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Welcome to the Upper Room #LIV
General | Posted 15 years agoWelcoming the Weak
Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.
-Romans 14:1 (NRSV)
BECAUSE I have fibromyalgia, I tend to think of the term weak as referring to physical struggles. Some days, my hands tremble as I attempt to open jars; my muscles ache when I try to write or brush my hair; and fatigue hangs over my day like a heavy, winter sky. When I'm feeling especially weak, I cling to friends and family who won't tell me that I'm not trying hard enough or become impatient because I'm not as strong as they are. They know I need to feel loved and accepted. And in spite of my slow, wobbly efforts, I still have ways I can share my love with them. I still feel as if I belong.
When I feel weak in spirit, I need acceptance even more than at other times. All of us go through times when our grip on faith is not as tight as we'd like it to be. Yet, we still have a place in God's family. Instead of condemning us in our weakness, God welcomes us and leads us to welcome others.
Bethany F. Brengan (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for welcoming us and using us even when we are weak. Help us not to judge others but to extend your love to those who are weak in faith. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Those around us need welcome more than they need judgment.
Prayer Focus
Those living with chronic illness
Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.
-Romans 14:1 (NRSV)
BECAUSE I have fibromyalgia, I tend to think of the term weak as referring to physical struggles. Some days, my hands tremble as I attempt to open jars; my muscles ache when I try to write or brush my hair; and fatigue hangs over my day like a heavy, winter sky. When I'm feeling especially weak, I cling to friends and family who won't tell me that I'm not trying hard enough or become impatient because I'm not as strong as they are. They know I need to feel loved and accepted. And in spite of my slow, wobbly efforts, I still have ways I can share my love with them. I still feel as if I belong.
When I feel weak in spirit, I need acceptance even more than at other times. All of us go through times when our grip on faith is not as tight as we'd like it to be. Yet, we still have a place in God's family. Instead of condemning us in our weakness, God welcomes us and leads us to welcome others.
Bethany F. Brengan (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for welcoming us and using us even when we are weak. Help us not to judge others but to extend your love to those who are weak in faith. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Those around us need welcome more than they need judgment.
Prayer Focus
Those living with chronic illness
I'm commited to bring you the Upper Room #LIII
General | Posted 15 years agoCommitment and Example
Read Matthew 10:27-33
Jesus said, "Everyone . . . who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven."
-Matthew 10:32 (NRSV)
MANY Christians pray before meals to thank God for the food they are about to eat. In the comfort of my home this was easy and routine. Yet for years I did not honor God with prayer before meals in public. I feared being ridiculed for this display of faith. Essentially, every time I ate without giving thanks, I said I was ashamed of being a Christian. I knew this was wrong, and over time my guilt grew.
Finally I made a commitment to honor God before every meal, no matter my surroundings. I now pray -- head bowed and hands folded -- before all my meals, private or public.
Recently I led a group of friends in prayer before our meal in a restaurant. Later a man approached me and said, "Thank you. We used to pray as a family before meals, but we stopped. Your prayer reminded me of what we must do. From now on we will again be praying before our meals."
Each of us can make a commitment to thank God by praying before every meal. By doing this we honor God and, even though we may never know our influence on others, we will set a much-needed Christian example.
Albert Brooks Drake (Indiana, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, teach us not to be ashamed to act on our faith, no matter where we are. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Visit https://www.gratefulness.org for suggestions about showing your thankfulness.
Prayer Focus
Those reluctant to pray in public
Read Matthew 10:27-33
Jesus said, "Everyone . . . who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven."
-Matthew 10:32 (NRSV)
MANY Christians pray before meals to thank God for the food they are about to eat. In the comfort of my home this was easy and routine. Yet for years I did not honor God with prayer before meals in public. I feared being ridiculed for this display of faith. Essentially, every time I ate without giving thanks, I said I was ashamed of being a Christian. I knew this was wrong, and over time my guilt grew.
Finally I made a commitment to honor God before every meal, no matter my surroundings. I now pray -- head bowed and hands folded -- before all my meals, private or public.
Recently I led a group of friends in prayer before our meal in a restaurant. Later a man approached me and said, "Thank you. We used to pray as a family before meals, but we stopped. Your prayer reminded me of what we must do. From now on we will again be praying before our meals."
Each of us can make a commitment to thank God by praying before every meal. By doing this we honor God and, even though we may never know our influence on others, we will set a much-needed Christian example.
Albert Brooks Drake (Indiana, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, teach us not to be ashamed to act on our faith, no matter where we are. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Visit https://www.gratefulness.org for suggestions about showing your thankfulness.
Prayer Focus
Those reluctant to pray in public
LavaFox's Art And Music
General | Posted 15 years ago
lavafox here, I'm going to be doing the weekly music journals for FPC. I will not have a specific day, but it will be done once a week.Also my art contests were a backfire, I will not be doing them any more. I will however take requests from our members. Im sure I can squeeze in a drawing here and there.
This weeks song is Breaking Benjamin - Anthem Of The Angels
This song is my favorite Breaking Benjamin song. I picked it for my first FPC song because it makes me think of when my father died, his death is still constantly in my thoughts. All of the chorus reminds me of when i looked in his eyes, lifeless, then said my last goodbye to him. it rained that night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-SCnf9tkTk
Lyrics:
Verse 1
White walls surround us
No light will touch your face again
Rain taps the window
As we sleep among the dead
Bridge:
Days go on forever
But i have not left your side
We can chase the dark together
If you go then so will I
Chorus:
There is nothing left of you
I can see it in your eyes
Sing the anthem of the angels
And say the last goodbye
Verse 2
Cold light above us
Hope fills the heart
And fades away
Skin white as winter
As the sky returns to grey
Bridge:
Days go on forever
But I have not left your side
We can chase the dark together
If you go then so will I
Chorus:
There is nothing left of you
I can see it in your eyes
Sing the anthem of the angels
And say the last goodbye
I keep holding onto you
But I can't bring you back to life
Sing the anthem of the angels
Then say the last goodbye
Your're dead alive (x4)
There is nothing left of you
I can see it in your eyes
Sing the anthem of the angels
And say the last goodbye
I keep holding onto you
But I can't bring you back to life
Sing the anthem of the angels
And say the last goodbye
Feel free to message your song requests to
lavafox and tell me a small meaning the song you requested has to you.And if people will tell me a good name for these music journals post your ideas. I was thinking about useing, Lava's Holy Rock Cafe :3 Or just Holy Rock Cafe
Nobody likes Danielson but me in the Upper Room #LII
General | Posted 15 years agoPoor Danielson Family...oh well, that wasn't why I was all excited and did the post anyway...I actually was excited because at the Christian Family Store I was visually attacked by The Action Bible{link)!
750 pages of hand drawn Bible holding 215 stories from the Good Book. No PG drawings ether, it look like how the Bible describes it.
Now, if only I can get time to read it...college classes...to much reading, frying up my brain...might be why the Danielson...
~Wally Bear
In God's Arms
Read Psalm 94:14-23
[God] has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
-Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
I had never thought that one day I would live alone, without my dearly loved husband. But it happened; he died young, and I had to get used to new circumstances and to a new focus for my life.
Once when I was feeling especially lonely, I opened my Bible, certain that God would comfort me. I can't remember what passage I read, but I remember feeling as if I were folded in God's arms. I will never forget that loving and tender touch and how I was filled with a joy that only beloved people receive.
We can't ever be truly alone because God offers us a great gift: rich and abundant love. This love is unconditional and endless. Our Savior is much closer to us than anyone in this world could ever be.
Ivelina Karalambeva (Varna, Bulgaria)
Prayer
Holy Father, thank you for comforting us when we feel lonely. Help us to feel your presence and to know that you will stay close to us every day. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
God offers us comfort that no human can match.
Prayer Focus
Those recently widowed
*Luke 11:2-4 (KJV).
750 pages of hand drawn Bible holding 215 stories from the Good Book. No PG drawings ether, it look like how the Bible describes it.
Now, if only I can get time to read it...college classes...to much reading, frying up my brain...might be why the Danielson...
~Wally Bear
In God's Arms
Read Psalm 94:14-23
[God] has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
-Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
I had never thought that one day I would live alone, without my dearly loved husband. But it happened; he died young, and I had to get used to new circumstances and to a new focus for my life.
Once when I was feeling especially lonely, I opened my Bible, certain that God would comfort me. I can't remember what passage I read, but I remember feeling as if I were folded in God's arms. I will never forget that loving and tender touch and how I was filled with a joy that only beloved people receive.
We can't ever be truly alone because God offers us a great gift: rich and abundant love. This love is unconditional and endless. Our Savior is much closer to us than anyone in this world could ever be.
