ABC's of Christmas

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host." Luke 2:13.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manger." Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David." Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
"Behold, there came wise men from the east asking 'Where is the king of the Jews?'" Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
"And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
"The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt... for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, "God with us," for Christ brought man back to the Father's house.
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God's word with absolute trust.
"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife." Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation." Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning "the last;" He's eternal present, future and past.
"I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel." Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
"And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
"She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page.
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word; God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
"And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up." John 2:17.

You Better Watch Out

"Your Life Matters" By Andrea Williams

Your Life Matters

Your life matters
You were created as one of a kind
The mold was broken after you were born
Your life matters

There’s no one else like you
There’s no one else meant to do the things that you were meant to do
Your life matters

You were brought into this world for a purpose
You were brought into this world to touch someone’s life
You were brought into this world to share your special gift
Your life matters

To find your purpose you must search
You must try new things
You must not give up
Because your life matters

You must have faith, as faith will guide you
You must trust, trust God to help you find your purpose
Because your life matters

No purpose is too big or too small
Because your purpose is needed
Because your life matters

By Andrea Williams

Feliz Navidad - From The Nethery Clan

Nativity Story

The Hound Of Heaven

Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan rightly observes that Christianity is unique among all religions for it is about God’s pursuit of us to draw us to Himself. In every other religious system, people pursue their god, hoping that through good behavior, keeping of rituals, good works, or other efforts they will be accepted by the god they pursue.
The British poet Francis Thompson catches the profound nature of this reality when he writes of the relentless pursuit of God in his life. In his work titled “The Hound of Heaven,” he writes that as he fled from God he couldn’t outrun “those strong feet that followed . . . with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace.” But God’s untiring pursuit of the wayward is not just Thompson’s story. At the heart of the Christmas message is the wonderful truth of God’s pursuit of every one of us. As Paul affirms, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law” (Gal. 4:4-5).
And it’s not just the Christmas story. It’s the story of God’s pursuit of Adam and Eve after the fall. His pursuit of me! His pursuit of you! Where would we be today if God weren’t the “Hound of Heaven”?

This is taken from Our Daily Bread, Dec., 23, 2011 by Joe Stowell.

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures ; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul ; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies ; You have anointed my head with oil ; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Ps. 23

I Wanted.. A Poem

It was spring. But it was summer I wanted
The warm days, & the great outdoors.
It was summer. But it was fall I wanted
The colorful leaves, & the cool, dry air.
It was fall. But it was winter I wanted
The beautiful snow, & the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter. But it was spring I wanted
The warmth, & the blossoming of nature.

I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted
The freedom, & the respect.
I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted
To be mature, & sophisticated.
I was middle aged. But it was 20 I wanted
The youth, & the free spirit.
I was retired. But it was middle age I wanted
The presence of mind, without limitations.
Then my life was over, & I never got what I wanted

By Jason Lehman, could have been written by you or me.

The Psalm of Self Written By Me And You

I am my provider, I shall not be in want.
I have stored up hay if the grass is not green in the valley,
I have a big canteen just incase the waters are dried up.
I have a map and GPS so I can find the right path.
Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I have no fear… I have a living will, my funeral paid for and a healthy life insurance policy to care for my family.
I will fear no evil because I have theft alarms on my car and home and the police will be there in minutes will I dial 911.
My accountant and my broker, they comfort me.
I have prepared an investment portfolio that will put food on the table for years to come, even if my competitors should go belly up and I hope they do.
I have been anointed with ability and good planning.
Surely, income and dividends will follow me every month, without fail.
And I will dwell in my own home, on my terms, not a nursing home, all the days of my life.

Invite

6 Ways Parents Can Bless Their Children

It is imperative that children be blessed (encouraged, built-up, honored, supported, know that they are important) by their parents and by other adults in their lives. These six simple and practical principles can help parents bless their children.
1. Acceptance - You are special to me and I love you. I accept you and cherish you. I do not accept all of your behavior, but you are special to me.
2. Appreciation - Catch them doing something right and speak encouraging words to them about it. Correct them when needed and always double up on the words of appreciation.
3. Affection - Have you hugged you kid today? Hugs, eye to eye contact, high fives, a pat on the shoulder and other appropriate affection will bolster your child's self esteem and lead to a strong bond between a parent and child.
4. Availability - Love is spelled T-I-M-E. Spend time, bunches of it, with your children. Get in the backyard, get on the playground, get on the floor, pull out a crayon, clean house together, cook together, grocery shop together, sit around the table for supper. Do what you have to do to spend time with your children. 
5. Accountability - Help you children develop self discipline by your actions and with your words. Set healthy personal and family guidelines that everyone will benefit everyone. 
6. Affirmation - Speak, write, text, and voicemail as many positive words in a day that you can. Let your child know that they have a bright future. Begin the day and end the day with positive, uplifting words to your children.

