out the best in you!
JOY 8
To know and to serve God, of course, is why we're here, a clear truth that, like the nose on your face, is near at hand and easily discernible but can make you dizzy if you try to focus on it hard. But a little faith will see you through. What else will do except faith in such a cynical, corrupt time? When the country goes temporarily to the dogs, cats must learn to be circumspect, walk on fences, sleep in trees, and have faith that all this woofing is not the last word. -- Garrison Keillor
You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a valley and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you. In front of you is a galloping pig which is the same size as your car and you cannot overtake it. Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level. Both the giant pig and the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you. What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation? Answer: Get off the children's carousel and, next time, don't drink so much!!!
** We grow and mature spiritually in our faith through adversity--not when everything is going smoothly. ... In a time of adversity or trouble, the Christian has the opportunity to know God in a special and personal way. -- C. Everett Koop
"Freedom's enemies are waste, lethargy, indifference, immorality, and the insidious attitude of something for nothing." -- William Arthur Ward
Suggestion for you to try this every morning: “It’s morning - you’re looking into the mirror, and the voice of God says, “There you are, holiness in a bathrobe. Nice to see you.” Hey, child, I see your repentant heart, I forgive, restore and renew. I take you into my heart where there are places of joy and peace. So relax!” [thanks, God]
** If your family doesn't appreciate you, take heart. Jesus faced the same thing in his family. –Max Lucado
JOY 7
*Freedom — what is it? How far does it go? And what are we free from? As we gather to worship on this July 4 weekend, we are reminded that long before there was a United States or any country or states, there was and is Almighty God. It is the freedom we have in Him that allows all other things to exist and be what they are. What is this freedom? The prison bars of our sin have been opened by Christ, and we are forgiven and free to live the life of a child of God. Any other life is still in prison and that is what we need to tell our world today! Those who live in Christ are not tyrants, they are not law-breakers. Instead they are ready to share the love, mercy, grace, and compassion of Jesus to make their home, their community, and their country a better place in which to live!
Today is a celebration of freedom! In Christ we are free from the bondage of sin and live under the blessings of God and His unending mercy and grace. As Americans, we are free from tyranny and oppression, given certain unalienable rights as citizens of the United States. As we gather to celebrate these freedoms, we must never lose sight of the fact that America IS you and me! We are a line of people who have willingly paid the price to preserve and protect our nation’s freedom. We have been blessed as no other nation on earth. Yet we must be cautious of our pride in such accomplishments for our trust must not and cannot rest in our own strength. One of our greatest freedom fighters, President Abraham Lincoln, said over a century ago that it was the duty of nations and individuals to “recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proved by all history, that those nations only are blessed who God is the Lord.”
Despite the "Do Not Touch" signs, a museum was having no success in keeping patrons from touching--and soiling--priceless furniture and art. But the problem evaporated overnight when a clever museum employee replaced the signs with ones that read: "Caution: Wash Hands After Touching!"
"I don't see the big picture. I don't have a clue. But I know God does. I'm going to declare that, even if I don't feel it right now."— Steven Curtis Chapman
Christian motto: I'm going to Heaven, having a great time doing it, and want to take as many with me as possible.
"What can I do today that I would be proud to look back on at the end of my life?" -- Unknown
** Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something. -- From Life's Little Instruction Book, Volume II
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!!!"
MONEY
It can buy you a House, But not a Home.
It can buy you a Bed, But not Sleep.
It can buy you a Clock, But not Time.
It can buy you a Book, But not Knowledge.
It can buy you a Position, But not Respect.
It can buy you Medicine, But not Health.
It can buy you Blood, But not Life.
There is no oil, if olives are not squeezed...
No wine, if grapes are not pressed...
No perfume, if flowers are not crushed...
Have you felt any pressure in life today?
Don't worry... God is just bringing out the best in you!
JOY 8
To know and to serve God, of course, is why we're here, a clear truth that, like the nose on your face, is near at hand and easily discernible but can make you dizzy if you try to focus on it hard. But a little faith will see you through. What else will do except faith in such a cynical, corrupt time? When the country goes temporarily to the dogs, cats must learn to be circumspect, walk on fences, sleep in trees, and have faith that all this woofing is not the last word. -- Garrison Keillor
You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a valley and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you. In front of you is a galloping pig which is the same size as your car and you cannot overtake it. Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level. Both the giant pig and the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you. What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation? Answer: Get off the children's carousel and, next time, don't drink so much!!!
** We grow and mature spiritually in our faith through adversity--not when everything is going smoothly. ... In a time of adversity or trouble, the Christian has the opportunity to know God in a special and personal way. -- C. Everett Koop
"Freedom's enemies are waste, lethargy, indifference, immorality, and the insidious attitude of something for nothing." -- William Arthur Ward
Suggestion for you to try this every morning: “It’s morning - you’re looking into the mirror, and the voice of God says, “There you are, holiness in a bathrobe. Nice to see you.” Hey, child, I see your repentant heart, I forgive, restore and renew. I take you into my heart where there are places of joy and peace. So relax!” [thanks, God]
posted by joypastordon at 12:05 PM
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