Ivelina Karalambeva (Varna, Bulgaria)
Prayer
Holy Father, thank you for comforting us when we feel lonely. Help us to feel your presence and to know that you will stay close to us every day. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
God offers us comfort that no human can match.
Prayer Focus
Those recently widowed
*Luke 11:2-4 (KJV).
Announcements! (For mods) #2 ground rule reminders
General | Posted 15 years agoJust some ground work:
Specks is in charge of handling new recruits and making sure they get the welcome shout/watch.
Rev. Wally is in charge of devotions.
I am in charge of the 411 and newsletters.
NOTE: If one is on vacation, PLEASE notify it to all other mods.
If one of these duties is not fulfilled, then another member can step in to intervene.
If they do intervene, they must send a note to that mods saying: "i did such and such, just so you'd know." If a mod does not want to be intervened, then they must reply respectfully: "Ok, but let me handle it." However, if the new member was on for more than a week and no action has been done, another mod is required to fulfill that duty.
If a mod wishes to be on vacation, they must alert all mods and not just the President.
All posts to 411, devotions, and other journals must not be deleted by other mods except for the President. The President has the right to delete responses and PMs at will.
Any of these duties can cross over to other mods except for the 411 and newsletters. However if I the President specifically asks, another mod can do the week's 411 or month's newsletter.
Under no circumstance should a mod block anyone, unless that person is rude/crude/or disrespectful to another member. Foul language counts. (For future offenses.)
If another mods does not like a rule, PM the President to ask for a change.
There will be further amendments, but this is it for now.
I hope this will clear up and eliminate any future problems.
-Dog of Heaven
Specks is in charge of handling new recruits and making sure they get the welcome shout/watch.
Rev. Wally is in charge of devotions.
I am in charge of the 411 and newsletters.
NOTE: If one is on vacation, PLEASE notify it to all other mods.
If one of these duties is not fulfilled, then another member can step in to intervene.
If they do intervene, they must send a note to that mods saying: "i did such and such, just so you'd know." If a mod does not want to be intervened, then they must reply respectfully: "Ok, but let me handle it." However, if the new member was on for more than a week and no action has been done, another mod is required to fulfill that duty.
If a mod wishes to be on vacation, they must alert all mods and not just the President.
All posts to 411, devotions, and other journals must not be deleted by other mods except for the President. The President has the right to delete responses and PMs at will.
Any of these duties can cross over to other mods except for the 411 and newsletters. However if I the President specifically asks, another mod can do the week's 411 or month's newsletter.
Under no circumstance should a mod block anyone, unless that person is rude/crude/or disrespectful to another member. Foul language counts. (For future offenses.)
If another mods does not like a rule, PM the President to ask for a change.
There will be further amendments, but this is it for now.
I hope this will clear up and eliminate any future problems.
-Dog of Heaven
Guest Speaker Sermon
General | Posted 15 years agoKk, I know this is a long one, but it was writin for you guys from my buddy Matt. Me and him get into some deep DEEP spiritual (and sometimes personal) conversations that'll challenge me to think differently about my faith.
He's the one who told me that God told him that "Life is meaningless, God is the only thing that gives it purpose."
That thought is what made me beg God to make me a reverend, which some have noticed I removed the title from myself...I don't deserve it right now....
Kk! Matt has the floor!
The Two Lovers
Hello, my name is Matt. I hope to be a light for you as I submit this, my first message for you. Now, I have never been a fan of easy messages, so I hope you have come with a prepared heart and an open mind.
Today, I would like to discuss with you the benefit of having two lovers. Most may consider having two lovers a bad idea, but hear me out. If you are a new believer or a seasoned Christian or not even a believer in Christ as Savior, I hope to reach and remind you of the beauty that lies in this message, and perhaps provoke you to think a little more deeply as you walk out your faith and life.
Men and women alike generally speaking feel a lack of ‘something’ and seek to fill that lack with whatever they choose. Let’s fast forward through the roads and roadblocks found in drugs, alcohol, sex, illegitimate relationship et al. Ultimately where people end up is with the understanding that they need someone, or in the very least they have a desire for family. If you are married or in a ‘serious’ relationship, you may understand this message a little easier as a retrospective than as a fresh perspective on a prospective happening. : )
It is important to know that everything in life is meaningless, and if this truth inhibits your desire to read on, then let Pastor Walt know and I will submit also a message on that very hard truth. If this does inhibit your reading, try and forget it for now and please keep your heart open to the word of God through the message.
Okay, to the message. It is Biblical to say that Jesus is the lover of our soul.
(NIV) John
27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ[j] but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.
31"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[k] gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."[l]
-AND-
Matthew
15Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. (Both taken from biblepassageway.com)
Based on these and countless other verses, it is easy to see that Jesus and others were very aware of His position as the Bridegroom. If there is a Bridegroom, then logically there must be a Bride. Who is the Bride? In the Amplified version of the Bible, Revelations puts it like this.
7Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.(D)
8She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white--for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people).
We see how the Bride is God’s people, His saints, and how the Bride (us) is preparing herself for the Bridegroom (Jesus). So, how can we prepare for the Bridegroom? By living righteously. At this point, I will encourage you to set some time aside to read Song of Songs or Song of Solomon (depending on your version of the Bible) and get just a great understanding of what it is like to be a Lover, and to be pursued. Imagine yourself as the Lover, and Jesus as the bridegroom, the language may be elusive to you, and maybe you will feel lost in the reading. For example, it talks often of how the lover has dove’s eyes. If you look at an actual dove, you will think that this beauty has beady little eyes! BUT, if you think of it spiritually, remember when Jesus was baptized? Remember how the Spirit descended on Him like a dove?! Think of it as Jesus saying that He sees the Holy Spirit in your eyes! And to even further His love we remember that the eyes are the window to our soul! So, Jesus is saying I can see the Holy Spirit dwelling deep within your being, but if we get caught up in the language, we will miss what is actually being said. Do you have beady eyes Christian lover? NO! You have the Holy Spirit dwelling deep within you and it is so attractive to the Lord! He is our lover, and we are His.
Now, to the part where I mentioned how we should desire two lovers… Actually, before I get to that, I should probably explain the term ‘lover’.
Lover goes much deeper than what many perceive the word to mean. I am unmarried, but I have a lover, two actually. My first lover is Jesus, and my second is my girlfriend. My girlfriend and I don’t have sex and of course Jesus and I don’t yet we are still able to call each other lovers! Think of something even simpler. A person who listens to music all the time call themselves music lovers, but of course there is no sexual implication there! No musical lover buys a CD and makes any sort of pass at it, if they did, they may want to talk to someone about it! No, I see and define the term lover as someone who has a deep appreciation of someone that not only appreciates him or her but also pursues him or her for the sake of mutual growth. With that in mind, reflect again on how Jesus is the lover of our soul. I have heard it said before that the sign of the Father is movement and reproach. So, as our lover, Jesus wants mutual growth because we grow in Him as He grows in us, and He disciplines us as we may become upset with out physical lover. But, just as our physical lover should, Jesus never stops loving us. This is important, I’ll say it again. JESUS. NEVER. STOPS. LOVING. US! No matter what we have done, Jesus is patient and still draws near to us as we draw nearer to Him. Our physical lover is a reflection of our relationship with our spiritual lover, Jesus. If you don’t find this to be true, seek God about this matter. I think what you will find is that if we are good lovers of Jesus, it will transfer to our physical lovers and be perceived in the same way. Now, this is not an easy task to live in or act in, but in your heart as you seek God, I believe this is the best way. If you are married or committed to someone already, this may be a harder truth as I don’t know what the foundation of your relationship is. The foundation of course should be Jesus, and as you pursue Him what you will find is that if He isn’t the foundation, that will be exposed to you very quickly. We know that God is a jealous God, and that if anything is put before Him, He has a good track record of wiping whatever it is out! But think about it like this. You see your lover with another person of the opposite sex, you trust that your lover has pure intentions of just talking, but say you know the other person and know that they are quite devious. Would you be jealous? ABSOLUTELY! We are by nature, selfish lovers. Even the swinging life style (Which I do not approve of!) ends with the true lovers returning home to each other. I don’t know how they have tricked themselves into believing that they don’t get jealous, but even watching shows case studying them, I recognize that they literally have to close their heart off to commit such acts with people that are not there lover, you can see this in their eyes. Some try to put on a good show for the camera, but if we try and see their heart as God does, we realize these people are to be pitied, not celebrated! And if you have deceived yourself into thinking the swinger life style is right, seek God truly in your heart with no expectations and go, GO wherever He leads you! You may not want to trust the words of a random man, but do trust the words of a Living and Eternal God!
