"Identity"

FAITH:

"Life is the time it takes the Light to get to you"
Anonymous.

It has been so difficult for me to follow the Lord with a whole heart because I stumble over what whole heart means and I struggle to comprehend just exactly who you are Lord.
From the very beginning of Our relationship I felt discouraged because of my inadequacy to faithfully serve God without ever making mistakes or just plain sinning.
We were told to follow rules and regulations, that we didn’t understand, for our own good. We have a knee high vision of the Lord, as a child looks to its father.

I said to God, "What is the point? You know me Lord, that I will fail you", but the Lord simply said, "Throw your weight on my side" (Which I found out years later happens to be the ancient Hebrew root of the word "to trust lean on or rely on")
So my Father knows me and my shortcomings and accepts me and invites me in to Him.
Oh Lord, How can this be? I love you with such imperfection, but alas this is only self-pity.
When I take my eyes and mind off myself and focus on His unconditional Love and Perfection I can happily follow Him with great Joy.
A simple thank you cannot encompass my thankfulness. He gave His life for mine. As I see Him and His work in the mirror of my mind I am transformed progressively to be the very obedient child I seek to be. So Quit worrying about yourself.
Now we are coming of age in a deeper understanding, seeing the meaning of the Law as the metaphor of the Perfect man, Jesus. We are seeing what is behind the veil, behind that fading glory of the Law to the wonderful reality. Oh To Know God better!

But who are you Lord?

Come and See says He. I have a new name (identity) in Him awaiting me. Rev.2:17

He has a new Name (identity) to me as I get to know Him better (Rev.19:12)

Hallelujah to the Name above all Names. Hashem (The Name)*

Neither is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

The Great Identity Transformer and Revealer, Our God ! by Michael Tiemann

*The Names of God...it is common Jewish practice to restrict the use of the word Adonai to prayer only. In conversation, many Jewish people, even when not speaking Hebrew, will call God "Hashem", השם, which is Hebrew for "the Name" (this appears in Leviticus 24:11).

FRIENDS:

Father, I know that you are holy and your desire is for me to be holy and acceptable in your sight. Encourage me today as I come to you laying everything that I have on the altar before you. Sanctify my life and lift me up so that others may see your reflection in my life. Renew my mind and heart so that I might see you more clearly, for I yearn for the glory of your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

18. Luke 11:14-28; 1 Thess 5:12-28; Psalms 143; 2 Chron 13-16
19. Luke 11:29-36; 2 Thess 1:1-7; Psalms 144; 2 Chron 17-19

~2 Thessalonians~
I'm seated on an airplane. A grounded airplane.
I'm surrounded by kids. Restless kids.
The kids are mine. The plane is not. The plane is late, however, and my kids are restless. I took them with me on a trip so we'd have a bit of time together. This is more than I had in mind.
They ask the questions you'd expect of a five and eight - year old. "Are they bringing drinks yet?"
"When are we going to leave?"
"Are we nearly home?"
"Why is it taking so long?"
Questions. Lots of questions. The kind of questions that were circulating through the church as Thessalonica. They, too, were restless. Somewhere they got the idea that Jesus was returning tomorrow so they got ready. Some were selling their homes, others were quitting their work, and all were twiddling their thumbs while awaiting the return of Christ.
Paul gets wind of their assumption and writes them this letter. He urges them not to buy into the reports that the final days have already begun (2:1-2). Several things still need to occur first (2:3-12), and until they do, their task is to be patient and alert.
No easy task. Human nature tends to one or the other. We tend to be so patient we aren't alert, or so alert we aren't patient. The church becomes a hybrid of the restless and the resting. The result can be squabbling kids. Just like mine. They've done their best to be patient, but after a while a person can only take so much.
"Hang in there," I say,
"We'll be home soon," I urge.
"Try to get along," I exhort.
(I'm starting to sound a lot like Paul.)

