(*snickers* It's friday, and this is the thirteenth devotion I've posted...~Wally Bear)




Walk in Love

Read 1 Corinthians 13{link)

Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
-Ephesians 5:12 (NRSV)


I have been incarcerated since 1990, and over the years I have found myself in some difficult situations. Whenever trouble arises, applying biblical principles can bring about a peaceful resolution. One principle I have lived by throughout the duration of my incarceration is to always walk in love.

A few years ago, I had an opportunity to practice this principle when an inmate started to hassle me about my faith. His derogatory remarks about Christians continued for months. With each encounter, I responded in love, rejoiced in my persecutions (Matt. 5:11-12{link]), and prayed for him (Matt. 5:44{link]).

One day during another encounter with this inmate, I calmly interrupted him while he was speaking. I felt there was something he needed to know. "My friend," I said, "nothing you ever say to me or do to me will stop me from loving you." He stood speechless as I walked away.

A few days later he saw me in the hallway. "Jeff, I haven't slept since you told me you loved me the other day. That's exactly what Jesus would have told me. You're a real Christian. Please forgive me for the way I've treated you," he said remorsefully. I was speechless! Since then, he has never spoken another unkind word to me.

Jeff Matthews (Indiana, USA)

Prayer
Dear Father, help us to walk always in love. Amen.

Thought for the Day
No matter how difficult our situation, with God's help we can see ways to show God's love.

Prayer Focus
Those in prison and jail

A Divine Whisper

Read 1 Kings 19:1-13

Be still, and know that I am God.
-Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

FLOWERS and candles decorated the hall. Wonderful smells of food cooking drifted in from the kitchen. Laughter and happy faces promised enjoyable fellowship for the women of our church. My friend and I could sit together and chat. Unfortunately, I could hardly hear a word she said because speakers blared out "background" music. I leaned forward. Her hands waved as she described an event, but to my frustration I couldn't follow her story. If only I could have turned the volume down or put my ear closer! As it was, I heard only a few words and so received a confusing, partial message because of the background noise.

Many times I pray and listen for God's response but don't receive the guidance I long for. I wonder how often that's because I can't hear God's voice over the background noise in my life. I rush from task to task, stopping occasionally to utter a quick prayer -- then wonder why God doesn't seem to hear and answer.

But I'm fairly certain the problem isn't on God's side. When we step out of our busyness and draw near to God we will be better able to hear God's guidance -- even when it comes in a whisper.

Shirley M. Corder (Eastern Cape, South Africa)

Prayer
Loving God, thank you that you want to speak to us. Help us to listen for your voice, even when it's only a whisper. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Spend two minutes in silence today, not praying but listening.

Prayer Focus
Long-time friends

The Right Gift

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7{link)

Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
-1 Timothy 4:14 (NRSV)

MY father loves roses. Once after he moved into a new house, he planted 12 rose bushes. To celebrate, my sister and I each sent him a gift. I sent a green plastic bucket to hold kitchen scraps until he could put them on his compost heap. She sent a crystal bud vase.

Our gifts tell something about each of us. My sister is elegant; I am practical. But Dad assured us, "Both of your gifts are equally needed and equally welcome."

Our heavenly parent is like my dad. God does not expect the same from all of us. Because God made us and made us different, God delights in us just as we are. God wants each of us to offer the gifts that best express who we are and what we have to give.

Patricia H. Sprinkle (Georgia, USA)

Prayer
Dear God, lead us to discover the gifts you have planted within us so that we can give our best to you. As Jesus taught us, we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."*

Thought for the Day
God made us and loves us as we are.

Prayer Focus
To see and appreciate my talents

*Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).

Alright, just two:

- skunktronix needs prayer, and is facing financial delemmas. Here is his story:
Apparently, I was supposed to switch my power service to the local power company after moving into this apartment. The people at my apartment complex office did not tell me about this until about a week ago, and as a "penalty" they're trying to make me (and my roommate) pay an extra $50. On top of that, I'm between jobs again, I haven't been paid yet, and rent is due very soon. I'm having to sell some things to make up for it even though I'd rather not. I've been giving out the address to my virtual donation box as a last resort if I can't scrape up enough out of my sales. http://tinyurl.com/helptheskunk
Pray for her.

