Issue 6 October 2011

ell it on the MountainInspiration for Today

Really Saved or Pretending Warning Stuck Places 7 Things that make a Beautiful Life Joseph's Dream Thought for the Month Photography Paintings Music And More . . .

Photograph by Kim Winters

Guest List Toni Birdsong

Mike Campagna

Paul Cheng

Tami Heim

Jeff Larson

Marilyn LeBlanc

Mike Messerli

Guy Myers

Holly Myers

Rina Peru

Emily Vail

Marie Wikle

Ann VoskampChipAway WoodWorking

Keturah MacBurnieKim Winters Photography

OutFlow MinistryShaun Groves

Sky FamilySpreading Joy Corp.

Megan WikleWant to see your name on our Guest List? Send your submissions to us at

tellitonthemountain@live.ca

A Warm Hello To You,

Welcome to our 6th issue, half a year! Hard to believe! 6 months since `Tell it on the Mountain` was introduced to the world!

Well this brings us to the Fall of the year and Thanksgiving is in the air!

Folks harvesting their gardens, from labours of summer! Tables are filled with foods grown in love . . . Bubbling pots fill the room with delicious aromas . . .

And ah . . . the color of golden yellows, to burnt oranges and fiery reds! The dancing beauty of trees, whisping in the wind, showing off their vibrant hues. What a beautiful time of year. The air crisp and refreshing!

So now won’t you grab a nice hot cup of apple cider and get ready to be filled with some wonderful inspiration! Enjoy and be blessed.

Thanks so much to all our contributors this month.

If there is something you would like to see in “Tell it on the Mountain”, please drop us a note and we will try to include it in future issues. Please visit our facebook page by clicking on this link www.facebook.com/pages/Tell-it-on-the-Mountain/221208284598708

While you are there please hit the “Like” button and then “Share” it with all your friends! We appreciate your help in spreading `Tell it on the Mountain` emag.

Blessings,

Deanne MacBurnie

Thought for the Month`Give Thanks`by Marilyn Leblanc

Many times in the word of God, we are called to give thanks. God is more than worthy of our grateful hearts.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, there is so much to be thankful for, every breath we take, every good thought we have comes from Him.

My salvation is the most precious gift that God has given me and may I never take it for granted.

Also, this time of thanksgiving, let us not forget the people who are important in our lives .

Take the time to thank our family and friends for being there for us, in good times as well as bad times.

Thank them for the kindness that you receive, and in return, pass that kindness on to someone else,

who just may need a hug or a kind word today.I pray that you enjoy this thought for the month,

Thank you and may God Bless you and your family.

I will praise God's name in song and glorify His name with thanksgiving...

You who seek God, may your hearts live.

Psalm 69: 30-32

Really Saved or We had a another baptism on Sunday and we had the people share their testimonies before we went down to the river. What an exciting time to hear how Jesus drew people to Himself.

One young lady tried to share but she couldn't because she was so emotional. She had her testimony written down so I read it for her as she sat beside me wiping the tears from her eyes.

The testimony that touched me the most was a lady who grew up in our church. When she was young, she was baptized, but she got re-baptized because she realized she wasn't really saved the first time.

What struck me about her testimony was that after she lived as a lost person, she cleaned up her life and started going to church and everyone thought she had finally been saved, but again she wasn't! She said that for this period of her life she was very religious but she wasn't saved.

From people looking on they would have thought she was a christian. She was a good person, she went to church, helped people, served in the church and even sang at church but nothing had changed on the inside. The desires in her heart were still worldly, and the way she spoke and behaved in her own home was contrary to the faith she claimed publicly. Finally God used various circumstances in her life to save her.

As I listened to her testimony, I couldn't help but wonder how many people who go to church are religious but not saved?

Jesus talked about this when He referred to the wheat and the tares. Wheat is a plant that we use the seeds from to make flour and tares look like wheat but are a weed. In the parable, the wheat symbolizes the Christians and the tares represent those who look like Christians but are not. The parable shows what we describe as the Christians and the religious.

In Mat. 7:21 it says, “Not everyone who says unto me Lord Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven but the one who does the will of my father”.

That's a scary thought to think one was going to heaven because they were religious, but two verses later in vs. 23 Jesus says, ”And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”

Jesus makes two important points that help us to understand the difference between being religious and being a christian.

Continued on next pg . . .

Pretend i ng

Really Saved or Pretending cont . . .

The first question is “do you have a relationship with Christ?”

Notice Jesus said “I never knew you” or “I never had a relationship with you”. Is Jesus an acquaintance or is He your best friend? The second point is “what is your attitude towards obeying Jesus?” (this is found in the bible). Do you care to obey Jesus, or do you care if you obey, or does it bother you that you might hurt him if you disobey him?

Jesus also told us what to expect in the last days before He returns. Jesus said that in the last days that there would be an increase in lawlessness and because of that the love of many Christians would grow cold (Mat 24:12). I wonder what Jesus says the temperature of our love is: cold, hot or luke warm.

Luke 18:8 also warns us about the last days and asks a very scarey question, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

This type of environment makes it easy for religious people to fit

into the church because Christians love for Jesus is cold and sin is tolerated leaving little contrast between the saved and the religious. First we must make

sure we are a christian and not just religious.

What was the outcome for the tares? They were thrown into fire and burned! Death is not something we get to practice. We can't die and then say oh I wasn't a christian let me try that again and get it right the next time. It is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment. We have one appointment with death . . . no do overs . . . that makes it extremely important to make sure we're saved from God's judgment of our sins which Jesus payed for on the cross. Don't just believe Jesus was a person! Put all your trust in Him to protect you on Judgment day!

As Christians, we need to confess our weak love for our Savior and seek Him as He promised He would be found, if we seek with all our heart. Then we could be a blessing to the religious because they would not feel comfortable in their religion, but would be challenged to enter into a relationship through God's plan of salvation.

By Guy Myers Ks

Reminding you:"There's no joy

like Spreading Joy"

and helping you to make a difference

by doing what you can,

where you are - with what you

have!

http://www.spreading-joy.org

facebook.com/spreadingJOYcorp

Warning – Beware of Terrorist Groups in Church

Latest news reports, are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many churches.They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, & Bin Missin.

Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church

to discourage, disrupt and destroy.

However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name of Bin Prayin. And is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike the other cell groups, the Bin Prayin team “does not” blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.

Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They are Bin Watchin, Bin Waiting, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

NO CHURCH IS EXEMPT!!(However, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.)

Submitted by a Parishioner

What's New Pussy Cat?

Photos taken by Megan Wikle age 16

F a m i l y~ 4 Generations ~

1stGen. Great Grammie Mona Vail~3rdGen. Mommy Ashley Morin~2ndGen Grammie Michele Israel4th Gen. Baby Aaliyah Haley Jade Morin

Born: January 30th, 2011

Caleb MacBurnieAge 13

NB, CanadaTo place an order,

please contact me atchipawaywoodworking@live.ca

Everyone has a secret…

I love Post Secrets. Like the secrets we hide in our hearts, there are good ones, bad ones and everything in between. If you have never heard of Post Secrets, this site is a collection of post cards that people have mailed in, releasing their secrets. This site is updated with new secrets weekly. Many of them make me smile – as not all secrets are bad. Then there are those that make me think or wonder. But then you have some that just break your heart.

Tonight, one secret did just that, broke my heart.

When I read the secret above, I wanted to reach out and wrap my arms around this person and whisper to their heart:

YOU are not useless…YOU matter

×U

S

E

L

E

S

S

×

By Marie Wikle

Continued on next page . . .

Useless cont . . .There are so many people that struggle with this.

One thing I’ve noticed with nearly everyone of them is that they truly matter a lot. The trouble is that the people they are around are not the squishy hugs,

you matter to me, kind of emotional people. If they were, the person who sent in this secret and those that feel this way

would know beyond a doubt that they truly do matter. Some people simply struggle with this just because their heart is fighting a battle

that many of us can’t even begin to imagine.

What can we learn from this secret?• The people we are around MATTER and need to know it! Tell them. Do not assume they know it.• Everyone wants and needs to matter. We all do. We need to make a difference. Why else do little

toddlers hand little yellow ”weeds” to us and we validate that?• Many feel useless needlessly. It doesn’t cost us a single cent to hug someone important to us and tell

them that they matter.• Something so small, is actually HUGE in our lives. Amazing how far a little affirmation goes isn’t it?• The negative things we hear stay with us far longer than the positive. Keep reinforcing the positive.• The old rhyme we all said as a child is a lie – Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will

never hurt me. Words not only hurt us, but often times break us. Choose them wisely.• Put it in writing! That card or letter letting someone know that they made a difference in you will likely

be read and re-read time and time again.• When you see someone or leave someone give those big squishy hugs! They matter too. Don’t be in

a hurry to let go quickly. Enjoy the moment!• When our hearts are screaming in pain, our minds simply do not remember the difference that we’ve

made. Keep pictures or something that will jog our memory.• If you make someone smile….at anytime EVER – you are NOT useless. Period! Times are tough,

things are hard – smiles are priceless.• Fearlessly be YOURSELF! We need you to be you – not who you think we want you to be.

Y O U – because you are amazing!

There is so much more that can be said here.I invite you to do a few things.

1. Look around. Have you told those that matter to you, that they matter?2. Take stock in your own heart….do you KNOW that you matter and are NOT useless? YOU matter!3. What would you tell someone that feels like they are useless.

Please encourage others, and I invite you to email me pics of the "ordinaryJOY" and to share your thoughts! Click this link http://www.spreading-joy.org/site/ordinary-joy/

*whispering to your heart* You matter! YOU are making a difference!

Reminding you to enjoy the little things that make life big!

Outflow exists to share Christ's love!

We are a charitable acts of kindness ministry that longs to reach the needs of the poor and oppressed. When we gather we believe it is important to share a meal, to break bread, offering our lives as a genuine friend. We don't want to be anything that we aren't. While we sit with people, we discover a peace, a compassion, and a love that can only be explained by a genuine encounter with Christ.

We love being a gathering place that shares the pulpit. The stage is always open for anyone in the room. Often a message is prepared , but many times it is superseded by God's awesome presence within the room. God moves at the table, from the kitchen, and from within the most unlikely.

As Christ lovers we are discovering that Jesus is within the poor. Some call us a church. Some call us a mission. Some call us a safe place to meet with friends. We want to be all of those things! What we do isn't complicated. . . most do it everyday. We prepare a meal, wait for Jesus to show up, then eat with HIM!

We strongly believe that the #1 thing missing in ministry today is someone willing to build a relationship.

So we sit. We eat. We listen. And we use words when necessary.

Have questions? Wanna know when were meeting next?

Like to talk about our future?

Contact us anytime:

Mail Outflow Ministry 125 Rothesay Avenue PO Box 7073 Saint John, NB E2L 2B0

Contacts

Jayme Hall: 1-888-529-6358

http://outflowministry.ca/

outflowministry@gmail.com

Liveby Keturah MacBurnie

age 14

I know you have problems,I know your life is hard.

But please do not give in,Do not give in to killing yourself.

You know that Jesus loves you,You know that Jesus cares.So please don't look away,

From the light of Jesus Christ.I know it has been hard,

And it may seem God doesn't care.But He's always here with you,

He loves you very much.And He's always watching over you.You need to face these bad times,

With Jesus by your side.Cause without Him,

You'll never win.So always stay close to Him.

5 sites to equip and inspire sharing faith online

By Tami Heim http://stickyjesus.com/

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? - Esther 4;14, NIV

Mobilizing people online to pray, worship, donate, and exchange praiseworthy content exists right here within your God-given social media territory. You can do it and so can every believer with a heart willing to pray, power up, log on, and serve. But there’s one more thing you can do and it holds remarkable power.

You can share your personal faith story online.While your story is unique, embedded in it are phrases of familiarity that often resemble the paragraphs found in the script of another person’s life. Where common text exists, even if it’s just a sentence or two, the shared commentary instantly creates a bond.

There’s an anointing in the sweet overlap between your story and someone else’s story. It’s at that place the Holy Spirit begins to bring someone from death to new life. The Good News that rescues, saves, and redeems is released.