Okay, let me summarize as best I can and wrap this in a bow for you all. We need two lovers. One, Jesus Himself and He needs to be our first lover. Two, our significant other who should be revealed to us as we seek Jesus and seek to love Him more. He is a Good Lover, and we should be too, and we can see if we are by how we treat our significant other. When our other asks us to do something, do we grumble about it? What about when God asks us to do something? We can see that where we need work in our physical relationships is probably also where we need work in our spiritual relationship. Because, the one carries over to the other. How we interact with God should be expounded on with how we treat out lovers! God loves the heart first and caters to us in that way, we should reflect that in how we see and work with our significant others! If we are lousy lovers of Jesus, we will most likely be terrible lovers to our others. Remember, being a good lover goes far deeper than the physical!
At this point I will close and encourage you this way. Seek God and His kingdom and His righteousness as His amazing Lover, and He will give you precious gifts for you devotion. I once was a man that always needed a girlfriend to make me happy. And it took me one whole year without a girlfriend to realize that God makes me happy. Now, the relationship I have with my girlfriend only expounds on how much I love God! I see Him in her, and because I love Him, I love her as well. Because He is beautiful and I see Him in her, she is beautiful! Etc…
I pray that you may seek God diligently in this message, and that you would forgive any careless spelling or grammatical mistakes. I tend to write how I talk, and how I talk isn’t always grammatically sound. Be blessed in the Lord, and seek Jesus to be that amazing lover you will see He is as you continue on in the faith! Amen, and God keep you all!
--Matt--
He's the one who told me that God told him that "Life is meaningless, God is the only thing that gives it purpose."
That thought is what made me beg God to make me a reverend, which some have noticed I removed the title from myself...I don't deserve it right now....
Kk! Matt has the floor!
The Two Lovers
Hello, my name is Matt. I hope to be a light for you as I submit this, my first message for you. Now, I have never been a fan of easy messages, so I hope you have come with a prepared heart and an open mind.
Today, I would like to discuss with you the benefit of having two lovers. Most may consider having two lovers a bad idea, but hear me out. If you are a new believer or a seasoned Christian or not even a believer in Christ as Savior, I hope to reach and remind you of the beauty that lies in this message, and perhaps provoke you to think a little more deeply as you walk out your faith and life.
Men and women alike generally speaking feel a lack of ‘something’ and seek to fill that lack with whatever they choose. Let’s fast forward through the roads and roadblocks found in drugs, alcohol, sex, illegitimate relationship et al. Ultimately where people end up is with the understanding that they need someone, or in the very least they have a desire for family. If you are married or in a ‘serious’ relationship, you may understand this message a little easier as a retrospective than as a fresh perspective on a prospective happening. : )
It is important to know that everything in life is meaningless, and if this truth inhibits your desire to read on, then let Pastor Walt know and I will submit also a message on that very hard truth. If this does inhibit your reading, try and forget it for now and please keep your heart open to the word of God through the message.
Okay, to the message. It is Biblical to say that Jesus is the lover of our soul.
(NIV) John
27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ[j] but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.
31"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[k] gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."[l]
-AND-
Matthew
15Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. (Both taken from biblepassageway.com)
Based on these and countless other verses, it is easy to see that Jesus and others were very aware of His position as the Bridegroom. If there is a Bridegroom, then logically there must be a Bride. Who is the Bride? In the Amplified version of the Bible, Revelations puts it like this.
7Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.(D)
8She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white--for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people).
We see how the Bride is God’s people, His saints, and how the Bride (us) is preparing herself for the Bridegroom (Jesus). So, how can we prepare for the Bridegroom? By living righteously. At this point, I will encourage you to set some time aside to read Song of Songs or Song of Solomon (depending on your version of the Bible) and get just a great understanding of what it is like to be a Lover, and to be pursued. Imagine yourself as the Lover, and Jesus as the bridegroom, the language may be elusive to you, and maybe you will feel lost in the reading. For example, it talks often of how the lover has dove’s eyes. If you look at an actual dove, you will think that this beauty has beady little eyes! BUT, if you think of it spiritually, remember when Jesus was baptized? Remember how the Spirit descended on Him like a dove?! Think of it as Jesus saying that He sees the Holy Spirit in your eyes! And to even further His love we remember that the eyes are the window to our soul! So, Jesus is saying I can see the Holy Spirit dwelling deep within your being, but if we get caught up in the language, we will miss what is actually being said. Do you have beady eyes Christian lover? NO! You have the Holy Spirit dwelling deep within you and it is so attractive to the Lord! He is our lover, and we are His.
Now, to the part where I mentioned how we should desire two lovers… Actually, before I get to that, I should probably explain the term ‘lover’.
Lover goes much deeper than what many perceive the word to mean. I am unmarried, but I have a lover, two actually. My first lover is Jesus, and my second is my girlfriend. My girlfriend and I don’t have sex and of course Jesus and I don’t yet we are still able to call each other lovers! Think of something even simpler. A person who listens to music all the time call themselves music lovers, but of course there is no sexual implication there! No musical lover buys a CD and makes any sort of pass at it, if they did, they may want to talk to someone about it! No, I see and define the term lover as someone who has a deep appreciation of someone that not only appreciates him or her but also pursues him or her for the sake of mutual growth. With that in mind, reflect again on how Jesus is the lover of our soul. I have heard it said before that the sign of the Father is movement and reproach. So, as our lover, Jesus wants mutual growth because we grow in Him as He grows in us, and He disciplines us as we may become upset with out physical lover. But, just as our physical lover should, Jesus never stops loving us. This is important, I’ll say it again. JESUS. NEVER. STOPS. LOVING. US! No matter what we have done, Jesus is patient and still draws near to us as we draw nearer to Him. Our physical lover is a reflection of our relationship with our spiritual lover, Jesus. If you don’t find this to be true, seek God about this matter. I think what you will find is that if we are good lovers of Jesus, it will transfer to our physical lovers and be perceived in the same way. Now, this is not an easy task to live in or act in, but in your heart as you seek God, I believe this is the best way. If you are married or committed to someone already, this may be a harder truth as I don’t know what the foundation of your relationship is. The foundation of course should be Jesus, and as you pursue Him what you will find is that if He isn’t the foundation, that will be exposed to you very quickly. We know that God is a jealous God, and that if anything is put before Him, He has a good track record of wiping whatever it is out! But think about it like this. You see your lover with another person of the opposite sex, you trust that your lover has pure intentions of just talking, but say you know the other person and know that they are quite devious. Would you be jealous? ABSOLUTELY! We are by nature, selfish lovers. Even the swinging life style (Which I do not approve of!) ends with the true lovers returning home to each other. I don’t know how they have tricked themselves into believing that they don’t get jealous, but even watching shows case studying them, I recognize that they literally have to close their heart off to commit such acts with people that are not there lover, you can see this in their eyes. Some try to put on a good show for the camera, but if we try and see their heart as God does, we realize these people are to be pitied, not celebrated! And if you have deceived yourself into thinking the swinger life style is right, seek God truly in your heart with no expectations and go, GO wherever He leads you! You may not want to trust the words of a random man, but do trust the words of a Living and Eternal God!
Okay, let me summarize as best I can and wrap this in a bow for you all. We need two lovers. One, Jesus Himself and He needs to be our first lover. Two, our significant other who should be revealed to us as we seek Jesus and seek to love Him more. He is a Good Lover, and we should be too, and we can see if we are by how we treat our significant other. When our other asks us to do something, do we grumble about it? What about when God asks us to do something? We can see that where we need work in our physical relationships is probably also where we need work in our spiritual relationship. Because, the one carries over to the other. How we interact with God should be expounded on with how we treat out lovers! God loves the heart first and caters to us in that way, we should reflect that in how we see and work with our significant others! If we are lousy lovers of Jesus, we will most likely be terrible lovers to our others. Remember, being a good lover goes far deeper than the physical!
At this point I will close and encourage you this way. Seek God and His kingdom and His righteousness as His amazing Lover, and He will give you precious gifts for you devotion. I once was a man that always needed a girlfriend to make me happy. And it took me one whole year without a girlfriend to realize that God makes me happy. Now, the relationship I have with my girlfriend only expounds on how much I love God! I see Him in her, and because I love Him, I love her as well. Because He is beautiful and I see Him in her, she is beautiful! Etc…
I pray that you may seek God diligently in this message, and that you would forgive any careless spelling or grammatical mistakes. I tend to write how I talk, and how I talk isn’t always grammatically sound. Be blessed in the Lord, and seek Jesus to be that amazing lover you will see He is as you continue on in the faith! Amen, and God keep you all!
--Matt--
No more complants in the Upper Room #LI
General | Posted 15 years agoThe drama on here is officially over and we (all of us here) promise to NEVER have such a thing happen again...pray that anger and frustration never plagues what we do here. And, of course, God gives us the perfect Upper Room for this whole mess...