-Also,  madamglacia heard that  shininomai has gone into a coma. He needs all our support and prayers, pray that he wakes up and for his family, friends, and loved ones.

Praise the Lord! :iconshininomai has woken up from his coma! (according to madamglacia's last post, lol.) Pray then that there are no recussions or any other hinderances to his recovery.

-Dog of Heaven signing out.

Just as a reminder, WE ARE NOT PROFFESIONALS! We make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes. I appologize to anyone concerning mistakes and mixups. We are just furries who have organized a prayer chain support group thing. (Wow, I am so good with wording). Once again I am sincerely sorry for any mixups. While I am on, I will post the two most recent requests cause I feel like it, even though it is not Monday.

!Lo siento y adios!

-Dog of Heaven

Also:  lavafox came up with a very intriging journal idea. (AKA I am interested and may ask her to be a moderator.)

However, details must be cleared up before this idea is brought into action.
Still need one more mod, and thank you members for bearing with us!

-Dog of Heaven

One Day at a Time

Read Matthew 6:25-34


Ooooo, I found a video for this one!
https://youtu.be/HYiHUX9BtgA



Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
-Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

I have been battling cancer for over a year now, hoping the spots on my liver would be gone or at least reduced in size. My latest CAT scan revealed that the spots had neither shrunk nor grown. I am thankful that my condition is stable.

I am learning to live one day at a time, which has never been easy for me. My brother once dubbed me "Mr. Five-Year Plan." Now I find it hard to look ahead five days.

Yet I am blessed. People pray for me, provide financial help, and encourage me. While I need to budget my energy, I still work at a day job and also keep active with my work as an actor and writer. Some people say they're amazed at all I do.

But I know I keep going only by the grace of God. I knew from the beginning I couldn't do it alone, that I would need to rely on God to be my healer and provider. El Shaddai, one of the Hebrew names for God, means "the all-sufficient God,"the God of more than enough. By trusting that God is enough, I can take life one day at a time.

Gordon Williams (Texas, USA)

Prayer
Help us, O Lord, to live for this day, this hour, this moment. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Let tomorrow worry about itself; today, live.

Prayer Focus
To live today as a gift

Here are the requests for this week:

- zwerewolf asks us to pray for  calicokitea, she has been trying really hard to find a job, pray that she succeeds and gets out of the doldrums.
- p_bear asks us to pray for his sister and step-father, they left for a mission trip to South Africa for 2 weeks, pray for their safe return.
- riskyfrisky asks us to pray for thos belonging to West Borrow Baptist Church, that they may change their ways.
- thenewfurry asks us to pray for his friend that he may not stray, and Christ will guide him.
- voodoopredator asks us to help with his increasing attraction and addiction to homosexual pornorgraphy, Pray for him.

That is all for this week, May God Bless.

-Dog of Heaven signing out.

!Hola mis amigos!

Ok, the 411 will be coming up after this. I want to thank two of our mods,  wally_bear and  fiver16 for their new journal ideas.

Also, just a reminder I would like to have at least two more mods who have been members for awhile and would like to participate in the group more. If anyone has another journal activity idea, please run it by me and then me and my mods will consider it.


!Muchas Gracias!

-Dog of Heaven

"Then why are you here? What are you seeking to gain? You never stop being a Christian and if you did you were never truly saved. You never really understood what it is to be saved from living a life that pleases God. Being saved is not just about being saved from Hell which is real and exist. You're just condemning your own soul to hell. Being Christian isn't just about playing religion, being a good person or doing good deeds. Its about fellowship with the one and only God and his son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way, the main way into heaven. No other path can get you there. If you think that is thick headed or wrong.
Why do they make you uncomfortable? Is it because you know that God is living through them and that they are doing the right things and are on the right path to heaven. Even though everyone sins and fall short of the glory of God. Jesus came to save our lives and if I'm preaching here and you disagree then you were never saved to begin with."