Continued on next page . . .

Will you remain silent?

5 sites to equip and inspire sharing faith online cont. . .

Five sites to help and inspire you to share your faith online…

1. How to Write Your Christian Testimony This post outlines how to articulate your story in six easy steps. We love how simply it flows. Beyond providing good instruction on format, you’ll discover words that will help you keep it real and easy for others to understand.

2. Uganda Short-term Mission Guide This link also offers solid instruction on how to order your story with emphasis on purpose, sequence, language, and the different ways people come to faith. Both the first one and this one, are sure to help you communicate your story well.

3. Ministry of the Word: Personal Testimonies Here you’ll find the written stories by great men and women of the faith. Powerful text crafted long ago and wholly centered on a message independent of time, change, and cyberspace. Each story is now digitally documented with world-wide accessibility for future generations.

4. Voice of the Martyrs Video content from around the world collects the stories of persecuted Christians. People living every day at great risk for their faith. Each one promises to push the boundaries of your own commitment and challenge how you currently proclaim Christ.

5. I am Second Professionally produced, this site assembles contemporary video and gives voice to high-profile individuals in today’s culture. Each one has made a deliberate decision to use their celebrity to make Christ known and inspire others to do the same.

Dear friends, you live in a time of abundant creativity and communication. It’s exciting to see the body embrace what’s possible. By pursuing new technology even our churches are finding new ways to share the impact of Jesus Christ in the lives of their members.

Watch this video from Long Hollow Baptist Church, in Hendersonville, TN and we’re confident you’ll see what we mean. (Thanks to the Long Hollow creative team for permission to share this with you.)

For those that love the Lord, being quiet just isn’t an option anymore …. How will you choose to share your faith online?

Post / Tweet this:You’re a story of God’s rescue & redemption. Staying quiet isn’t an option. It’s time for you to be heard: http://tinyurl.com/3lehv9e #LiveSticky

Please meet . . .

Click link to play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6qs75QGFrg

The Skys "Blossom" Download mp3 :see below Copy and paste this link in your browser to visit their website for a free download of their new single

"BLOSSOM" http://theskys.org/events/index.html

To find out more about the Sky Family, please visit their website: http://www.theskys.org/

Each member of the SKYS performs on multiple instruments and all

contribute to the rich multi-layered harmonies for which

they are well known. The production has been

received with enthusiasm throughout the US and Canada in churches, theaters and outdoor

venues from coast to coast.

Best of all the SKY family unashamedly proclaims the

glory of the Gospel while demonstrating the joy of the Lord in all they do. They are

a unique and effective testimony of the grace of

God in Christ.

The Skys on 100 Huntley Street

Check out the Sky Family's

What is Unashamed Ministries?

A non-profit ministry established to assist those of all Christian denominations who desire to have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 501(c) non-profit religious organization

Who is it for?

Anyone whose goal is to love God more than anything else in the world.

How does it work?

Unashamed Ministries has several branches:

Unashamed Institute: A two-year, four-semester program of study available at our Ministry Headquarters or via e-mail and correspondence. *Summer semester study program at our beautiful headquarters in Clinton, Prince Edward Island, Canada.*

Fellowship of the Unashamed: A commitment to lay aside worldly entertainment and distractions for one year in order to pursue God with all diligence in prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and outreach.

E-mail Bible Study: If you e-mail us we'll send you the Unashamed Ministries weekly Bible study. Many have been encouraged by these studies and print them off to give to friends.

Monthly Newsletter: Keep current on the Fiery Faith & Fiddles concert schedule as well as all the monthly activities. Available by mail or e-mail.

Quarterly Shout Magazine: The Shout is one of our main literary evangelistic tools. It is designed for all levels of spiritual maturity and its cartoon-filled newsprint format gets read. Available individually or in bulk for ministries.

For more information please visit their website: http://www.theskys.org/Unashamed/index.html

M

Twitter Tips from @aheartforgod:

by Mike Campagna

any moons ago (in a faraway land~not), my adventure with Twitter began. Honestly, I had no idea what a wonderful experience lie ahead. Tens of thousands of tweets and replies later, I guess the best way to sum it up is I am a better Christian man. (I love Jesus even more.) I have met and connected with Christians in the West, Midwest, on the East Coast, in Hawaii, Europe, the Philippines, China ~ you name it (take a peek at the maps to the right on my website http://aheartforgod.blogspot.com ) ~ literally people from all around the world, I have seen lifted up, I have seen come to Christ and draw closer to God ~ and all from the convenience of my laptop and handheld. (Isn't that just crazy/amazing?) And I've learned a number of things that have helped enhance my use of Twitter especially in the service of our Lord. Whether you're a Twitter "guru" or newbie, I think there will be something here for you too, as you read the following...

(feel free to tweet these yourself~they are 140 characters or less!)

Tip #1: To gain more followers tweet 1 update per day (at the very least) so that we can see ur alive

Tip #2: 1 of the best ways 2 get somebody 2 notice u is 2 retweet them. It gets my attention. And I follow back

Tip #3: Avoid odd avatars. (Double meaning?) I don't follow weird or scary profile pictures. They give me bad dreams ;P

Tip #4: A "thank u" 4 a mention, shout out or RT can come in the form of retweeting something of theirs

Tip #5: Have a back up site in case your main one goes down. (Mine: @aheart4god)

Tip #6: The twitter "gods" say not 2 thank ur RTs. But I think it's a way of saying, "Glad 2 connect." Your RT causes me 2 notice u

Tip #7: If u get the big guys/gals (those w/lots of followers) 2 follow u back, u gain their reach (audience)

Tip #8: Many of u just starting out will gain tens of thousands of followers. Y? Because u have a good story 2 tell

Tip #9: Want more followers? Unless ur Britney or Lady Gaga, u need 2 be aggressive in ur following others. Engage & offer them value

Tip #10: Automate tweets overnight (I use HooteSuite). Reach the overseas followers (in Europe,S Africa,Australia,India,NewZealand,etc)

Tip #11: Repeat tweets. You will have followers today that you didn’t have a year ago that would miss out otherwise

Tip #12: You will start out small, but some of u will grow & become quite dynamic & significant tweeters. Invest

Tip #13: People will judge ur tweeting approach (motives), but they can't know ur heart. Pleasing God is all that matters

Tip #14: If you make a mistake (& u will) let it be in promoting what others have got going

Continued on next page . . .

