Tag Archives: Improving your relationships

Christianity

Nothing is going to change…until YOU do.

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Such a gentle reminder from the Father.

In a time of wanting circumstances to change, it’s often up to us to change first. When we start to take 100% responsibility for our lives and quit blaming, complaining and making excuses, we have the free time to look at how we contribute to our situation.

As long as we are blaming someone else and complaining about how they did whatever we perceive to be the cause of all our problems, we can’t focus on what God may be trying to tell us.

Sit quietly for a few moments stop thinking about how everyone else is your problem and start looking at yourself. Listen for that small quiet nudge or inspiration and then do something about it. Remember, nothing is going to change until YOU do.

Bible Study, Christianity, Evangelism, Prayer

Want to do Ministry? Do the Dishes.

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Oh my,  I think the first time I heard that was from Joyce Meyer many years ago. At the time I thought “That’s weird.”  It’s taken me a few years, but she or whoever said it first was right.   If you want to serve in the ministry getting your dishes under control is a first step.   If you can right now look at your kitchen and cannot see your sink or your counter tops.   Stop what you are doing and go tackle that kitchen.

You know you can fellowship with God by turning on your favorite praise music, finally listen to that audio tape or podcast.  Or just start singing praise songs and pray while you are doing the dishes.

If you’re overwhelmed with your house and you just stare and really don’t know what to do.   Here is a website that will thrust your ministry into being.  www.flylady.net    By gaining control of your home you can and will have time to do Bible Studies, have a Bible Study at your house, or volunteer at your Church.   The list of possibilities is infinite.  So if you have been praying for help because you are just overwhelmed with your current situation.    Find time and remove chaos with FlyLady.      Then enjoy all the extra time you have to spend in fellowship with God and being about His business.

Hey what are you still doing here?   If you need me I’m going to be shining my sink.

An2g

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Christianity, Churchy stuff... you gotta laugh., Evangelism, Ministry Issues in America, Ministry video clips

Improving your relationships

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ID-100114874 Businessman Cover His Head with bag by pakorn www.freedigitalphotos.netPastor George Pearsons delivers a truly inspiring and educational message on communication pitfalls that we all experience but, nobody has “talked” about.

Have a Kleenex handy for tears of Joy. Pastor George brought the message to life with real situations most of us experience, either as the speaker or the listener in a conversation. It was so funny my eyes leaked.

Here are two ways to enjoy the message.   Audio and Video see emic website for third option to download audio message.   Audio is the preferred option.

Audio link:  Opens link in new window/tab

Audio link 2:  Does not open link in new window/tab. (mobile users)

Video link:    Video is playing some users still having issues with playback.

Thank you Pastor George Pearsons and the staff at Eagle Mountain International Church for you online messages and streaming coverage of the miracles and more on Eagle Mountain.   See www.emic.org for more information, video archives, and schedules of upcoming events.

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Image courtesy of pakorn/freedigitalphotos-net

 

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From out of your Mess, is there a Messiah?

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2015 Reading through the Bible Devotion. Day 12

From out of your Mess, is there a Messiah?

Gen 29:22-25 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Have you ever felt you were at the wrong place at the wrong time and the circumstances were out of your control? Take Leah for example, she had no intention of marrying Jacob. Jacob had no intention to marry her and was in love with Rachel. Laban however, had other plans. He switched Leah for Rachel and since Jacob was drunk he had no idea who he was with until morning. What is surprising here is how angry Jacob was. Wasn’t he there at Laban’s in the first place because he switched himself for Esau and stole his blessing?

Laban tells Jacob that the firstborn is married first and then gives Jacob Rachel also. Wow, I would imagine that Leah like a normal girl would have hoped that her marriage would be to someone who loves her and wants to be with her. What happens is exactly the opposite. He never wanted to be with her and didn’t love her. Now how is that for a beginning to a hopeless relationship? Jacob agrees to fulfill her ceremonial week in order to get what he really want’s from Leah’s family, which is Rachel.