One of the people that left our group showed me this....it's from one of the people in the Christian group over at the furry4life website.
THIS IS exactly the reason most don't want to or give up the faith.
Everyone's journey is different, mine is not the same as any of yours and so on. People who speak like this is not living like Jesus, Jesus came to fellowship and show love to the loveless. We must show that to people, not fire stuff like this at them...
To act like this is no better then to act like the Pheresses did when Jesus first met Matthew and had dinner with him and other tax collectors.
Lets support the lost and help them find their way, not turn them away....
As I told the one who showed me this:
"A true Christian would welcome another with open arms, not crossed."


Also,
My friend told me about a graphic novel he found at the Christian book store here called "Manga Messiah"{link).
It's the entire story of Jesus (or Yeshuah as they call him) from the nativity seen to hie crusifiction, FULLY ILLISTRATED!
And after reading it myself I can say it very accurate to the story.
If you don't like (or can't) sit and read words on a page, this is the perfect subsitute. It's based off the New Living Translation version of the Bible if you was wondering, and there are 3 more books like it with the story of Solomon and that in them.
Also, the series has it's own Bible, "Manga Bible "{link), it's the full text of a Bible, just with 98 pages of manga to break things up.

Thank you for reading
~Wally Bear

Now for the Devotion!

God's Creation

Read Genesis 2:4-15

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, that made heaven and earth.
-2 Chronicles 2:12 (KJV)


ACCORDING to the account in Genesis, God created the world and called everything good. God made the earth, green and fertile; the birds in the sky; and the fish in the ocean. Animals populate the land. Seasons change, the moon moves through the sky, rain waters the land, crops grow, plants flower and give new seeds. All of creation works together, and the earth contains everything we need.

God created human beings and instructed them to care for the earth and all living beings. Humans do not play the role of God who created and sustains the earth. But we are responsible for managing our planet sopeople can live on it.

We are accountable to God for how we treat our land and goods. When corn sprouts and grasses grow, this expresses God's goodness and caring. Every time we use the earth's resources, we have a responsibility to keep the balance God created in the earth's ecosystems.

Many believers around the world have begun to recognize that we are accountable for the way we live -- as God told us in the beginning.

Thomas Risager (Syddanmark, Denmark)

Prayer
Dear God, teach us to be good stewards of your creation. Amen.

Thought for the Day
We have the Earth on loan. How can we care for it?

Prayer Focus
To care for God's world

Hiya all~

This is  fiver16 here to say that I’ve become a mod for this group and I’ve brought ideas. :)


I’ve decided to make a journal once a week with a Christian or spiritual song to not only provide inspiration, but to spread out different genres through the FPC. Music has helped me a great deal and got me out of my depression. And now I’d like to share my findings with you. The format will be very simple.


~FORMAT~

- Posting of the lyrics to the song.
- Embedded Youtube vid for easy access to the song so you can listen while you read along. :)
- MY depiction of the song and what it means to me
- A question asking what the song means in your eyes and your perspective.


I am also taking requests. So if you have a Christian or spiritual song that you want to share, then you will be able to. Just leave it in a shout or in a note to the FPC or to my profile @  fiver16 and I will put it in an organized catalog on my laptop to store for upcoming weeks. :)


I really hope this idea kicks off well and will get more people in a very inspirational mood and will bring joy across the fandom. God gave us music for a reason and it’s to help us out.


The genres will range from rock, to country, to even techno and rap.