This is taken from How To Be A Hero To Your Kids.

Jesus Blesses The Children

¹³ Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.    Matthew 19:13-15

Personal Growth

It marks a big step in your development when you realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone.  Andrew Carnegie

Right On!

Three Keys To Better Disciple Making

The Church - The Body of Christ

Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body ... for we each have a diffeent work to do ... each needs all the others.  Romans 12:4-5 TLB

Horizon Mission Weekend 2012

God is looking...

God is looking for a (people) through whom He can do the impossible - what a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.   A.W. Tozer

Totally Disagree Even Though I Enjoyed Watching His Show With My Children Years Ago

Bill Nye The Science Guy Slams Creationism

I know many educated, intelligent, and well read people who totally disagree. I know Physicians, Engineers, University Professors, Psychologist and others who live outside of the U.S. who totally disagree. Bill, you might want to do your research.

This is very interesting. So it is okay for him to think his way is right but it is not okay for me to think that my way is right. But, are we not to be tolerant, especially those who do not believe in a God and Creationism, or place their faith in themselves or higher education. Just wondering.

To this day the evidence for creationism far outweighs the evidence for pure evolution and many creationist believe in the theory of evolution and hold to a theory of Intelligent Design.

Bill, God loves you, created you and designed you. Thank God for your intelligence.

Check this read out.
Brief and Excellent Read About Christianity and Sciense

Your Life Counts - Thank God

Strike This Pose

Be Strong and Courageous

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them —to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates —all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea^] on the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  ¹⁰ So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: ¹¹ “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”

Ouch, But True

Ten Signs Your Christianity Has Become Too Comfortable

Church - Community

The idea of a life-sharing community which is much more than a human association of the like-minded, a mutual insurance of common interest, and more too often the sum of its several parts and members, is essential to Christianity. - R.E.O. White

Taken from The Permanent Revolution, Hirsch and Catchim

New Life

Romans 6:1-11

Baptism

The Symbol For Christianity

Blessed Be God... (God You Are Very Great!)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!  Psalm 100:4

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!  Psalm 145:10

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits...  Psalm 103:2-3

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  Psalm 96:2-3

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty...  Psalm 104:1

Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever."  I Chronicles 29:10

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  Psalm 34:1

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.  Psalm 145:1-2, 21

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!
Psalm 113:1-2

Horizon Mission Weekend 2012

Baptism Questions and Answers - HCC

How Do I Register for Baptism?

You may do one of the following to register for Horizon's next Baptism Celebration: Call the church office at 757-488-6339 or complete a Communication Card on a Sunday morning during the 10:00 AM or 11:15 AM worship experience.

When And Where Do Baptisms Happen?
At this time Horizon offers baptism services at various times in the year. We baptize at the church property on Sunday mornings after the 10:00 AM worship experience. This baptism takes place as a part of the beginning of the 11:15 AM worship experience. We also offer the opportunity to be baptized at the beach in the month of August.

What Is The Meaning of Baptism?
It illustrates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. "...Christ died for our sins ...he was buried ...and he rose again."
(1 Corinthians 15:34)
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." (Colossians 2:12)

It illustrates your new life as a Christian.
When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17) By our baptism then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead so that we may live a new life! (Romans 6:4).

Yet baptism doesn't make you a Christian. Only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring; it's the outward sign of the commitment you have made in your heart. (see Ephesians 2:8-9)

Who Should Be Baptized?

The Bible says that every person who has made the personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior should be baptized. A believer is someone who has realized that their sin has separated them from God. They have given up all personal efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between themselves and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for salvation. If you have come to that point in your spiritual journey, then you should be baptized. (see Acts 2:41; 8:12-13)

 

Why Should I Be Baptized?

First and foremost, it is to follow the example set by Jesus. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river. (Mark 1:9).
In addition, Christ commanded it. Jesus said, "Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

It demonstrates that you are a believer, a follower of Christ.

We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands, (1 John 2:3)

 

When Should I Be Baptized?

As soon as you can after you become a believer.