And Guest Speaker for the sermon today, yay!
And If any Mod is reading this, the password has been changed back...
Complain! Complain!
Read Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without complaining.
-Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
THE lines in the grocery store were long. There were only two cashiers, while six other registers stood unattended. It was the end of the workday for most of those standing in the lines. Frustration set in, and I stood there and complained like others. "They need more cashiers!" "Whatever happened to customer service?"
While relaxing later that evening, I watched the evening news. One of the stories was about a mission on skid row that was giving away clothing, shoes, and school supplies to children in need. Many homeless and low-income parents had camped out for up to four days on a sidewalk on behalf of their children. And I had complained about standing 15 minutes in a grocery store line! What kind of Christian witness did I show to others?
Our patience and peacefulness can shine like a light in a dark and perverse world. Are you shining brightly, or is your light clouded by complaints? Each of us can choose to shine brightly for God.
Jacqueline Leaycraft (California, USA)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive us for complaining, and help us to be patient and show your kindness in difficult situations. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Our responses to life's daily annoyances can become chances to show Christ's love.
Prayer Focus
Homeless children and their families
And Guest Speaker for the sermon today, yay!
And If any Mod is reading this, the password has been changed back...
Complain! Complain!
Read Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without complaining.
-Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
THE lines in the grocery store were long. There were only two cashiers, while six other registers stood unattended. It was the end of the workday for most of those standing in the lines. Frustration set in, and I stood there and complained like others. "They need more cashiers!" "Whatever happened to customer service?"
While relaxing later that evening, I watched the evening news. One of the stories was about a mission on skid row that was giving away clothing, shoes, and school supplies to children in need. Many homeless and low-income parents had camped out for up to four days on a sidewalk on behalf of their children. And I had complained about standing 15 minutes in a grocery store line! What kind of Christian witness did I show to others?
Our patience and peacefulness can shine like a light in a dark and perverse world. Are you shining brightly, or is your light clouded by complaints? Each of us can choose to shine brightly for God.
Jacqueline Leaycraft (California, USA)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive us for complaining, and help us to be patient and show your kindness in difficult situations. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Our responses to life's daily annoyances can become chances to show Christ's love.
Prayer Focus
Homeless children and their families
Annoucements! (For mods -and members-) #1
General | Posted 15 years agoAlrighty, concerning our mods:
Yes, me and Wally changed the password. Yes, we blocked you for the time being. It was wrong for us to block you. We should have just stuck with the password change. It was a test that got out of hand.
I am going to post Announcements concerning the mods and try to resolve this problem.
Let's face it: WE MESSED UP!
All we can ask is that you forgive us. We are people too, we will own up to our mistakes. You can leave if you want, but we cannot say we did not admit to screwing up big time. I appologize to
fiver16.
I am going to have announcements specifically for mods, but I want every member to read this journal. I founded the FPC to help other Christian furs through prayer. Apparently, based on the members' list and all our watchers, it certainly has grown. As a group we have more responsibility. One of these steps is to own up to our mistakes.
For mods: we will never "block" you again, but changing the password might be another test.
We had no intentions of damaging, insulting, or harming either our members or mods in this situation. I can say it was a big fat DERP!
I will be posting a newsletter at one point this week, when I do not know.
-Dog of Heaven
Now for some afternoon classes at college, signing out.
Yes, me and Wally changed the password. Yes, we blocked you for the time being. It was wrong for us to block you. We should have just stuck with the password change. It was a test that got out of hand.
I am going to post Announcements concerning the mods and try to resolve this problem.
Let's face it: WE MESSED UP!
All we can ask is that you forgive us. We are people too, we will own up to our mistakes. You can leave if you want, but we cannot say we did not admit to screwing up big time. I appologize to
fiver16. I am going to have announcements specifically for mods, but I want every member to read this journal. I founded the FPC to help other Christian furs through prayer. Apparently, based on the members' list and all our watchers, it certainly has grown. As a group we have more responsibility. One of these steps is to own up to our mistakes.
For mods: we will never "block" you again, but changing the password might be another test.
We had no intentions of damaging, insulting, or harming either our members or mods in this situation. I can say it was a big fat DERP!
I will be posting a newsletter at one point this week, when I do not know.
-Dog of Heaven
Now for some afternoon classes at college, signing out.
FPC 411 #69
General | Posted 15 years agoOk, ok, alot had been going on, let me get this done:
-
marijuanaiguana asks us to pray for Kalte, a friend of his.
-
wtfcartoonhero asks us to pray for 
liel, who is battling sickness.
-
crazedwolf28 asks us to pray for his close friend lucky, who is having some problems
- fiver16's friend, he die last night from falling off a 4 wheeler and sustaining massive head trauma and a punctured lung. He had been on life support and fiver got the call at 3 in the morning from my cousin saying he had passed away. He was the boyfriend of my first cousin.
Ok.....that is for this week, next journal means business...
-Dog of Heaven
-
marijuanaiguana asks us to pray for Kalte, a friend of his.-
wtfcartoonhero asks us to pray for 
liel, who is battling sickness.-
crazedwolf28 asks us to pray for his close friend lucky, who is having some problems-
fiver16's friend, he die last night from falling off a 4 wheeler and sustaining massive head trauma and a punctured lung. He had been on life support and fiver got the call at 3 in the morning from my cousin saying he had passed away. He was the boyfriend of my first cousin. Ok.....that is for this week, next journal means business...
-Dog of Heaven
blah blah blah in the Upper Room #L
General | Posted 15 years agoDaily Conversations
Read Isaiah 60:1-3
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
-Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
IN my role as a director of human resources, I interact with many of the people in the school district where I work. My co-workers and I often engage in conversations about families, vacation plans, significant events, and weekend activities. One of my favorite topics is my 12-year-old son and the time we spend together. Another is my church: committee work; worship; volunteering; various projects; and our pastor's humorous, relevant, down-to-earth sermons.
Last Sunday, new members were introduced to us as they joined our church family. One new member was a co-worker who had heard me talk about church happenings, then came to visit and decided to join our congregation. I was honored to serve as a sponsor for her. After the service, she immediately came over to me, gave me a hug, thanked me, and gave me a gift. We attended a reception together and enjoyed good food and fellowship. What a great feeling it was to see another person find the support of a family of believers!
At times I have wondered about my role in God's family. How can I make a difference? Daily, through God's grace, I encounter people who don't know Christ or are looking for a place of fellowship and service. Sometimes conversations provide us with opportunities to lead other people to a life of faith in God.
Cole Warner (Wisconsin, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, give us words to talk about our faith in daily conversations. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Prepare a list of three or four ways God has acted in your life and be ready to talk about them.
Prayer Focus
Co-workers
Read Isaiah 60:1-3
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
-Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
IN my role as a director of human resources, I interact with many of the people in the school district where I work. My co-workers and I often engage in conversations about families, vacation plans, significant events, and weekend activities. One of my favorite topics is my 12-year-old son and the time we spend together. Another is my church: committee work; worship; volunteering; various projects; and our pastor's humorous, relevant, down-to-earth sermons.
Last Sunday, new members were introduced to us as they joined our church family. One new member was a co-worker who had heard me talk about church happenings, then came to visit and decided to join our congregation. I was honored to serve as a sponsor for her. After the service, she immediately came over to me, gave me a hug, thanked me, and gave me a gift. We attended a reception together and enjoyed good food and fellowship. What a great feeling it was to see another person find the support of a family of believers!
At times I have wondered about my role in God's family. How can I make a difference? Daily, through God's grace, I encounter people who don't know Christ or are looking for a place of fellowship and service. Sometimes conversations provide us with opportunities to lead other people to a life of faith in God.
Cole Warner (Wisconsin, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, give us words to talk about our faith in daily conversations. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Prepare a list of three or four ways God has acted in your life and be ready to talk about them.
Prayer Focus
Co-workers
Before people start leaving us, read this.
General | Posted 15 years agoOk ok ok, this is the Rev. Wally Bear
And yes, I changed the password and blocked all the Mods to see if they was actually coming here to do their self appointed tasks.
The only reason for the block was to keep them from running their jobs outside the system.
DoH and I was talking about a Mod I asked to take care of the members list for me because he really didn't have much to do on the site. 2 days later he takes a 'break'....from what I don't know, leaving 7 people on the list for a week not welcomed or nothin!
I'm not going to bash people, that's just wrong (but God knows I want to). It has been about 2-3 weeks sense me and DoH decided together to evaluate the Mods (He told me himself he wished he had better ones).
Me and him have been pulling the full weight of this page by ourselves, and the Mods was suppose to help lightin that load.
I hit my breaking point friday night, I'm not going to lie bout that...doing most of the work on here gets tiring and with no one assisting it's even more aggravating.
