My heart is just broken.

Shortly after my teenage son goes out to ride his bike, I hear somebody banging at my front door.  I open it up and there stands my son, tears streaming down his face and he is holding what appeared to be Church from "Pet Semetary".  This poor cats eye are froze shut, he literally had iciles forming on his wiskers. 

Of course I asked him where did he find him, and what he told me was just appalling.  He said our neighbor who lives a couple of houses down saw him crawl off to the side of the road and he has been there for two days. He says "Mom please help it!"

I understand that there are cat people, dog people, bird people and even people that don't care for animals at all. But if you are any kind of mother with that nuturing instinct, or just plain curiousty, how could you not walk across the street and take a look.  If she saw it and knew it was alive why didn't she do something?  Are people really that cold hearted? 

I'm glad God gave my son feelings!

So Let's all pull together and keep our pets warm and safe this winter!!

Haven't had a good Virgin Mary or Jesus vision in a few weeks....until today- from FaceBakersfield comes this story:KBAK reports that one family believes they have been blessed with a miracle. Elvia Alvarez said to the TV station she was blending salsa in her kitchen when some splattered on the wall. Alvarez said the stain dripped into the image of the Virgin Mary. Since the stain, Alvarez claims there’s often a strong smell of roses in her home, though there aren’t any fresh roses close to her home. She believes the splatter is a message from God!

Good morning my friends.

I write this to ask for your help. I have been having some wicked nightmares for a while now. A good nights sleep has eluded me for 5 years now. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and have received ongoing counseling. Yes, it has helped somewhat.

It comes from injuries I received in 1991. I relive that day almost every night. I ask of you to pray for me. I am not worthy of such consideration, but I humbly ask of you to do so. Not looking for pity, just a good nights sleep for a change.

Thank you for listening, May God bless you and yours.

An awful lot of sinful people who claim to be Christians believe they are going to live a happy eternity with God because Jesus saved them from their sins, yet they also believe that other sinners will suffer painfully in Hell for all eternity.

Those many “Christians” believe that because the other people choose to remain in sin God will punish them by causing them to suffer for all time.  Yet those very same people are themselves choosing to remain in sin.  “Oh, but Jesus saved us”, they’ll claim “but the others will live for all eternity suffering in hell”.  They seem to believe that the sins of others are deserving of eternal suffering but their own sins will be rewarded with eternal bliss, even though the bible specifically states that the penalty for sin is death.  Talk about blind delusions of grandeur.  Some even believe that if a person has not heard of Jesus, or been baptized according to their own church’s exact concept of baptism, then the person will also be made to suffer in Hell for all eternity.  Those people haven’t a clue about God or Jesus, but are simply repeating the lies other sinful men have created for their own personal control over the uneducated.

Those people choose to take passages from the bible and twist them out of context to the whole bible to pretend the bible supports their foolishness.  They also choose to ignore the passages in the bible that prove their claims, or their lifestyle choices, are wrong.  Some even think that just finding specific repeated words in different parts of the bible proves their interpretation of those words, even though they deliberately leave out the rest of the passages that those words are contained in that give proof that they are using the words out of context.  Satan loves the foolish, arrogant, delusional, deceivers, lazy parrots, and control seekers who serve his purposes to deceive people about The True God and Jesus.

Those “Christians” choose to engage in every pagan ritual that everyone else is engaging in but claim they are somehow different from “those pagans”.  They also chase after all the material wealth everyone else is chasing, but pretend they are superior and will be rewarded for their actions while the others will suffer forever for those same actions.  If they give to charities they think that proves they are Christians, but others do the same thing.  If they show care and concern for others they believe that proves they are Christians, but others do the same.  Ah, the many blind and foolish as told about in the bible.

Those people choose to not study about God and Jesus but to instead just blindly follow the wide and easy path others are following.  Jesus told us to test our teachers, but they choose not to.   God warns us that he is a jealous God and for us to have no idols, yet they choose to have many.  Jesus warned us to stay away from pagan rituals but they choose to engage in all the pagan rituals, and they believe that just because their church simply changed the names of a couple of the pagan holidays hundreds of years ago they can now claim they are Christians honoring Jesus when they partake of the pagan rituals.

The false Christians choose to ignore the truths because they enjoy the social club they belong to where they can get together with like-minded people and pretend their superiority over others.  Being a Christian requires work and sacrifice; others who choose to remain ignorant are not Christians at all, as they’ll always eventually prove beyond doubt with their foolish babbling pretense of superiority over others while they engage in all the same activities.

