We all have our personal views on the situation in Haiti, but I think the best comment I have seen regarding all of this is a comment my husbands made, "I wish people would stop putting country before God"! I was like, WOW, that is so right!

As Christians we are called to help our brother, no matter where he lives at, what he's done to you ... and I could go on and on. My personal opinion would be if you aren't walking with God you would not understand this point of view. Having compassion on a needy brother is proof of the love of God within us. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker Proverbs 14:31

I'm not judging, these are God's words not mine. I'm sure it angers God to see that some of His people want to draw a circle around their territory, and keep the help within their comfort zone (or Country). That is not scripture.

And finally, I love God, I love Jesus, and if I'm different, I'm suppose to be! It is insulting to think that our own would cut off helping another country before his own country, God didn't draw a line and say help those in need in the USA first. Americans are not superior than other people in this world. Search the scriptures, it's everywhere to be found.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Peter 4:14

If you don't understand these scriptures, then it might be a time to get right with God.

Double Explosion of Praise Concert

Hello friends - I wanted to share this with everyone, and I figured putting this on my blog would be the best way ... Sheree Jennings' Outreach Ministry will be sponsoring a concert this Saturday at Riverton United Methodist Church. Admission is free.

You won't want to miss this ... I was at their practice tonight, heard the music, and believe me, you will be blessed. And Mackenzie (maybe Chelsea) will be be performing sign language ... Mackenzie is excited!!

Here's what Sheree posted on her page:

This past Spring, 14+churches/Christian Organizations came together to minister in what was rated “one of the most inspiring evenings” by those that attended. The concert is sponsored by “Servant's Heart and Hands Community Outreach Ministry". Admission is free and a love offering will be received.

This is the 2nd series of the "Explosion of Praise" concerts, "Double Explosion". Saturday, October 17th 6:30pm ~ Spaghetti dinner: 4:30 to 6:30 Location: Riverton United Methodist Church, Front Royal, VA ~ We ask all to dress appropriate to represent Jesus as to not offend anyone.

Don't miss it, okay!! Hope to see ya'll there!!

A Christian? *some of the scriptures I copied and pasted, cause I couldn’t remember them word for word…Hummm. Ok, Here goes.

I do consider myself to be a Christian, and most of you out there know it. Invitations to church, telling anyone about our Lord, is only my obedience to our God. Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation -Mark 16:15

ACTIONS?

Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves . Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you--unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?-2 Corinthians 13:5 In other words, we are not perfect, however, if you walk in the spirit you will do spirit like things. Your actions show your true person!

MY DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN

I believe the following:

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He teaches
Have qualities or a spirit like Jesus
Living according to the teachings of Jesus
Committed to God, attends church, does Bible reading, shares belief and faith
Focuses on their personal relationship with God and Christ

I definitely believe, being of God’s Kingdom and/or a Christian deals with the matters of our heart, and our inmost self.

Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways
Matthew 7:22 ,23 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Matthew 25, 10-12 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. "Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!' "But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST

Without taking away from anything above, first and foremost a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has to exist! The explanation of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ requires spiritual understanding that can only come by the presence of the Spirit of Christ within the spirit of a receptive person. A receptive person means ready or willing! RECEPTIVE! I Cor. 2:8-16

The Apostle Paul explained that "the natural man cannot understand spiritual things" I Cor. 2:14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

WHAT ABOUT CHURCH? WHO CARES?

First of all, I don’t think any of you, my friends or family have ever heard me say you MUST go to church to be a Christian? Have you? I believe every person in Christ are at different levels in their walk, and this is simply my perception.

To me, where I am in my faith, if I didn’t go to church, I do not feel my spiritual strength would be strengthened? So then, a scripture that jumps right out, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Rom 10:17, which I have quoted many times to my friends and family!

Secondly, I especially go to have an encounter or a visitation with the Lord’s presence. In a church atmosphere the Holy Spirit will often tend to manifest spiritual gifts that minister to the body of Christ. In other words, GOD SHOWS UP! “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20) And I personally, have experienced the touch of God many times, and most times were in a church setting!

I go to to church to express my love for God and Jesus, with other believers and to publicly bear witness of my faith and trust, something that most do not know, is required of all Christians (Matt. 10:32-33) -- church or a church like setting is where we can bring the Lord offerings of praise, thanks, and honor, which are pleasing to God!