FOOD:

Broccoli Pasta Bake

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
8 cups chopped fresh broccoli
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/4 cup fat-free milk
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can (8 ounces) whole water chestnuts, drained, halved and thinly sliced
1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup sunflower kernels
Directions:
Boil spaghetti according to package directions for 7 minutes. Add broccoli; return to a boil. Cook 2 minutes longer or until spaghetti is tender; drain. In a large bowl, combine soup and milk. Stir in the mushrooms, onion, water chestnuts, olives, salt, pepper and 1 cup cheese. Add spaghetti and broccoli; mix well.
Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray (dish will be full). Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with sunflower kernels and remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 8 servings.

FUN:

On the way back from a Cub Scout meeting, my grandson asked my son the question. 'Dad, I know that babies come from mommies' tummies, but how do they get there in the first place?' he asked innocently.
After my son hemmed and hawed awhile, my grandson finally spoke up in
disgust. 'You don't have to make something up, Dad. It's OK if you don't
know the answer.'

Jesus the Original Ghostbuster

FAITH:
Jesus walked on water. He didn't seem to do it a lot, but when he did, He made a point worth remembering.

John takes a different tack than the other gospel writers. (John 6:16-21) This isn't about Peter and his trying to walk on the water. This is about exhaustion and superstition. Everyone is bone tired, wishing they were in a warm bed. Add to that, the disciples mistook Jesus for a GHOST! (Matthew 14:26) I like a good ghost story, but Jesus wasn't entertained.

Ever start a faith journey, everything seems good........
My friends and I will just row across this lake and be ready for tomorrow. Then the wind changes to a headwind and that makes things hard. Stupid waves are bouncing me around. I was really looking for a smoother ride. These oars are killing me. I've been at this for hours and don't seem to be getting anywhere. Now the whole thing is freaking me out. Is that a ghost out there? HELP!

I think that JESUS is actually insulted. Didn't I just feed 5000? Wasn't everyone ready to force me to be KING! Haven't you been vowing to follow me through good times and bad. And now you are afraid of the bogeyman?

Jesus cuts straight through understanding to DOCTRINE. I AM, STOP FEARING. (NASB notes says the literal translation is as above) Those good Jewish disciples knew what Jesus meant when He said "I AM." JESUS sees fear and commands-STOP FEARING!

How many times do I say that to my kids, "Dad's got your back." Get in the canoe, jump in the pool, ride the roller coaster, try a bit of Lasagna, talk to the kid, share your faith with that kid. Isn't it frustrating when those who should trust you listen to their childish fears.

How 'bout them disciples.... us disciples. Weary?
A friend* once walked out to my minivan when I was sitting in a driveway and shared the scripture with me, "Do not grow weary in doing good things, for after a season we shall reap a harvest of blessing, (Conditions, yes, blessings can have conditions) if we don't grow weary and if we don't give up." I thanked her, we Christians always smile and say thank you. Then I teared up and said to myself and God, "You don't know how weary I am." Stupid me, keep it all inside, cruise solo.

The truth is, God feels comfortable wearing us out. I'll start a business, a relationship, renew a lost commitment. I will head off in a direction that I think God wants me to take. A change in the wind is not a sign that God isn't with you. He might want to see just how much we really trust.

Don't listen to the winds, trust God. Don't focus on circumstances, focus on the great eternal "I AM!"

Suddenly the journey is over. Just a minute ago we were halfway there and exhausted. Now we're there. When Jesus is ready, the fight is over and we win, destination gained. It was worth it all. and we can sit back and say, "GOD IS GREAT!" I think that is Join's main point. In the midst of the journey, when things seem bad., Jesus shows up and it's all over.

Stop fearing, Jesus is near your boat. He knows. by Dale Yoder

* Personal note - This person was me and it was my son's driveway in New Mexico. Imagine my surprise when I read our names in there. I took them out so as not to take away from the message. The author of this post was my preacher in New Mexico and we formed a wonderful friendship. He was really a great friend to me and was especially kind in the year after Bobby died. We lost touch and were reunited on Facebook and for that I am grateful.

