forgiveness

Is there anyone you need to seek forgiveness from? Acknowledging our sin is the first step. Humbling ourselves and taking actions to restore is the next step.

pastors

http://theresurgence.com/mdblog_2006-05-24_death_by_ministry

singles bible study

last night we studied gen 24. everyone read 5 verses & at the end we had to say what it meant to us, which was our favourite verse and what we thought was the key message.

verses 12 - 14, specifically 'then he prayed... let her be the one YOU have chosen...' were key for me. my translation - seek God first and let His will be done.

almost everyone thought 7 & 67 were the key verses. i wonder about it - why my key was so different than everyone else's and most of them agreed with each other.

i have made so many wrong choices in my life. now i would pray 'God if You do have someone for me - let him be the one YOU have chosen' and if there is no one then i thank God for my singleness.

yup i'm bored

i made a rude noise about a nerd once on the first day of grade 10 math and got kicked out for the entire year.

now i wish i was one.

job interview

maybe the reason i stayed at the same job for so many years was that i was terrified of having to go through the job interview process.

last week i had a medical procedure done and i was so unbelievably calm and peaceful. the doctor told me all the things that could go wrong and i told him that i trusted in God. i wasn't afraid even though i had just told the doctor i was terrified of needles. there was no freezing and i could feel all the probing but i thought of my eyes, how they were gently closed and not clenched together. i thought of my heart, how it just kept beating, ever so softly and quietly. there was no panic, no fear and unbelievably no pain. it was so totally a God thing.

i applied for another job and yesterday i got an email saying they would contact me to schedule an interview - and the panic set in. i liked my old job and i was good at it. i used to have confidence in my abilities. i don't any more. now there's just fear. fear of the job interview and fear that i wouldn't be able to do the job if i got it.

then i saw this on a devotional this morning. ...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

i know that. and i trust in that. and i'm thankful that God always sends me little reminders just when i need to hear them. He is so amazing.

great expectations!!

great effort. great results.

the bible says we don't have because we don't ask. what if we ask and we don't have. God says yes, no or wait.

but what if when we ask we don't really believe. if we believe God is great then we should have great expectations. if we don't have great expectations are we then believing that God is not really all that great. how small do you think God is? no great expectations. or how awesome and mighty and great do you think God is? then have great expectations. throughout history people have worshiped little gods, man made gods, that were worthless, useless, incapable of anything. but we serve an amazing, awesome, powerful, glorious God. He is capable of anything and everything.

Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

nothing is impossible for God.

i love you so much i would die for you.

how many people would say or do that for you - how many people would you do that for.

After Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, He appeared to the disciples. His first words to them were, "Peace be with you!" The word grace means "unmerited favor." When someone loves you unconditionally, without regard to your behavior in return, it becomes a powerful force in your life. Such was the case for the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. They could have expected reprimand. Instead, they received unconditional love and acceptance. He was overjoyed to see them. They were equally overjoyed to see Him.

Jesus understood that the disciples needed to fail Him as part of their training. It would be this failure that became their greatest motivation for service. Failure allowed them to experience incredible grace for the very first time. Grace would transform them as human beings.

Have you experienced this grace in your life? Have you extended grace to those who have hurt you? Can you let go of any wrongs that have come through friends or associates? The grace you extend may change their lives-and yours.

Dear Ethne06 Prayer Friends:

This just in from outreach team in Mongolia:

“We have just returned from the countryside. We had tremendous time of outreach ... amazing stories to tell once we are home. Dad [God] did awesome works. One hundred fifty seven joined the family [became believers] and fourteen received healing. Fish are jumping in the boat!”

This has been Ethnê Harvest-Linked Prayer Strategy initiative’s month of prayer for the least-reached peoples of Northeast Asia, which includes Mongolia!! How exciting to hear God is hearing and responding!!