21

21 Twitter Tips cont . . .

Tip #15: People enjoy responses. (I know I do.) Some get many. Some get few. Focus your twitter luv especially towards the latter

Tip #16: Don't "poo poo" #FollowFriday (some Twitter "gurus" do who used 2 do it).It's 1 of the best ways 2 get 2 know people & it's fun,2

Tip #17: You may never be @chrisbrogan or @guykawasaki, but we don't need another 1 of those. We need you

Tip #18: Combine ur use of Twitter w/blogging or vlogging. Tweet links 2 ur latest posts. Reveal yourself (be transparent)

Tip #19: I don't get the most traffic to my blog or vlogs from Twitter (that comes from other places), but I have the most fun with it ;D

Tip #20: Divine appointments take place even on Twitter. That tweet u send (or schedule at 12:25 am) God has planned 2 meet someone

Tip #21: Most of all (& as a believer) represent Christ with all His compassion, peace & joy. There r so many hurting people in need of Him

Feel free to send me your own "Twitter Tips". I might put them together in a Part 2 and give you credit? That would be cool. ;D

http://aheartforgod.blogspot.com

Covered Bridge in St. Martin's, NB, CanadaPhoto take by Kim Winters

Soaked Pumpkin MuffinsSubmitted by Emily Vail

Before I start on the recipe, I have to make something clear here: these are not the prettiest muffins to look at. They're sort of a dingy brown, nondescript colour. But the flavour? Out of this world.

I'm trying to jump more on the soaked grains bandwagon, not just because they are good for you but also because I'm finding they just taste better. Soft, moist, slightly acidic . . . YUM.

Inspiration came from this recipe on Kitchen Stewardship for soaked pumpkin muffins, but I had to change it around due to the ingredients I had on hand. I had to change it a lot. I was running low on butter so I used olive oil. It doesn't taste olive-y at all, it's great, but melted butter would probably give it an even better flavour. I might try that next time. Melted

coconut oil would be great too, but that stuff is expensive, so I tend to hoard it! I didn't want to use sugar (when do I ever?) and thought that the ever-so-slight maple flavour from some real maple syrup would be perfect with the pumpkin. I was right.

After I pulled these pumpkin muffins out of the oven, I knew I had hit on a great discovery. These are incredibly soft and moist, sweet and flavourful . . . I can't praise them enough. And the next day they remain just as moist and soft as they were when first made.

Spoon into greased muffin tins (I got 15 out this) and bake at 350˚ for 20 minutes.

You can play around with the spices depending on what you like. You could use more or less of anything, but be generous.

These are Pumpkin Spice Muffins, you want to taste the spice! Allspice would be nice too, or you could go the lazy route and just dump in

some pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice. Nothing wrong with that!

These were great warm, but I actually liked them even better once they had cooled to room temperature. I've eaten way too many of them already, spread with some homemade cultured

butter (recipe coming soon!). They make for a super yummy breakfast with a cup of coffee, a great afternoon snack, or a delicious after dinner treat with a cup of Earl Grey.

Hope you try them, let me know if you do!

Visit me over at “Gourmet Mommy”!http://vail-family.blogspot.com

Step 1: The night before, in a bowl combine:

1 2/3 cups whole grain flour (I used a mix of spelt & kamut because it's what I had, but anything would be fine) 1/2 cup buttermilk1 cup pumpkin puree2/3 cup olive oil

Cover and leave in a warm place overnight.

Step 2: In the morning add:

2 eggs, lightly beaten1/3 cup maple syrup (I'm guessing because I just poured a bunch in) 1/4 tsp stevia extract 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon pinch nutmeg pinch cloves pinch ginger

"All Icing and No Cake"

by Holly Myers

Many things in life change. I, personally, really like change. I love the glimmer of shiny new shoes, the freshness of each new season and the visual sigh I get from a fresh coat of paint or even changing the

layout of my furniture. Taking an occasional, spontaneous play day from the rigors of school and summer holidays are good for my soul. I am aware,

however, that too much changing is not good:

Proverbs 24:21 "Do not associate with those who are given to change."

Oh my. Sounds harsh. After my momentary panic upon reading this verse for the first time, my

learned, Hebrew student of a husband assured me that he can still hang around with me. The verse is

talking about people who are "given" to change. The principle is one of faithfulness versus

unfaithfulness. I can like mixin' it up with colors, scents and activities as long as I don't become so addicted to change that I become unstable and

undependable (is that a word?). He should know. He finally let me pass on his ever so thinning Gumby & Pokey T- shirt from his high school

years...that would make the shirt about 30 years old...and notice, I had to "pass it on" NOT throw it out. He is as frugal as he is faithful. I'm so in love.

I think the point I want to make here is that although I like change, I am learning to appreciate sameness. Boring, awkward word...kind of reflects

it's meaning I guess. I don't like boring. I get depressed with mundane routine. No time for the

usual, I've got places to go, people to meet and things to do! BUT............God has a funny way of teaching me things. Once in awhile, more often than I like to admit, life gets tough. It is during

these tough times that I really appreciate sameness, or as I prefer to call it...faithfulness. Sailing into the unknown under a blue sky, with the warm sun and a gentle breeze is a wonderful, exciting thing, but

when the sky darkens and the waters rebel against your sturdy boat, the thing you appreciate most is

likely your anchor. Life just isn't a fairy tale. Fairy tales don't need anchors, just wings. I have

experienced the peace and assurance of faithful, unchanging factors in my life that I don't want to

live without...that have carried me through difficult times. That makes me want to become more

faithful for those around me.