I also go to show my obedience to God! “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” (Heb. 10:24-26).


I go for spiritual prayer - The Bible indicates that agreement in prayer with other believers has special favor with God. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19)

And going honors the Lords day! “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8).

Ok, for me personally, there is no substitute for not attending church, besides to me, it is something that pleases God, and again, it is most necessary for spiritual well-being. But don’t get me wrong, people who can’t go to church, the elderly (and others, shut-ins) the ministries on the radio or TV might be the only kind of fellowship or spiritual nourishment that they get and I believe God understands the circumstances of these people, and recognizes the sincerity of their hearts. However, it is a different matter for those ‘Christians’ who proclaim to be God’s child, who could attend church but are too lazy, or put other things such as entertainment and amusements before God, or who harbor bitterness or indifference toward other believers. I’m not perfect, but my goal in life is to make it to Heaven, and if these make me stronger, so be it.

I hope this clears up a little about me, and who I am in my walk with Jesus! I’m really not CRAZY! ;)

Love,
Michelle

THE PASTOR'S CAT

This particular story just made me laugh. Every time I think about it, the vision of that poor cat just amuses me to no end. Hope the story leaves a bright spot in your day.

Whoever said the Creator doesn't have a sense of humor? Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church.

He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his back yard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten. That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went 'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,' and went on about his business.

A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, 'Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much? 'She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it.' She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.

Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor. Anyone can count the seeds in an apple... but only God can count the apples in a seed.

Winchester Church of God *Heaven Part 5 & Dream Great Dreams

The final Heaven sermon Part 5 ... from Pastor and the following week, Dream Great Dreams ... a must to watch or listen to!

FYI -- The podcast you can hear better than the video....

http://winchestercog.blogspot.com/

Where was God on September 11?

On September 11, 2001, God was exactly where He always is, in Heaven in total control of everything that happens in the universe. Why, then, would a good and loving God allow such a tragedy to happen? This is a more difficult question to answer. First, we must remember, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). It is impossible for finite human beings to understand the ways of an infinite God (Romans 11:33-35). Second, we must realize that God is not responsible for the wicked acts of evil men. The Bible tells us that humanity is desperately wicked and sinful (Romans 3:10-18, 23). God allows human beings to commit sin for His own reasons and to fulfill His own purposes. Sometimes we think we understand why God is doing something, only to find out later that it was for a different purpose than we originally thought.

God looks at things from an eternal perspective. We look at things from an earthly perspective. Why did God put man on earth, knowing that Adam and Eve would sin and therefore bring evil, death, and suffering on all mankind? Why didn't He just create us all and leave us in Heaven where we would be perfect and without suffering? It must be remembered that the purpose for all creation and all creatures is to glorify God. God is glorified when His nature and attributes are on display. If there were no sin, God would have no opportunity to display His justice and wrath as He punishes sin. Nor would He have the opportunity to show His grace, His mercy, and His love to undeserving creatures. The ultimate display of Gods grace was at the Cross where Jesus died for our sins. Here was unselfishness and obedience displayed in His Son who knew no sin but was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). This was all to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:14).

When thinking of September 11, we tend to forget the thousands of miracles that occurred on that day. Hundreds of people were able to flee the buildings just in the nick of time. A small handful of firemen and one civilian survived in a tiny space in a stairwell as the one of the towers collapsed around them. The passengers on Flight 93 defeating the terrorists was a miracle in and of itself. Yes, September 11 was a terrible day. Sin reared its ugly head and caused great devastation. However, God is still in control. His sovereignty is never to be doubted. Could God have prevented what happened on September 11? Of course He could, but He chose to allow the events to unfold exactly as they did. He prevented that day from being as bad as it could have been. Since September 11, how many lives have been changed for the better? How many people have placed their faith in Christ for salvation as a result of what happened? The words of Romans 8:28 should always be in our minds when we think of 9-11, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.”

Stephen Baldwin ~ Believe It Or Not!! :)

Christian, Actor & Author, Stephen Baldwin, shares his testimony.

Stephen Baldwin has really become a wonderful man of God. He's making a positive impact and reaching MANY people sharing the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!