If you read fiver16 journal you'd know how angry he was about it....but they was asked (or asked DoH) to be Mods!
I myself have done so much for FPC and changing it to be the one place where Christian Furs can come and fellowship and worship with no one saying they're wrong.
I don't think the Mods realize that now we're a full blown out-reach program, ministering to all 200+ members of this page. You come to us with your prayers, concerns, and problems seeking help, and happily get it here.
I'm unblocking the Mods so they can comment again, but they need to think about what it means to be here now.
I would like a nice worship song every week...
I don't know, I'm just trying to make this page as great as it should be, a page to do one thing, glorify God in the best (and most) ways possible.
And yes, I changed the password and blocked all the Mods to see if they was actually coming here to do their self appointed tasks.
The only reason for the block was to keep them from running their jobs outside the system.
DoH and I was talking about a Mod I asked to take care of the members list for me because he really didn't have much to do on the site. 2 days later he takes a 'break'....from what I don't know, leaving 7 people on the list for a week not welcomed or nothin!
I'm not going to bash people, that's just wrong (but God knows I want to). It has been about 2-3 weeks sense me and DoH decided together to evaluate the Mods (He told me himself he wished he had better ones).
Me and him have been pulling the full weight of this page by ourselves, and the Mods was suppose to help lightin that load.
I hit my breaking point friday night, I'm not going to lie bout that...doing most of the work on here gets tiring and with no one assisting it's even more aggravating.
If you read
fiver16 journal you'd know how angry he was about it....but they was asked (or asked DoH) to be Mods! I myself have done so much for FPC and changing it to be the one place where Christian Furs can come and fellowship and worship with no one saying they're wrong.
I don't think the Mods realize that now we're a full blown out-reach program, ministering to all 200+ members of this page. You come to us with your prayers, concerns, and problems seeking help, and happily get it here.
I'm unblocking the Mods so they can comment again, but they need to think about what it means to be here now.
I would like a nice worship song every week...
I don't know, I'm just trying to make this page as great as it should be, a page to do one thing, glorify God in the best (and most) ways possible.
[insert Spider-man 3 retraction joke here]
General | Posted 15 years agoOk ok,
So I have to clear a few things up with the whole
thing.
1)he doesn't support having sex when your underage.
2)he's ageist the age block of FA.
3)He's 14...
4)I am number 4, I should be number 1...what do you say to that number 3?!
In any case, I placed my personal opinion in with it, which I shouldn't of because I'm very mean. I still stand by what I said, that's my opinion of him after everything he has disused with me.
So, next time something like this happens I'll keep my big mouth shut.
And because he's 10 years younger then me I can fully understand why he thinks the way he does.
However, the Admins of FA have every right to place as many blocks on this site as they want, which is most likely why he got the axed. So, while he is a friend and that I will not defend him in this matter. The blocks are there for a reason. Legally if the blocks wasn't there they can get in trouble for prostitution of a minor in some states and/or get shut down by a bunch of parents. With the truth system some do what Voodoo did and lie and say they're over 18 and the Admins could get in immediate trouble if they know and do nothing.
In fact it's illegal to even swear in front of women and children, which is why the block can only let them see the PG stuff, they must go by every law in the world...not just where you are.
So, His banned was in the Admins legal right just as most banning.
The extra stuff was my opinion that I vented.
So as a Christian I'll forgive all transgressions, and hopefully he'll do the same.
As for the Admins....doubt it.
~Rev. Wally Bear
So I have to clear a few things up with the whole
thing.1)he doesn't support having sex when your underage.
2)he's ageist the age block of FA.
3)He's 14...
4)I am number 4, I should be number 1...what do you say to that number 3?!
In any case, I placed my personal opinion in with it, which I shouldn't of because I'm very mean. I still stand by what I said, that's my opinion of him after everything he has disused with me.
So, next time something like this happens I'll keep my big mouth shut.
And because he's 10 years younger then me I can fully understand why he thinks the way he does.
However, the Admins of FA have every right to place as many blocks on this site as they want, which is most likely why he got the axed. So, while he is a friend and that I will not defend him in this matter. The blocks are there for a reason. Legally if the blocks wasn't there they can get in trouble for prostitution of a minor in some states and/or get shut down by a bunch of parents. With the truth system some do what Voodoo did and lie and say they're over 18 and the Admins could get in immediate trouble if they know and do nothing.
In fact it's illegal to even swear in front of women and children, which is why the block can only let them see the PG stuff, they must go by every law in the world...not just where you are.
So, His banned was in the Admins legal right just as most banning.
The extra stuff was my opinion that I vented.
So as a Christian I'll forgive all transgressions, and hopefully he'll do the same.
As for the Admins....doubt it.
~Rev. Wally Bear
here we go again in the Upper Room #XLIX
General | Posted 15 years agoOne Day at a Time
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.
-Matthew 6:34 (NRSV)
MY father was in the hospital, critically ill. My husband had just lost his job. My thoughts were consumed with present and future loss. I was brokenhearted when I imagined life without my father and when I thought of my children losing their grandfather. My husband was devastated by the loss of his job, and we feared loss of our income. I wanted to wake up every morning filled with thanksgiving for a new day, but instead I found myself filled with dread and sadness. Not only was I anxious about tomorrow; I was worried about today as well. How could I focus on God's gift of today when I didn't like what today offered?
Sometimes we find ourselves in frightening circumstances. Jesus' words quoted above encourage us not to wish our circumstances away by dreaming about a future time or to make matters worse by worrying about what else might go wrong. Instead, Jesus says that we are to seek the Lord even in the midst of crisis. When we are in sad or overwhelming situations, God promises to be with us. By focusing on today, we discover that God provides the strength and courage we need. We don't have to worry about tomorrow because God will meet us there when tomorrow comes.
Susan J. Foster (Connecticut, USA)
Prayer
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, be with those who especially need your courage and strength. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Whatever tomorrow brings, God will walk with us through it.
Prayer Focus
Those facing losses
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.
-Matthew 6:34 (NRSV)
MY father was in the hospital, critically ill. My husband had just lost his job. My thoughts were consumed with present and future loss. I was brokenhearted when I imagined life without my father and when I thought of my children losing their grandfather. My husband was devastated by the loss of his job, and we feared loss of our income. I wanted to wake up every morning filled with thanksgiving for a new day, but instead I found myself filled with dread and sadness. Not only was I anxious about tomorrow; I was worried about today as well. How could I focus on God's gift of today when I didn't like what today offered?
Sometimes we find ourselves in frightening circumstances. Jesus' words quoted above encourage us not to wish our circumstances away by dreaming about a future time or to make matters worse by worrying about what else might go wrong. Instead, Jesus says that we are to seek the Lord even in the midst of crisis. When we are in sad or overwhelming situations, God promises to be with us. By focusing on today, we discover that God provides the strength and courage we need. We don't have to worry about tomorrow because God will meet us there when tomorrow comes.
Susan J. Foster (Connecticut, USA)
Prayer
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, be with those who especially need your courage and strength. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Whatever tomorrow brings, God will walk with us through it.
Prayer Focus
Those facing losses
fixing the watch list...
General | Posted 15 years agoI've just went threw A-R in the watch list, if you screenname was between them letters and we wasn't watching you, we are now.
Tomorrow I'll finish and go threw the S-Z....
And yes I axed all who stopped watching us too. Many I welcomed myself has stopped watching for some reason.
~Rev. Wally Bear
Tomorrow I'll finish and go threw the S-Z....
And yes I axed all who stopped watching us too. Many I welcomed myself has stopped watching for some reason.
~Rev. Wally Bear
the old traditions in the Upper Room #XLVII
General | Posted 15 years agoTradition
Read Hebrews 11:29-12:2
The psalmist wrote, "I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations."
-Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
MY husband and I are members of a Native American church. As part of our worship service, we sing tribal hymns in our native languages. Even though the words of the songs are familiar, not all of us fully understand them. Nevertheless, a feeling of community and identity speaks deeply to our hearts and our spirits as we sing. Our church is over one hundred years old, and the songs we sing are much older. When we sing these songs in worship, it is as if our ancestors sing with us.
Each year as we experience the loss of more of our elders, we have fewer opportunities to hear tribal languages spoken in our gatherings. Realizing that a way of life goes away with them compounds our grief. Through our songs, we maintain a connection with those who came before us and with our Creator, who promises a great reunion in which all nations will be welcome and all languages will be spoken freely and understood by all. Until that time, our songs remind us that God continues to be faithful to our people throughout the generations. We walk forward in hope, one step at a time.
Delana Taylor McNac (Oklahoma, USA)
Prayer
Creator God, thank you for the many different people who serve you and especially for those who have taught us about you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
To listen to Native American hymns, go to https://www.pilgrimproduction.org/n.....american.html.