FRIENDS:

Father, we fear so many things. We fear the dangers of the night and the pressures of the day. We know that freedom from this fear is the result of having confidence and trust in You. We are helpless against fear, but you are not. Please help us in our faith and trust so we can just let go of everything and trust you. Please teach us to have courage to ride out the storms in life. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

16. Luke 10:38-42; 1 Thess 4:11-18; Psalms 141; 2 Chron 8-9
17. Luke 11:1-13; 1 Thess 5:1-11; Psalms 142; 2 Chron 10-11

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. Having moments of pure joy
2. Feeling the warmth of the sun as it comes up on a cool morning
3. People who let you know who they really are, good or bad
4. Of things past, of things to come
5. When what you want and what you need are the same
6. Taking good notes during a sermon
7. Finding a place for yourself
8. Napping in a hammock
9. Good barbecue
10. Staying on target to reach a goal

FOOD:

Hungry for home made pickles but don't want to go through all the mess and fuss. Here is the answer to that........
Easy Refrigerator Pickles

6 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
2 cups thinly sliced onions
1 1/2 cups sugar,
1 1/2 cups vinegar
1/2 tsp canning salt
1/2 tsp mustard seed
1/2 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp ground turmeric

2 quart sized jar

In a glass quart jar alternate layers of slicked cucumbers and onions. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, vinegar, salt, mustard seed, celery seed and ground turmeric. Bring to a boil, stirring just till sugar is dissolved. Pour vinegar mixture on top of cucumbers/onion mixture, cool slightly. Cover tightly shaking jar to incorporate the mixture, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. Store up to 1 month in refrigerator.

FUN:

God Never Gives Up

FAITH:
How do I know God is with me? What if this is all a hoax? How do you know that is God who is speaking? The thick and dreadful darkness of doubt.
The same darkness you feel when you sit on a polished pew in a funeral chapel and listen to the obituary of the one you love more than life.
The same darkness that you feel when you hear the words, “The tumor is malignant. We have to operate.”
The same darkness that falls upon you when you realize you just lost your temper.. . again.
The same darkness you feel when you realize that the divorce you never wanted is final.
The same darkness into which Jesus screamed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Appropriate words. For when we doubt, God seems very far away. Which is exactly why he chose to draw so near. Throughout time, though God’s people often forgot their God, God didn’t forget them. He kept his word. God didn’t give up. He never gives up.
When Joseph was dropped into a pit by his own brothers, God didn’t give up.
When Moses said, “Here I am, send Aaron,” God didn’t give up.
When the delivered Israelites wanted Egyptian slavery instead of milk and honey, God didn’t give up.
When Aaron was making a false god at the very moment Moses was with the true God, God didn’t give up.
When only two of the ten spies thought the Creator was powerful enough to deliver the created, God didn’t give up.
When Samson whispered to Delilah, when Saul roared after David, when David schemed against Uriah, God didn’t give up.
When God’s word lay forgotten and man’s idols stood glistening, God didn’t give up.
When the children of Israel were taken into captivity God didn’t give up. He could have given up. He could have turned his back. He could have walked away from the wretched mess, but he didn’t. He didn’t give up. When he became flesh and was the victim of an assassination attempt before he was two years old, he didn’t give up.
When the people from his own home town tried to push him over a cliff; he didn’t give up.
When his brothers ridiculed him, he didn’t give up.
When he was accused of blaspheming God by people who didn’t fear God, he didn’t give up.
When Peter worshiped him at the supper and cursed him at the fire, he didn’t give up.
When people spat in his face, he didn’t spit back
When the bystanders slapped him, he didn’t slap them.
When a whip ripped his sides, he didn’t turn and command the awaiting angels to stuff that whip down that soldier’s throat. And when human hands fastened the divine hands to a cross with spikes, it wasn’t the soldiers who held the hands of Jesus steady. It was God who held them steady. For those wounded hands were the same invisible hands that had carried the firepot and the torch two thousand years earlier. They were the same hands that had brought light into Abram’s thick and dreadful darkness. They had come to do it again.
So, the next time doubt walks in, escort him out. Out to the hill. Out to Calvary. Out to the cross where, with holy blood, the hand that carried the flame wrote the promise, “God would give up his only son before he’d give up on you.” by Max Lucado

FRIENDS:

Father, our sight and our strength is so limited. And we are so often tempted to think that our well-being depends on what we can see or feel. Please help us in this day to look beyond this moment to the love of Your heart, to the suffering of Your Son, and to the promise of the home and future You are preparing for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~July~

