Prepared For A Mission

“God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, and in Christ, He has already given us all that we need to fulfill that plan.” –Mike Walters
May 11, 2008

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**For more Christian cartoons by Mike Walters, visit:  joyfultoons.com

Lemonade’s A Good Thing…

…and I LIKE it!

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I got an email from my brother Johnny today, entitled, “When Life Gives You Lemonade…Dedicated To All Pet-Lovers.” Of course, since I love dogs, lemonade, and all things inspirational, I thought I must share. Below is part of the message I received:

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This is ‘Faith’

This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 3 legs – 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which needed to be amputated.

He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive. Therefore, he was thinking of ‘putting him to sleep’.
By this time, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him.
She was determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself. Therefore she named him ‘Faith’.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfing board to let him feel the movements.

Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him to stand up and jump around..

Even the other dog at home also helped to encourage him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his 2 hind legs and jump to move forward.

After further training in the snow, he now can walk like a human being.

Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he just attracts all the people around him.
He is now becoming famous on the international scene. He has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows.
There is even one book entitled ‘With A Little Faith’ being published about him.

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**I say it’s always good to be reminded…of how to make lemonade! 😉

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**P.S. I discovered Faith’s official website, here. The book, entitled, “With A Little Faith,” can be found over here.

(*Update*)An 8 Yr. Old’s Explanation…

…of God

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A friend sent me the following:

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The short essay below was written by an 8-year-old from Chula Vista, California.

He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment,

to “explain God.” I wonder if any of us could have done as well?

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EXPLANATION OF GOD:

One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones
that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth.
He doesn’t make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller
and easier to make. That way he doesn’t have to take up his valuable time
teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and
fathers.

God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of
this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times
beside bedtime. God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV because
of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of
noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.

God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him
pretty busy. So you shouldn’t go wasting his time by going over your mom
and dad’s head asking for something they said you couldn’t have.

Atheists are people who don’t believe in God. I don’t think there are any
in Chula Vista . At least there aren’t any who come to our church.

Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water
and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn’t want to
learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they
crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his
father that they didn’t know what they were doing and to forgive them and
God said O.K.

His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work
on earth so he told him he didn’t have to go out on the road anymore. He
could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening
to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of
and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God.
Like a secretary, only more important.

You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they
got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.
‘You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if
there’s anybody you want to make happy, it’s God!

Don’t skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to
the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn’t come out at the
beach until noon anyway.

If you don’t believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very
lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp,
but God can. It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared, in the
dark or when you can’t swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big
kids.

But…you shouldn’t just always think of what God can do for you. I figure
God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.

And…that’s why I believe in God.

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Aren’t kids great? Don’t they have a way with words?

Have a great week…and smile. God loves you! 🙂

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**Update: P.S. Alright, o.k…..Yeah, I’m not really sure if this was really written by an 8 yr. old either. But, hey, it’s still a cute story.

By the way, you can still smile too…and yes, God loves you! 🙂

Always Be Prepared…

…for a fight…and don’t be surprised or caught off guard!
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Word-Filled Wednesday, 2/25/09

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I sure can tell when I’m unprepared to face the day. The day starts to truly wear on me, when I don’t start out by renewing my mind! I can try to go on about my day without spending time in God’s Word, but I need NOT think that the devil takes a holiday! 🙂

Lately, when I’ve started to get frustrated, I’ve caught myself thinking things like:

–Why does this have to happen?
–Why do things have to be SOOOO difficult?
–Why is it so hard stay on track?

Well, it’s not that I’ve just started having these thoughts…it’s more like I’ve become more aware of them. Most importantly, the Lord has been making it clearer to me how very silly these questions really are! It’s not that I should expect the trials to stop coming, but that I need to learn how to handle them better with the Lord’s help! Of course, I cannot improve with this “spiritual warfare” thing, if I go out totally unarmed and unprepared!

I found this cartoon that truly illustrates this point so well. I just love it! It’s another one by Michael Waters, from a few months back. He states:

The Christian life is not a trouble-free life. We should be mentally prepared to face the challenges that we will have to face.
–August 24, 2008

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**To view more WFW participants, you may visit: http://the160acrewoods.com/

**Also, my daughter, Sarah joined WFW today! Please go by & check out her post too at: http://loveofthecross.wordpress.com/

Walk On Faith

The past several days, “Walk On Faith” has been my theme song. I’ve been playing it over and over…on my computer and in my mind. Every time I start to get a little discouraged, I say a prayer, and I recite a line or two of this song (along with Bible verses). I especially love the line “just keep putting one foot down in front of the other,” and I find that acting on it is very helpful!

I can really identify with the line “when everything inside wants to give up.” No matter how much I may feel that way, I must press on (Phil. 3:14). I’m definitely walking on faith, stepping out and trying new things; trusting in the Ultimate Love. I’m depending on my Savior to carry me through, and He gives me a stronger, deeper love for my family. He challenges me to give more, to do more, and to put my love into action!

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Walk On Faith

By: Mike Reid

We have come to this place in our love
Where faith must be stronger than fear
For if true love is our destination
Through every storm it must always be clear
The surest way to get there from here

CHORUS
Is to walk on faith
Trust in love
Just keep on putting one foot down
In front the other
When the valley so wide
We stumble in stride
And everything inside wants to give up
Walk on faith; trust in love

Farther on beyond the shadows of our doubts
We will live where true love never dies
Though the road we must travel is uncertain
There is a truth in our hearts that never lies
It is by such grace we are bound to arrive

Is to walk on faith
Trust in love
Just keep on putting one foot down
In front the other
When the valley so wide
We stumble in stride
And everything inside wants to give up
Walk on faith; trust in love

Come on walk on faith when the valley is wide
And everything inside is telling you to give up
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**You-tube video here.
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**P.S.  There's another Bible verse that we've had on our bulletin
board this week that has been a great source of encouragement 
for me. As I've been going along throughout my day, I've looked up 
at it several times. Colossians 3:17 says, "...And whatever you do
in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks 
to God the Father through Him." This scripture reminds me to keep 
trying and to give my best in all that I do...whether great or small; 
giving God the glory.

