VIDEOS: ENCOURAGING, INFORMATIONAL, AND INSPIRATIONAL

"THAT'S MY KING" by the late SM Lockridge (presented an incredible message, describing our God)




JESUS AMONG OTHER gods
9/9 Ravi Zacharias-
Ravi Zacharias is in my opinion one of the great minds of our time. He is considered to be one of the world’s leading Christian apologist. God has given him a great ability to articulate difficult concepts and provide concrete evidence for the defense of Christian truth.

I recommend you take the time to listen to the audio clip below, as Ravi shares the way God reached out and saved an ordinary Indian boy at the point of suicide, making him a child of God and using him as a tool to reach this blind world with the truth of the Gospel.
http://truthwar.wordpress.com/2007/11/20/testimony-of-ravi-zacharias-a-must-listen/

"The reality is that if religion is to be treated with intellectual respect, then it must stand the test of truth, regardless of the mood of the day. This book is a defense of the uniqueness of the Christian message."

Thus begins Ravi's most important work to date in which he contrasts the truth of Jesus Christ with the teachings of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

In Jesus Among Other Gods, Ravi examines the truly unique message of Jesus in distinction to other major religions of the world. Is Jesus Christ really that different from other religious teachers? Aren't all the major religions basically the same? Ravi looks at six vital questions that Jesus answered in a way that no other claimant to divine or prophetic status would have answered. Some may resist Jesus' answers, but, as Ravi states, "antagonists will not be able to challenge his uniqueness."




This is a powerful and moving portrayal of the trials that befall us when we stray from the Lords side and how God's love (longsufferng...He longs for us to return) is faithful and victorious.

Lifehouse's song, "Everything"




An excerpt from C.S. Lewis' famous book, Mere Christianity. put together with various clips from Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"

"LORD, LIAR, OR LUNATIC"




Ravi Zacharias - CAN MAN LIVE WITHOUT GOD
1:10:09 - 1 year ago
Ravi Zacharias - Can Man Live Without God In Singapore




"TEAM HOYT" http://www.teamhoyt.com/about/index.html
The Early Years
Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a "normal" life. This was just the beginning of Dick and Judy's quest for Rick's inclusion in community, sports, education and one day, the workplace.

Dick and Judy soon realized that though Rick couldn't walk or speak; he was quite astute and his eyes would follow them around the room. They fought to integrate Rick into the public school system, pushing administrators to see beyond Rick's physical limitations. Dick and Judy would take Rick sledding and swimming, and even taught him the alphabet and basic words, like any other child. After providing concrete evidence of Rick's intellect and ability to learn like everyone else, Dick and Judy needed to find a way to help Rick communicate for himself. More...

The Beginning of Team Hoyt
In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Far from being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."

This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days. More...






CARDBOARD TESTIMONIES from College Park Church

Cardboard Testimonies from College Park Church on Vimeo.

Life and Legacy of Rachel Joy Scott-





Rachel's Tears: 10 Years After Columbine...Rachel Scott Lives On
By Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott with Steve Rabey
Forward by Chuck Norris New!

"I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus . . . If I have to sacrifice everything . . . I will." –Rachel Scott

The Columbine tragedy in April 1999 pierced the heart of our country. We later learned that the teenage killers specifically targeted Rachel Scott and mocked her Christian faith on their chilling, homemade videotapes. Rachel Scott died for her faith. Now her parents talk about Rachel's life and how they have found meaning in their daughter's martyrdom in the aftermath of the school shooting. Rachel's Tears comes from a heartfelt need to celebrate this young girl's life, to work through the grief and the questions of a nation, and to comfort those who have been touched by violence in our schools today. Using excerpts and drawings from Rachel's own journals, her parents offer a spiritual perspective on the Columbine tragedy and provide a vision of hope for preventing youth violence across the nation.

The Waiting

Wow, we have less than 1 week before we go to see Dr. Hurry and have our ultrasound.  We'll be able to see if the baby God gave us is a boy or girl.  It has been a journey of praying lots to battle fear.  Fear- "What if there is no heartbeat?"    I can't see the lil' one or hear his or her heartbeat...nor am i sure if what I feel at times is the baby or my body gurgling, etc. :)

This has been a time of faith and has reaffirmed 2 things:  To pray and to not isolate but to be vulnerable re: these fears and share them with friends (so they can give me truth).

It is on my heart to really bathe this lil' one in extra prayer these days... to talk to the lil one more.  After talking with God about this it occurred to me that the miscarriage has caused me to be cautious about feeling too much.  It's amazing... but I can see how that has happened.  Can't wait for those walls to break down.  Gotta pray :)...