Ever wonder why cake is mostly cake and a little icing?? No?...me either...but let's just think about

that now. Even I think too much icing is sickening. Not when you are 7, but that's because your brain isn't fully developed at 7. If you prefer cake that is 3/4 icing at an age beyond 20, may I suggest you see a nutritionist...or take up Pilates to gain some balance in your sweet life. We need lots of cake to get us through the dredges of life. A little icing for the momentary episodes of calm and the grace of

pleasure. Of course, we must have coffee to go with our cake. I can't think of any profound symbolism

for the addition of coffee. I don't really need to justify my coffee...it's just always there for me.

See...faithfulness :)

I am very thankful for the dependable things in my life that anchor me through the gales: my husband,

my family, my church, my friends. Especially strong are the things I take from childhood. The values I was taught, the life lessons learned from good and bad experiences, people who loved me

and are no longer here. Most importantly and most treasured is my Jesus. How can someone so unseen

to the naked eye be so powerful and real? That's what His deity provides. He is both unchanging

and dynamic. Fully loves, both in mercy and discipline. He is truthful, no matter what the cost. He is patient with the slow and yet hastens to do

His perfect will. He is perfect...and I'm pretty sure He likes cake. The Maker of all things beautiful and

pure pleasure has perfect balance. That is how I want to be...like Him. It's a long shot, but He holds

the scope and is the captain of my ship.http://myersfamily-holly.blogspot.com/

Church for

REAL MEN!

By Jeff Larson http://thebackpew.com

As opposed to a church for male mannequins? No, I am talking about gettingbeyond the stereotype of the church experience that puts men to sleep.

I grew up in a traditional church in small town Wisconsin and this is whereI first learned to love the Lord. We sang hymns, we did responsive'readings', read mission moments reports, and this all had value.

Contemporary was on Sunday night service where we would sing out of thechorus books. Songs like ‘Pass it On’ and the rockin’ anthem for ageneration.. ‘Kum-by-ya My Lord’.

We sure were a happening spiritual Tour De Force!

BUT LET ME BE CLEAR.. I am not making fun of my heritage. My heritage iswhy I am a believer today. BUT.. what I do want to share is.. My God is notcutesy or soft. Though my God’s love is gentle and kind, He is also a morepowerful entity that I can only hope to have a glimpse of.

Unfortunately the stereotypical images of church have scared men away fromchurch doors like if it were..

mass Sunday morning root canals... at Mass?

We often suffer from a feminized image of church where husbands and sonsattend mostly to stay off the THIN ICE in their gender relationships.I neither wanted my mom, nor now my wife giving me that disapprovinglook. THEY BOTH SCARE ME!

Today I observe too many churches that are led by women because men do not getserious about church. While woman are just as vital to a healthy church,men should not go AWOL.

So where does that leave the odd couple of Church and Men? I believe Churchand Men are a perfect match. You may prefer a church where the men are insuits and ties, the women wear dresses.. OR.. attend where t-shirts, jeans,shorts and sandals are dressing up. You may like church worship where hymnsare all that they sing, or in contrast attend a church with guitars anddrums. NONE OF THIS REALLY MATTERS as long as your church inspires yourlove and worship for the one true God!

Continued on next page . . .

Church for REAL MEN! cont. . .

My point again is that CHURCH IS A PLACE FOR REAL MEN because as we know, man was created in the image of God.. <pause>

though since that day our wives have been tweaking us...

BUT I DIGRESS

Men, .. quit apologizing for being men. We are loud, and our voices scare dogs.We should be the knight in shining armor for the women of our lives,

even if it’s just to kill spiders, AND ALSO.. men are called to show love and devotion as the heads of our families

BUT NEVER as dictators.

Then off to church we should go as men. Don't let church be ONLY a feminineoutlet for spirituality but also ministry that is manly and bold as the image of God.

May God bless all you men to be real men of God. Inspired and blessed byGod in ways that are BEYOND what you could ever dream...

and THANKS TO YOU WOMEN who put up with us.

We all get stuck. Stuck at points of our life that cripple us in the days ahead. From that "stuck place" we find that we now "walk with a limp." Something happened, we were hurt, wounded, broken, abused, sinned against. A parent died, a wife left, a child became ill, and we got stuck at that terrible event...at that moment in our life.

I'm finding that the problems in people's lives are often the result of their stuck places. From that wound, that death, that divorce we are emotionally stuck and cannot go further, cannot grow, cannot walk away from the wound and so we carry our woundedness with us and sadly create stuck places for others we encounter. We are the walking wounded, the mass of humanity stuck in the past hurts and wounds of our lives that have affected us and now affect those around us.

Stuck places...places we remember vividly because of what they have done to us, moments in time we have recorded in our brains we can replay in high definition detail. We are stuck because of what happened, because of what someone said, what they did to us, how they hurt us. We remember every detail, every moment. We are stuck.

This morning I was visiting with a friend and described my thoughts on this topic. He knew immediately his stuck place and described it in fine detail, as if it had happened yesterday, but in fact it was decades ago. It was life changing for him, he's never forgotten it, he knew exactly when, where and how he got stuck. It's changed him, it changed his family and his life.

Another man I visited with has struggled with alcohol and drugs for more than 20 years. I asked him when he started drinking, doing drugs. He replied, "I started drinking when I was 12." My next question changed everything in our visit. I asked, "what happened when you were 12 that made you look for something to dull the pain?" He lowered his head, he was quiet for a moment, and then he replied, "my baseball coach abused me....." There was silence for a moment, but I knew right away that he was stuck at that event in his history. It had affected his life, his family and his path. He was stuck! I told him, "It's not your fault." He broke down and wept, broken, stuck, wanting out, but stuck at 12 years of age.

Continued on next page . . .

Stuck places

by Mike Messerli http://mikemess erli.blogspot.com

Stuck places cont. . .

I know this may not fit with all the counselling models I read about, but I also know that I am seeing this more clearly in each visit I have with someone who is having a difficult time in life, something happened and they got stuck.

Another man I know grew up in a horrible home situation and ran away from the abuse and brutality of his family at the age of 13. Imagine things being so bad that you run away from home at 13. Now, even as an adult, when things get difficult, conflict happens in his life, relationships are hard, he runs away. He's stuck at the tender age of 13 and doesn't know how to resolve his brokenness, his stuckness in the pain of his past and so he lives it out in how he makes choices today, more than 30 years later.