Those who believed were baptized that day.
(Acts 2:41)
Then Philip began with the Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized right now? Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. The man answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (Acts 8:35-38). Yet it doesn't have to occur the moment you believe. The Bible teaches that there is no reason to delay your baptism. After becoming a believer, you should participate in the next available opportunity the church provides for baptism. If you wait until you feel you are a good enough believer, you will never feel ready for baptism.

 

Why Is Immersion Baptism Important?

It is the method used in Jesus baptism.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. (Matthew 3:16)

Every baptism mentioned in the Bible is by immersion.
Then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water (Acts 8:38-39).

The word baptize means to dip under water.

Immersion best symbolizes Christ's burial and resurrection. (see Romans 6:1-11)

The founders of the major denominations emphasized immersion. Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran denomination, said: I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies. John Calvin, founder of the Presbyterian denomination, said: The word baptize signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist and Wesleyan denominations, said: Buries with Him alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.

 

What If I Was Baptized As An Infant?

In the Bible, we see parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them. But he did not baptize them, and he did not tell anyone else to baptize them.
So if baptism signifies salvation (as the Bible teaches), only people who have intentionally received salvation should experience baptism. Thus, the Bible would indicate that baptism is for people who have made a decision to follow Christ. If you have not experienced a believer's baptism, even though you have experienced baptism as an infant, the full meaning and significance of baptism has yet to take place in your life. We strongly encourage you to be baptized as an adult believer in Christ. Some churches practice a baptism of confirmation for children. This is a time when parents pledge their commitment to raise their child according to Christian values and beliefs. While a very meaningful event, this is not Christian baptism; it is not mentioned in the Bible.
Adult baptism doesn't belittle your childhood baptism; it is a fulfillment of your parents hopes when they had you baptized.

 

Does Horizon Baptize Infants and Children?

We as a church believe in believer's baptism. We believe that when a person makes the personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior they should make the decision to follow up with baptism by immersion in obedience to the example of Jesus Christ and as a testimony of what has happened in their life. Because of this belief we do not baptize infants but will baptize older children who have learned about Jesus Christ and make the decision to accept Jesus Christ.

We do however believe that it is Biblical that parents commit their children and themselves to following Christ and living a life as a family that honors God. We as a church host a "Parent and Child Dedication" time in our worship services as needed. This is a time when parents can commit themselves and their children to following after Jesus Christ and seeking to become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ.

 

Is There A Follow-Up To Baptism?

Baptism is a biblical mandate for followers of Jesus Christ. As Christ followers it is important to learn the foundations of the Christian faith, to connect with other Christ followers and to begin serving in the church. We want you to be a part of worship on the weekends, become an active part of a Community Group and begin serving in order to help others experience God's love found in Jesus Christ. We as a church will help you grow in your walk with Jesus Christ.

Good Thoughts About A Welcoming Worship Atmosphere

Is Your Church A Welcoming Church?

Psalm 66:20

Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His lovingkindness from me.

Psalm 147:5

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

Chosen

Blessed is the nation (person, family, community, country, school) whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Jesus speaking to His followers.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit —fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  John 15:15

Great Read About Praying For Your Country

The Prayer of Jehoshophat for America

Great Book

Read this book before you vote.  It will lead you to think about our Founding Fathers and freedom in a new light.Forged In Faith

A Prayer

Dear God, Help me be responsible with your blessings. Forgive me for squandering your blessings. Thank you for freedom. Protect and guide government leaders. Bring renewal and revival to the U.S. Begin in me. Forgive us for the pain we caused to the natives. Forgive us for often times being so self-centered as individuals and often times as a country. Thank You for your grace and mercy. Thank you for the positive difference we as a nation have been able to bring about in peoples lives, in the states and internationally. God, thank You for today. I am yours, for now. I know I will seek to take control again. "Steve is Lord" is often my favorite quote. God forgive me, now empower me. I do know that "Jesus Christ is Lord". To You be the glory. Amen.   

Happy Father's Day

Great Heart - Where Are You Going?

Where are you going, Great-Heart,
With your eager face and your fiery grace?
Where are you going, Great-Heart?"
"To fight a fight with all my might,
For truth and justice, God and right,
To grace all life with His fair Light."
Then God go with you, Great-Heart!
Where are you going, Great-Heart?
"To cleanse the earth of noisome things,
To draw from life its poison stings,
To give free play to freedom's wings."
Then God go with you, Great-Heart!
Where are you going, Great-Heart?
"To lift today above the past,
To make tomorrow sure and fast,
To nail God's colors to the mast."
Then God go with you, Great-Heart!