This holiday season has surfaced many of organizations with good intentions of helping those who are without. Problem is many many have taken advantage of these "soup kitchens" , "bread lines", and "food Pantries"..Simply because its free.

  A local paper has interviewed people who chose to camp out outside the stores on Thursday night. Waiting to get those big purchases on BLACK FRIDAY.  They were amazed at how many people admitted to taking advantage of the charities on Wed. and Thursday, to get a free meal.  Not because they were in need, but rather, they simply saw opportunity to get something for nothing. Some even laughed that they would rather have a full belly and spend their money at Best buy than at Schnucks.

Where has the pride of Americans gone? Is there no more humbling feeling than to have to accept CHARITY  to feed your family?  Apparently not anymore.

Where has the idea of being honest with yourself, your fellow man, and the Lord, gone?

Why have the Charities chose not to protect those in need from the Charity Vultures?

If they expect people to give to the "needy"   then they, Charities, automatically assume the responsiblity of making sure this DONATED food truely is delivered into the hands of the needy. SO... more can be better served.

Not to those who want their Holiday dinner and eat it too. 

When you ask anybody if they think they will go to heaven when they die, almost everyone says they will. You will more than likely hear an explanation like this:

"Yes, I'm a pretty good person."

"I go to church."

"I've been baptized."

"I've never murdered anybody."

"I believe in god"

"I was saved when I was a kid."

"I've recieved Jesus into my heart."

"I've prayed the sinners prayer."

....But, the Bible never said that is how you are truly saved.

Have you ever lied?

Have you ever stolen anything? - even if it's something small or a long time ago.

Have you ever been drunk?

Have you ever had sex outside of marriage?

Have you ever taken the Lord's name in vain?

Have you ever looked at anyone with lust?

Have you ever hated someone?

If you can answer "Yes" to any of these, God sees you as a Liar, a Theif, a Drunkard, a Fornicator, a Blasphemer,  an Adulterer (Jesus said if you look with lust, you commit adultery in your heart), or a Murderer (Jesus said if you hate your brother, you are a murderer at heart).

On Judgement Day, that's exactly what God will see you as and the Bible  (1 Cor 6:9-10 & Rev. 21:8)  warns us that none of these people will be able to enter into heaven.

God is a just and perfect judge and cannot let any sin enter into heaven, the sins that we have committed wil require a penalty to be paid. But, thanks be unto God - Jesus Christ took upon Himself the penalty for sin that must be paid. Either we can pay that debt for our sins by spending an eternity in hell or we can trust the finished work of Jesus Christ for the payment of our sins for us.  One or the other, that's it.

How do I do that?

Believe and have Faith in what Jesus did on your behalf (John 3:16). Believe not only means to have knowledge of something, but to commit one's life unto.  Faith is not a blind leap in the dark, but full trust in the finished work of Christ. Commit your full trust in what Jesus did, not anything that you did...Baptism, good works, communion, confession, church attendance or anything else. 

Repent of your sinful lifestyle. There is no salvation without repentance. You must acknowledge that you have sinned against a Holy God and do deserve to go to hell. Turn away from what you know is sinful and turn to Jesus Christ. 

Once someone is truly saved they will want to serve God. Jesus said that you will know them by their fruits. If someone is truly saved, you will know it, God will place His Spirit within you, giving you a new desire for the things of God.

Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

"...I went out there....in search of experience...to taste and touch and to feel as much...as a man can... before he repents... I went out searching... looking for one good man... a spirit who would not bend or break who would sit at his father's right hand...

I went out walking with a bible and a gun...

the word of God lay heavy on my heart I was sure I was the one... now Jesus don't you wait up. Jesus I'll be home soon. Ya I went out for the papers, told her I'd be back by noon. Ya I left with nothing but the thought you'd be there too...looking for you. Ya... I left with nothing, nothing but the thought of you... I went wandering. "

This is one of my favorite songs by the one-and-the-only, man-in-black, Mr. Johnny Cash on lead vocals, and Bono and U2 backing him up.

I don't know about you but "I went out walking with a bible and a gun" is a dream I've had more than once, these days more than ever.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD MY GIRL, SHE SAVED ME FROM MYSELF WHILE I WAS ALONE, HURT AND IN A DANGEROUS PLACE!!!!!!! I MET MISSY ON MYSPACE, WHILE I WAS IN IRAQ. I WAS GOING OUT ON PLACEMENT MISSIONS 2 TIMES A DAY AND DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF I WAS GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE. I CLICKED ON THE BROWSE BUTTON AND SCANNED FOR SOME WOMAN TO TALK TO. THERE SHE WAS, THOUGH I DIDN'T THINK SHE WOULD WRITE BACK SHE DID.

