A thought to remember!

"The will of God will never take you, where the Grace of God will not protect you." --- Unknown

Getting Real with God

I think many people going through life, experience times when things seem somewhat disconnected. Just look around and you will see people close to you who have felt the pain of disconnected relationships and even shattered dreams. The fear of being hurt causes many people to withdraw and even build some walls to protect themselves. Yet those same walls can become a rigid fortress unless we allow God to dismantle the pain and heal our brokenness.

As we read the Scriptures we see that the Bible is essentially a book about relationships. In fact as we read we begin to see that God is intimately concerned and involved with people. God walked with Enoch. God met with Abraham. God encountered Isaac. God spoke with Moses. God counseled with Joshua. God enjoyed fellowship with David. Funny thing is these were imperfect people, yet God sought them out and together they fellowshipped. It was not through some rote memorization or systematic theory but God revealed Himself through the context of real relationships. He responds and communicates with individuals like you and me who have real needs, real concerns, real questions and real dreams. Yes God not only listens to us but He responds to us, if we only allow Him too. God chooses to meet you where you are, where you live, in your reality, and in your world. The question is we prepared to answer the door when He knocks? We need to ask ourselves how real are we with God?

Seeing through God’s Eyes!

Has your heart ever been broken by the pain and horror of the sinful actions of others? How did you feel when those actions seemingly go unpunished? We have a choice of how to respond to people and circumstances. However many times our emotions are triggered and through a spider web of experiences we find ourselves struggling to make decisions. Imagine how you would respond to the abusive spouse, the foul mouthed teenager, the disrespectful neighbor, the taunting gang member, the corrupt politician. Certainly each one can rub us the wrong way at times. We may even become angry with them, avoid them, or perhaps try to change them?

The truth is when we try to change people's behavior; we have lost the authority to proclaim God's love to them. Consider how God feels about the lost. It is His love they are scorning. He wants to bring them into a restored relationship with Himself and has invited us to be a part of the process. We must fully experience His forgiveness so that we can model His love. This love should compel us to reach out to others, having the heart of the Father and the mind of Christ!

Overcoming the Tempest!

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE. WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.

'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ' HE BEGAN.

'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.

THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES.

AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. 'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. ' !

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.'

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM, 'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.'

'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT?

BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE...

I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.

Mobilizing the Priesthood!

If the Church is to make an impact on our world then it must mobilize the priesthood of all believers. As leaders we must equip others with the resources they need to confidently share the Gospel without hesitation. When words are spoken with power but lack the tenderness of compassion they fail to express the genuine love of the Father. When balanced properly our words will plant seeds that reap a greater harvest than the sweat of our brow ever could.

The Lord Needs Men

The Lord Needs Men

Who cannot be bought;

Whose word is their bond;

Who put character above wealth;

Who possess character above wealth:

Who possess opinions and a will;

Who are larger than their vocations;

Who do not hesitate to take chances;

Who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;

Who will be honest in small things as in great things;

Who will make no compromise with wrong;

Whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;

Who will not say they do it "because everyone else does it;"

Who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity and as well as prosperity;

Who do not believe shrewdness, cunning, and hard headedness are their best qualities for winning success;

Who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth, even when it is unpopular;

Who can say "NO" with emphasis even though the rest of the world says "Yes".

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him...." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Seasons of Change

Sitting silently listening to the whispering wind and the subtle rustle of the leaves, I reflect on the times and how they are indeed changing. As we enter into the fall season and approach the all important day when we will select a new leader to become President of the United States. We hear the rumors and campaign promises that seem glorious but have little substance. The candidates have promised change in Washington, but they forget the maxim that change is inevitable!

The important thing to remember is what changes are important and necessary to restore faith in America. There are times when God's Spirit stirs us to seasons of intense prayer. The extent of our spiritual victories is directly proportionate to the intensity of our prayer and our ability to trust in God's faithfulness. God wants to see if we are content with the minimum or if we are willing to stretch our faith, so that we can receive life more abundantly. We must ask ourselves are we content with our institutional survival or are we willing to dare to thrive in a worldwide revival?

When a nation humbles itself

With the country in a significant crisis it is time for the church to once again call our nation and its leaders to repentance. It is very clear that failure to hold leaders accountable both in business and in government, only jeopardizes our nation's future legacy. Left to their own demise each man will do what is right in his own eyes, and leave a scar upon our nation's soul forever. However my dear friends I believe that the church is prepared to see a great revival.