Imagine this multiplied by 6 billion. The whole of humanity stuck in the pain and hurt, rejection and abuse of their pasts. Imagine the wounds that are still open, still tender, still bleeding from what has happened in our pasts. Imagine what can happen when even one person brings all their mess, all their stuckness to God to resolve.

Where was Jesus when you were hurt, when you were rejected, when you were abused? Where was God when you got stuck? He was right there with you, walking with you through your hurts, your abuse, your divorce, your rejection. It's His great desire that we take our brokenness to Him, our stuckness if you will, and allow Him to heal, restore, and move you past the pain, past that

moment that got you stuck.

My friend who was abused at 12 is doing much better, he's no longer a broken hurting 12 year old boy. He's a man beginning to recover. It's available to everyone, no matter what happened, no matter where you got stuck, Jesus came to dissolve the glue of our past, erase the pain of our wounds, heal the scars of our encounters and make us new.

Paul described it this way, 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation (something brand new!) has come: The old has gone, the new is here (present tense)! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. (getting us "unstuck") And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Are you stuck? Jesus can fix that.

For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men,

While slumbering on their beds, Then He opens the ears of men,

And seals their instruction.(Job 33:14 – 16)

We have come to know about dreams of all kinds since we were a child: some pleasant and some not so pleasant. It is very normal to have dreams which we would either remember or forget about when we wake up. But you have heard that some dreams do come true. In recorded history there are some of those rare phenomena when people who have had dreams actually saw them come to pass before realizing they were premonitions. Perhaps some of those dreams were actually warnings that were not understood in time. Then again, if the outcome was predestined to happen then it couldn’t possibly be prevented. But predestined by whom? There are many recorded incidents of people who had dreams that came to pass, even in the Bible. So I would like to draw your attention to a story from the Bible about Joseph’s dreams.

* * *

Joseph was the second youngest and the most beloved son of Jacob and so his ten older brothers hated him (Genesis 37:4). One day while Joseph was with his eleven brothers in the field gathering sheaves, he told them that in his dreams his sheaf arose and stood upright and their brother’s sheaves bowed down to his sheaf (Genesis 37:7). Joseph also told them that in another dream, the sun, moon and the eleven stars bowed down to him (Genesis 37:9). These dreams implied that his entire family would one day bow down to him and so the brothers became envious of him as even his father rebuked him (Genesis 37:10). Instead of killing him, his brothers sold him off to the Ishmaelite traders who took him to Egypt (Genesis 37:23-28). While in Egypt, Joseph was eventually thrown into prison after being falsely accused.

Much later in the story, the Pharaoh of Egypt had two strange dreams that no servants of his could interpret. The Pharaoh later learned that Joseph had successfully interpreted some dreams for other prisoners while in the dungeon (Genesis 40:8-19). Pharaoh had Joseph interpret his dreams and Joseph revealed that Pharaoh's dreams were God’s warning that there would be seven years of plenty which would be followed by seven years of severe drought (Genesis 41:29). Having heard that, Egypt could now plan on rationing in the first seven years of plenty so there would be enough reserved for the following seven years of severe drought (Genesis 41:36). Because of this, Pharaoh released Joseph and made him

Continued on next pg . . .

Josephs Dream

by Paul Cheng

Joseph's dream cont. . .

governor over the land (Genesis 41:41). When the drought came, Egypt had plenty, while all the neighboring countries had to buy grain from Egypt (Genesis 41:57). Eventually Joseph’s older brothers also had to go to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 42:1).

As the rest of the story goes, the brothers soon learned that the governor was Joseph whom they had sold to the Ishmaelite traders. It was God who had sent Joseph to Egypt, with the intention that he would be able to preserve life, including the lives of his family (Genesis 45:5-7). Indeed in the end, his family all bowed down to Joseph just as his dreams had foretold.

* * *

Because everyone has dreams, what made Joseph’s dream upsetting to his brothers and even caused his father to reprimand him (Genesis 37:10)? Even if Joseph’s dreams were upsetting to hear about, why not just regard Joseph’s dreams as nonsense? After all, it wasn’t like it was Joseph’s fault that the dreams came to him. He had no control over that. But still they just couldn’t let it go as even their father couldn’t easily forget about it (Genesis 37:11). Why?

Perhaps with Joseph, there was something different about his dreams. In fact, while Joseph was in a dungeon in Egypt, it seemed natural for him to interpret dreams for two prisoners (Genesis 40:9-18). Joseph was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams as well (Genesis 41:25). It could mean that his family had known all along that Joseph had a God-given ability with dreams. For his brothers to call him a “dreamer” (Genesis 37:19), Joseph must have had plenty of strange dreams before, and his dreams must have been credible enough for his family not to ignore.

For a long time his brothers had been jealous of Joseph but they had never plotted to kill him until Joseph told them about his two dreams. According to scriptures, something that is repeated twice implies that it was significantly important. And so, Joseph’s brothers wanted to see to it that his dreams would never be fulfilled. They said, “…let us kill him now…we shall see what will become of his dreams!” (Genesis 37:20).

Although the older brothers had plotted to kill Joseph originally, both Reuben and Judah change their mind and persuaded the others not to commit murder (Genesis 37:21-28). The brothers instead decided to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelite traders which led to the fulfilment of Joseph’s dreams in Egypt. So instead, Joseph’s brothers had inadvertently helped his dreams to be fulfilled. In essence, when Joseph received his dreams from God, they had already happened sometime in Joseph’s future -- God knew how it would all play out in the end from the beginning (Genesis 45:5-7).

God continues to speak to some people through dreams throughout the ages and to some from the pages of the Bible. Some scriptures are prophecies as man will continue to see them be fulfilled even to this day and to the end of the age when Christ returns. God’s hands have always been involved in the destinies of individuals, in the histories of nations and in the prophecies of scriptures.

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

(Isaiah 46:10)

Caution: Not all dreams come from God.

http://certaintyofgodslove.blogspot.com

50 promises God gives you as you step into the digital world today

by Toni Birdsong http://stickyjesus.com

It’s way too easy to light up your computer or mobile phone each day without even thinking. Sending an email, posting a tweet, or rattling off a digital reply becomes ordinary,

kind of like background music.