WE TALKED FOR 5 MONTHS UNTIL I COME HOME, SO WE TALKED ANOTHER MONTH, I COME HOME TO HIGH RIDGE ON LEAVE AND I MET HER, AND IT'S BEEN LIKE WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR EVER, I GUESS FOR THE TIME WE TALKED AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AND NOT IN A BAR OR SOMETHING....

SHE'S HELPED ME IN A FEW WAYS, FOR INSTANCE I AM GOING TO THE FAITH CHURCH WITH PASTOR DAVE NOW, WHICH IS AWSOME AND SUGGEST PEOPLE GO SEE IT JUST FOR FUN.... SHE'S HELPING CONTROL MY DRINKING BY NAGGING AT ME ALL THE TIME:) BUT SHE'S TOTALLY BEHIND ME 100% WHICH I'VE NEVER HAD WITH ANYONE.... WE BEEN TOGETHER FOR A YEAR AND 5 DAYS

Meek does not mean weak
It’s our choice of life
Not out to be a bully
Or to hurt others

The meek are creators
Our tenders and builders
People who help out
A good friend and brother

I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT A MAN WHO INSPIRED ME TO WRITE A BOOK, SO I AM GOING TO START WRITING, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL GET PUBLISHED OR ANYTHING, BUT I AM GOING TO WRITE IT AND HAVE THE FAITH TO FINISH IT.

PASTOR DAVE FROM THE FAITH CHURCH HAS INSPIRED ME FOR 4 WEEKS NOW, WITH HIS FUNNY BUT TRUTHFUL READINGS AND HE HAS SEEN SUCCESS THROUGH HIS OWN FAITH HIS WHOLE LIFE!!!! IT HAS GIVIN ME THE FAITH TO WRITE MY BOOK ABOUT THE LIFE OF ONE MAN'S STRUGGLE WITH HIS LIFE IN THE ARMY.

ALL YOU READERS OUT THERE PLEASE GIVE ME FEED BACK ON IF YOU WOULD READ SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I WILL WRITE IT EITHER WAY!!!!!!1

THANKS DAVE FOR HELPING ME

                   Nan's Note...A Thanksgiving Devotional

                                      A Grateful Heart

The first Thanksgiving…Pilgrims shared a meal with Native Americans who taught them how to live in the new land. They had reason to share with one another and supply offerings of grateful hearts. Through hardships, loss of loved ones and very little to sustain, the Pilgrims managed to thank God for their blessings. I can only imagine the strength and courage it must have taken to survive the hardships they had to endure….

Some of you have endured hardships …We can all relate to the economic situation, poor health, depression, suffering relationships, worry… and the list goes on… Considering this, I’m wondering if it is hard for some to find a “grateful heart” and look forward to a day that is meant for thanks… Maybe it would help to consider that first Thanksgiving…

The Pilgrims thanked God even though their lives were filled with struggles and challenge…They must have had great faith to come to a new land and rely on God to provide... I hope we remember that God did provide for those Pilgrims and He heard their prayers as they bravely persevered. Consider the faith that they had…and realize that just as God provided for their needs he will also provide for us…We too need to persevere and believe in what is to come as we pray and try to develop a heart that is grateful.

Dr. Billy Graham once wrote, "Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."

As we face challenges in our own lives, my prayer is that we will remember that although our lives change, God does not. He longs to hear us call to Him for our needs and also to thank him for all things… God can show us blessings He has already provided when we take time to realize that we are already blessed. Maybe we need to re-evaluate what we define as blessings in our lives to be truly grateful.

If you are struggling and can’t seem to find the blessings that make you feel thankful, please consider asking God to show you are heart of gratitude…You can ask Him to reveal the blessings that He has already given and maybe you will see what has been there all along…Then, take a minute and thank God… It may just be what you need to lift your spirits and draw you close to a heart that is pleasing to Him… He can show you great things…He can help a heart feel grateful…He is waiting to show you how…Just ask Him.

Happy Thanksgiving…I hope someone is in need of this devotional today…I hope someone can feel thanks for what God has given and enjoy the blessings of a grateful heart.

God is near…

Nan

30 years ago today, I was assigned as a loadmaster on the greatest plane ever built.

The AC-130 Spectre. It is called the deadliest plane ever built.  In my 28 years on this plane, I was frightened more times than I care to recall.

My question to all. What made you call out to God to protect you? What made you say, My Lord, If you get me out of this I will never ask of you another thing?

Did you ever ask another thing of God?