So here we go with the first song that I’ve chose and that has helped me the most. <3


The song that I’ve chosen is “I Just Know” by Disciple. They are a small Christian hard rock band that has been the first that I’ve seen to actually put Bible verses next to their lyrics. <3



what makes you different from one another
why do you argue about who you follow
there is no man that you belong to
there's only one God that can claim you (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)

I don't care if you don't speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 13:1)
I don't care if you're into submersion (Matthew 3:16)
what does it matter if you wear a liturgical robe or prophesy
and say that God said so (1 John 4:1)

I just know Jesus is the way
I just know Jesus is the truth
I just know Jesus is the life
I know that Jesus is my God (John 14:6)

do you serve your name or do you serve mankind
would you feel the same if they took down your sign
could you sit next to me if I was Baptist or Presbyterian
or do I need to be a charismatic or Episcopalian (Acts 2:17)

I don't care if you drink grape juice or if it's wine (Matthew 26:27- 29)
and I don't care if you get out of church on time
what does it matter if you praise God with music in your church (Psalm 150)
or you burn your dead or bury them six feet in the dirt

I don't care if you clap your hands (Psalm 47:1)
I don't care if you get out in the aisle and dance (Psalm 149:3)
what's it matter if someone lets out a hallelujah shout (Psalm 100:1)
have we forgotten what praising Yahweh is all about



https://youtu.be/WtOV8Sd0KOg


I decided to do the live version to show that even Christian rock can get a crowd pumped up and excited and to show how lively the band is. :]



~My View on the Song~

To me, this song means that no matter how you worship or how you view God, he still loves you. That you can “Be a Baptist of Presbyterian” and STILL have faith in this wonderful relationship. The only thing that catches me on the song is the line “there's only one God that can claim you”. If that line offends anybody I am truly sorry. Considering there are people a part of the FPC that are of different religions. So if this offends you please let me know and I will make sure the mistake doesn’t happen again. My view on it is that there’s nothing that says that there can’t be one God but I think it all just leads all to the same place no matter what God you worship. If you are faithful then you shall taste the sweet fruit of the afterlife.



And now you give your side of the opinion. So just leave a comment if you want to below and tell me what you think the song means and how you depict it. :)



I know it’s VERY long to read but it should be shorter next week due to the fact that I won’t have to post rules and stuff. But like I said above. I really hope this kicks off and that people like this idea. Music is a powerful media and can be used to cure the most wicked of souls.


This is Fiver16 signing off :]

Peace~



"I Just Know" © Disciple
Disciple © INO Records/ Slain Records

I've finished the members list, it's all nice and neat!
~Wally Bear





Tasting God's Goodness

Read Psalm 34:1-10{link)

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
-1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)


AN Ozark fruit orchard near me sells fresh peaches. The farmer graciously offers slices of the different varieties for customers to taste. The fruit melts in my mouth. Enjoying the farmer's fruit leads me to spurn store-bought peaches, which don't compare in sweetness, aroma, or flavor with those fresh from the orchard.

Taste gets our attention. It raises awareness of more goodness to be enjoyed. The burst of summer fruit in my mouth creates a craving for more. The farmer has confidence in his peaches. He knows that those who taste them will want more.

With similar certainty, Psalm 34:8 urges us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." We taste the goodness of God when we live as God asks -- and our lives are improved. For example, my wife counseled me to give up bitterness toward my father, who abandoned our family. Resentment toward my dad had become a poison in my soul. When I obeyed God by forgiving my dad, the burden of negativity was lifted from my heart. In trust and obedience, I experienced the help and blessing of God.

Even more than I crave fresh peaches, I hunger for a closer walk with Christ, who offers us abundant life. (See John 10:10.{link)

Clifford B. Rawley (Missouri, USA)

Prayer
Thank you, God, that as we walk in your ways we taste your goodness. Lead us to share your bounty with others. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Support your local farmers.

Prayer Focus
To forgive my family

Sorry guys (this is Clyde Cross [specklesgreyhighoof]), but I've got another quick thing to request for. This can't wait for the next month.
is sick. She's a good friend of mine who I met online and she says she's been in the ER 3 times already, to no avail.
She'll see a doctor tomorrow. Pray that she's o.k.
Oh, and she's "on our side" too.