Blessings,

Rev. Liz Adleta
Executive Director

how awesome!!! if you are joining in this prayer initiative - thanks. if you are not - why not? you don't have to be a prayer warrior or intercessor. i'm not. this is just something God has put on my heart. and the power of prayer is an awesome thing. just think of what we could accomplish if we all prayed. God is so amazing - He answers the cries of the faithful.

the list goes on and on

God, I want to take time to remember all the things You have done for me through the years. Oh, there are so many things. You have carried me through dark valleys of the shadow of death. You have rejoiced with me on the mountaintops. You have held my hand and helped me take a leap into unknown waters. You have applied healing balm to my hurts and warm sunshine on my soul. You have given me precious friends who have stood the test of time...and more. You have given me a loving family to grow with and be with. You have increased my territory spiritually and physically. You have picked me up when I have stumbled and nearly hit the ground. You have provided for me when I did not know where my provisions would come from. You have surrounded me with prayers and support of the family of God in time of need. You have shown me miracles and blessed my soul. You have given me desires of my heart--desires that were in line with Your will and Word. You have given me the privilege of helping advance Your kingdom through the gifts, talents, and resources You have entrusted to me. You have always patiently been there for me. You have felt my cries, laughed at my silliness, and gently guided me back onto the right paths. You have loved me with an everlasting love. I could go on and on. God I am thankful for You and all You've done and all You will do in my life. I love You and appreciate You and want to shout "how great is my God!" With loving thanks, in Jesus' name, amen. (tgif)

i give thanks when i think of all God has done in my life and like this prayer - i could go on and on.

it's not when i 'nearly hit the ground' - i fell head first and hit the ground hard and He was there to pick me up.

perspectives

2000 years before Christ, God gave abraham the promise that in his seed, all nations of the world would be blessed. 2000 years ago Jesus came to the earth to die for the world. now here we are 2000 years later. is there a connection between abraham's promise, the Messiah's coming and what is happening in our world today? this exciting 14 week course will present the biblical, historical, cultural and strategic aspects of fulfilling the great commission. it begins september 13th in chilliwack. you can check it out on-line at:

http://www3.telus.net/cwmbc/ - the local website

http://www.perspectivescanada.org/default.aspx - the home page for perspectives canada

if anyone is interested in going please let me know. maybe we could share the driving.

forgiven

www.forgivenessmovie.com

bigchurch.com - on-line personals

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workplace ministry

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. - Colossians 3:23-24

it seems almost every devotional i've read lately refers to our work being our ministry. i wonder why that is.

i know in the two month job i just finished i frequently had to remind myself of this scripture. at times it was very frustrating and it was at these times that i told myself to work at it with all my heart as if i was working for Jesus. my circumstances didn't change but my attitude did.

if you are dissatisfied in your job you have two options; you can quit, this is most likely not a practical solution, or you can choose to work at it with all your heart as if you are working for Jesus. since everything you have is ultimately from God anyway you really are working for Him. and if you treat your job like God is your boss think of the possibilities. if you thought you were working for God every day wouldn't your attitude change.

if you think you can't do it try it. you'll be pleasantly surprised.

and that's just you. you may not be able to change anyone but if your attitude changes others may change how they respond to you.

reminds me of a camp song, this little light of mine, i'm gonna let it shine...

if you see Jesus in your work, others may see Jesus in you. and isn't that the whole point.

The Causes of Failure

Whenever we act without God's complete blessing on our activity, we can expect God to thwart our plans.

TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it. - Joshua 7:13b

The first battle for the people of Israel traveling from Egypt was at Jericho, once they crossed the Jordan River. God had given them a great victory at Jericho, and Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After they spied out the enemy camp, they determined they needed only a few thousand men to gain victory. They went up against Ai only to fail miserably. They lost 32 men in a battle that should have been an easy victory, but instead they were forced to retreat. Joshua was devastated. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?" (Josh. 7:7a)

In this case, the people fell short because they failed to uphold the standard God had set for them. God had told them not to take any plunder from their first battle. However, Achan hid some forbidden treasures, and God was now judging the entire nation for one man's sin.

Whenever we act without God's complete blessing on our activity, we can expect God to thwart our plans. God's word to Joshua was that he could not stand against his enemies as long as there was disobedience among his troops.

Whenever we launch a business endeavor, we should make sure there are no unclean things in our dealings that would allow us to be vulnerable to a failed effort: unpaid vendors, disgruntled employees who were not treated fairly, lawsuits, dishonesty. Many of these things can hinder God from blessing our enterprises. These things can remove the shield of protection from our workplace, which God wants to bless, but cannot because He is committed to upholding righteousness. His name is blemished when unrighteousness is allowed to permeate our lives.

