CCF

CCF

They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words!” We don’t normally share email pics, but this one was too good to pass up.

Joshua 1:8-9

(New American Standard Bible)
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(New Living Translation)
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I think you would agree that most of us desire to change, sometimes out of great desperation. We want to grow and mature in most every area of our lives, often believing that if we do everything we can, others AND God will be more pleased with us! And because of this, we can understand why New Year’s resolutions are so popular. We step into each new year with the best of intentions, only to realize a short time later, that those resolutions we made with great enthusiasm and earnestness are, once again, broken. Why? There can be many reasons, but the sad reality is that shattered hopes and unfulfilled dreams can often lead to resulting guilt and frustration. With each passing year, this becomes a vicious cycle. I can’t tell you how often this has been true in my own life! The harder I try, the harder I fall. And, every time I fall, the more frustrated I become. God spoke directly to me when the apostle Paul proclaimed, “For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do!” (Romans 7:15) Misery loves company!

After an honest heart-examination, God slowly revealed to me that my focus was on “ME”, not Him. Self-centered, tunnel vision, inner absorption, no matter the name, it masked itself under the guise of “time-honored resolutions”. I learned that true, lasting change would not come until I turned the focus off of me and totally on to Him; to become less absorbed over the “stuff” in my life, and become more absorbed in the everlasting substance of God. It’s interesting to read on, after Paul’s admission and agonizing over his weaknesses and shortcomings in Chapter 7 of Romans, that victory reigned in Paul’s life when he focused no longer on himself, but on God and His amazing, unconditional love. (*See below.)

One of my favorite authors is Ruth Harms Calkins and she expresses it so well: “Lord, for so long I thought Your love demanded that I change. At last I am beginning to understand that Your love changes me.”

Wouldn’t you agree that this is freeing? Let me quickly add, there is nothing wrong in striving to take care of yourself and live as healthy as you possibly can, but it all begins by knowing God, truly knowing Him, and understanding His infinite love and care for us. Begin today to allow God, the One who holds the power and creativity to change you (transforming you as only He can), to become the person He wants you to be. Be in continuous prayer and discover the truth of His Word. The more you come to know the character of God, the more you are willing to yield to His ways and perfect will. There is no one who will love you more, and He wants you to be conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. For it’s in Jesus, alone, that you will find your true self and realize the abundant life He promises!!!

* Romans 8:5-17 Click on this verse. The New International Version will pop up (good!) but click on the down arrow and go to The Message + Update for a really good and clear paraphrase.

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A schoolteacher was having her very first golf lesson. She asked the instructor, “Is what you’re doing there spelled ‘p-u-t’ or ‘p-u-t-t’?

“‘P-u-t-t’ is correct,” he replied. “P-u-t’ means to place a thing where you want it. ‘P-u-t-t’ means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing.”

… who can hold onto her children while letting them go;

… who puts a tranquil home ahead of an immaculate house;

… who knows a kind act will be remembered longer than an easy word;

… whose sense of humor is alive and well;

… who really believes that prayer changes things;

… whose faith in the future sweetens the present;

… whose Bible never needs dusting!

Yes, “count your blessings, name them one by one” in February? Yes, in February and March, and …

Thanking God for His countless blessings is not something we do just in November at Thanksgiving, but EVERY day! Take a look at Philippians 4:4 (The Message): “Celebrate God all day, every day, I mean, revel in Him!” We can do this because of our relationship with His son, Jesus Christ. He is the Giver of Life to all who seek Him. We must humble ourselves before His Throne of Grace and give thanks for who He is and for all He does in our lives.

There are probably a number of different reasons why many Christians don’t practice this on a regular basis. The two we think of most often are busyness and daily distractions. Both can rob us of our time with Him and our relationship with others. We should continually ask ourselves if we are living a life that is pleasing to God and if we’re modeling right living for our children. Gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving are spiritual disciplines that must be practiced so they become as natural as breathing.

Throughout the remainder of 2010, open your eyes to the blessings God freely and lovingly gives. Sometimes, they get wrapped up in the over-whelming struggles and difficulties of day-to-day living and we tend to miss them. However, keep looking. They’re the serendipities of life! They’re God’s gifts to His children!

Eleven years after the shooting at Columbine, we just had another shooting this afternoon at a middle school in the same general area, here in Colorado. Thankfully, the two students’ injuries are determined not to be life-threatening and the gunman was immediately apprehended. But, still, fear runs rampant.

Most would agree, we live in uncertain times. Sadly, the closer we near the “end of end times”, evil will wax more and more. (Christians, UNITE IN PRAYER so that the church – corporate and individual believers in Jesus Christ – will physically, spiritually, and intellectually prepare for the difficult days ahead and also step up Jesus’ command for the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20)

We’ve shared this before, but the best antidote to anything negative or traumatic in our lives is ACTION! This can look differently depending on the situation, but one of the foremost things we can do is to fall on our knees in prayer.

Most of us have heard “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Benjamin Franklin) so it would behoove all of us to pray daily over our family and loved ones to our Great Protector. We have a 9-1-1 number we can personally access. It’s Psalm 91:1 (through verse 16): Psalm 91:1-16. So, pray these verses, not as some magical chant, but as God’s divinely, inspired Word. Read them, memorize them, and believe that God’s word will go out and not return void without accomplishing what pleases God. Isaiah 55:10-11 DON’T DOUBT but BELIEVE! When we pray God’s Word, in faith and according to His will, be ready for God to move!

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Quote
“Because God orders our steps, we can always be assured that there is enough time in each day to do His will. He sets the pace. He is never anxious. His purpose is for us to move in rest, live in peace, abound in joy, and depend totally on Him to accomplish, through us, all He desires.” -Roy Lessin

A great mix to make up and keep on your counter for when your girlfriends drop in for a visit!

2/3 cup instant coffee granules
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate drink mix
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 tsp. nutmeg

Mix ingredients together and store in a jar. To make individual servings, add 3 Tbsp. mix to 6 ounces hot water. (Makes 10-12 servings.)

The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayer-less studies, prayer-less work, prayer-less religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.

From E.M. Bounds …
“As every day demands its bread, so every day demands its prayer. No amount of praying done today, will suffice for tomorrows praying.”

And from the heart of Abraham Lincoln …
“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day.”

Then, from the very heart of God …
“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.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 Jesus said:”It is written … My house will be called a house of prayer.” Matthew 21:13