The best way to get even is to forget.
Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
Some folks wear their halos much too tight.
Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be maintained on earth.
Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, then perhaps giving "advice" to God isn't such a good idea!
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up.
Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.
Words are windows to the heart.
A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims that it's a forgery.
It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill - just add a little dirt.
A successful marriage isn't finding the right person - it's being the right person.
The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.
Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.
The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can hold it.
To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.
You have to wonder about humans - they think God is dead and Elvis is alive!
It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are
done.
You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.
God gave the angels Wings, and He gave humans CHOCOLATE.
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.
Read God's Word
Saturday, July 21, 2007
YOU"RE ALWAYS WITH ME
Mama, you’re always with me... You’re the whisper of the leaves as I walk down the street.
You’re the smell of bleach in my freshly laundered socks.
You’re the cool hand on my brow when I’m not well.
Mama, you live inside my laughter. You are crystallized in every tear drop... even these, as I write this for you.
You’re the place I came from, my first home... You’re the map I follow with every step that I take.
You are my first love and my first heart break....and nothing on earth can separate us.
Not time… Not space... Not even death.... will ever separate me from you....
You carried me inside of you for nine months,
Mama, now I carry you inside of me forever....
You’re always with me
Mama, no, it’s not Mothers Day and your birthday was the 22nd of February therefore it’s not your birthday. Today is not even a holiday. Mama, it’s been a little over three years since…well, I know I didn't lose you...God has reminded me that I can't lose something when I know where it is. Mama, I miss you!
Thank You Lord God for adding another flower to Your heavenly bouquet!
You’re the smell of bleach in my freshly laundered socks.
You’re the cool hand on my brow when I’m not well.
Mama, you live inside my laughter. You are crystallized in every tear drop... even these, as I write this for you.
You’re the place I came from, my first home... You’re the map I follow with every step that I take.
You are my first love and my first heart break....and nothing on earth can separate us.
Not time… Not space... Not even death.... will ever separate me from you....
You carried me inside of you for nine months,
Mama, now I carry you inside of me forever....
You’re always with me
Mama, no, it’s not Mothers Day and your birthday was the 22nd of February therefore it’s not your birthday. Today is not even a holiday. Mama, it’s been a little over three years since…well, I know I didn't lose you...God has reminded me that I can't lose something when I know where it is. Mama, I miss you!
Thank You Lord God for adding another flower to Your heavenly bouquet!
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Bell
I, Elder Dre
KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt. 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you are!?
Saturday, July 07, 2007
777
And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. Judges 7:7
It’s amazing that on this rare “7-7-7” day (07 July 2007) in history God’s message in the 7th book of the Bible, the 7th chapter and 7th verse we see that by those 300 men (not the movie) who lapped like a dog and did not lay their weapons down to drink, God would use mightily. Their first thought was being ready to fight the good fight. Their own personal needs were not that important to them. A good soldier of the cross never lays his weapon {Bible} down. The Bible is God’s word to us, “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), but we cannot know what God wants us to do if we do not read it. And even reading God’s Word is not enough; we must be willing to do what it says. There is not much difference between the book hidden in the temple and the Bible hidden on the bookshelf. An unread Bible is as useless as a lost one. So, pick up your Weapon soldier!
Yours because of Calvary,
In service of the King,
Elder J. Andrés Vázquez
It’s amazing that on this rare “7-7-7” day (07 July 2007) in history God’s message in the 7th book of the Bible, the 7th chapter and 7th verse we see that by those 300 men (not the movie) who lapped like a dog and did not lay their weapons down to drink, God would use mightily. Their first thought was being ready to fight the good fight. Their own personal needs were not that important to them. A good soldier of the cross never lays his weapon {Bible} down. The Bible is God’s word to us, “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), but we cannot know what God wants us to do if we do not read it. And even reading God’s Word is not enough; we must be willing to do what it says. There is not much difference between the book hidden in the temple and the Bible hidden on the bookshelf. An unread Bible is as useless as a lost one. So, pick up your Weapon soldier!