14. Luke 10:17-24; 1 Thess 3:7-13; Psalms 139; 2 Chron 3-5
15. Luke 10:25-37; 1 Thess 4:1-10; Psalms 140; 2 Chron 6-7

2 CHRONICLES
A friend tell me of the time his five-year-old daughter took inventory of her friends.
Seems she took a tumble down the stairs and banged her head on the wall. Her mom rushed her to the emergency room and, though the injury wasn't severe, the doctor felt it was wise to keep her overnight for observation. So the little girl spent the night in the hospital.
The next morning they took her home, and the dad carried her upstairs and put her in bed for a nap. As he closed the door he heard her voice. At first he thought she was speaking to him, so he stopped to listen.
"Sleepy? Grumpy? Dopey?"
My friend smiled. Painted on his daughter's bedroom wall were the characters from the Snow White story. For his daughter they were more than characters, however, they were friends. Every day she spent time talking to them. the dad knew what she was doing. "She was taking inventory of her friends," he said. "She'd been through a rough night and just wanted to make sure they were okay."
God has been known to do that. His people have a tendency to take tumbles. Some of those tumbles are severe. Second Chronicles will give you a few examples.
They aren't very pretty.
Some are very shameful. Still they are his children and every so often he takes inventory of those who matter to him.
Buried in the large quarry called Chronicles are several jewels worth mining.
Here are two of the finest:
Then if my people, who are called by my name, are sorry for what they have done, if they pray and obey me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and I will heal their land (7:14).
The Lord searches all the earth for people who have given themselves completely to him. He wants to make them strong (16:9).
Keep those verses in your hip pocket. You never know when you may take a spill yourself. Those works might be just what you need to get back on your feet.

FOOD:

Barley with Mushrooms & Green Onions

1 cup barley
1 can (14 1/2 oz) roasted garlic chicken broth (about 2 cups)
3 green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
4 to 6 ounces fresh or canned mushrooms, sliced
salt or seasoned salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons butter or margarine

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker/Crock Pot. Cover and cook on
low for 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

FUN:

Paul Newman founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children stricken
with cancer, AIDS and blood diseases. One afternoon he and his wife, Joanne Woodward, stopped by to have lunch with the kids. A counselor at a nearby table, suspecting the young patients wouldn't know that Newman was a famous movie star, explained, 'That's the man who made this camp possible. Maybe you've seen his picture on his salad dressing bottle?' Blank stares. 'Well, you've probably seen his face on his lemonade carton.' An eight-year-old girl perked up. 'How long was he missing?'