My hubby and I will post the news and pics after our appointment on March 3rd.  Can't wait... :)

Love you all!! Thank you for lifting us up!!
Merno

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXCXEb1Qupg&feature=related

HE IS FAITHFUL (DEVOTIONAL)

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.

Has he ever spoken and failed to act?  Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

This verse spoke to me today... :) With all of the distractions that come our way coupled with what feels to be a deep well of memories, words spoken, disappointments, joys, etc that we have stored up in our minds and hearts- it is amazing to me that I would even hear His still, small voice in my heart at all.   

Have you prayed for something and then didn't see your prayer answered in the WAY or in the TIMING that you had hoped?  I have.   

Have people let you down? ____  Have YOU let people down?  ____

Do we project what others have done (i.e., Moms, Dads, Mentors, Friends, etc.) upon God's character? ____  

(i.e., "I feel as though my parents are disappointed with me, thus God must be, too."  "This person failed to keep his or her promise.  Does God?")

God is not human but created us in His likeness... "likeness"- which means He made us unique compared to all of creation (even unique in comparison to the angels).  He gave us a spirit.  God is spirit.  

John 4:24
For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

When we ask God to be our God and Jesus to live in our hearts- to know Him deeply, follow His voice and guidance, He answers.  Our asking this of God is prayer and it is putting our confidence and hope in Him.  "Jesus, I want to know you... I know I need you.  Please live in my heart and show me Who You are." (This is choosing Him)

Hebrews 6:18-20 (New Living Translation)

¹⁸ So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, **we who have fled to Him for refuge** can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that is before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

God is not human but He demonstrated His deep love for us but sending His Son from a place of security and love (Heaven- in the presence of God: John 17:3) to a place of physical and emotional pain.  Jesus left the loving presence of God to put on our skin and to be born into all that we are born into. He willingly left His power behind and learned how to walk, talk, and seek His Father's preseence in prayer.  He was tempted in ALL ways as we are (Hebrews 4:15) but he prayed and was able to hear God give Him the wisdom and strength and words/truth to not follow through with those temptations. Before His crucifixtion, He prayed to the point that he was sweating blood.  

Have you ever felt this kind of stress?  Definitely feels like it sometimes, I'm sure...     

Mark 14:35-37 (New Living Translation) ³⁵ He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. ³⁶ “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

God, in His wisdom, knew that we needed to see Jesus show that He was fully human and fully God in this moment.  He asked for relief and for God to take away His suffering and change the plan.  Yet, He prayed... He connected with His Father's heart and felt His goodness.  Jesus saw our faces at the cross- reuniting with God.  God poured out comfort and courage to Jesus in that moment.  Jesus saw our faces when thinking upon the cross.  It gave Him JOY to see us reuniting with God and thus He went forward to the cross.  Jesus could have stopped it at any time, but YOU were and are worth it to Him.

Jesus demonstrated faithfulness to us... 2 Timothy 2:13 - if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.  We might drop the ball, lie to others or ourselves, etc.  BUT GOD NEVER DOES.  What He promises He fullfills.  He NEVER LIES to us or makes promises that He won't keep. We can hold onto that anchor of truth in our hearts to survive the waves of temptation to take things into our own hands (vs. talk with God and hope in Him).

"So," (you might be asking) "What are His promises?"

There are many... :) But, I'll share a few for you:  

When you choose Jesus (because He DESIRES- yes, God desires, ALL to know Him and to come to the saving knowledge of the truth) He gives you a piece of Himself...His Spirit...IN YOU (wow... ). He adopts you.  You are His forever.  In His care, you have every spirital blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1), you have eternal life (John 17:3),... In Him, He predenstined (planned for) you to know Christ's love deeply and to grow into the knowledge of Him more and more.  He also promised to never leave  you.  He doens't lie, remember.  Others might leave but God does not. 

Here is a list of other promises:  God always keeps his promises. It's in the Bible, II Corinthians 1:19-20, TLB. "[Jesus Christ] isn't one to say yes' when He means no.' He always does exactly what He says. He carries out and fulfills all of God's promises, no matter how many of them there are; and we have told everyone how faithful He is, giving glory to His name."

God never takes back or changes His promises. It's in the Bible, Psalm 89:34, TLB. "No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back one word of what I said."

None of God's promises ever fail. It's in the Bible, Joshua 23:14, NIV. "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."

We have been promised eternal life. It's in the Bible, I John 2:25, NIV. "And this is what he promised us—even eternal life."

God can do the impossible. It's in the Bible, Luke 18:27, NIV. "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'"

We have been promised new hearts and desires. It's in the Bible, Ezekiel 36:26, TLB. "And I will give you a new heart—I will give you new and right desires—and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love."