Yours because of Calvary,
In service of the King,
Elder J. Andrés Vázquez
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
THE WILL OF GOD...ACCORDING TO HIS WORD
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now,
but trust and believe in the Lord that everything is for the best.
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now,
but trust and believe in the Lord that everything is for the best.
CYBERLISTIC RELATIONSHIPS
Why are they so popular? Are men honestly the sole blame for cyberlistic relationships that turn into nightmares? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such relationships?
It all truly and honestly depends on what the person is looking for. To some has been a game. To others it has been a blessing. Some may agree and some will disagree. I’m sure everyone has a testimony on their pros and cons experience in it.
The only way that someone can take advantage of another in cyber relationships is if they allow it to happen. We have to realize that it’s a risk indeed to meet and trust people you’ve met through an exchange of words and maybe an occasional phone call. Anyone can sound legit in a cyber way.
Let me break it down just a bit…e-mail and other cyber communications may be the most important, unique method for communicating and developing relationships since the telephone. First of all, it is easy to use. People also find it familiar and safe because it is similar in many respects to writing letters - minus the annoyances of addressing envelopes, licking stamps, and trips to the mail box or post office.
Of all the methods for developing relationships on the Internet, it is the most common - and perhaps the most powerful.
Although friendships and romances may indeed begin in chat rooms, instant messaging, assemblages such as Yahoo 360, Ebony Voices, Black Planet communities, and, or blogs, or other environments, these relationships almost always expand into e-mail as a way to deepen the communication. It is a more private, more reliable, less chaotic way to talk.
E-mail is not just electronic mail sent via the Internet. E-mail communication creates a psychological space in which pairs of people - or groups of people - interact. It creates a context and boundary in which human relationships can unfold.
Now it depends on what relationship the seeker is seeking. In all fairness, there are women out there as well who are just as capable of becoming a nightmare to men, and other women. So the game can go both ways…it all depends on who’s playing, who’s played and who wants to play.
My fellow cyber brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to decide whether we will obey the Lord, who has proven His trustworthiness, or imitate the world. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in our own way. However the time comes when we have to choose who, or what will control us. The choice is ours. Will it be God, our own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once we have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, let us reaffirm our choice every day. And because God gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, I beseech you elders, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, preachers, ministers, and spiritual leaders, in taking a definite stand for the Lord, we must display His spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, as men and women of God we must display a commitment to God, and be willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we correspond cyberlistically displays to others who are reading and judging what we write the strength of our commitment to serving God.
In other words, "choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
It all truly and honestly depends on what the person is looking for. To some has been a game. To others it has been a blessing. Some may agree and some will disagree. I’m sure everyone has a testimony on their pros and cons experience in it.
The only way that someone can take advantage of another in cyber relationships is if they allow it to happen. We have to realize that it’s a risk indeed to meet and trust people you’ve met through an exchange of words and maybe an occasional phone call. Anyone can sound legit in a cyber way.
Let me break it down just a bit…e-mail and other cyber communications may be the most important, unique method for communicating and developing relationships since the telephone. First of all, it is easy to use. People also find it familiar and safe because it is similar in many respects to writing letters - minus the annoyances of addressing envelopes, licking stamps, and trips to the mail box or post office.
Of all the methods for developing relationships on the Internet, it is the most common - and perhaps the most powerful.
Although friendships and romances may indeed begin in chat rooms, instant messaging, assemblages such as Yahoo 360, Ebony Voices, Black Planet communities, and, or blogs, or other environments, these relationships almost always expand into e-mail as a way to deepen the communication. It is a more private, more reliable, less chaotic way to talk.
E-mail is not just electronic mail sent via the Internet. E-mail communication creates a psychological space in which pairs of people - or groups of people - interact. It creates a context and boundary in which human relationships can unfold.
Now it depends on what relationship the seeker is seeking. In all fairness, there are women out there as well who are just as capable of becoming a nightmare to men, and other women. So the game can go both ways…it all depends on who’s playing, who’s played and who wants to play.