Mountain…What Mountain?!

On this spiritual journey through life, who can’t use a little humor and encouragement? I praise God for the gift of laughter and for uplifting messages I receive all along the way. Today, a friend sent me an email containing several Christian cartoons by Michael D. Waters. I especially LOVE this one:

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Did you enjoy that as much as I did?! What a simple, yet very effective visualization! When we step out in faith and trust in God, His awesome power will be unleashed!! That mountain doesn’t stand a chance!

**For more Christian cartoons by Michael D. Waters, check out his website at: http://www.joyfultoons.com/

Through The Fire

There was another song I was introduced to this past Sunday…one that’s been playing in my head all day. The last several weeks, in particular, I’ve been going through some uncertain, difficult times. I’ve been struggling more than usual, and it’s been so hard to see clearly.

Then, just when I thought I was starting to come out of the worst of it, something happened. It didn’t happen to me, but it happened to a family in my church, when they lost a young loved one. Everyone in my church has been affected, but of course, none of us truly knows the full sting of the pain of those closest relatives…

We cannot understand such sudden tragedy, any more than we can make sense of ongoing suffering. However, God tells us in His Word to “not lean on our own understanding.”  This past week, a young widow understood this, when she simply said, “God sees the big picture.”  I believe that only the strength of the Holy Spirit could have enabled this young lady to make such a statement in the midst of agonizing grief and sorrow.

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This family is in the fire right now.  They’re in pain, they’re suffering, and they don’t understand the purpose.  However, while they hold to His hand, God will bring them through the fire…

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Through The Fire

By: The Crabb Family

So many times I’ve questioned certain circumstances
Or things I could not understand
Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision
And my frustrations get so out of hand
It’s then I am reminded I’ve never been forsaken
I’ve never had to stand the test alone
As I look at all the victories, the Spirit rises up in me
It’s through the fire my weakness is made strong

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
He never offered victory without fighting but He said help would always come in time
Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the hand of God, He’ll shield the flames again

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

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**You may listen to The Crabb Family singing the above song, here. You may also hear Randy Travis,  (along with The Crabb Family) singing this song, over  here.

Gotta Love Those Eagles…

…but so much more the One who made them!!
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I’ve been tired…oh, so very tired…and weary. I don’t like to get this exhausted…but then, who does?! Well, I know that God never promised us that we wouldn’t get tired, but I sure am glad He gave us this reassuring scripture:

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. —Isaiah 40:28-31

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I tell you, now that is some GOOD STUFF to me!! I don’t care how many times I’ve heard or read that scripture, it still speaks volumes to my soul! When I truly meditate on those verses, I start to get excited! Our God is an AWESOME God!!

“Pick Me Ups” From A Friend

My friend Regina sends me lots of inspirational, cute, and funny emails each week. I just found one of the inspirational ones that I had missed which has 7 “pick me ups.” I figure everyone needs to be reminded of these from time to time, so here you go:

 

7 – Ups!

 

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Wake Up!

 

Decide to have a good day.

“Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalms 118:24

 

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Dress Up!

 

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is

an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

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Shut Up!

 

Say nice things and learn to listen.

God gave us two ears and one mouth so He must have

meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

“He who guards his lips guards his soul.” Proverbs 13:3

“Gossip betrays confidence; avoid men who talk too much.” Proverbs 20:19

“Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise.”

Proverbs 19:20

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Stand Up!

 

Stand up for what you believe in. As the saying goes,

stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.

“Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good . . .”

Galatians 6:9-10

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Look Up!

 

Look up to the Lord.

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

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Reach Up!

 

Reach up for something higher.

Always try to better today than you were yesterday.

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye

when you have a log in your own?”
Matthew 7:3

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Lift Up!

 

Lift up your prayers.

“Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything.”

Philippians 4:6

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Hope these “7-Ups”

 

 

lift your day!

“When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him,

He will lift you up and make your life significant!”
James 4:10

 

Interview With God

A while back, my friend Regina sent me this presentation entitled, “Interview With God.”  This wonderful and beautiful slide-show made an impact on me, and it’s stayed in the back of my mind as something I wanted to share.  Today, I visited the website, and I also located a video of the original presentation on You Tube.  Apparently, it has been around for a while, circulating the Internet.  However, just in case you haven’t seen it yet, I want to make sure you get the opportunity.  Also, if you have viewed it before, in some time past, you may very well enjoy seeing it again!

I just think it’s AWESOME–I really do!  Please take out a couple of minutes from your day and take a peek at this video. In case you are not able to actually view the video for any reason, I’m also including this excerpt:

(From:  Interview With God) 

“What surprises you most about mankind?”

God answered, “That they:

get bored with childhood,

rush to grow up,

and then long to be children again.

–That they lose their health to make money…

and then lose their money to restore their health.

–That they live as if they never will die…

and die as though they had never lived…” 

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I hope the message from this presentation has touched your heart as much as it has mine.  Whenever I view it, I find myself taking in a big, deep refreshing breath, and letting out a sigh of relief…  I feel reminded that my God is in control, and He is with me always!  Whatever you may be worried or anxious about, take a deep breath with me, as you lay it at His feet!  May you have a peaceful, God-centered, blessed day!   🙂

**Note: You may also visit the official website here.