Prayer Focus
Native American Churches
Read Hebrews 11:29-12:2
The psalmist wrote, "I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations."
-Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
MY husband and I are members of a Native American church. As part of our worship service, we sing tribal hymns in our native languages. Even though the words of the songs are familiar, not all of us fully understand them. Nevertheless, a feeling of community and identity speaks deeply to our hearts and our spirits as we sing. Our church is over one hundred years old, and the songs we sing are much older. When we sing these songs in worship, it is as if our ancestors sing with us.
Each year as we experience the loss of more of our elders, we have fewer opportunities to hear tribal languages spoken in our gatherings. Realizing that a way of life goes away with them compounds our grief. Through our songs, we maintain a connection with those who came before us and with our Creator, who promises a great reunion in which all nations will be welcome and all languages will be spoken freely and understood by all. Until that time, our songs remind us that God continues to be faithful to our people throughout the generations. We walk forward in hope, one step at a time.
Delana Taylor McNac (Oklahoma, USA)
Prayer
Creator God, thank you for the many different people who serve you and especially for those who have taught us about you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
To listen to Native American hymns, go to https://www.pilgrimproduction.org/n.....american.html.
Prayer Focus
Native American Churches
Tea time in the Upper Room #XLVI
General | Posted 15 years agoBefore the Upper Room I'd like to say that voodoopredator got hit by the 'banned' wagon. His last journal was a bit too much for the Admin here. He was defending someone under 18 having adult privileges on here and even fought with me claiming that they should be able to have sex if they found 'true love'.
Right, I'm not surprised by this. Pray that he learns the actual words of God before he starts an argument.
~Rev. Wally Bear
Time to Love
Read John 15:12-17
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
-John 15:13 (NRSV)
FOR the second time in a week, I received an unusual phone call from a friend. The conversation did not make sense, and I was too busy with work to take the time to dig deeper into why my friend was calling. As I worked through the day, my mind kept coming back to the call. Then I received an email reminder from The Upper Room asking for past writers to take time to send in a meditation. All of a sudden it was clear to me: God was speaking to me, just as every morning through the meditations I read in The Upper Room to start my day. I thought, How often has some distant writer, many months ago, written something that made a profound difference in my life on the day I read it?
I realized that I might be able to make a difference for my friend. I stopped what I was doing and called him. Soon I learned that he had lost his job and felt too ashamed to ask for help.
God asks us to demonstrate Christian love by taking time in the midst of our busyness to listen and offer love to people in need. Sometimes a few minutes of prayer is all that is needed, but often it is something more. If we routinely abide in God, we will hear God's call each day and know what to do.
Mark H. Anderson (Pennsylvania, USA)
Prayer
O God, help us to abide in you, listen to your call, and demonstrate your love by helping those you bring to us for care. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Take time to listen in love to those around you.
Prayer Focus
People seeking employment
voodoopredator got hit by the 'banned' wagon. His last journal was a bit too much for the Admin here. He was defending someone under 18 having adult privileges on here and even fought with me claiming that they should be able to have sex if they found 'true love'. Right, I'm not surprised by this. Pray that he learns the actual words of God before he starts an argument.
~Rev. Wally Bear
Time to Love
Read John 15:12-17
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
-John 15:13 (NRSV)
FOR the second time in a week, I received an unusual phone call from a friend. The conversation did not make sense, and I was too busy with work to take the time to dig deeper into why my friend was calling. As I worked through the day, my mind kept coming back to the call. Then I received an email reminder from The Upper Room asking for past writers to take time to send in a meditation. All of a sudden it was clear to me: God was speaking to me, just as every morning through the meditations I read in The Upper Room to start my day. I thought, How often has some distant writer, many months ago, written something that made a profound difference in my life on the day I read it?
I realized that I might be able to make a difference for my friend. I stopped what I was doing and called him. Soon I learned that he had lost his job and felt too ashamed to ask for help.
God asks us to demonstrate Christian love by taking time in the midst of our busyness to listen and offer love to people in need. Sometimes a few minutes of prayer is all that is needed, but often it is something more. If we routinely abide in God, we will hear God's call each day and know what to do.
Mark H. Anderson (Pennsylvania, USA)
Prayer
O God, help us to abide in you, listen to your call, and demonstrate your love by helping those you bring to us for care. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Take time to listen in love to those around you.
Prayer Focus
People seeking employment
"be tolerant" of the third sermon
General | Posted 15 years agoMatthew 5:38-48 (NLT)
Teaching about Revenge
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Why must we be torn from one another over stupid silly stuff?
I got into it with an Atheist at one (and the last) time because of a journal she wrote about her conversation on SL, at the end of the conversation she just inserted that she was and atheist, no reason just blurted it out. And of course the other was a Christian. And so blah blah, we all know what happened.
Why did she do it? They was getting along just peachy keen till something so small and pathetic (in my eyes) destroyed what could of been a good friendship?
Does religion really have to matter that much? Yes, but we must tolerate others beliefs because, truly, we have no idea what they've been threw.
"I'm an Atheist, I can't believe god can exist because of all the evil in the world..."
"Ok, and?"
"....well?!"
"Well what?"
"What religion are you?"
"Does it matter?"
"yes."
"Why?"
"Because, I can't be your friend if you believe in a god!"
"Who says?"
"uuuhhhh...."
"I love you."
"WHAT?!"
"You heard me."
"Why? That's crazy, you don't know me! How could you say that you freak?"
"Because, my God is one of love. He tells me to love everyone like he does weather they love Him or me back."
"Freak."
"I'm sorry, still love you though...."
(mess with an atheist 101 ^^)
Anyway, Jesus said to love all and help everyone we can, even people ageist us. Why? Because God loves them.
Weather we believe in the same thing or not bickering over who is right is just stupid....I wish to have friends in every religion! So that we can learn from each other and understand what we believe. I have a friend, she's a Wiccan, yet she reads and responds to every one of my Upper Rooms and enjoys their messages. She doesn't believe what I believe. But she still reads the Good News almost everyday (and that is the great commission). I've never pushed Jesus on her and she never pushed the boogie boogie spells on me. That makes me want to learn of her religion, why she's a Wiccan.
I'd like to talk about the god of rumor and ignorance...the media.
What once was a way to get information is now a bloated rumor mill waiting for anything a wee bit offensive to someone and blow it up like a balloon till it's read to pop. Sadly the balloon doesn't pop but makes all who are watching it go POP! Causing a mass confusion making everyone more or less paranoid, thinking that the Muslim down the street (that they're very good friends with) is going to run into there house yell: "INFIDELS!" and blow their families up.
Same with all extremists: Muslim, KKK, Neo Nazi, Atheists, Christian (yeah, they're in that group too), all of them all stem from one thing...no not their beliefs they know all that man can know about it.
It's their ignorance to other's beliefs that makes them go nuts.
"I'M RIGHT AND YOUR NOT!!!!"
The battle cry of all extremists, they can't stand to be wrong. So they fight tooth and nail, picking and choosing parts of their faiths they like and throwing away the rest.
Such as revenge. Yes, before Jesus if someone killed a man he was also killed by th e hands of man. But Jesus said to no longer do this...
So, do we follow Jesus's words or God's word's in the Laws of Moses?
This is where the ignorance comes in...
What are we called? Christians, which means 'to follow Christ'.
"But, we're suppose to follow God's word."
"Jesus IS God in the flesh."
"Yeah but He's not the Heavenly Father, I'm going to obey him."
"You know who else said that?"
"Who?"
"The Pharisees..."
"uhhh..."
They themselves, studiers of the Law of Moses, was so extreme agent Jesus they Crucified him so they could be right.
Show everyone love to all walks of life my friends, so you can be as "perfect as the Father in Heaven."
Teaching about Revenge
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Why must we be torn from one another over stupid silly stuff?
I got into it with an Atheist at one (and the last) time because of a journal she wrote about her conversation on SL, at the end of the conversation she just inserted that she was and atheist, no reason just blurted it out. And of course the other was a Christian. And so blah blah, we all know what happened.
Why did she do it? They was getting along just peachy keen till something so small and pathetic (in my eyes) destroyed what could of been a good friendship?
Does religion really have to matter that much? Yes, but we must tolerate others beliefs because, truly, we have no idea what they've been threw.
"I'm an Atheist, I can't believe god can exist because of all the evil in the world..."
"Ok, and?"
"....well?!"
"Well what?"
"What religion are you?"
"Does it matter?"
"yes."
"Why?"
"Because, I can't be your friend if you believe in a god!"
"Who says?"
"uuuhhhh...."
"I love you."
"WHAT?!"
"You heard me."
"Why? That's crazy, you don't know me! How could you say that you freak?"