But that’s where those of us who have agreed to drop our nets and follow Christ need to stop and pause . . . as the world stampedes past.

There’s nothing ordinary about the words that come from our mouths or the thoughts we share online, especially if they are God’s words.

My spiritual mentor and uncle, Frank Kenyon, taught me: “no matter how long you’ve been a Christian,

you should always tremble when called to speak or teach the Word of God.”

Uncle Frank went to heaven at 90 carrying the Truths of a worn-out bible and a torch of reverence for the Word of God now burns in my heart.

So try this if you would:

Before you log on each day this week, pray. Ask God to be the authority over all you say and do online. Ask God for the supernatural to arise in a land of digital banter.

Then pause to hear what God might say to you personally. Refresh and reestablish yourself in Truth so that the enemy flees your very arrival online. Then, maybe, just maybe, God’s Word will penetrate even the most surprising of hearts—starting with yours.

Continued on next pg . . .

50 promises cont. . .

50 things God promises you as you step into the digital world today (a very partial list):

1. He will go with you, sustain you, and strengthen you. (Psalm 89:21, 22)

2. You are His beloved, He believes in you. (Rom. 1:7)

3. He will be your confidence. (Prov. 3:21, 26)4. He has set you apart from the world.

(Psalm 4:3)5. He will deliver you—no matter what.

(Psalm 18:19)6. He will increase you mightily. (Deut. 6:3)7. He will hear you if you ask for help today.

(Prov. 3:21)8. Even if chaos abounds, you will experience

perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3)9. The waters may rise; but they won’t

overtake you. (Isaiah 43:2)10.You do not labor in vain. (Isaiah 65:23)11.He will reward you. (Psalm 18:20)12.If you are called to wait on Him, you’re

gonna be okay there. (Isaiah 30:18)13.He will fill you when you need it—just like

He always has. (Psalm 81:10)14.Your barn is going to bust open with

blessing. (Prov. 3:9-10)15.You can’t imagine the mercy ahead. (Psalm

18:25)16.You will have the things you need. (Psalm

34:9)17.God will restore your soul. (Psalm 23:3)18.You will keep going and not grow weary.

(Isaiah 40:13)19.Your words will extinguish anger. (Prov.

15:1)20.You will find happiness as you share.

(Prov. 14:21)21.Your reward beyond today is heaven—wow!

(Psalm 23:6)22.If you mess up, He will abundantly pardon.

(Isaiah 55:7)

23.If you are wise, you will win souls. (Prov. 11:30)

24.You’ve got blessings waiting around the corner. (Psalm 24:4-5)

25.He’ll guide you through the rough spots and help you do the right thing. (Psalm 25:9)

26.Your soul will be at ease amid the storm. (Psalm 25:12-13)

27.You’re stronger than you think—because He will strengthen your heart. (Psalm 27:14)

28.Angels are encamped around you. (Psalm 34:7)

29.The troubles of this day can’t stand up to His power. (Psalm 34:17)

30.You will experience supernatural peace. (Psalm 37:11)

31.He will be the order that covers your disorder. (Psalms 37:23-24)

32.He will deliver you from wicked, conspiring people around you. (Psalm 37:40)

33.His Spirit will teach you and fill your gaps. (John 14:26)

34.He will bless those who declare His name. (Psalm 89:15)

35.He will hold all the pieces of your life together. (Psalm 46:1)

36.He will keep you safe under His mighty wings. (Psalm 91:1)

37.Nothing needs to offend you today. His Spirit in you is bigger than all of that. (Psalm 119:165)

38.Carry on through sadness. He will replace your tears with joy. (Psalm 126:5)

39.He’s going to tame your doubt and fulfill that dream in your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Continued on next pg . . .

50 promises cont. . .

40. He will provide everything—He’s your need-filler. (Psalm 23:1) 41. Have confidence. He will make His words known to you. (Prov. 1:23) 42. Surrender your view of things and people—He will give you spiritual eyes. (Psalm 146:8) 43. If you seek Him, you will find Him. (2 Chronicles 15:2) 44. With each day, you are growing stronger and stronger. (Job 17:9)

45. He will pour out His Spirit on you. (Prov. 1:23 46. God will put a new song in your mouth—and many will put their trust in Him. (Psalm 40:3) 47. He’s got wisdom ready for you to use. (Prov. 2:7) 48. You will lay down tonight and have sweet sleep. (Prov. 3:21) 49. He loves you to eternity and back. (Psalm 146:8) 50. His covenant of Love to you will never, ever fail. (Psalm 89:28)

Beautiful Sunset Baxter's Corner, NB, Canada

“Kim Winters Photography”

Snow Cave Survival

by Mike Campagna http://twitter.com/#!/blogboy2

When my wife was growing up she needed to learn how to build a snow cave. (She grew up in Minnesota.)

The kids in her grade school class were each given a can, a candle, a candy bar and matches. Of course, the can was for digging, the candle was for light and warmth,

the candy bar was for food and the matches (well). Beyond that, you could use the can for holding snow and the candle for melting snow.

You would then have water to drink. It's amazing what you can do with the simplest things in order to survive.

And I wonder if we haven't become too complicated. I mean, we need a Blackberry and an iPad and a Facebook page and a QR Code reader, etc.

Let me just cut to the chase. Do we? Do we really need so many things to function? This short post isn't meant to be a poo poo against the use of technology.

Instead, it's a call to reflection especially for those of us who are struggling economically. You really can do a lot with a can, a candle, a candy bar and matches.

(I'm speaking metaphorically.) What do you already have as resources?

Maximize.

Kim Winters Photography

7 Things that Make Up A Beautiful Life

by Rina Peru

What makes up a beautiful life – a life that does not appear beautiful only outwardly

but is pure and lovely even in its very depth?

Here are 7 things:

1) God’s Light is Upon It

A beautiful life starts when the light of God shines upon it through the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus

Christ which it willingly and thankfully embraces.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (Is. 60: 1)

No matter how dark a life has been, but when the true Light shines upon it and it readily surrenders, the

glory of God shall be seen upon that life (Is. 60: 2).