From Today's Calendar Thought

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor the child of God perfected without adversity.

Good Morning Thought

I will bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.   Psalm 103:1-2  The Living Bible

Life Changing

"On the one hand, you've got religions that say God is so immanent in all things that incarnation is normal. If you are Buddhist or Hindu, God is immanent in everything. On the other hand, religions like Islam and Judaism say God is so transcendent over all things that incarnation is impossible. But Christianity is unique. It doesn't say incarnation is normal, but it doesn't say it's impossible. It says God is so immanent that it is possible, but he is so transcendent that that the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ is a history-altering, life-transforming, paradign-shattering event."

Tim Keller, interview in Relevant magazine.

Three Must Practice For Leaders

Three Core Leadership Practices

Christianity Real Symbol

Prayer, The Struggle

"That is not why I pray, Harry. I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, walking and sleeping. It doesn't change God, it changes me."  C.S. Lewis in the movie Shadowlands, 1993

Yep!

Life's An Opportunity, Mother Theresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

Choose

Christianity

The Optimist By J.M. Cavaness

His vision penetrates the gauze
That hides the sham and the unreal,
And sees beyond the lines and laws
That constitute the fair ideal;
The clouds may darken all his days
He knows they have a silver lining,
And that above earth's mists and haze
The lamps of heaven still are shining.

He hears the word of faithful friend
In tones of anger rudely spoken,
But quickly memory doth send
To wounded heart love's old-time token
He does not waste a moment's time,
Nor vex his soul in idle grieving,
But sings a merry little rhyme,
And tastes the sweetness of forgiving.

Disease may throw him on a bed,
And tackle lung and heart and liver
While he can lift his hand or head
He blesses still the Mercy Giver
He says that sickness comes to rid
Of poisons his law-breaking body,
And all the microbes In him hid
Will fly before blue-mass and toddy.

Hard luck may strike him with her fist,
And leave him prostrate, bruised and bleeding,
With little power to resist
The cormorants upon him feeding
Yet from his lips escapes no curse,
Nor does he blame his stars above him,
But says it might have been much worse,
And thinks the fates will turn and love him.

His eyes look thru the uncouth dress
And see the loyal heart beneath it
Tho thorn-crown on the brow doth press,
There's only love for those who weave it
Tho by blind hate and vengeful ire
The spikes thru hands and feet are driven,
Deep In the soul there's one desire--
That this their crime may be forgiven.

He looks upon a world of sin
Portrayed by venal, jaundiced journals--
Its scenes of blood, tumult, and din.
As if were loose all hell's infernals;
He says these things must all needs be--
Are pangs of a new world a-borning;
That soon the night away will flee,
And then will dawn millenial morning.

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself ...
- To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
- To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
- To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
- To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
- To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
- To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
- To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
- To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
- To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
- To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

The Real Picutre And Symbol For Christianity

Psalm 66 - The Word

¹ Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
² Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
³ Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.
⁴ “All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.”  ⁵ Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
⁶ He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!
⁷ He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. 
⁸ Bless our God, O peoples,
And sound His praise abroad,
⁹ Who us in life
And does not allow our feet to slip.
¹⁰ For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
¹¹ You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.
¹² You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.
¹³ I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;
I shall pay You my vows,
¹⁴ Which my lips uttered
And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.
¹⁵ I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts,
With the smoke of rams;
I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats.
¹⁶ Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
¹⁷ I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
¹⁸ If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
¹⁹ But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
²⁰ Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me.

