Have you ever realized that you've allowed something in your life that years or months ago, you would never dream of allowing? There are so many things in this world we live in that are now "accepted", that years ago we would never stand for. The problem with acceptance of worldly things is that the Word of God never changes. If something was against the Word before, it's still against the Word. Slowly, even as Christians, we begin to allow things into our lives that can damage us... sometimes we don't even realize it until it's too late. Alot of times in our lives, one bad choice can lead to another and so on and before we know it, we've drifted away from God. It's called a "slow fade." When things we know to be black & white, suddenly turn to gray.
The Bible says in 1 Cor 10:12 "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall." No matter how firm you think you are in your relationship with Christ, anyone can get off track. That's why we must take time everyday to strengthen ourselves and our relationship with Christ through prayer and meditation and studying the Word..... Everyday! It's an investment! It's kinda like working out our spiritual muscles. Daily time with God builds us up and strengthens us to stand against the pressures of life and the things of this world that can distract us.
I encourage you to take a look at your life right now. Are there things that you've allowed a place in your heart that are not pleasing to our Father? In 2 Cor 13:5, it says to "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith." I think we should examine ourselves daily and ask the Holy Spirit to show us things that we've let drift in without realizing it. Show us wrong decisions that we've made that have caused us to loose focus or pulled us from Him. I'm so thankful that our God is so loving and forgiving. His mercies are new every morning. I have a sign in our youth building that says "No matter how far you've gone done the wrong road, it's never to late to turn back." I love that sign because it is so true. It's never to late to make things right with God.
Check out this music video to the hit song by Casting Crowns "Slow Fade". It talks about how our relationship with Christ can slowly fade if we are not careful what we subject our hearts to.
Have a blessed week!
~AMY
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
They Are Watching!
This video was such an eye-opener for both Dads and Moms. No matter how young or old our children are... they are watching us.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Power Of Prayer
I know our lives are soooo busy! It's seems like every moment of my day is filled with running from one thing to the other and I'm sure you are the same way. Even though we are swamped in our day to day lives, we cannot forsake our daily time in prayer. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 7:5 "devote yourselves to prayer." It doesn't say devote yourself to laundry or sports or even your job! Devote yourself to prayer. God understands our busy lives, but He also understands the importance of us taking the time everyday to pray and seek His face. The Bible says, "seek first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness, all these things will be added unto you." When we take the time to seek Him first, then He'll line up everything else! That's awesome to know that if I'll just take some time each day to dedicate it and myself to Him, take the time to give Him control of my life & my day... then He takes control and His way will always be better then mine! I encourage you to take the time everyday to spend some time in His presence, spend time everyday in prayer... I promise you won't regret it!
~AMY
~AMY
Monday, September 29, 2008
Let me encourage you....
It seems today that a lot of people have some really big problems going on in their life. Even though we are Christians, we are not exempt from problems in our families, our health or our finances. But, the good news is, that we have our faith in the Word of God ! No matter what you may be facing, there is no problem too big for God! He has an answer to every situation that could be troubling you today!
Let me encourage you to get a hold of God & His Word concerning your situation. Find out what God has to say about it ! He DOES have something to say! Begin to meditate on God’s Word & speak it out of your mouth. I can promise you it will make a difference!
Many times people just try to do whatever they can to get through their problems. I know that we should do all we can in the natural to help ourselves, but I also know it is of even more importance that we take the time to include God in our lives. We must ask for His participation!
After all, we can do what we are able to, but we have our limitations. The good news is that with God NOTHING is impossible. We all need His strength & guidance to live our lives in the way God intended for us to! He wants us to live abundant lives!!
Let me encourage you to get a hold of God & His Word concerning your situation. Find out what God has to say about it ! He DOES have something to say! Begin to meditate on God’s Word & speak it out of your mouth. I can promise you it will make a difference!
Many times people just try to do whatever they can to get through their problems. I know that we should do all we can in the natural to help ourselves, but I also know it is of even more importance that we take the time to include God in our lives. We must ask for His participation!
After all, we can do what we are able to, but we have our limitations. The good news is that with God NOTHING is impossible. We all need His strength & guidance to live our lives in the way God intended for us to! He wants us to live abundant lives!!
Friday, September 5, 2008
A healthy marriage benefits your children!
Having a healthy marriage is not just a luxury item, it's something we should strive for and expect. Researchers have determined that having a healthy, happy, fulfilling marriage benefits all family members. Below are statistics from research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Healthy Marriage Initiative.
We believe God knew these benefits existed with the marriage of man and woman and that is why He instituted it. Modern research simply echoes what God says in His Word.