My fellow cyber brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to decide whether we will obey the Lord, who has proven His trustworthiness, or imitate the world. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in our own way. However the time comes when we have to choose who, or what will control us. The choice is ours. Will it be God, our own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once we have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, let us reaffirm our choice every day. And because God gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, I beseech you elders, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, preachers, ministers, and spiritual leaders, in taking a definite stand for the Lord, we must display His spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, as men and women of God we must display a commitment to God, and be willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we correspond cyberlistically displays to others who are reading and judging what we write the strength of our commitment to serving God.
In other words, "choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Friday, June 22, 2007
Let's have a fruit fest (Are you ripe and ready)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Notice the word *fruit* is singular, yet it list nine.
So there is only one fruit of the Spirit. That fruit is love. The others...
Joy - love smiling
Peace - love resting
Patience - love waiting Kindness - love showing itself sensitive to others' feelings
Goodness - love making allowances Faithfulness - love proving constant
Gentleness - love yielding
Self-control - love triumphing over selfish inclinations
Notice the word *fruit* is singular, yet it list nine.
So there is only one fruit of the Spirit. That fruit is love. The others...
Joy - love smiling
Peace - love resting
Patience - love waiting Kindness - love showing itself sensitive to others' feelings
Goodness - love making allowances Faithfulness - love proving constant
Gentleness - love yielding
Self-control - love triumphing over selfish inclinations
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Forgiveness
Forgive your brothers and sisters and you will set yourself free. You will set yourself free from all you thought they did to you. They need not ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. They might even believe that there is nothing for which they need to be forgiven. That is fine. Do not concern yourself with how they choose to experience reality, for it has no effect on you, unless you allow it to. For something or someone to affect you, you must first allow it to affect you.
You can also choose not to forgive your brother. But what good has such behavior ever brought to your life? You might be trying to consciously or unconsciously punish a brother by not forgiving him. But who are you really punishing? Who carries that judgment with him wherever he goes? My friend, you might not consciously recall that you are carrying this judgment with you, but it does simmer below the surface, coloring everything and everyone with whom you interact. Little by little, these judgments add up and weigh you down. You’re quick to anger, feel tired and stressed, and do not understand why. Comments to other brothers and sisters may become nasty and your patience fades. All this is due to your attempt to punish your brother by not forgiving him. My brother and sister, again I ask you, who are you really punishing?
Do you realize what anger can do to you?
Thank you brother James Blanchard Cisneros
You can also choose not to forgive your brother. But what good has such behavior ever brought to your life? You might be trying to consciously or unconsciously punish a brother by not forgiving him. But who are you really punishing? Who carries that judgment with him wherever he goes? My friend, you might not consciously recall that you are carrying this judgment with you, but it does simmer below the surface, coloring everything and everyone with whom you interact. Little by little, these judgments add up and weigh you down. You’re quick to anger, feel tired and stressed, and do not understand why. Comments to other brothers and sisters may become nasty and your patience fades. All this is due to your attempt to punish your brother by not forgiving him. My brother and sister, again I ask you, who are you really punishing?
Do you realize what anger can do to you?
Thank you brother James Blanchard Cisneros
"A Phone Call From GOD"
Rick volunteers with prison ministries, and in his work has become friends with a pastor of a store front church. The pastor's church is called Almighty God Tabernacle. On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone.
The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the guy said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered his miss-dial and apologized for then disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there and you do not want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, . . . . . 'Almighty God'."
"I was just too afraid to answer!"
The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the guy said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered his miss-dial and apologized for then disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there and you do not want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, . . . . . 'Almighty God'."
"I was just too afraid to answer!"
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Is there such thing as a soul-mate?
The union of true soul-mates merges two persons in such a way that little can affect one without also affecting the other. True soul-mates equal a special oneness that is unmatched. This does not mean losing your personality in the personality of the other. Instead, it means caring for your soul-mate as you care for yourself, learning to anticipate his or her needs, helping the other person become all he or she can be.
I can only answer how I, (a man) would treat my soul-mate. How should a man love his soul-mate?
(1) He should be willing to sacrifice everything for her.
(2) He should make her well-being of primary importance.