Mistakes in the Bible

Read Romans 5:6-11{link)

The psalmist wrote, "Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them."
-Psalm 119:129 (NIV)

THE open-air preacher stated his theme: "Mistakes in the Bible." Someone in the crowd yelled out, "Good on ya, preacher! I always knew there were mistakes in the Bible!"

"Yes," said the preacher, "there's the mistake of Adam, the mistake of Cain, the mistake of the rich young ruler. There are so many mistakes recorded in the Bible that you'll find your mistake there too!"

The Bible records people's mistakes not only to warn us but to reveal how we can be forgiven for our mistakes and how we can rise above them. The Bible unveils the truth that God doesn't turn a blind eye to our sin. The cross of Christ testifies to the price God paid to forgive us, before and after we became believers.

Living by God's word also has power -- power to save us from making mistakes that offend God and hurt ourselves and others. Psalm 119 is dedicated to God in thanksgiving for the Law. The psalmist was thankful. How much more thankful should we be who know the rest of the story, the story of Christ?

Raymond N. Hawkins (Tasmania, Australia)

Prayer
Beloved God, may your word light our lives and nourish our spirits. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Because of grace, our mistakes can be stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.

Prayer Focus
Someone I have offended

YES! I have returned after a wonderful weekend of work! I'm sure most don't know my job...well, I'm a support worker of sorts for people with mental and physical disabilities, and I love it! Anyway, one of the clients hired me to take him out for a mini-vacation this weekend...which is why there was no devotionals for the last 2 days and not getting the list organized...but I'm back and with a little something extra to make-up for it!

This should be more what we stand for....but that just little old me. XP
~Wally Bear

Tony Campolo on Red Letter Christianity:

All around the world, there are young people saying: We have no problem with Jesus. But, we do have great problems with the church. We want to relate to Jesus, but we are put off by so much of what goes by the name of “Christianity” today.

To those young people and to all Christians, we are saying: Can we at least agree that to be a follower of Jesus means to commit yourself to what Jesus specifically asks us to do? In the modern era, we’re so concerned about theology and orthodoxy. Red Letter Christians are equally concerned about what we would call orthopraxy: Doing the things that Jesus tells us to do. We take the Sermon on the Mount seriously so that moves us to be nonviolent resisters rather than people who are drawn toward supporting war. We take it seriously when Jesus tells us: “Blessed are the merciful.” We take seriously what Jesus says about economics. Does Jesus really mean it when he tells us that rich people are going to have a hard time getting into heaven? Should we take it seriously when Jesus says to older people like me: Do not lay up riches for some future day? Are we truly to minister to the poor of the world? That’s what Jesus tells us to do.

The Red Letter movement is just getting underway now. I just came back from the United Kingdom and the BBC is hot to trot to cover this movement. People inside and outside the church are tired of Christianity that is only concerned about theology and is not concerned about the real lives of people living around the world. We are mobilizing men and women around the world, mostly young people, and we’re asking people to wear a wristband that says I’m a Red-Letter Christian. We want to move beyond the word “evangelical.”

The movement is picking up steam even as we speak. Red Letter Christians are quick to point out that the word evangelical has too much ugly baggage right now for us. If you go to Harvard or Stanford, and you identify yourself as “evangelical,” they immediately assume you’re anti-gay, anti-women, pro-war and you support this whole host of issues that are part of the political right. Instead, we want to emphasize living Christ-like lives. That means living out those red letters of Scripture.
Mary Albert Darling on Red Letter Christians:

Being a Red Letter Christian means that we go back to the words of Jesus. A lot of people are mainly focused on reading the epistles, especially Paul’s letters in the New Testament. As Christians, many people seem to start with what Paul says as they define Christianity. That’s important, but for Christians the whole Bible needs to be read in light of the gospels—starting with the gospels.