Researchers have found many benefits for children and youth who are raised by parents in healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following statistics:
~More likely to attend college
~More likely to succeed academically
~Physically healthier
~Emotionally healthier
~Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
~Less likely to commit delinquent behaviors
~Less likely to be a victim of physical or sexual abuse
~Be open and honest with the couples you help
~Seek wisdom and understanding from God
~Have a better relationship with their mothers and fathers
~Decreases their chances of divorcing when they get marriedp
~Less likely to become pregnant as a teenager, or impregnate someone
~Less likely to be sexually active as teenagers
~Less likely to contract STD's
~Less likely to be raised in poverty
We believe God knew these benefits existed with the marriage of man and woman and that is why He instituted it. Modern research simply echoes what God says in His Word.
Researchers have found many benefits for children and youth who are raised by parents in healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following statistics:
~More likely to attend college
~More likely to succeed academically
~Physically healthier
~Emotionally healthier
~Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
~Less likely to commit delinquent behaviors
~Less likely to be a victim of physical or sexual abuse
~Be open and honest with the couples you help
~Seek wisdom and understanding from God
~Have a better relationship with their mothers and fathers
~Decreases their chances of divorcing when they get marriedp
~Less likely to become pregnant as a teenager, or impregnate someone
~Less likely to be sexually active as teenagers
~Less likely to contract STD's
~Less likely to be raised in poverty
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Great Marriage Tips
~Keep God FIRST!
~Pray Together!
~Respect and honor each other!
~Encourage each other to grow together!
~Read the Bible together as much as possible!
~Be swift to hear & slow to speak!
~Make time to communicate with each other!
~Protect and honor your marriage vows!
~Do not let others come between your marriage!
~Have a "Mission Statement" for your Marriage & Family!
~Thank God everyday for your Mate & the Life you have together!
~Understand that "love" is a choice, not a feeling!(You must choose everyday to Love your mate)
~Pray Together!
~Respect and honor each other!
~Encourage each other to grow together!
~Read the Bible together as much as possible!
~Be swift to hear & slow to speak!
~Make time to communicate with each other!
~Protect and honor your marriage vows!
~Do not let others come between your marriage!
~Have a "Mission Statement" for your Marriage & Family!
~Thank God everyday for your Mate & the Life you have together!
~Understand that "love" is a choice, not a feeling!(You must choose everyday to Love your mate)
Teaching The Teacher
One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy.
TEACHER: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay.(He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there! He doesn't exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked:
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss (getting tired of the questions by this time).
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!
TEACHER: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay.(He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there! He doesn't exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked:
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss (getting tired of the questions by this time).
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Parenting Tips
Answered by Dr. James Dobson
Q. Is there an age when you begin to spank?
A. There is no excuse for spanking babies or children younger than 15 to 18 months of age. Even shaking an infant can cause brain damage and death at that delicate age! But midway through the second year (18 months), boys and girls become capable of knowing what you’re telling them to do or not do. They can then very gently be held responsible for how they behave. Suppose a child is reaching for an electric socket or something that will hurt him. You say, “No!” but he just looks at you and continues reaching toward it. You can see the mischievous smile on his face as he thinks, I’m going to do it anyway! I’d encourage you to speak firmly so that he knows he is pushing past the limits. If he persists, slap his fingers just enough to sting. A small amount of pain goes a long way at that age and begins to introduce children to realities of the physical world and the importance of listening to what you say.
Through the next 18 months, you gradually establish yourself as the benevolent boss who means what you say and says what you mean.
Contrary to what you have read in popular literature, this firm but loving approach to child rearing will not harm a toddler or make him violent. To the contrary, it is most likely to produce a healthy, confident child.
Q. Is there an age when you begin to spank?
A. There is no excuse for spanking babies or children younger than 15 to 18 months of age. Even shaking an infant can cause brain damage and death at that delicate age! But midway through the second year (18 months), boys and girls become capable of knowing what you’re telling them to do or not do. They can then very gently be held responsible for how they behave. Suppose a child is reaching for an electric socket or something that will hurt him. You say, “No!” but he just looks at you and continues reaching toward it. You can see the mischievous smile on his face as he thinks, I’m going to do it anyway! I’d encourage you to speak firmly so that he knows he is pushing past the limits. If he persists, slap his fingers just enough to sting. A small amount of pain goes a long way at that age and begins to introduce children to realities of the physical world and the importance of listening to what you say.
Through the next 18 months, you gradually establish yourself as the benevolent boss who means what you say and says what you mean.
Contrary to what you have read in popular literature, this firm but loving approach to child rearing will not harm a toddler or make him violent. To the contrary, it is most likely to produce a healthy, confident child.
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