God Encourages

FAITH:
This is an excerpt from the book Meet the God of Encouragement......
The fog of the broken heart. It’s a dark fog that slyly imprisons the soul and refuses easy escape. It’s a silent mist that eclipses the sun and beckons the darkness. It’s a heavy cloud that honors no hour and respects no person. Depression, discouragement, disappointment, doubt.. . all are companions of this dreaded presence.
The fog of the broken heart disorients our life. It makes it hard to see the road. Dim your lights. Wipe off the windshield. Slow down. Do what you wish, nothing helps. When this fog encircles us, our vision is blocked and tomorrow is a forever away. When this billowy blackness envelops us, the most earnest words of help and hope are but vacant phrases.
If you have ever been betrayed by a friend, you know what I mean. If you have ever been dumped by a spouse or abandoned by a parent, you have seen this fog. If you have ever placed a spade of dirt on a loved one’s casket or kept vigil at a dear one’s bedside, you, too, recognize this cloud.
If you have been in this fog, or are in it now, you can be sure of one thing—you are not alone. Even the saltiest of sea captains have lost their bearings because of the appearance of this unwanted cloud. Like the comedian said,
‘If broken hearts were commercials, we’d all be on TV.”
Think back over the last two or three months. How many broken hearts did you encounter? How many wounded spirits did you witness? How many stories of tragedy did you read about?
My own reflection is sobering:
The woman who lost her husband and son in a freak car wreck
The attractive mother of three who was abandoned by her husband.
The child who was hit and killed by a passing garbage truck as he was getting off the school bus. His mother, who was waiting for him, witnessed the tragedy.
The parents who found their teenager dead in the forest behind their home. He had hung himself from a tree with his own belt.
The list goes on and on, doesn’t it? Foggy tragedies. How they blind our vision and destroy our dreams. Forget any great hopes of reaching the world. Forget any plans of changing society. Forget any aspirations of moving mountains. Forget all that. Just help me make it through the night!
The suffering of the broken heart.
Go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the foggiest night in history. The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A
dark, dark night. Now, look into the picture. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that person? See that solitary figure?
What’s he doing? Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth. Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead?
That’s Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Maybe you’ve seen the classic portrait of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a big rock Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven
illuminating his golden-brown hair. (Now, I’m no artist, but I can tell you one thing. The man who painted that picture didn’t use the gospel of Mark
as a pattern. Look what Mark wrote about that painful night.
When they reached a place called Gethsemane, he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took Peter and James and John with him. Horror and dismay came over him, and he said to them, “My heart is
ready to break with grief, stop here, and stay awake.” Then he went forward a little, threw himself on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, this hour might pass him by. “Abba, Father,” he said, “all things
are possible to thee; take this cup away from me. Yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.”
He came back and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, “Asleep, Simon? Were you not able to stay awake for one hour? Stay awake, all of you; and pray that you may be spared the test. The spirit is willing, but the
flesh is weak” Once more he went away and prayed. On his return he found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know how to answer him.
The third time he came and said to them, “Still sleeping? Still taking your ease? Enough! The hour has come.
The Son of Man is betrayed to sinful men. Up, let us go forward! My betrayer is upon us.” Mark 14:32-42
Look at those phrases. “Horror and dismay came over him.” “My heart is ready to break with grief.” “He went a little forward and threw himself on the ground.”
Does this look like the picture of a saintly Jesus resting in the palm of God? Hardly. Mark used black paint to describe this scene. We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus. We see “a man of sorrows.” Isaiah 53:3 We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and yearning for relief.
We see Jesus in the fog of a broken heart. The writer of Hebrews would later pen, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from
death.” Hebrews 5:7
My, what a portrait! Jesus is in pain. Jesus is on the stage of fear. Jesus is cloaked, not in sainthood, but in humanity.
The next time the fog finds you, you might do well to remember Jesus in the garden. The next time you think that no one understands, reread the fourteenth chapter of Mark The next time your self-pity convinces you that no one cares, pay a visit to Gethsemane. And the next time you wonder if God really perceives the pain that prevails on this dusty planet, listen to him pleading among the twisted trees.
Here’s my point. Seeing God like this does wonders for our own suffering. God was never more human than at this hour. God was never nearer to us than when he hurt. The Incarnation was never so fulfilled as in the garden.
As a result, time spent in the fog of pain could be God’s greatest gift. It could be the hour that we finally see our Maker. If it is true that in suffering God is most like man, maybe in our suffering we can see God like never before.
The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you’ll ever get to God. Watch closely. It could very well be that the hand that extends itself to lead you out of the fog is a pierced one.
by Max Lucado

FRIENDS:

Father, forgive us for the times that we have questioned whether you are there. Forgive us for the times we have doubted you, forgetting how you have been there for us in the past. We know you will give us your strength to walk through the valley of despair and I pray we will be looking for the nail pierced hand. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~JULY~

12. Luke 9:51-62; I Thess 2:10-20; Psalms 137; 1 Chron 29
13. Luke 10:1-16; I Thess 3:1-6; Psalms 138; 2 Chron 1-2

FOOD:

Cream Cheese Ranch Potatoes

8 baking potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix (instead can also use 3/4 pkg of onion soup mix)
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup butter, softened

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until
tender, about 25 minutes. Drain and mash.

In a large bowl beat the cream cheese and dressing mix until smooth. Stir
in mashed potatoes, sour cream and butter; beat until desired consistency
is reached.

FUN:

As I was nursing my baby, my cousin's six-year-old daughter, Krissy, came
into the room. Never having seen anyone breast feed before, she was
intrigued and was full of all kinds of questions about what I was doing.
After mulling over my answers, she remarked, 'My mom has some of those, but
I don't think she knows how to use them.'