Leah is now stuck. She is in a hopeless marriage with a man that never had any intention of falling in love with her. What he wanted from her family is Rachel not her. God opens Leah’s womb and she winds up having 6 boys and 1 girl. She also has two other sons from her handmaid Zilpah.   After Leah conceives and gives birth to her fourth son, in spite of all that she is going through she decides that “Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah.”

Deciding to praise the Lord in the midst of her circumstance speaks very highly of Leah. Leah served God and relied on him to fulfill her dreams. It was obvious that Jacob was going to do the least amount of charity for Leah since he really loved Rachel and never intended on marrying Leah in the first place. Can’t really blame him, what do you do in that situation? Divorce was not an option and it wasn’t Leah’s fault she was forced into a situation she never wanted either. You just do what you gotta do to survive.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus is now calling his 12 Apostles and getting ready to send them out. He gives them specific directions. They are not to go to the Gentiles; they are to go minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.   Through Leah’s son Judah, (The son she named after praising the Lord) down the generational lines comes Jesus.   Out of her mess would later on come a Messiah that would send his 12 Apostles to the lost sheep of the 12 tribes of Israel. He gave them power against unclean spirits, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

There is an old praise chorus that says “It’s amazing what praising can do, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. I don’t worry when things go wrong. Jesus turns them into a song. It’s amazing what praises can do, Hallelujah.” (Not sure who wrote this song)

Let’s just say for Leah, deciding to praise in her mess did later turn out to have amazing results for all of us. We all are at times thrown into situations that we didn’t expect or can control. Deciding to Praise the Lord in the middle of our Mess just might bring us a way of salvation from numerous circumstances too.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, help us to look to you and Jesus for our salvation in situations that we never intended to be in. Give us the strength to Praise you in the middle of our mess. Let us look to you instead of at our situation. Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus name, Amen (so be it.)

Daily Scripture Reading: Genesis 29-30, Matthew 10: 1-23

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Articles about Christianity, Devotional, Divine Health, Marriage 101

Happy Anniversary to my best friend/spouse!

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Well tomorrow will mark 21 years of spending my life with my best friend. The nice thing about roller coaster rides is they keep you young and full of life.   There are ups and downs plus the times that take your breath away. A few of you have asked so here Is my top ten list for hitting that 20 year and more mark.

  1. Leave your spouse alone. What drew you to your spouse was their uniqueness. If you try to change them, then what you were attracted to in the first place gets lost in the shuffle.
  2. So you’re right… Does it matter?   Which is more important peace or putting one over on your spouse? Proving you’re right may win the skirmish but the battle you’re losing is lifelong happiness and friendship with your spouse. Forgiveness after a skirmish is a good thing.
  3. Take a nap. We all get tired and when you feel Mr. or Mrs. Cranky pants coming on just tick a lock and go take a nap.
  4. Take your solutions to your spouse and problems to God.   Sometimes there are just things you can’t talk about. Doesn’t mean you have a bad marriage it’s just wiser to take some things to God. It’s much more fun to see a situation change after you’ve prayed about it rather than put pressure on your spouse. Pray for solutions… listen… then do what God says. You might be surprised at the results from just hearing from God on a situation without talking to your spouse.
  5. Find out what makes your spouse feel accepted, affirmed, and appreciated.   It’s different for every person. Sometimes finding out is half of the fun as it changes over time.   My favorite thing to receive is something spontaneous that required a little thought and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Same thing with hubby he likes it when I’ve been paying attention and surprise him with something he’s talked about for this or that.
  6. Alone time… The one thing that gamers have over the rest of us is the ability to have fun alone.   Give your spouse some alone time to play games, go shopping, hunting and fishing, hiking, running, biking etc. Find something that you can do alone that makes you happy, reduces stress and let your spouse do the same.   Just because you think it’s a waste of time doesn’t mean you’re right. (refer to #2 above)
  7. Date Night.   Go out or stay in but have fun just the two of you. Sports games on the Wii can be fun and economical. Or bring home pizza and watch silly movies that make you laugh.   MST3K movies can be funny especially the older ones.   My favorite scene was when 2 Guys in Greek costumes rounded a corner and tapped their spears on the Ground. I think it was Crow who said “Pizza! Pizza!”   We laughed so hard.
  8. Say “no” to others.   With everyone pulling everyone in different directions sometimes you just have to say “no” so the two of you can rest, relax, and refresh.
  9. Be united:   Don’t let your kids or other family members divide you as a couple. Make a decision as a couple and stick with it.   Trying to be a best friend to your kids at your spouse’s expense probably isn’t the wisest decision as kids grow up and move away but your spouse is still there and may not be too happy with you. (refer to #3 above)
  10. Probably the biggest and most important thing is to spend “God Time” together. Praying, reading the Bible, Devotions. Whatever you two can do to grow in God together.    Along with that thought is remember who you committed to on your marriage day.   You committed to God and your spouse. Having faith in God to help when you don’t know what to do is critical. It is much better to turn to God and unload than to unload on your spouse.     People say dumb and mean things when they are mad. Refuse to allow yourself hurtful words that can scar a person for life just for a moment of selfish pleasure. It doesn’t mean you are weak or a pushover if you walk away to pray. It just means you are turning over your situation to a higher authority who really does know all the answers for your situation.

