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Showing posts from 2008

Fear of Truth and Hurt

Truth Vs. Dishonesty Men, we all struggle with denial—but why? Well, one reason is that truth is scary. It can frighten you into a “see no evil” lifestyle. For some of you life’s been very difficult. You’ve weathered many storms, and aren’t interested in further suffering. Denial may be the only  coping mechanism  you know. And you’d rather face the status quo than the discomfort of change. If I’m talking to you, I’ll grant that—in a sense—you’re right. Ending denial brings with it the threat of loss as well as pain. Reality is often costly. And accepting the consequences of truth may cause the loss of income, possessions, friends, or prestige. But know this: in the long run, denial has far worse consequences. It’ll inevitably sap your life—emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes even physically.   Another reason you sometimes avoid self-scrutiny is because you don’t want to stop what you know is wrong. You’ve confused avoidance with innocence. You tend to use busyness as a means of de...

In Prayers Need

It's amazing how much we need prayer. It's something we all take for Granted. We asume the people who need prayer must be those in grave danger or terrible circumstances. The last two days have proved me wrong. Very Wrong. We all need prayer, at all times. I think it brings to light Pauls words in Eph 6, Praying at all times with all kinds of prayers and requests. I have faced such tremendous testing in my own walk and belief in the strength of my own heart. I have wondered about the plan of God for my life and if it really is the good plan i've always wanted. Through it all, what i can say is; we need prayer. I need Prayer. Everyday. Every hour. While we yet are strong. While yet the testing is far and the trials unknown to us, Let us pray. The anguish of suffering and being tried will be much lighter, and We will feel His hand carry us through when we can't pray. So now that we can; Let Us Pray Pastor Wa

Touchy Issues (2)

Continuation of my last post on Touchy Issues in Marriage Who's More Interested? Often, the sticking point comes down to an uneven level of interest. Typically, one partner feels a much stronger need to talk about God to feel close spiritually, while the other is content simply to share activities like worshiping together or spending time with friends from church. Sometimes this difference is a reflection of overall communication patterns: The more-interested partner is more expressive about all areas of life. Other times the more-interested person is experiencing a spiritual "growth spurt" while the less-interested partner is on a plateau. But whatever the reason, this interest differential can lead to hide-and-seek patterns. One spouse actively pursues spiritually oriented conversations by bringing up first one subject and then another. If the other spouse "hides" by failing to show an interest, the more-interested mate can end up feeling a lot of r...

Touchy Issues

I stumbled upon this Peace here on touchy issues on the marriage front by Tim Sutherland. Isn't it amazing that the things that bring the greatest challenges in marriage also happen to be the touchiest when trying to deal with? anyway, enough of me, here's to all of you out there, for the ultimate life. How to make it easier to talk about spiritual things with your spouse All couples run into "touchy subjects"—topics that stir up frustration and lead to awkward silences. Sex and money top the list in many marriages. But chances are good that you and your spouse struggle with a third area: how to talk about spiritual things. Talking in-depth about spiritual issues can create significant anxiety. "Will I sound immature if I talk about my relationship with God? If I'm honest about what's going on in my life, will my spouse think I'm not spiritual enough?" Ever since sin came between the first married couple and God, fear, self-consciousness and emba...

Gone, Yet Speaking

I share a devotional i had about eighteen months ago when i lost a very dear friend of mine. His name was John, and His was a life worth imitating, and the challenges he left behind still speak to many that knew him. Heb 11:4 by faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts. And by it he, being dead, yet speaks. Thinking about John and hearing some of the great things that people who knew him had to say brought this scripture to my heart. The power and value that the things we do have and can continue to have even after we leave the scene is truly amazing. One of the great things about John was that he did all things well. There was a certain inner drive that was quite and yet resolute, to do and accomplish all the tasks he undertook with excellence. It can be said that He lived well, but most importantly, He did all that was before Him well. I must live my life wi...

Faith moved by Fear

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, having been warned by God of things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. I was reading through Heb 11 and something struck me. Noah, a man regarded as a hero of faith, was mentioned, not because of His mighty belief in God. No. Something else that we rarely see identified with faith was the cause. Noah...vs 7 "Was moved by fear". I found that interesting! Mostly fear paralyses us. Holds us back and keeps us in corner somewhere hoping the worst will not come to us. But Noahs response shows us a different reaction to fear. Allowing it to move you to obey God. You know we can choose to obey or disobey because of fear. I believe if we allow a higher fear. Th...

Living with Expectation

Was musing about this past Sunday. Expectation is the atmosphere for miracles. You see God will never let you down. What you expect is what He will let you have. Thats why he tells us to lift our expectations. Expectation will cause the supernatural to come into play. It will help us realize what can be achieved. It will make us kno our prayers will be answered. what a great provision God has made for us. Expect Great things today. God will do Great things today.