(3) He should care for her as he cares for his own body.
No soul-mate needs to fear submitting to a man who treats her in this way.
Most likely, before one becomes a soul-mate, they must first be friends. It's all a matter of the heart, therefore a woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her. That's when a man truly knows wholeheartedly that he's found his soul mate.
Inspired by Queen Corey N. Harvey
I can only answer how I, (a man) would treat my soul-mate. How should a man love his soul-mate?
(1) He should be willing to sacrifice everything for her.
(2) He should make her well-being of primary importance.
(3) He should care for her as he cares for his own body.
No soul-mate needs to fear submitting to a man who treats her in this way.
Most likely, before one becomes a soul-mate, they must first be friends. It's all a matter of the heart, therefore a woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her. That's when a man truly knows wholeheartedly that he's found his soul mate.
Inspired by Queen Corey N. Harvey
Saturday, June 09, 2007
What if ...
What if GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?
What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?
What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the rain?
What if GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
What if GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?
What if GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?
What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
What if GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
What if GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday?
What if GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?
What if GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives?
What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?
What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the rain?
What if GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
What if GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?
What if GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?
What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
What if GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
What if GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday?
What if GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?
What if GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives?
Lord? Liar? Lunatic?
This man, Jesus ... some say he was a liar, others say he was a lunatic, and still others claim He is Lord. Which do you think he is?
Some say He was just a good teacher,
but good teachers don't claim to be God.
Some say He was merely a good example,
but good examples don't mingle with prostitutes and sinners.
Some say He was a madman,
but madmen don't speak the way He spoke.
Some say He was a crazed fanatic,
but crazed fanatics don't draw children to themselves or attract men of intellect like Paul or Luke to be their followers.
Some say He was a religious phony,
but phonies don't rise from the dead.
Some say He was only a phantom,
but phantoms can't give their flesh and blood to be crucified.
Some say He was only a myth,
but myths don't set the calendar for history.
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Some say He was just a good teacher,
but good teachers don't claim to be God.
Some say He was merely a good example,
but good examples don't mingle with prostitutes and sinners.
Some say He was a madman,
but madmen don't speak the way He spoke.
Some say He was a crazed fanatic,
but crazed fanatics don't draw children to themselves or attract men of intellect like Paul or Luke to be their followers.
Some say He was a religious phony,
but phonies don't rise from the dead.
Some say He was only a phantom,
but phantoms can't give their flesh and blood to be crucified.
Some say He was only a myth,
but myths don't set the calendar for history.
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Three Things
Three things in life that,once gone, never come back -
Time
Words
Opportunity
Three things in life that may never be lost -
Peace
Hope
Honesty
Three things in life that are most valuable -
Love
Self-confidence
Friends
Three things in life that are never certain -
Dreams
Success
Fortune
Three things that make a man -
Hard work
Sincerity
Commitment
Three things in life that can destroy a man -
Wine
Pride
Anger
Three things that are truly constant -
Father
Son
Holy Ghost
I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today; to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true. And when you give Him all your cares, you know He'll see you through.
Time
Words
Opportunity
Three things in life that may never be lost -
Peace
Hope
Honesty
Three things in life that are most valuable -
Love
Self-confidence
Friends
Three things in life that are never certain -
Dreams
Success
Fortune
Three things that make a man -
Hard work
Sincerity
Commitment
Three things in life that can destroy a man -
Wine
Pride
Anger
Three things that are truly constant -
Father
Son
Holy Ghost
I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today; to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true. And when you give Him all your cares, you know He'll see you through.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
SATAN'S MEETING
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ."
"This is what I want you to do", said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. Tempt them to spend,spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week,10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives.
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too! If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted. Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy,busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength,sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause." "It will work! It will work!"
It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy and more rushed,going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful at his scheme? You be the judge!
Does "busy" mean:
B-eing
U-nder
S-atan's
Y-oke?
Thank you Evangelist Beckie Porter
"This is what I want you to do", said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. Tempt them to spend,spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week,10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives.