When a nation is prepared to humble itself and turn to the Lord with all its heart, He is always willing to meet it with compassion. We must pray for our nation's leaders today and every day. Pray for them to have wisdom and discernment. Pray for them to have holy boldness and convictions that are true. Pray for their families to be protected and shielded from the negativity of those who oppose them. May they lead by a humble example and not by words that echo in the shadows of despair, for campaign promises are soon forgotten but words of truth and conviction will be a steady guide and allow our nation to once again anchor deep.

Financial Crisis calls for Faith not Fear!

With the recent meltdown on Wall Street, and the mortgage banking industry; is it any wonder why Americans are confused, disillusioned and upset! A $700 billion dollar rescue effort of congress using tax payer's monies to bail out the Kings of Wall Street and the Mortgage banks, while the average family cannot afford the cost of gasoline, utilities, healthcare, and in some cases groceries. Now I am not sure how everyone feels about the most recent attempt but it is time that true leaders rise to the need of our nation's cries. We cannot continue to be led by the corruptible individuals who hold distinguished positions of power and influence in our country. The CEO's of these major corporations and their executives made continuous decisions that were not in the best interest of others. They sought to reward themselves with huge bonuses, and lavish rewards while they continually ignored the warnings that trouble was coming. These individuals are not ignorant of the crisis that would arise if they continued down the same path; but their desire for personal wealth, position, and power led them to the crossroads of despair. Their selfish desires coupled with the lack of genuine accountability have put our nation in serious peril. Now they want you and me to come to the rescue of saving their empire.

While congress wrestles with the most recent economic crisis it is important to point out how we got here in the first place. Historically we must realize that it takes 8 to 10 years for the economy to catch up to the administration of the executive branch of our government. We are quick to yell and scream at the President for the bad times we are experiencing without realizing that He alone is not responsible for these issues. Congress is the one that passes the laws, and not the President. In fact if you have witnessed the President signing a bill into law, you may see one or two pieces of paper. However there are perhaps hundreds if not thousands of pieces of paper behind that new law with all their clauses and conditions, and hidden nuances that promote the interest of special interest groups. These clauses are written and couched behind a bunch of other words that appear on the surface to be genuine and real, but whose real meaning is cleverly disguised. Legislators love to hear themselves talk, that is reason a majority of the members of Congress are made up of attorney's. A profession whose job entails a lot of talking, who invoke special privileges and defend the guilty, even when they know they are guilty. These special privileges have a cost, which this nation can no longer afford.

We cannot continually defend the guilty at the expense of the innocent. We must hold the offenders responsible for their actions and they must pay the consequences for their actions. In my initial reactions I wanted to see every member of the executive leadership of these companies fired, stripped of their pensions, and their "separation bonus" which are millions of dollars by the way and used as part of this "bail out". In fact these executives ought to have their assets and houses foreclosed and seized by the federal government. Perhaps then we will see what poetic justice is really served.

However, as a Christian I must say that all people including Wall Street executives or even those members serving in our government are subject to making mistakes. We need to rely on faith during this crisis and allow God to demonstrate his great power. We need to pray for our nation's leaders and those would be leaders. We need to ask God to raise up Godly men and women and promote them to the key leadership roles within private industry and in Washington. We need to pray for our leaders every day. We need to pray for the teachers who influence and shape the young minds of our future leaders tomorrow. We need to pray for the mother and fathers to set Godly examples for their children. We need to pray for those courageous men and women who serve in our nation's armed forces and their families who make many sacrifices so you and I can enjoy the benefits of living in the greatest nation in the world. We need to pray for ourselves and ask God to create in us a clean heart, and that He will renew our minds daily. We need His grace to stand strong under pressure. I will leave you with the Scripture that God has placed on my heart it comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 " if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."

Election 2008

Michael J. Fox in the movie 'The American President' confronts the Presidential character played by Michael Douglas about leadership.

Lewis: "You have a deeper love of this country than any man I've ever known. And I want to know what it says to you that in the past seven weeks, 59% of Americans have begun to question your patriotism."

The President: "Look, if the people want to listen to-..."

Lewis: "They don't have a choice! Bob Rumson is the only one doing the talking! People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand."

The President: "Lewis, we've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference."