Mercy Me - This Life

Away For A While - I Am Back

I am back.  The week before Easter Sunday I was in TX because a relative passed away. It was a sad yet enjoyable time because I was able to see many relatives.  Arrived home Easter Weekend which was awesome. Thank God that Easter is much more than a Sunday for those of us who are followers of the Way.  My wife and I traveled to D.C. to see our Daughter and then to Annapolis to see relatives on her side of the family.  We had a great time with our daughter and playing catch up in Annapolis was as sweet as the cinnamon rolls baked for a late breakfast.  Upon returning to Chesapeake I entered a surgical room to have my knee worked on for the fifth time in my life.  Joy!  Actually I am thankful for health care, surgeons, hospitals, nurses and relief. Last week I was laid up in recovery. This week has flown by and I am slowly but surely back at it.  So, I am back, somewhat.  Some thoughts from the past 20 days.
Life is short. Love your family even when you may not like your family.
Make decisions that bless others and lead to beautiful memories.
If you are alive today - LIVE!
Eternal life is a gift - share it with others.
Life is hard. It is even harder when you are stupid. - John Wayne
Be smart. No, be wise.
Easter is LIFE.
The church I serve in is awesome - the people are the church.
Jesus Christ is Lord.
We oft allow guilt, grudges, grief and greed to rob us of the LIFE God bestows.
Move out of the above and into God = LIFE.
Do not make decisions based on fear.
Faith is an exciting venture. Scary at times, but always heart pounding.
I am privileged to have great health care in America.
God really can heal.
Pain is a sorrowful part of life, yet God can be glorified in our lives via pain.
My pain is no greater than your pain, vice versa.
Quit comparing.
Quit complaining, LIVE!
TX has some beautiful sky. I mean BEEE AAAA UUUU TI FUL.
I am becoming a Virginian. That is weird but good.
Virginia is green and the ocean is awesome.
My son and daughter are handsome and beautiful way beyond the skin. I mean in a deep way.
My wife loves me more than I can really know.
I miss my family, yet God provides when we come together.
My brothers family in Austin is absolutely gorgeous.
My nieces are smart, edgy, and cute as can be. Children are so much fun.
Terri and Ed, sister and brother-in-law, are very gracious.
The Coverts are... no word can describe. WOW!  Birds....  LOL. They will get it.
God heals and heals and heals and heals and heals. You get the point.
My dear friend, Jeff Gross, is smart and thoughtful. I need that.
Thursday afternoons are profitable.
I AM GRATEFUL!!!

That is only a few of the thoughts from the past 20 days.

Alive!

"What would you like to be when you grow up, little girl?"  "Alive."

Calvin Miller, The Singer

When I pray...

.. "our" I am moving beyond myself.
.. "Father" I grasp that I am a loved child of God.
.. "who art in heaven" I dwell on new realms.
.. "hallowed be Thy name" I recognize God greatness.
.. "Thy kingdom come" I recognize God's supreme reign.
.. "Thy will be done" I submit.
.. "on earth as it is in heaven" I serve and give.
.. "Give us today our daily bread" I trust and share.
.. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive others" I realize the need to be forgiven and to forgive.
.. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" I live in God's provision and protection.
.. "Your is the kingdom" My mantra is, " Jesus Christ is Lord."
.. "the power" I live in faith.
.."the glory" I lift up God.
.. "forever" I have some vision.
.. "Amen" I am saying, "Let it happen."

Live and Share

Watch and Grow

Facets of Kingdom Churches

1. Prayer. Not just learning about prayer, but actually praying. Calling out to God, listening to God and obeying God.
2. People are the priority. I know, God is the priority, but after God, people are the priority.
3. God is the constant and everything else is up for change.
4. Relevant to culture and community.
5. Morphing is a staple.
6. Life transformation.
7. The people are real.
8. New people are welcomed and encouraged to become involved immediately.
9. People talk more about God than the church.
10. Those in the church get that they are the church.
11. The leaders are servant leaders and developers.
12. Vision.
13. Hope.
14. Baptisms.
15. Joy.
16. The church is missions not doing missions.

Just For A Laugh

3 To Help You

1. Make a daily list, weekly list and monthly list of what you want to accomplish.
2. Categorize and prioritize the lists.
3. Have fun accomplishing items on the lists.

The Lynchpin of Christianity

I Peter 3:8-12 - The Word

⁸ Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. ⁹ Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. ¹⁰ For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
¹¹ Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
¹² The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”

Christianity's Message

Loving and Giving

It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.  R. Braunstein

Don't

Don't listen to negative people who often criticize.

Don't go another day with unconfessed sin before God.

Don't listen to your feelings more than you listen to God's Word.

Don't think your past determines your future.

Don't compare yourself to others.

Don't allow a problems to overshadow God's plan for your live.

Don't do all the talking.

The Symbol Of Christianity

Hope

Practical Ways To Share Hope

1. Be polite.
2. Smile.
3. Share with them.
4. Listen.
5. Lend them a hand.
6. Give a gift to someone.

God's Confidence In You

John 15:16 - He handpicked you. You are a first round pick by God.

Acts 1:8 - He gave His power.

Mark 16:15 - He entrusted you with His ministry.

Ephesians 2:10 - He has good works for you to accomplish.

Make Disciples

If you make disciples, you always get the church. But if you make a church, you rarely get disciples. - Building A Discipling Culture
THIS IS SO TRUE!!!

Yep!

Verses About God's Will

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and
unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:4-8