"Because, my God is one of love. He tells me to love everyone like he does weather they love Him or me back."
"Freak."
"I'm sorry, still love you though...."
(mess with an atheist 101 ^^)
Anyway, Jesus said to love all and help everyone we can, even people ageist us. Why? Because God loves them.
Weather we believe in the same thing or not bickering over who is right is just stupid....I wish to have friends in every religion! So that we can learn from each other and understand what we believe. I have a friend, she's a Wiccan, yet she reads and responds to every one of my Upper Rooms and enjoys their messages. She doesn't believe what I believe. But she still reads the Good News almost everyday (and that is the great commission). I've never pushed Jesus on her and she never pushed the boogie boogie spells on me. That makes me want to learn of her religion, why she's a Wiccan.
I'd like to talk about the god of rumor and ignorance...the media.
What once was a way to get information is now a bloated rumor mill waiting for anything a wee bit offensive to someone and blow it up like a balloon till it's read to pop. Sadly the balloon doesn't pop but makes all who are watching it go POP! Causing a mass confusion making everyone more or less paranoid, thinking that the Muslim down the street (that they're very good friends with) is going to run into there house yell: "INFIDELS!" and blow their families up.
Same with all extremists: Muslim, KKK, Neo Nazi, Atheists, Christian (yeah, they're in that group too), all of them all stem from one thing...no not their beliefs they know all that man can know about it.
It's their ignorance to other's beliefs that makes them go nuts.
"I'M RIGHT AND YOUR NOT!!!!"
The battle cry of all extremists, they can't stand to be wrong. So they fight tooth and nail, picking and choosing parts of their faiths they like and throwing away the rest.
Such as revenge. Yes, before Jesus if someone killed a man he was also killed by th e hands of man. But Jesus said to no longer do this...
So, do we follow Jesus's words or God's word's in the Laws of Moses?
This is where the ignorance comes in...
What are we called? Christians, which means 'to follow Christ'.
"But, we're suppose to follow God's word."
"Jesus IS God in the flesh."
"Yeah but He's not the Heavenly Father, I'm going to obey him."
"You know who else said that?"
"Who?"
"The Pharisees..."
"uhhh..."
They themselves, studiers of the Law of Moses, was so extreme agent Jesus they Crucified him so they could be right.
Show everyone love to all walks of life my friends, so you can be as "perfect as the Father in Heaven."
Announcements, Announcements, Announcements! #21
General | Posted 15 years agoAlright, anyone read "What's So Amazing About Grace?" Anyone?
Well, besides that, another reminder about asking for names to be added to list AND make sure we are watching you if you are watching us! (please)
And mods, please, has anyone decided to check up on the group? Me and Wally feel lonely. Fiver, where did the music journals go? Lavafox? Specks?
Well, besides that, another reminder about asking for names to be added to list AND make sure we are watching you if you are watching us! (please)
And mods, please, has anyone decided to check up on the group? Me and Wally feel lonely. Fiver, where did the music journals go? Lavafox? Specks?
FPC 411 #68
General | Posted 15 years agoAlrighty....
-
usbofdoom asks us to pray for his Aunt. She is in the hospital, but her house was robbed recently. Thank God she was not hurt from the intruders, and pray she comes out of the hospital healthy.
-
kaizi asks us to pray for the victims of the San Francisco Bombing. http://www.torontosun.com/news/worl...../15313736.html 22 injured, death count uncertain, 4 deaths confirmed.
- marijuanaiguana asks us to pray for his friend Tattered Kitty, and help forgiving, and his fears be quelled. Pray for him.
-
rukh_whitefang burned his hand a while ago, pray that it recovers and returns to being a perfectly useful, movable hand.
- I,
wolfganghm, was in a car accident on Thursday. I am lucky to be alive, let alone walking away from it with just a few scratches and a sore shoulder. Thank God.
That is all for this week!
-Dog of Heaven
-
usbofdoom asks us to pray for his Aunt. She is in the hospital, but her house was robbed recently. Thank God she was not hurt from the intruders, and pray she comes out of the hospital healthy.-
kaizi asks us to pray for the victims of the San Francisco Bombing. http://www.torontosun.com/news/worl...../15313736.html 22 injured, death count uncertain, 4 deaths confirmed.-
marijuanaiguana asks us to pray for his friend Tattered Kitty, and help forgiving, and his fears be quelled. Pray for him.-
rukh_whitefang burned his hand a while ago, pray that it recovers and returns to being a perfectly useful, movable hand.- I,
wolfganghm, was in a car accident on Thursday. I am lucky to be alive, let alone walking away from it with just a few scratches and a sore shoulder. Thank God.That is all for this week!
-Dog of Heaven
here we go again in the Upper Room #XLV
General | Posted 15 years agoSermon tonight! Sorry, I had some college stuff to get organized...like paying tuition on classes that start next week....yup.
~Rev Wally Bear
Touching Heart
Read Matthew 13:1-15
Jesus said, "This people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."
-Matthew 13:15 (NIV)
I'VE started playing a guitar again after a lapse of more than 35 years. I haven't played since I was a teenager, and I had forgotten the first major obstacle to playing: tender fingers. Guitar players must build up a layer of callouses on the fingertips so that pressing the strings doesn't hurt.
I finally have a sufficient layer of callouses on my fingertips. But when I pick up a coin, stroke my daughter's hair, or touch my own face, through the callouses I feel only the pressure of an object, not the object itself.
Now I can better understand the barrier between the Lord and me: My heart has become calloused. The Holy Spirit speaks to us within our heart. In right relationship with God, we open our calloused hearts to the presence of the Holy Spirit. If we do, we will not be among those who hear and do not understand, who see but are blind, who touch but do not feel.
Stanley Hurst (Alabama, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, forgive us for taking our relationship with you for granted. Soften our hearts and help us to respond to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Living in right relationship with God keeps the heart soft.
Prayer Focus
Those whose hearts have become calloused
~Rev Wally Bear
Touching Heart
Read Matthew 13:1-15
Jesus said, "This people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."
-Matthew 13:15 (NIV)
I'VE started playing a guitar again after a lapse of more than 35 years. I haven't played since I was a teenager, and I had forgotten the first major obstacle to playing: tender fingers. Guitar players must build up a layer of callouses on the fingertips so that pressing the strings doesn't hurt.
I finally have a sufficient layer of callouses on my fingertips. But when I pick up a coin, stroke my daughter's hair, or touch my own face, through the callouses I feel only the pressure of an object, not the object itself.
Now I can better understand the barrier between the Lord and me: My heart has become calloused. The Holy Spirit speaks to us within our heart. In right relationship with God, we open our calloused hearts to the presence of the Holy Spirit. If we do, we will not be among those who hear and do not understand, who see but are blind, who touch but do not feel.
Stanley Hurst (Alabama, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, forgive us for taking our relationship with you for granted. Soften our hearts and help us to respond to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Living in right relationship with God keeps the heart soft.
Prayer Focus
Those whose hearts have become calloused
PIRATES!!! in the Upper Room #XLIV
General | Posted 15 years agoTreasured Possessions
Read Deuteronmy 7:6-11
The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
-Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)
JUST above my kitchen sink is a ledge that holds an interesting collection of treasured possessions. Over the years, my sons, now teenagers, have given me gifts I deeply treasure -- a homemade birthday card, a painted flowerpot, a sculpture molded by hand from clay. These gifts are set apart from other things because they remind me of the special, loving relationship I share with my sons.
Whenever I read the verse quoted above, I think of my kitchen ledge and those treasured gifts and remember that I, like the Israelites long ago, have been set apart as God's treasured possession. Within each of us is a deep longing to be loved and cherished. God loves us not because of who we are or anything we might do. God loves us because love is the nature of God, in whose sight we are of unsurpassable value. No matter where we journey in life, God holds us close and loves us much more than all the earthly treasures we will ever cherish.
Sandi Marr (Ontario, Canada)
Prayer
Dear God, help us as your dearly loved children to receive all the love and goodness you offer this day. Amen.
Thought for the Day
We are God's cherished possessions, set apart for God's pleasure.
Prayer Focus
Those who have not discovered God's love
Read Deuteronmy 7:6-11
The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
-Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)
JUST above my kitchen sink is a ledge that holds an interesting collection of treasured possessions. Over the years, my sons, now teenagers, have given me gifts I deeply treasure -- a homemade birthday card, a painted flowerpot, a sculpture molded by hand from clay. These gifts are set apart from other things because they remind me of the special, loving relationship I share with my sons.
Whenever I read the verse quoted above, I think of my kitchen ledge and those treasured gifts and remember that I, like the Israelites long ago, have been set apart as God's treasured possession. Within each of us is a deep longing to be loved and cherished. God loves us not because of who we are or anything we might do. God loves us because love is the nature of God, in whose sight we are of unsurpassable value. No matter where we journey in life, God holds us close and loves us much more than all the earthly treasures we will ever cherish.