In this incredible election year we must be people who are very careful in making decisions about who will govern our nation and chart its course for the future. We cannot afford to listen to the rhetoric spewed from the lips of the would be candidates who make elaborate promises, or who change their position on critical issues overnight. These would be leaders seek to promote their agenda and careers at the expense of the American people.

Is it not ironic that millions of dollars are raised and spent on advertising that seek to promote an agenda aimed at helping America but whose truth is promoting party politics rather than what's right for America?

Being President is entirely about character. Serious problems call for serious people to solve them. I cannot tell anyone how to vote but I can say that we must look very carefully at the candidates and examine their character. Would you have your leaders negotiating at the table of the enemy? Could you honestly follow a leader who flippantly changes his mind based upon who he's speaking to at the moment? It is not my responsibility to judge anyone, but what I must do as a citizen of this great nation is to share the truth of what Scripture says about the character of a leader.

Scriptures states that a "double minded man is unstable in all his ways." We have a responsibility to guard ourselves from the rhetoric spoken to those with itchy ears; and seek out the true character of the individual speaking.

So I challenge you to look at the records of the candidates. Not just from the liberal media who report only what they want you to hear or what makes a good story…but do the research and look at the Congressional Record of the United States. Here you can research how the candidates actually voted on the critical issues that concern you today.

With much respect to the rights of everyone to have their own opinion, we are at a critical crossroads in our nation's history. We must wisely choose Godly leaders in order to secure our nation's heritage and the religious freedom that we so cherish. Failure to do so will have a catastrophic effect upon future generations and will usher in a full blown assault upon Christian values resulting in religious persecution in America.

Dreams

You have dreams of what you want to accomplish in life. And you also have dreams every night that vanish when you rise in the morning. The cold reality is that those two types of dreams are more similar than you think — because most of the hopes and dreams that we live for rarely happen. They disappear just as our nightly dreams do, although a few dreams have a great chance to become reality. Those are the ones that have deadlines, a plan, a purpose, and a passion.

Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am a member of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.” I have Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

My past is redeemed, my present makes exciting and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, chintzy giving, dwarfed goals, and cheap grace.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I do not have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised regarded or rewarded. I now live in Him, lean on Him, love through Him, and labor with Him. I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions dear, my Guide reliable, my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I will not give up, back up, let up, or shut down until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. For when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, for my colors will be clear. I am a member of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.

I first heard this some years ago from a good friend and fellow minister of the Gospel; I thought it very powerful and inspiring, and have chosen to include it here. While we do not know the true author, there are many variations I have heard and some have given credit to men they admire. However I say to the person who wrote this a great thank you for challenging us all to live a more disciplined and passionate life in pursuit of the Savior!

I am not ashamed of the Gospel… Romans 1:16

Principles for Guidance

As in all relationships you must get to know someone. Usually the first step in doing so is acknowledging them; therefore we need to acknowledge God. However to acknowledge someone is really not knowing them, therefore you must spend time with God, and allow ourselves to begin to understand His character. This involves a time of intimacy, of knowing and being known. Without a personal relationship you may observe only from a distance, and it can be difficult indeed to hear the small still voice of God. So draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Come to Him just as you are and observe His open arms waiting for you. It’s ok if you don’t have it all together. David didn’t, I surely didn’t and quite honestly I don’t think anyone other than Jesus ever will have it all together. So relax! God is willing to meet you more than half way. All you have to do is take the first step.

Submitting ourselves on the other hand takes time; you see we are dealing with the inner man who is selfish, and often very prideful. He shouts from deep within, proclaiming I don’t need anyone, I am in control, and I can take care of it myself. Sometimes this inner voice screams so loudly that is almost impossible to hear the small still voice of God. Deep inside of every human heart, rests a spirit as deep calls for deep, crying out to God. No matter how much success, how much power, how much control we seemly have we are just one step away from the slippery slope. To acknowledge God and ask for His help is not a sign of weakness but of great strength and character.

Submitting to God involves a process of change and growth over time, in order to reach our full potential. So let’s look at some of the steps in the process of following God’s guiding influence, so we can discover His will and purpose for our lives. First we need be obedient to what God has asked us to do. You might be thinking I don’t know what He has asked me to do. Well there is good news, God already thought that you might ask a question or two so has provided us with some key answers found in His love letter to us, the Bible. Yes it can be kind of intimidating at first, as we struggle with some of the unusual names, places and people. However you don’t need to get overwhelmed by these issues. I strongly encourage you to start your study of the Bible in the New Testament. My personal favorite starting point is the Gospel of John, as he vividly gives us word pictures of Jesus and how He interacts with people just like you and me. You will soon discover a loving, compassionate and caring friend.