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too! If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted. Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy,busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength,sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause." "It will work! It will work!"
It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy and more rushed,going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful at his scheme? You be the judge!
Does "busy" mean:
B-eing
U-nder
S-atan's
Y-oke?
Thank you Evangelist Beckie Porter
Sunday, June 03, 2007
WHO IS HE?
In chemistry, He turned water to wine.
In biology, He was born without the normal conception;
In physics, He disproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;
In economics, He disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fishes & five loaves of bread;
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,
In history, He is the beginning and the end;
In government, He said that He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, and Prince of Peace;
In religion, He said no one comes to the father except through him; so who is He?
He is Jesus!
Join me and let's celebrate Him;
He is worthy.
Thank you Evangelist Beckie Porter.
Lord I pray the eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hand that will send this message to everybody shall not labor in vain, and the mouth saying amen to this prayer shall smile forever. May we remain in You and seek Your face always. Amen
In biology, He was born without the normal conception;
In physics, He disproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;
In economics, He disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fishes & five loaves of bread;
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,
In history, He is the beginning and the end;
In government, He said that He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, and Prince of Peace;
In religion, He said no one comes to the father except through him; so who is He?
He is Jesus!
Join me and let's celebrate Him;
He is worthy.
Thank you Evangelist Beckie Porter.
Lord I pray the eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hand that will send this message to everybody shall not labor in vain, and the mouth saying amen to this prayer shall smile forever. May we remain in You and seek Your face always. Amen
Monday, May 21, 2007
HE SENT ME FLOWERS TODAY
I got flowers today.
It wasn't my birthday
or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night,
And he said a lot of cruel things
that really hurt me
I know he is sorry and didn't
mean the things he said
because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary or
any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall
and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning
sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry,
Because he sent me flowers today.
Last night, he beat me up again.
And it was much worse than all the other
times. If I leave him, what will I do?
How will I take care of my children?
What about money?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
But I know he must be sorry,
Because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today.
Today was a very special day-
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night, he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough
courage and strength to leave him,
I would not have gotten flowers today.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the authority to use weapons and restrain people is granted to police officers, but not to the general public. The authority to imprison people is granted to judges, but not to individual citizens. Authority to physically, emotionally, sexually, spiritually or mentally abuse another human being has never been granted nor will it ever be.
Domestic violence must never be tolerated therefore we must put forth an authoritative effort in order to stop domestic violence today! You never know who's going through it until it's too late.
Sister Paulette Kelly, thank you for such a wake up calling and deeply touching poem
It wasn't my birthday
or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night,
And he said a lot of cruel things
that really hurt me
I know he is sorry and didn't
mean the things he said
because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary or
any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall
and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning
sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry,
Because he sent me flowers today.
Last night, he beat me up again.
And it was much worse than all the other
times. If I leave him, what will I do?
How will I take care of my children?
What about money?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
But I know he must be sorry,
Because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today.
Today was a very special day-
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night, he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough
courage and strength to leave him,
I would not have gotten flowers today.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the authority to use weapons and restrain people is granted to police officers, but not to the general public. The authority to imprison people is granted to judges, but not to individual citizens. Authority to physically, emotionally, sexually, spiritually or mentally abuse another human being has never been granted nor will it ever be.
Domestic violence must never be tolerated therefore we must put forth an authoritative effort in order to stop domestic violence today! You never know who's going through it until it's too late.
Sister Paulette Kelly, thank you for such a wake up calling and deeply touching poem
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Confess or Deny? The ball's on your court!
Allow me to make this quick & simple...the hour will come when each and everyone of us will have to confess our true relationship with Christ, where do you stand?
We disown Jesus when we...
(1) hope no one will think we are Christians,
(2) decide not to speak up for what is right,
(3) are silent about our relationship with God,
(4) blend into society,
(5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values.
By contrast,
We acknowledge him when we...
(1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives,
(2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others,
(3) help others in need,
(4) take a stand for justice,
(5) love others,
(6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ,
(7) use our lives and resources to carry out his desires rather than our own.