We’re saying: Let’s look at what Jesus actually says and let’s frame our whole approach to the Bible in light of what Jesus says. Paul’s letters address a whole lot of relational issues in the church. That makes sense because churches were forming and people were having trouble getting along with each other. So, Paul is writing to people about what it means to be a representation of the kingdom of God.

But we want to go back and, first, look at what Jesus says. As Red Letter Christians, we’re not a formal organization. We’re trying to be inclusive. We’re trying to be holistic. We’re trying to say that, as Red-Letter Christians, we recognize that justice and ministry to the poor are essential to understanding and following Jesus.


Now on to the devotional!!!!




Cheering Us On

Read Hebrews 12:1-3{link)

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
-Hebrews 12:1 (NRSV)


WHEN I ran track in high school, I was often afraid that my performance would not measure up. I feared humiliation and mocking. This worsened after we lost by one point to a team that our coach particularly wanted to beat. He spent the bus ride home disparaging us with violent and profane language. Later, I talked this over with my grandfather, a retired coach. His advice was simply to give all I had and be at peace with that.

During our next home meet, I resolved to conquer my fears and to give my best. Rather than focus on the race as I should have, I focused on contending with these fears. As I rounded my last turn, however, I glanced into the stands and saw my family loudly cheering me on. Seeing them inspired me so much that I forgot my fears and finished with my best time ever!

The Bible speaks to us of a cloud of witnesses who surround us, helping us to forget the weight of our fears and the shame of sin so that we can finish the race. Let us change our focus from the things that bind us and instead switch our attention to the support God offers as we run the race.

Mack McKinney (Texas, USA)

Prayer
Source of our strength, help us to do what we can and to leave the rest with you. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Focusing on God can free us from our fears and doubts.

Prayer Focus
Gratitude for my "witnesses"

Thank you  wally_bear for those devotions! (I personally loved the BACON AND EGGS devotion. Have to comment on them myself once I have the time.)

Concerning the list: if we missed anyone, someone got deleted, or we forgot to add you, plz notify us. Also, the FPC 411 will be up tomorrow or later today.

-Dog of Heaven signing out.

I don't know if I'll get the weekends devotionals up....and if I do get them up they'll be A LOT later in the day...like...the evening...you can go to The Upper Room{link) if I don't post them in time for you to read them.
thank you for your understanding.
God Bless!
~Wally Bear

Before the devotional I have a few things to speak to you, I was watching Joyce Meyers this morning again....

She said that (hope I quote this right):
"Truth is the Truth no matter what, it never changes. BUT, we must keep the packaging relative to the times!"
This made me think about our fandom and all the 'non-religious' members in it. I can not fathom not believing in something after this life (I tried...found everything pointless and wanted to die...), And if you notice all the Athiests and Agnostics sing the same tune when you ask them why. "I don't want to have to please and/or get the aproval of the congragation." .....ok....ones in a congragation that does that are the really old elders that think if anything changes in the church from there childhood that the church will become satanic....riiight. I'm going through that right now with an elder and one of my e-mail addresses...
But that is why churches are dying, no young blood in them because when the kids do grow up they say thing like my friend and tell me that they gave up religion to have a 'FUN LIFE'....I go to church, sing in the choir, getting looked upon by the pasture to lead the young adults and my life is full of fun! (anyone that talks to me for more than a minute can tell you that).
But, mainly they have no religion because they're ether 'gay' or not 'socially acceptable' (I like that wording!).
Well we need to tell them that....here comes the revelation.....WE ARE FURRIES TOO! I'll spell it out! F-U-R-R-I-E-S!
We know what it's like being...different...most of us don't judge. I say 'most' because there probably IS at least one that is a 'holly roller'.
And last time I checked ALL sins can be fore givin! Yes the Bible says 'Homosexuality' is a sin, but Jesus died for ALL of us, for ALL our sins! I heard a great metaphore for this too:

"A shepard with 100 sheep and one wonders off, the shepard will leave the 99 to find the 1."