© sgan2g2014cwp

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Articles about Christianity, Devotional

What does your life shout from the Rooftops?

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What does your life shout from the rooftops?

I was worshiping along with the song Rooftops by Jesus Culture during my worship time this morning. During the lyrics, “So I shout out your name. From the rooftops I proclaim that I am yours. I am yours!”

That’s when I was impressed with a question. What does your life shout out from the rooftops?

Wow.   What a penetrating question.   Would my life shout out the name of Jesus? Does my outward appearance proclaim that I am a child of God?

Do my actions hinder or help people have a better relationship/view of God?    

I’ve often heard Dr. Jesse Duplantis say “The only Jesus some people will see is the Jesus in you and the Jesus in me.”   What do people see in us? Do they hear us laughing at someone that experienced a bad thing? Do they see us purposely do things to hurt or embarrass others? For example:  “I told her oops I didn’t mean to spill that water all over her but it was so funny to see her reaction.” Or maybe you were mad at someone and you confide in a “friend” that the vase of flowers you accidentally knocked of that desk and broke really wasn’t an accident but you purposely knocked it off just to hurt the person at that desk. What exactly do you think the listener will think of you? Is that action shouting out “I’m a child of God”?   And the unsaved who overhear your conversation with “friends”, do you think your actions will affect their view of God?   What about the people who saw you knock off the vase and then turn around and smile/giggle at your deed.   Do you think that “I’m yours Lord Jesus!” was just shouted from the rooftops?

I’ve often thought about baby Christians who start out full force with a love for God and serving Him. They get around those “older” in the Lord and possibly join a very immature church in spite of its age. What they see and what they hear probably turns their stomach and since they are babies they do not know from the Word who God is.

They view God based on his kids’ actions.

They don’t know that many people who call themselves Christians are no more like Christ than a person sitting in a garage is like a car. So they like other hundreds of people quit church and for all practical purposes quit on God too. Remember, they don’t know who God is and they don’t know the word. All they know is what they see and hear is making them sick and doesn’t seem right. I know that’s hard to hear but the lost and the babes in Christ are seeing a very sick and wicked Church community.   Why don’t we wake up and see the truth too?  The Church as a whole needs a desperate awakening to stop hurting and start helping.

Let’s play “What if?” What if just before we enter heaven we were made to look at a list of all the babes in Christ that decided to turn their back on God and quit serving Him because of something we have said or done? Wouldn’t that be horrible? Can you imagine the pain that would cause knowing that you were the reason why someone quit serving God? Selah!

Each person we encounter in life was designed with a purpose from God in the womb.

What would have happened if John G Lake would have paid any attention to his mentor for years told him that he would never be anything without him? Horrible words from an elder who was respected and trusted. Can you imagine how devastating that would be? Fortunately John G Lake went on to surpass that critic and people are receiving God’s healing though new generations of his ministry today.  As for the critic, well he went down in history as a man who once knew God and performed many miracles then through pride and listening to ungodly voices went insane.   The lesson here is just because somebody is “older” in the Lord doesn’t mean they know what God has in store for you.