I ask again, where do you stand?
"Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: [9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:8-9 (KJV)
We disown Jesus when we...
(1) hope no one will think we are Christians,
(2) decide not to speak up for what is right,
(3) are silent about our relationship with God,
(4) blend into society,
(5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values.
By contrast,
We acknowledge him when we...
(1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives,
(2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others,
(3) help others in need,
(4) take a stand for justice,
(5) love others,
(6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ,
(7) use our lives and resources to carry out his desires rather than our own.
I ask again, where do you stand?
"Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: [9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:8-9 (KJV)
Friday, May 18, 2007
ONE STEP
The person in whom God delights is one who follows God, trusts him, and tries to do his will. God watches over and makes firm every step that person takes. If you would like to have God direct your way, then seek his advice before you step out.
No matter how long you've been walking north, in just a single step you can be walking south. What does it take to turn your life around?
Just one step.
You are one step away from eating a healthier diet,
one step away from being a better parent,
one step away from improving your finances,
one step away from becoming more skilled in your work,
one step away from a more fulfilling relationship.
One minute from now, your worst problems can be behind you, instead of in front of you. In a single step, your best day can be yet to come, rather than long ago in the past. In an instant, your negative energy can be redirected toward making a positive difference.
Just one step can change your momentum and start you in whatever direction you truly want to go.
"The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD:and he delighteth in his way." Psalms 37:23
No matter how long you've been walking north, in just a single step you can be walking south. What does it take to turn your life around?
Just one step.
You are one step away from eating a healthier diet,
one step away from being a better parent,
one step away from improving your finances,
one step away from becoming more skilled in your work,
one step away from a more fulfilling relationship.
One minute from now, your worst problems can be behind you, instead of in front of you. In a single step, your best day can be yet to come, rather than long ago in the past. In an instant, your negative energy can be redirected toward making a positive difference.
Just one step can change your momentum and start you in whatever direction you truly want to go.
"The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD:and he delighteth in his way." Psalms 37:23
Friday, May 11, 2007
GROWTH
G o to God in prayer daily. (John 15:7)
R ead God's Word daily (Acts 17:11); begin with the Gospel of John.
O bey God moment by moment. (John 14:21)
W itness for Christ by your life and words. (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8)
T rust God for every detail of your life. (1 Peter 5:7)
H oly Spirit -- allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness. (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8)
Many people believe that Christianity should offer a problem-free life. Consequently, as life gets tough, they draw back disappointed. Instead, they should determine to prevail with God through life’s storm. Problems and difficulties are painful but inevitable; you might as well see them as opportunities for growth. You can’t prevail with God unless you have troubles to prevail over.
R ead God's Word daily (Acts 17:11); begin with the Gospel of John.
O bey God moment by moment. (John 14:21)
W itness for Christ by your life and words. (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8)
T rust God for every detail of your life. (1 Peter 5:7)
H oly Spirit -- allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness. (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8)
Many people believe that Christianity should offer a problem-free life. Consequently, as life gets tough, they draw back disappointed. Instead, they should determine to prevail with God through life’s storm. Problems and difficulties are painful but inevitable; you might as well see them as opportunities for growth. You can’t prevail with God unless you have troubles to prevail over.
Happy Mother's Day
How can you know how much you mean to me?
After all the heartache, there is love.
Pierce life, and you are where the angels move,
Praising with their joy the mystery.
You know well the cost of sacrifice,
Mothering the wounded as you bleed,
Opening your anguish to their need,
Taking heed of neither pain nor price.
How you have paid, dear soul, for that abandon!
Even as you've sunk into despair.
Reason has no reason to be there
'Ere love supply the grace, well-earned or wanton.
So let me show you how you look from here,
Depicted as an icon dearly treasured,
An image of an ecstasy unmeasured,
Yearning with more need than it can bear.
Mama, three years have passed since…well, I know I didn't lose you...God has reminded me that I can't lose something when I know where it is.
Thank You Lord God for adding another flower to Your heavenly bouquet!
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About Me
- Elder Vazquez
- I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.