As you read and study the Scriptures and then begin to follow the teachings and principles of God you will begin to see changes in your life taking place. Not only will you see these changes but others will see them as well. You will begin a spiritual journey that is uniquely your own. Granted, you may walk a similar pathway like others before you but your individual relationship with God is precious and unique. As you study His Word and begin to mediate on His ways, the path of communication will be more open. It will become easier for you to acknowledge His ways, and develop an understanding of the things around and within you. By humbling ourselves and learning to cling to His promises things will begin taking shape around you. Exciting things will begin to happen, and joy will fill your heart.

Yet be on guard my friend because someone will come to steal your joy and your peace. The devil will try and do anything He can to disrupt, and destroy your new relationship with God. He will use people, even people who are close to you; in an attempt to lure you away from the Lord. Old friends may accuse you of not having time for them, old habits will attempt to resurface and all this for one reason: Satan does not want you to have a relationship with God. However if you will acknowledge God, humble yourselves, cling to His promises and pray without ceasing that devil is not going to have a chance! For greater is He who is in you than he is in this world.

If God is for us then who can be against us? To have a fellowship with God is to be able to listen to Him, to relax and be still. Having such confidence knowing that if we ask he will answer, if we seek we shall indeed find and if we knock He will indeed answer.

The God who Guides – Psalm 25

God is intimately concerned with our well being and our entire lives because He loves us. This should provide us confidence that we can willingly hand over control of our lives to Him. God is always trustworthy and His love is unconditional. Guidance is simply a by product of that love relationship.

Sometimes life can leave us feeling confused, lost or faced with so many options we’re not sure which way to turn. I’m sure you can name one or two occasions when you weren’t sure what to do next. At times you may even question your relationships with those who love you most, including God. You might even wonder if you’re able to receive God’s guidance. After all, God only speaks to those religious people who pray all day and don’t have a clue to what life is all about, right? I mean they spend all their time reading the Bible and going to church and all that stuff; they’re just out of touch with reality.

But as we read the Bible we see a different story. God often speaks to people who have found themselves in a really big mess. I mean look at King David…this guy had some real issues. How could God love a person who has done so many bad things? He was an adulterer who carried on a relationship with Bathsheba and even conspired to commit murder against her husband, a loyal servant. Yes this David, the sinner. How can God love such a person? For that matter how could God love me after what I have done? How could I expect God to guide and direct me through the crooked paths of this life?

Could it be that this same God of the Bible who was willing to be there for David, the sinner, would be there for me too? I can confidently say, yes! Could He do the same for you? Yes! He can and He will! Therefore is there a way we can learn the ways of the wise? Again the answer is yes!

In my own walk of faith I’ve noticed some principles regarding Gods guidance. First and foremost we must begin to acknowledge God for who He is, and secondly we must submit ourselves to His counsel. In other words, true guidance hinges on a relationship.

If your interested in finding out more about a relationship with Christ, please email me at Terry@wonheartonline.com.

The Search - Part II

If you are like me you may choose to impact and shape the changes of things to come. Our ability to achieve this goal is determined by three elements; the intensity of our desire, our ability, and our courage to change.

The intensity of our desire for change is the longing for something to be different. Some people use this as a simple way out of their responsibilities in life. In a somewhat frightening way they abandon their normal responsibilities and even their lifestyle and make somewhat radical choices that may have devastating consequences. Yet the same intensity when utilized in a proper way can lead the ordinary human being to stand up and make significant impact on the world around them. History is full of individuals who rightly chose to make a difference in this world. Ordinary people like you and me, who desired to see something different and made a commitment to change. A desire for change is a noble thing when that change is grounded on solid biblical principles of truth. However, if that desire diverges from the Truth found in God's Word then we enter onto a slippery slope indeed. Therefore the intensity of our desire must be tempered by the reality of Truth.