Pray With Conviction

FAITH:

Mark 11:15-12:12

How do you pray a prayer so filled with faith that it can move a mountain? By shifting the focus from the size of your mountain to the sufficiency of the mountain mover; and by stepping forward in obedience. . .

While the children of Israel are perched on the edge of the Promised Land, twelve spies go out to survey it. Ten come back saying, "You wouldn't believe the size of the cities, the armies, the giants. We'd better look somewhere else." Two come back saying, "The God who is faithful promised He would give us the land, so let's go in His strength." Ten looked at the size of the mountain and fell back; only two looked at the sufficiency of the mountain mover and wanted to move forward . . . .

I challenge you to shift the focus of your prayer. Don't spend a lot of time describing your mountain to the Lord. He knows what it is. Instead, focus your attention on the mountain mover---His glory, power and faithfulness. Then start walking in faith, following his leading, and watch that mountain step aside. by Bill Hybels
Applying it: How does God want us to ask Him for what we need? In what remarkable ways has God answered your prayers? Make a list of them.

The Lord is close to everyone
who prays to him,
to all who truly pray to him.
He gives those who respect him what they want.
He listens when they cry, and he saves them
Psalms 145:18-19

FRIENDS:

Father, You have promised that I may come to You with confidence and You will hear my prayer. Let the confidence of Your promise shine through my life in everything I do. Let my trust in You speak boldly to those whom You have given me to cherish. Let each day begin with the knowledge that only through You can we have the peace that passes all understanding and the reward of everlasting life with you. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~JULY~

9. Luke 9:18-27; Col 4:10-18; Psalms 133-134; 1 Chron 20-22
10. Luke 9:28-36; 1 Thessalonians 1; Psalms 135; 1 Chron 23-25
11. Luke 9:37-50; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9; Psalms 136; 1 Chron 26-29

~FIRST THESSALONIANS~
In the third century, St. Cyprian wrote to a friend named Donatus:

This seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden under the shadow of these vines. But if I climbed some great mountain and looked out over the wide lands, ou know very well what I would see; brigands on the high road, pirates on the seas, in the amphitheaters men murdered to please the applauding crowds, under all roofs misery and selfishness. It really is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world.
Yet, in the midst of it, I have found a quiet and holy people. They have a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of this sinful life. they are despised and persecuted, but they care not. they have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians . . .and I am one of them.
(Gordon MacDonald, Forging a Realworld Faith)

What a compliment! A quiet and holy people. Is there any phrase which captures the essence of the faith any better? A quiet and holy people.
Quiet.
Not obnoxious. Not boastful. Not demanding. Just quiet. contagiously quiet.
Holy.
Set apart. Pure Decent. Honest. Wholesome. Holy. A quiet and holy people.
Paul urges the same from us.
"Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business. and do your own work as we have already told you. If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on others for what you need" (4:11, 12)
A quiet and holy people. That describes the church in Thessalonica. May that describe the church today. by Max Lucado

FOOD:

Calico Bean Casserole
6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled (reserve bacon drippings)
1 cup chopped onions
1 16oz can pork & beans
1 16oz can kidney beans, drained
1 16oz can lima beans, drained
1lb ground beef, browned and drained
1/2 cup catsup
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp cider vinegar

Saute onions in bacon drippings, or cook w/ground beef to save time. Combine all ingredients in 2qt casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 45 mintues.

FUN:

God's Problem Now.
His wife's grave side service was just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning,
accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, she's there.

The Acts of Encouragement...

FAITH:

Acts 15:22-16:10

I was rushing around trying to get dinner ready for my husband and house guests.........

Just as I began last-minute preparations, the doorbell rang. I ran to answer it. A friend had stopped by to drop off a folder of information for my husband.

"How are you, Doris?"

I began to tell her that I was a little tired and frazzled around the edges, when I noticed she wasn't listening. Before I could finish my response, she said, "That's good. It's nice to see you." And with that she left.

I walked slowly back to my kitchen, feeling lonely and deflated. My friend had let me down when I could have used just a word of encouragement, maybe even a quick prayer.

Mechanically, I began to set the table. Why didn't she hear me? Doesn't she care how I am? I just needed a little of her time.