A beautiful life reflects the light of the Lord, and the people will see and shall be drawn to it, to the

brightness of its rising (Is. 60: 3) - a shining testimony for all the world to behold.

If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light. Luke 11:36

Additional reading: A Light to Others

2) Bears the Fruit of the Spirit

A life that has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and continues to abide in Him and in His

Word begins to bear the fruit of His Spirit. It does not stay stagnant nor barren, but it grows in grace and

in the knowledge of the Lord. People will see the change – the “new man” – which is renewed in

knowledge after the image of Him that created him(Col. 3:10).

That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Col. 1:10

Additional reading: On Life and Fruits; The 7 Habits of a Spirit-filled Christian

Continued on next page . . .

7 Things that Make Up A Beautiful Life cont. . .

3) Dwells in Love

There is no other, more excellent proof that a life is beautiful than that it breathes love – the love that

comes from Love Himself – God.

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

A love that gives and forgives. A love that is gentle and kind. A love that endures and bears patiently

through Christ who strengthens.

A love that speaks with wisdom - words that bring healing and encouragement to one who is weary and

needy. A love that earnestly prays, sending blessings to anyone who is weak and lacking, through the

abundant grace of God.

It is not proud, or self-seeking, or covetous. But always ready to listen and to reach out.

4) Lives Peaceably with All Men

A life that does not gossip or speak evil of its neighbor. A life that does not judge, condemn, or think evil

of others, for it knows that there is One that judges. It does not aggressively contend or promote strife

and division, but follows the way of peace, speaking with wisdom that is from above:

...the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

A life that exhibits wisdom and strength – and gains honor – through genuine humility.

5) Lives in God’s Word

A life that finds its daily strength and guidance in the Word of God. It meditates on it everyday, feeding

on the precious words of life and sharing them to the one who is lost, confused and needing

enlightenment, and imparting them to children. It relies on the whole Truth – God’s Word – and does

not take heed to ”various and strange doctrines” (Heb. 13:9), fables and gossip.

A life that lets the Word examine its heart, letting it speak to the core of its being, so that it will be

directed to the perfect will of God.

Continued on next page . . .

7 Things that Make Up A Beautiful Life cont. . .

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:12

Additional reading: Life in the Word

6) Seeks God First

A life that does not rush headlong to the agenda and the hustle and bustle of the day, but seeks the Lord’s

face first thing upon waking up. A life that bathes in God’s presence, worshipping and honoring Him

with all that it has in the beauty of holiness. A life that draws strength and inner peace and joy in its

regular holy communion [intimate fellowship, communication] with the Spirit.

A life that exudes calmness - a meek and quiet spirit -even in the midst of confusion or chaos, for its

inner being is drenched with the peace and truth of God, steadfastly trusting in Him in any circumstance,

for He is its center – wherein it lives, and moves and have its being (Acts 17:28).

Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:8

Additional reading: Seeking God First

7) Lives in Joy and Thanksgiving

A life that rejoices in the Lord, thanking Him in everything and making life a celebration of His goodness

and faithfulness. It does not murmur or complain, but on bended knees, humbly presents its requests to

the Lord, full of faith and always with thanksgiving.

A life that is not devoid of troubles, yet it does not fret, but trusts and depends on the faithfulness of God,

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Rom. 12:12).

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Phil. 4:4

Have you been encouraged? I’d really love to know. I’d appreciate it if you would take a little time to leave your comments (I’d love to read them!), or “like” the post on my website.

http://rinaperu.com/2011/09/13/7-things-that-make-up-a-beautiful-life/ Thank you so much!

Rina

Harvest LoafSubmitted by Marilyn LeBlanc

1/2 cup butter1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs1 cup canned pumpkin

2 cups all purpose flour11/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon1/2 tsp nutmeg1/2 tsp. ginger1/4 tsp. cloves

1 cup chocolate chips1/2 cup chopped nuts [optional]

Method -- Cream butter and sugar in mixing bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth. Stir in pumpkin.

In another bowl combine remaining nine ingredients. Stir to mix, then pour into wet ingredients. Spoon all together until just moistened.

Spoon into a greased bread pan. Bake at 350 for one hour. Let cool for 10 min, then turn loaf out to continue cooling, on a rack.

Enjoy!

Photo taken by Marilyn LeBlanc

“Pure Elegance”

By Holly MyersIf you have a hidden talent

tucked away, Won't you please share it with

“tell it on the mountain”

Send your talent's to tellitonthemountain@live.caWrite “Hidden Talent” in the subject line!

“Music in the making”

click the link to listen http://www.reverbnation.com/christawellshttp://www.christawellsmusic.com

Click on this link to purchase Christa’s new album on Amazon

~

Click link below to listen:

http://soundcloud.com/shaungroves/sets/third-world-symphony

Third World Symphony by Shaun Groves. Album release date August 30, 2011.

Purchase from shaungroves.com or iTunes

~“Great book to be pondered”

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

By: Ann Voskamphttp://onethousandgifts.com

Purchase by clicking link!Buy the Book | Read the First Chapter

Introducing Shaun Groves' New CD

The ABC'S of SalvationThe dictionary defines salvation as:

1. deliverance 2. pardon 3. snatching from the jawsGod's gift to us is everlasting life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

All we have to do is have faith and follow these 3 easy stepsAdmit - Believe - Confess

Ephesians 2:8, 9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-

not by works, so that no one can boast.

1. Admit That You Are A Sinner.Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.

Results Of Sin And Gods Gift to Us.Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What Did Jesus Do For Us?Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2. Believe In The Lord Jesus.John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life,

for God's wrath remains on him.Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,

and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

3. Confess The Lord Jesus.Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”

and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,you will be saved.

Romans 10:13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Next Say This Prayer Believing With All Your Heart

“Lord Jesus,I know that I am a sinner.

Lord the sinful life that I lived separated me from you. Lord forgive me of my sins.

I believe that you died on the cross and rose on the third day to pay for my sins. From this day forward

I will put all my trust in you, Lord show me how to live a life for you.In Jesus name, Amen”