The second element of change is our ability to change. Is it our commitment or is it our ability? This is perhaps a highly debated question in many circles, is it the drug addicted individual’s lack of commitment of, or the inability on behalf of the individual. Perhaps it is both, yet many people falsely accuse an individual for their lack of commitment, when in reality it may be beyond their ability at some point. Thus until an individual has went through a period of detoxification, their ability to make a change is severely impaired. Likewise there are people who may struggle with financial matters. Perhaps they lack a clear understanding of the principles of finances (ability) or they may be over indulgent in certain areas of their lives (commitment). In either case until a person's ability (capacity) to change has been recognized their ability (commitment) to make a lasting change never will be strong enough. Will power alone is not enough. We must equip, train, and empower people to make lasting change by recognizing and strengthen their ability to change.

Change is scary. It is the fear of the unknown that causes many of us to resist change. Yet the changes still come. Why is it that we fear so much? I can not begin to tell you all the reasons that are given for this condition. However I do know from my experiences that fear is a learned defense mechanism. It can severely limit our ability to make transitions easily or it can serve to protect us from the uncertain consequences. What prohibits most of us from jumping off a ten story building is our fear; perhaps of heights, or fear of falling, yet the reality of hitting the pavement is what really settles the matter. Lasting change requires courage to stand in the face of adversity, the courage to be strong when others abandon you, the courage to risk failure.


The road to success is paved with the mortar of failures and washed by the tears of heartbreak. To achieve greatly is to have sacrificed greatly. Be strong and courageous! Be strong and very courageous!Let the greatness within shine forth and you will become the catalyst for lasting and significant change. Light your world with the fire of desire, release yourself to discover new abilities within you, and take courage in the face adversity. You are a difference maker!

The Search - Part I

Many of us at some point in our lives face changes; whether that is with our jobs, our finances, our bodies or just in general about the things that are happening in our society. We may be longing for a change; but what changes should be made? How will these changes affect me? Will these changes be for good or will they make things unbearable?

The fact is that change is inevitable; it is a process that no matter who we are or what we do, changes will affect our lives. It is how we respond to these challenges that determine how the outcome is perceived. Some changes are positive and we can adapt to them fairly easily, others are hard to make and are faced with great resistance. Yet the fact remains that change is inevitable.

In the technological age it seems that these changes occur more often, and we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed with the instability that comes from constant change. Our bodies become worn down; our minds are constantly assaulted with the idea of the new and improved product slogans and advertisements; aimed at making us become discontent with what we already have. Is it any wonder that we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, tired, exhausted, and unhappy? If not held in check these feelings can lead us to a state of frustration; causing confusion, disillusionment, and feeling somewhat inadequate.

However there has been a constant in my life that has always allowed me to embrace changes, it is foundational principles of my faith. Though life itself is full of challenges, I can attest that God’s love is unfailing. He has seen me through some of the most difficult times in my life. He has helped me overcome obstacles that would crush the human spirit, and He has given me hope.

So now when changes come, sure I may resist them; but I have hope for I know where my help comes from. In this election year it seems some candidates want to hold to their faith, while embracing changes that are contradictory to beliefs they say they hold too. The Bible says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, therefore if one abandons his fundamental beliefs, especially when it contradicts the revealed will of God, then this is an issue which we can not close our eyes too. We must speak out and speak boldly the truth so that the subtle deceptions disguised as changes will not take us and future generations captive. I am not speaking to support either candidate in this forum, yet when I hear their concepts of changes and what they will do, it does cause me to reexamine their stance and raises some concern to which I would entrust the leadership of this nation too. Our choices inevitably will bring about changes.

Welcome

Welcome to thoughts of a ragamuffin; written for all us who have ever felt the pain of a broken heart, a shattered promise; or felt the inner struggle to balance our Christian faith and the daily demands of a post modern world.

May our journey together be filled with great joy as we unlock the mystery of God, namely that of knowing His Son Jesus.

My own journey has not been easy, it has been filled with potholes, detours, flat tires and out right failures. However through it all I have come to understand and know the unconditional love of my Heavenly Father and His amazing grace. I have learned to walk by faith, even though there are times, I have found myself leaning on the crutches of self reliance only to end up facing a wall of despair.

My friends this journey is not for the spiritual elite, but for those who long to embrace the love of God, who are being touched daily by His amazing grace. So if you are ready to climb to the next level, you must be willing to lay down your crutches. Stretch your faith and trust God and love Him with all your heart, body, mind and soul.

Live the adventure and watch your life change!