So let all of them know that at the very least is a safe haven for all...I'm sure all us moderators and the founders will help any that asks for it (it's why we're here and agreed to do this), because the church is the people, not the building....that's called the 'Chapel' XP

Thank you for reading my long winded speech (I get excited and don't know how to shut up when I'm like that.....)
~Wally Bear

Now, TO THE DEVOTIONAL!!!!!


World-Changing Faith


Read James 5:13-18{link)

When [the mob] could not find [Paul and Silas], they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, "These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also."
-Acts 17:6 (NRSV)


WE live along strip of rocky beach that ends in a wooded point. The sea curves around the point and forms a quiet inlet

One night, a fierce storm blew up. It was too dark to see the ocean, but we could hear the pounding surf. Wind shook the house. Rain pelted the windows. As the tide rose, we prayed that God would calm the storm.

In the light of the next morning, we were astounded to see that the waves had hurled rocks and pebbles from the ocean side of the beach onto the inlet side. Sections of the strip of land were now several feet closer to us than they had been before the storm. The forces of nature change our physical world.

Jesus told his disciples that people of faith can also change the world. Faith, he said, is strong enough to move mountains. Faith is powerful enough to change not only the outward appearance of the world but also us and the way we see the world. Praying can change the way we see our world now, the way we look at things tomorrow, and even the way the past has shaped us. The power of faith is even more far-reaching than the power of nature.

Kris Wood (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Prayer
Help us, Lord, to grow stronger in faith as we study your word. Amen.

Thought for the Day
God plants the seed of faith in our hearts.

Prayer Focus
Those who work outdoors

Before the Devotional I'd like to let you know that I plan on making our members list a whole lot easier to read and more organized...that thing is a MESS!!!
but I digress...
...ON TO THE DEVOTIONAL! (it's a really good one too today!)




Off Limits?

Read Philippians 4:4-9{link)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
-Colossians 4:6 (NRSV)


THREE minutes had elapsed since I had taken my seat at the counter. Waitresses passed me by; two cooks and a busboy took no notice of my presence. My ego was soothed only because the truck driver seated next to me was ignored as well.

"Maybe this counter is off limits," I said to him. "Maybe they are short of help," he responded. "Maybe they don't want our business," I said. "Maybe they are taking care of those at the tables," was his reply. The hands on the clock continued to move. "Maybe they don't like us," I insisted. "The air conditioning feels so good I don't mind waiting," he said.

At this point a harried waitress stopped to tell us that it had been necessary to cut off the water and so the dishwasher was not functioning. My nameless compatriot smiled, thanked the waitress, and left.

I did not like him. Three times I had sought his support for my obnoxious attitude, but he had let me down. Only later did I realize that he had chosen to practice what I preach.

Martin E. Pike, Jr. (Texas, USA)

Prayer
Dear God, enable us to see ourselves as we really are. Make us sensitive to the trials of others, and let us bring goodwill into life's trying moments. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Give special attention today to how you interact with those who serve you.

Prayer Focus
To speak gracious words every day

I am  wally_bear, has asked me to be a monitor of here because for the past 2 days I've been giving Daily Devotionals on my journal from The Upper Room{link) and they are very insperational most of the time and make you think what it truly means to be a Christian...
So, here's today's devotional, for yesterday's you can go read it on my page or go to the Upper Room website with the link up top.
The devotionals will be coss-posted on my site....

And please note me there and not here....I don't want to over step my job here....



Spiritual Joy

Read Psalm 19{link)

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
-Psalm 126:3 (NIV)


AFTER a day of rain, a rainbow appeared. A glorious rainbow spanned several miles of Atlantic coastline. I took several pictures. However, the magnificent rainbow looked like only pale crayon lines in my photographs. I might as well have tried to capture the ocean in a bottle.

Photographs and paintings give us only a hint of the real thing. We fully appreciate the majesty of creation and the emotion it evokes only when we experience it. We come to appreciate God more fully only when we know our Creator firsthand, too. Is that really possible, to know God personally? For many years, I did not think so. I felt disconnected from God. The Bible seemed like ancient history, not God's word.