And then I heard the words: Doris, you've done this to people, too. Let this be a lesson to you. Listen to those I send across your path. Give them at least five minutes, even if you are in a hurry. Stop and pray with them.
by Doris Greig

The right work spoken at the
right time
is as beautiful as gold apples in
a silver bowl
Proverbs 25:11

The reading in Proverbs summarizes the beauty of encouragement well, doesn't it? What has been your most encouraging experience? What, in today's text in Acts, is the kind of encouragement offered in each of these
examples? How do they help you know how to encourage others?

FRIENDS:

Father, sometimes I am so busy with the little things in life that I don't stop and listen to others. Please forgive me. Direct my life so that others may be lifted up by my sharing with them the voice of your Spirit. Help me to recognize how important this is, this sharing of myself and my time with others. Help me to radiate Your love. In Jesus name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~JULY~

6. Luke 8:26-39; Colossians 3:1-14; Psalms 129; 1 Chronicles 12-14
7. Luke 8:40-56; Colossians 3:15-25; Psalms 130-131; 1 Chronicles 15-16
8. Luke 9:1-17; Colossians 4:1-9; Psalms 132; 1 Chronicles 17-19

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. Being up early when the day is new and damp with dew
2. When someone apologizes to you
3. Realizing that our lives are what our thoughts are
4. Proudly wearing a wedding band
5. Finding an antique treasure at a garage sale
6. A hand written letter
7. Seeing truth and beauty in things
8. Slowing down and listening to silence
9; The smells and sounds of a place you love
10. The sound of a child singing a made-up song

FOOD:

Cheesy Zucchini Rice Casserole

INGREDIENTS
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
3 medium zucchini, cut into 1/8-inch slices
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 large tomato, sliced

DIRECTIONS Cook rice according to package directions. In a saucepan, cook zucchini in 1 in. of water until crisp-tender; drain and set aside. Place rice in a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish. Layer with chilies and 1-1/2 cups cheese. In a bowl, combine the sour cream, green pepper, onion, parsley, salt and oregano. Spread over cheese. Layer with zucchini and tomato. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 12 servings

FUN:

It's all in the spelling...
A young monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to helping the other monks in copying the old canons and laws of the church by hand.

He notices, however, that all of the monks are copying from copies, not from the original manuscript. So, the new monk goes to the head abbot to question this, pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy, it would never be picked up! In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies.

The head monk, says, "We have been copying from the copies for centuries, but you make a good point, my son."

He goes down into the dark caves underneath the monastery where the original manuscripts are held as archives in a locked vault that hasn't been opened for hundreds of years. Hours go by and nobody sees the old abbot.

So, the young monk gets worried and goes down to look for him. He sees him banging his head against the wall and wailing.

"We missed the R!
We missed the R!
We missed the R!"

His forehead is all bloody and bruised and he is crying uncontrollably. The young monk asks the old abbot, "What's wrong, father?" With A choking voice, the old abbot replies, "The word was.. CELEBRATE"

The Prayer of Faith

FAITH:

In the last devotional, we have looked at faith—what true faith looks like, and the motive behind the faith that pleases God.

In James 5:15 we are told,
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Clearly, James wants us to know that when we pray a prayer of faith, God will answer it. In this passage, we are told that through that prayer God will indeed heal those who are sick, and raise them up.
So what is it that makes up the prayer of faith? There are three components, all of which we have touched on in the last few days.

The prayer of faith is a prayer that:

1. Does not waver. It doesn’t vacillate, moving back and forth. It is anchored on the promise of God.
2. Is followed by corresponding actions.
3. Is prayed from right motives.

The example James cites of someone who prayed a prayer of faith is Elijah. I encourage you to read his story in 1 Kings 17. There you find that, through the prayer of faith, God shut up the heavens and there was no rain. And then, by another prayer of faith, the heavens were opened and rain came down.

Elijah expressed his faith when he said he heard the sound of abundance of rain. He made that statement before there was a cloud in the sky or before a drop of rain ever fell!