Sandi Marr (Ontario, Canada)
Prayer
Dear God, help us as your dearly loved children to receive all the love and goodness you offer this day. Amen.
Thought for the Day
We are God's cherished possessions, set apart for God's pleasure.
Prayer Focus
Those who have not discovered God's love
Weeding in the Upper Room #XLIII
General | Posted 15 years agoGarden or Gardener?
Read Matthew 7:24-27j
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish."
-Luke 14:28-30 (NIV)
I love to grow beautiful, colorful flowers. People have admired my flower garden and have asked me to help them plant a garden. But what I find is that most folks really want a gardener. After they have planted the flowers and the hard and tedious work of weeding, watering, and pruning begins, many of these folks neglect the garden. Left on its own, it does not thrive. Having a beautiful, healthy garden comes with a price.
I see a similar pattern in my life. I want to have a close relationship with God and the beauty that a relationship with God brings. But when the hard work of obedience begins, I tend to grow lazy or weary. To have a healthy relationship with God, I must be diligent in the work of tending that relationship.
Debra K. Johnson (Ohio, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, help us desire to do the work that is required in a relationship with you so that we grow in obedience to your word. Amen.
Thought for the Day
How am I tending my relationship with God?
Prayer Focus
Gardeners
Read Matthew 7:24-27j
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish."
-Luke 14:28-30 (NIV)
I love to grow beautiful, colorful flowers. People have admired my flower garden and have asked me to help them plant a garden. But what I find is that most folks really want a gardener. After they have planted the flowers and the hard and tedious work of weeding, watering, and pruning begins, many of these folks neglect the garden. Left on its own, it does not thrive. Having a beautiful, healthy garden comes with a price.
I see a similar pattern in my life. I want to have a close relationship with God and the beauty that a relationship with God brings. But when the hard work of obedience begins, I tend to grow lazy or weary. To have a healthy relationship with God, I must be diligent in the work of tending that relationship.
Debra K. Johnson (Ohio, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, help us desire to do the work that is required in a relationship with you so that we grow in obedience to your word. Amen.
Thought for the Day
How am I tending my relationship with God?
Prayer Focus
Gardeners
the Upper Room #XLII
General | Posted 15 years agoJudgment
Read Romans 14:1-22
Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own Lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
-Romans 14:4 (NRSV)
WHEN the TV evangelist declared his final point, I turned off the television. I shook my head and thought, How can anyone understand God's word in such a limited way? My agitation revealed the absence of peace in my heart. Questions arose in my mind: Where does my lack of peace come from? Is the evangelist the source of my unrest, or am I?
The apostle Paul, in Romans 14, clarifies that the source of unrest lies in me. When I pick up the stick of judgment and use it on another person, I permit pride to rule in my heart. Paul says that God welcomes all people with their various interpretations of the faith in the same way God welcomes me and my opinions. The details about what we think the Bible says are less vital than trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation.
We don't have to clarify or defend what we see in the details of the Bible's words. We are invited to proclaim the message of God's goodness and mercy for all people.
Paul Wayne Meier (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, open our eyes to see the love that our brothers and sisters in faith have for you, as we pray, "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
Compare beliefs of Christian denominations at https://www.religionfacts.com.
Prayer Focus
Those whose theology angers me
*Luke 11:2-4 (NIV).
Read Romans 14:1-22
Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own Lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
-Romans 14:4 (NRSV)
WHEN the TV evangelist declared his final point, I turned off the television. I shook my head and thought, How can anyone understand God's word in such a limited way? My agitation revealed the absence of peace in my heart. Questions arose in my mind: Where does my lack of peace come from? Is the evangelist the source of my unrest, or am I?
The apostle Paul, in Romans 14, clarifies that the source of unrest lies in me. When I pick up the stick of judgment and use it on another person, I permit pride to rule in my heart. Paul says that God welcomes all people with their various interpretations of the faith in the same way God welcomes me and my opinions. The details about what we think the Bible says are less vital than trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation.
We don't have to clarify or defend what we see in the details of the Bible's words. We are invited to proclaim the message of God's goodness and mercy for all people.
Paul Wayne Meier (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, open our eyes to see the love that our brothers and sisters in faith have for you, as we pray, "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
Compare beliefs of Christian denominations at https://www.religionfacts.com.
Prayer Focus
Those whose theology angers me
*Luke 11:2-4 (NIV).
You've heard it a lot...but one more time!
General | Posted 15 years agoI (Rev. Wally Bear) have added 9 people to the members list just now.
I WILL ask again! Check for your name on it! there's 248 people watching and I know that not all are on it (and some don't want to be due to personal reasons).
And with my appointed welcomer is taking a break and he thought I was talking about a different list...so please take a minute to double check, at least for me, I worked a long time to alphabetize and organized that list.
And new people come every week (yeah, at least 1 new watcher each week ^^)
Plus, make sure we're watching you, our watch list is only 155....it should be 248...the members list is one thing, but the watch list is another. If I had the time I would go through each one of you to see, but I don't.
Thank you!
I WILL ask again! Check for your name on it! there's 248 people watching and I know that not all are on it (and some don't want to be due to personal reasons).
And with my appointed welcomer is taking a break and he thought I was talking about a different list...so please take a minute to double check, at least for me, I worked a long time to alphabetize and organized that list.
And new people come every week (yeah, at least 1 new watcher each week ^^)
Plus, make sure we're watching you, our watch list is only 155....it should be 248...the members list is one thing, but the watch list is another. If I had the time I would go through each one of you to see, but I don't.
Thank you!
To quote Saint Walker in the Upper Room XLI
General | Posted 15 years ago"...and all will be well."
(Saint Walker is the Head Lantern of the Blue Lantern Corps from the Green Lantern comic series from DC comics)
~Rev. Wally Bear
New Job, New Opportunity
Read [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029:1-7&version=NLT]Jeremiah 29:1-7[/url]
The Lord says, "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
-Jeremiah 29:7 (NRSV)
AFTER losing my job, I knew I had to find new employment to provide for my wife and my son. I finally found a new job in our capital city, a large metropolitan area, which meant I would have to move from my small town to the big city.
At first, I felt I had been sent into exile. In huge traffic jams while taking the bus to work, I remembered my quiet, friendly, small town where I could go anywhere by bicycle.
Then I remembered the Israelites, who were taken into exile by the Babylonians to a foreign country. In the middle of their exile, they received a command from God to remain strong and faithful and to do good work. God told them to seek the welfare of their new city and to pray for the city and its people.
The Israelites' story gave me new insight. God wanted them to seek the welfare of the city where they had been exiled, so surely I could do the same. Anywhere I live I have an opportunity to be God's light of love and hope. And, like the Israelites, I can pray for my city and for the people who live in it.
Now as I ride the bus to work, I pray for other passengers, the driver, other people on the road. And I ask God to open the hearts of those who need to know Jesus Christ.
Bayu Probo (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Prayer
Loving God, strengthen us to seek the welfare of those around us. Help us to be faithful to all you ask of us. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Find out what you can do for your community this week -- and do it.
Prayer Focus
My city and its needs
(Saint Walker is the Head Lantern of the Blue Lantern Corps from the Green Lantern comic series from DC comics)
~Rev. Wally Bear
New Job, New Opportunity
Read [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029:1-7&version=NLT]Jeremiah 29:1-7[/url]
The Lord says, "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
-Jeremiah 29:7 (NRSV)
AFTER losing my job, I knew I had to find new employment to provide for my wife and my son. I finally found a new job in our capital city, a large metropolitan area, which meant I would have to move from my small town to the big city.
At first, I felt I had been sent into exile. In huge traffic jams while taking the bus to work, I remembered my quiet, friendly, small town where I could go anywhere by bicycle.
Then I remembered the Israelites, who were taken into exile by the Babylonians to a foreign country. In the middle of their exile, they received a command from God to remain strong and faithful and to do good work. God told them to seek the welfare of their new city and to pray for the city and its people.
The Israelites' story gave me new insight. God wanted them to seek the welfare of the city where they had been exiled, so surely I could do the same. Anywhere I live I have an opportunity to be God's light of love and hope. And, like the Israelites, I can pray for my city and for the people who live in it.
Now as I ride the bus to work, I pray for other passengers, the driver, other people on the road. And I ask God to open the hearts of those who need to know Jesus Christ.
Bayu Probo (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Prayer
Loving God, strengthen us to seek the welfare of those around us. Help us to be faithful to all you ask of us. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Find out what you can do for your community this week -- and do it.
Prayer Focus
My city and its needs