Fortunately, my family and friends already had personal relationships with God. I listened to their stories of God's blessings in their lives, and I wanted to know God too -- to feel God with me every day. I disciplined myself to read my Bible daily. I took several Bible study classes to understand God's laws, lessons, and miracles. I explored my many questions about God. Gradually, God became real to me. I confessed my sins, and God blessed me with forgiveness. Then God brought me into a joyful, loving relationship that continues to grow as I continue to study, pray, and serve others in Christ's name.

Deanna Himelick (Florida, USA)

Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for your love and for bringing us into relationship with you as we seek you through praying, reading scripture, and serving others. Amen.

Thought for the Day
What am I doing to build a relationship with God?

Prayer Focus
Those searching for God

Ah, finally got to do this.

Requests:
- rain-ine asks for the general wellness for everyone.
- skulktheneonfox asks us to pray for his stepmother who lost her own mother due to ovarian caner.
- tthewolf asks us to pray for his mother who lost her aunt.
- yuri-bloodfang asks us to pray for luckypan http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1565300/
- bondofox asks us to pray for his dad, who is recovering from surgury, pray that the recovery is successful with no problems
- silverback_cp asks us to pray for his mother. She lost her brother, and still mours heavily. Pray that her grief relieves.
- p_bear needs to find a job, and fast. Pray for him.
-a friend asks for a prayer for his friend, who, is rather influenced by something rather, well, pray for him.

Also, announcements:

1. If I missed anyone I am sorry.
2. Remember, if you want your name on the member's list, you must SPECIFFICALLY say : "I would like my name on the member's list".
3. I am sorry if I missed anyone in that reguard too. X3

Also, sorry I did not do this eariler. Had a Spanish II exam to study for. So, good night!

Wow, lots of new members and stuff going on, hope I do not miss anything.

Requests:

- granddragoon asks us to pray for his uncle, who has diabetes and his uncle's left side of his heart is working at 20% pray for him. He also has a silent request.
- chip_freakhound asks us to pray for  apteryx. apteryx is very sick, pray for both of them.
- voodoopreadator asks us to pray for  animewolfchick she attemted suicide, pray for her.
- zombie asks us to pray for his decision, and may God watch over him.
- luna11 ios heading to Iraq, pray for his safty.

If I forgot one, I will add it to the next 411, and PM me.

-Dog of Heaven signing out.

Let us begin, and Happy 4th of July!

Requests-
-one of my oline friends asks us to pray for him.
- holydrake's mother is under alot of stress and suffers greatly, pray for her.
- tammytwilightrose asks us to pray for her cousin, who has cancer and needs help. Pray for her cousin.
- lavafox's parents have died....pray and support him.

All for now, all of these requests have been more serious. I ask all members to give them their full support and prayer.

Also, a poem written by one of our member's mates:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4095771

Thank you for reading and your prayers!
-Dog of Heaven signing out.

NOTE!

I have a spanish final coming up, will do the next newsletter and 411 and respond to all those new shouts.....after that final on Wendsday. X3 ttyl!


-Dog of Heaven signing out

Here we go:

- p_bear asks us to pray for him on his job hunt, which is putting a strain on himself. His younger sister is planning to go on a mission trip to South Africa and is still in need of $1650, its been difficult to rase the money, so prayers/donations would be greatly appreciated. Also, his friend's sister passed away from a car accident at the age of 17, pray for the family and friends.

-Pray for those facing the oil spill in the Gulf, that they may raise enough money to assist the wild life and clean up the mess.

- granddragoon prays that all of us become a light to others, irreguardless of our shortcommings.

- kaizi asks us to pray for his brothers who are on a school trip. May they use common sense and be responsible on there way.

-Dog of Heaven signing out.

Just a reminder to make sure we are watching you if you are watching us!

(Cause I think I forgot to click "watch" on three new members. X3)