Fortunately, today we can drop to our knees thanking God for his forgiveness. We can also pray that messengers be sent across the path of those we have hindered or prevented from serving God to encourage them and restore in them hope.  We can also change our ways and stop being ungodly to those around us.

We are to lift up, encourage, and show the love of Christ.

There is a big difference in telling others how Godly we are and what our life shouts from the rooftops.   How about we become the type of person that others can view (especially the ones closest to us) and say “you know…when I think about such and such their life just screams that they are a child of God and they really show the Love of God to their family and everyone around them.”

Thanks to all the ministries that are trying to help people find God, restoring the saved and bringing the unsaved into a right relationship with Him.   Keep up the good work.

And for those of you that have been hindered and abused by immature Christians, Joyce Meyers has often said that “hurting people hurt people”. Even the people who try the hardest to live a godly life still make mistakes.   Don’t let unforgiveness imprison and stop you from fulfilling what God has planned for you. You are called with a purpose to fulfill. Who knows who you will become.   Be like the John G Lakes of history and ignore those who try to hurt you and go on to become the man or woman God has designed you to be. Just today I saw a tweet from Riley Stephenson that said.

“Obstacles can temporarily detour you, but only you can make you stop.”

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Articles about Christianity, Devotional

Does your schedule resemble a game of pinball more than an hourly schedule?

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ID-100123978Pro 8:17  I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

During my morning devotion time.  This scripture made me have an “aha” moment.  I often wonder if God doesn’t go “Yes!!!  She got it!  and has that kind of feeling that a parent of a Basketball player who just made a 3 point basket gets.

It’s true…. life has been wild lately for me and it always amazes that during the that quiet time in the morning how much peace comes from just reading the word, worshiping and fellowshipping with God brings. This is the busiest time of the year for me and my schedule is more like a game of pinball than an hourly schedule.  If it wasn’t for my PODA (Parade of Daily Activities) sheet. I don’t know that I would get anything done.

But this morning was different. Today’s daily Proverb sparked something in me.  I had great peace and things that would normally make me grit my teeth, made me laugh. Starting your day off fellowshipping with God really does make a difference.

So whenever your day starts depending on your work schedule, start it off with God.   You will not believe the difference it makes.

(c) An2G2014

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Articles about Christianity

Unmasking a Spooky pooky…What is behind the mask?

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I love the humorous ways leaders can poke fun at a situation to wake us up to the truth about a disorder in the Church.

Ahh… yes… The Spooky Pooky.   I think we’ve all run into one throughout our walk in Christianity.  These are the folks that are so “religious ” they’re down right scary.   They are typically inappropriate not zealous.   Pushy instead of patient.   Or one that I run across that was most impressionable was  a lady that cackled like a peacock and always wore a peacock feather in her hair or hat.  She was too “spiritual” to talk or pray with the others in church.  She wanted to be right down front and on TV so everyone could see how spiritual she was.  Well.. let’s just say everyone noticed how “spooky” she was.

It’s very sad really.. these people do not understand the Love of God.  They do not understand that Jesus has already finished the work.  They think that if they “act” religious enough or find a name, “The peacock lady”, to be remembered by that they can earn whatever they need from God.   Healing, prosperity, peace, joy, etc.  They do not know that everything has already been purchased by Jesus.  We don’t need to perform some kind of works to earn these things.

However the hardest thing to do is to rest in the finished work of Jesus.  This is so foreign to us.  For decades now we have been taught wrong.   The Spooky pooky developed along with this error in teaching.   We must “act” more religious. We must attend everything “religious”.   We must create an image of ourselves that people will remember.  We must speak “Christianese” and act like visitors from Planet “Christian”.