Is the Lord able to bless your enterprises today? If not, you may need to go back and clean up a few things before He can do so. Take whatever steps are needed to ensure the blessing of God today.

just every day life in general - if we are living in disobedience to God how can we expect His blessing.

wasps

a couple of weeks ago i was stung by a wasp as i grabbed the arm of my lounger. it stung, i was ticked so i killed it. a couple of them had come out from under the arm and i wondered if they were nesting in the shade of the chaise lounge. 2 days ago i laid in the sun for awhile and the whole time there were wasps buzzing around me and landing on me.

i wondered if they had built a nest under the lounger and when i turned it over discovered that they had. not being afraid of wasps i wondered what i should do and decided to check the internet to see what they eat.

turns out they eat spiders, ants and bees among other things. well since i have had to pollinate my zucchinis by hand because there were no bees around to do the job i considered that if i destroyed the nest the bees would come back to do the job.

but then i considered how i am terrified of spiders and what the consequence would be if i destroyed the nest. guess what - the nest stays.

God's purpose or mine

when i have told some people about how costa rica feels like home and my heart is still there they say i should just go and continue doing what i was doing when i was there.

knowing God gives meaning to life, and obeying God gives purpose to life. (odb)

God said "but only for 1 year" when i went to costa rica. i stayed longer. when i was staying longer than the 12 months i was not being obedient to God. i was not serving His purpose. i was not living for Him, i was living for myself. completely disobedient to what He had specifically told me.

there are other mission trips i want to go on but don't feel that God is calling me anywhere right now. if i went on a mission trip when i was not called by God would it be fruitful or would my plans be thwarted?

God blesses our obedience. why would anyone presume that He would bless our disobedience.

as christians we are not here for our own purpose at all - we are here for the purpose of God, and the two are not the same. we do not know what God's compelling purpose is, but whatever happens, we must maintain our relationship with Him. we must never allow anything to damage our relationshp with God, but if something does damage it, we must take the time to make it right again.

God's purpose is never the same as man's purpose. (mufhh)

thank God that Jesus Christ was not disobedient or where in hell would we all be.

cry out to Jesus

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

by third day

for whatever you need - cry out to Jesus

got an email from a friend today who had told me a few months ago that they wanted to commit suicide. it was telling me they had come from one of the lowest points in their life and now know more joy today. that's what happens when you cry out to Jesus. what an awesome answer to prayer.

prayer does work - you just have to... cry out to Jesus.

what an awesome God. thank You Lord.

are there any futbol fans out there?

real madrid is coming to seattle next wednesday. i would love to go to the game but don't want to go by myself. the cheap seats are $30, providing there are any left, plus $ for gas and dinner. the game starts at 8 pm. without having to drive in rush hour traffic it would probably be beter to go in the afternoon and you probably wouldn't get home til 1 am.

if you're interested please let me know asap in order to get tickets.

surrender - at any cost

The Door of Full Surrender
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. - Job 23:10

I was recently sitting with the leader of a workplace organization as he described a question he poses to workplace believers. "What if there were two doors to choose from; behind one door was the complete will of God for your life and behind the other door was how life could be according to your own preference. Which door would you choose?" The struggle for most lies in the desire to follow God completely and the fear of what might be behind the door of full surrender. Most of us desire to follow God, but few of us will do it at any cost. We do not really believe that God loves us to the degree that we are willing to give Him complete permission to do as He wills in us.

If we desire to fully walk with Christ, there is a cost. We may give intellectual assent and go along with His principles and do fine; however, if we are fully given over to Him and His will for our life, it will be a life that will have adversity. The Bible is clear that humans do not achieve greatness without having their sinful will broken. This process is designed to create a nature change in each of us, not just a habit change. The Bible calls it circumcision. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal.

If God has plans to greatly use you in the lives of others, you can expect your trials to be even greater than those of others. Why? Because, like Joseph who went through greater trials than most patriarchs, your calling may have such responsibility that God cannot afford to entrust it to you without ensuring your complete faithfulness to the call. He has much invested in you on behalf of others. He may want to speak through your life to a greater degree than through another. The events of your life would become the frame for the message He wants to speak through you.

Do not fear the path that God may lead you on. Embrace it. For God may bring you down a path in your life to ensure the reward of your inheritance. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Cor. 4:17)