He has promised forgiveness. It's in the Bible, I John 1:9, NIV. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

He has promised the fruit of the Spirit. It's in the Bible, Galatians 5:22-23, NIV. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

He has promised deliverance from fear. It's in the Bible, Psalm 34:4, NIV. "I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears."

God has promised salvation for our children. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 49:25, NIV. "I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save."

We are promised the Holy Spirit. It's in the Bible, Luke 11:13, NIV. "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

All of our needs will be supplied. It's in the Bible, Philippians 4:19, NIV. "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

No good thing will be withheld. It's in the Bible, Psalm 84:11, TLB. "For Jehovah God is our Light and our Protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk along his paths."

He has promised wisdom. It's in the Bible, James 1:5, NIV. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

God has promised peace. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 26:3, NIV. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."

God has promised escape from temptation. It's in the Bible, I Corinthians 10:13, NIV. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

We have the promise of health and healing. It's in the Bible, Jeremiah 30:17, NIV. "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds."

God has promised protection from harm and danger. It's in the Bible, Psalm 91:10, NIV. "Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent."

The Bible promises that the dead will live again. It's in the Bible, John 5:28-29, NIV. "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."

Jesus has promised that he will come again. It's in the Bible, John 14:2-3, TLB. "There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with Me where I am."

He has promised an end to death, sorrow, and pain. It's in the Bible, Revelation 21:4, NIV. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask... If I or someone else you know (who Loves Jesus) doesn't have the answer we'll pray and seek. Some answers we won't have until we see God face-to-face, but please ask... :)

Love,

Mer.

EXPECT GOD TO MOVE (DEVOTIONAL)

Good morning!! :)

Something jumped-out at me this morning when reading Genesis 48... This past month, when I read Genesis, I felt myself doing so in an academic way...hoping that my heart would engage and absorb new insights from above about God, life, life with Him, etc.  It was heavy on my heart to have it engage- to slow down and anticipate God to speak through something I had read.

Genesis 48:11 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!”

Jacob didn't expect to see his son, Joseph's, face again as Jacob thought Joseph was dead.  He later was reaquainted with His son- discovering that Joseph was indeed alive, well, and had children. THAT is how good God is...  God gave Jacob MORE THAN he had expected. :)  It connected another verse with my heart:

Ephesians 3:20 (English Standard Version)

 ²⁰Now to Him (God/Jesus) Who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

What do we expect of God?  Do we feel as if He is distant and not invovled/engaged with us?  To we feel as though we need to "take care of it (whatever "it" is) " for God?


"Now to HIM Who IS able..."  "IS" is a present-tense linking verb.  It connotates a sense a time as well as action.  God IS present as well as engaged and involved with you, me, us...


It all comes down, it seems :), to what we expect of God (which shows what our hearts think of His character).  Oswald Chambers does a brilliant "job" in expressing this:


Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen.Perseverance means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling. Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our Hero is going to be conquered. Our greatest fear is not that we will be damned, but that somehow Jesus Christ will be defeated. Also, our fear is that the very things our Lord stood for— love, justice, forgiveness, and kindness among men— will not win out in the end and will represent an unattainable goal for us. Then there is the call to spiritual perseverance. A call not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated.

If our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment right now, it simply means that they are being purified (God is growing you- giving you freedom from past constraints and helpling you know Him more). Every hope or dream of the human mind will be fulfilled if it is noble and of God. But one of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God. He brings fulfillment, "because you have kept My command to persevere-" ( Revelation 3:10 ).

All of us can say that it is a battle of trust and control.  If we fear and expect God not to come come through on His promise(s) to be with us, lead us, help us, etc then we take it all into our own hands.  God, in His love for us, allows us to do just that.  We can choose.  We're not puppets but valuable in His eyes- beyond what we can fathom.  Who wants to be controlled?  Not me :).  God doesn't control us... It's through seeking Him out and learning FIRST HAND that He is real, loves you/me/us, walks WITH us through the trials of life, and saves us from ourselves and the unseen (more than we realize) that we let go of our choice to control into His hands...one minute at a time, each day.

Today, let's ask God, "God, please help me see this (whatever is on your heart...) through your eyes.  Show me Your way and help me to know Jesus more."  As you pray this you will see Him move throughout your heart and your day.  If you want His leading, He will... He loves you.  We might fail, but He NEVER does... His wisdom sees so much more than our eyes and minds can comprehend.  God knows the desires of your heart - if that desire has not happened yet, then He is protecting you.  His timing is perfect.

Expect GREAT things from Him.  Expect God to move...  Ask.  :)

His,

Mer.