You know there is nothing wrong with being Christ like and wanting to be close to God and follow his commandments.   That is normal.   Reading the Bible, transforming your mind to become more like Christ is the goal.   However I’m not sure how much the Pookys read the Bible because if they did, then they would know not to start gossip, encourage strife, and act weird.    For example:  New people will walk into a church and this person will say….. “Well they won’t be here to long.”  I’ve discerned it.” Then they start pointing their fingers at others in the church and start telling what they “discerned” about them.  If those new people have any kind of radar for spiritual things they will not come back.  Which begs the question why are you there?  If God has called you to that place that is one thing if not, then..get with God turn on your spiritual radar and find out where you are supposed to be and go there.

Ok so we’ve poked fun at the Pookies,  now is the time to add them to our private prayer list and start praying for them to experience the love of God and to remove their masks of religiosity and become more like Jesus.   Just us and God, no other person needs to be made aware of a “spooky pooky” in our midst.    Don’t know what to pray?  Here is a good example from the Apostle Paul.

Eph 3:14-19

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

Remember to show these people lots of the God kind of Love.  It can be quite an ordeal to take of the mask of “perfection” and become the real person God created them to be.   Admitting that they were fake is a humbling experience and they will need the true love of Christ coming from his people if they are to survive without their mask.

Articles about Christianity

Healing…. Ding, Ding, Ding. Ring that bell for the lost and hurting.

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“I once lived near a man who was sick unto death. Some went to him and told

him he had to be baptized, or he would die and go to hell.

I have always said that was a form of coercion, and Jesus Christ never used

it. He was too much of a gentleman. He never took advantage of a man when

he was down to grind his soul and try to influence him to be a Christian.

If the man was sick, Jesus went and healed him by the power of God. Then,

when that man was healed, the natural response of his loving soul led him to

Christ.

I wonder, have you ever paid attention to the different occasions in reading

the Scriptures when the Voice of God is mentioned?”

From John G. Lake “Adventures in God” 

Hmmm…  John G. Lake.  A man invested in carrying God’s Presence with him.   I wonder how much time he spent looking after and studying God’s Word.   Not many ministries have shut the local hospital down because everyone was getting healed.

To the folks out there who are really walking in the Power of God and changing the lives you touch.  Thank you!!

We know it’s tough out there.  I was just reading about how John Alexander Dowie had harshly criticized John G. Lake and to most that would have probably shut them down and they would have given up.  I can’t imagine the hurt that he felt when Dowie blasted him.   John G Lake was indeed a better man as Dowie  ” prophesized”

But John G. Lake knew God and went on to become quite a witness in history.   Unlike Dowie.

Don’t get me wrong. John Alexander Dowie at one time did have a tremendous ministry and touched many lives.  But when He thought more highly of himself than he should have, everything pretty well fell to pieces.  Probably a good lesson for all of us.

With Christ all things are possible.  When we start thinking that we are something amazing…. Well pride comes before a fall.

As we have seen lately, any minister that starts thinking they are above the scriptures and does not think it is wrong to harm others or be involved in sin are setting themselves up for a huge failure.

Being hateful and ugly to people because you are in a position above them does not please our Father.    Why does it shock us when unbelievers won’t go to church.   As mentioned in the previous excerpt from “Adventures in God”   Bullying people into a confession of salvation, baptism, or church doesn’t  work.    However, walking in the power of God and seeing him work in unbelievers is something I can’t describe.  But to see the look on one hurting all of the sudden say “It’s gone.  The pain is gone!”  Then they move around as if trying to make it hurt again and say “It’s really gone”.    Now that.. ding, ding, ding,  rings within them and they can’t wait to become a part of the Father’s family.    Where Christ is lifted up.  People will come.

an2g.

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Abusive churches: When it’s time to move on.

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Mat 10:14  “If someone won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave their home or town. And shake the dust from your feet at them.” CEV.

Some versions of this scripture say receive you instead of Welcome.    It’s pretty easy to tell when you are not welcome nor received.    Don’t think of it as rejection think of it as redirection.   Move on to where God is moving you. Don’t pitch your tent when the Cloud or Fire of God are moving.    Don’t waste time in the desert, keep on following God and he will lead you to your promised land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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