When you and I don’t waver in our faith, when we show our faith by corresponding action, and when we pray with right motives, God will act. As surely as Elijah heard that rain by faith, you can hear the rain…whatever that represents in your life. That is the prayer of faith.
by Bayless Conley

FRIENDS:

Father, Help me to live by faith and not by sight. I recognize that faith is not my wishful thinking but an inward conviction that You will always do what You promise regardless of my circumstances. Through faith, I declare my weakness and at the same time proclaim the absolute trustworthiness of Your ability and willingness to do what I cannot. Help me, Lord, not to have foolish confidence in myself, but always look to You in every part of my life. for You are always faithful and we can count on You. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~July~

3. Luke 7:36-50; Col 2:1-7; Psalms 126; 1 Chron 5-6
4. Luke 8:1-15; Col 2:8-15; Psalms 127; 1 Chron 7-9
5. Luke 8:16-25; Col 2;16-23; Psalms 128; 1 Chron 10-11
You are getting these extra days because I won't be posting over the weekend.

~ Colossians~
To qualify for welfare, you have to admit you're poor.
To quality for bandruptcy, you have to admit you are broke.
To be admitted to a hospital, you have to admit you're sick.
And to go to heaven, you have to admit you are hellbound.

We are willing to do the first three, but the fourth? That's a tough one. That's enough to trip up a fellow. not easy for a decent guy to admit he's a sinner. Hard for a pretty good girl to confess spiritual destitution.

Oh, it isn't at first. When we first meet Christ. When life is a mess and the future is bleak. When we don't have anything to lose because we've lost it all. It's not hard to admit it at first.

But then, by God's grace, things get better. Bill get paid. The dog comes home. The pantry gets full. The face we see in the morning mirror has a smile on it. And with time the person in the mirror grows a bit proud. A bit puffy. A bit, shall we say.......cocky?

We forget where we were. We forget what God gave. We gradually begin to think that god is lucky to have us on his side. We begin to see salvation not as a toss of the life preserver to the sinking but as a journey in a rowboat. God's grace handling one oar and our good deeds handling the other. It's not that Jesus isn't necessary, it just that Jesus isn't enough.

Slowly, deftly, we begin believing in the doctorine of salvation by Jesus plus. Jesus plus good deeds. Jesus plus the right doctrine. Jesus plus the right Bible translation. Jesus plus the right charitable activities.

Or in the case of the church in Colossae, Jesus plus the right religious feast, New Moon Festival, and Sabbath Day. To the Christians in Colossae, the right ritual was just as important as the right Savior.

Paul would have none of this. He denounced the philosophy as heretical and stated in no uncertain terms that if we are saved it is because God rescued us and not because we learned to swim. God is the verb and we are the noun. God does the saving and we do the receiving.

All we do is accept it. We might as well admit it.

FOOD:

Simple BBQ Ribs

How about a fool proof recipe for ribs for the 4th? Here is a great one!!!

2 1/2 pounds country style pork ribs
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons salt
1 cup barbecue sauce
Directions:
1.Place ribs in a large pot with enough water to cover. Season with garlic powder, black pepper and salt. Bring water to a boil, and cook ribs until tender.
2.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
3.Remove ribs from pot, and place them in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour barbecue sauce over ribs. Cover dish with aluminum foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until internal temperature of pork has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
Additional note:
I have been boiling ribs and chicken like this for years and years. I always add a generous amount of garlic powder, ground pepper and 1 onion cut into wedges. My secret ingredient is to add a good amount of soy sauce 1/2-1 C approx. Boil for 45 mins-1 hour. Turn off heat, cover pan and let ribs marinate in the broth for several hours (I have let them sit for 4-5 hours). Great to put in the oven especially during the winter months, but best on the grill. If you want to make ahead put cooled ribs into plastic bag and add enough BBQ sauce to coat well. Refrigerate until ready to use and then cook with additional sauce. Try this with chicken--you will love it. Just reduce the boiling time.

FUN:

This is what the 4th of July looks like to some people who celebrate it....
This is what it looks like to those who make Independence Day possible......


Have a safe and Happy 4th and Thank someone serving in the military today......because without their sacrifice it wouldn't be so happy....
On a personal note.....Thanks to Jeffrey (grandson, serving currently) and Todd (son, who served 8 years) and John (son, who served 4 years) and Jack (brother, who served during WWII).....and

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!
we sure need it....