April 2009 Blog Posts (13)

Forty Years On - Part One

This year I have been a Christian for forty years. I would have said 'served the Lord', but sometimes I have failed him miserably, only serving myself. Nevertheless, He has always been there, holding me up, preserving my life and moving me on to the next step in His plan for me.

I remember that day as though it were yesterday. It was 1969. I had been at an all-night party, arriving home at 6AM. I was to be picked up at 10AM to go to The Billy Graham Crusade. Well, I did go and was… Continue

Added by Toria Newman on April 28, 2009 at 10:43am — 2 Comments

Don't ever give up!

His number one desire in life was to be the very best at everything he attempted. Encouraged by parents, extended family, teachers, and others who knew of his gifted intellect, he studied hard to gain as much knowledge as possible. He excelled in school, constantly gaining more knowledge, and winning the approval of those around him. His teachers encouraged him to dream big, daring him to do anything he wanted to do. In time, encouragement became expectation. As life became more complex,… Continue

Added by Jack Hoover on April 27, 2009 at 2:09pm — 6 Comments

3 UP!

The roots of my raising run deep, and I thank God I was surrounded by family who knew God's Word and lived by it! My childhood, in the hills and hollers around Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was one that would undoubtedly be envied by most. Family get togethers were very frequent, sometimes several times a week. Sundays provided especially fond memories of family get togethers at Granny Clark's house, after we had all attended church services at "The Little Chapel." The Little Chapel (That was it's… Continue

Added by Jack Hoover on April 23, 2009 at 1:00pm — 4 Comments

Depression - Illness or gift?

When people discover that I suffer from depression, they quite often see a bright smile on my face, and say things like, "You don't look depressed." Hmmmmm, Interesting! Is there really someone who knows what depression looks like? Another thing they often ask is, "What is causing your depression?" Hmmmmm, I think if I knew the answer to that, I could find a way to end those feelings. Then there are also the well meaning eternal optimists who simply say, "Get over it." Obviously, that's exactly… Continue

Added by Jack Hoover on April 20, 2009 at 11:30am — 7 Comments

If I don't, maybe someone else will

This poem is to give you something to think about

Will I offer encouragement to someone in need

To help their faith grow, will I plant the seed

If I don't, maybe someone else will

Will I offer shelter to someone in the rain

Even when for myself, there's nothing to gain

If I don't, maybe someone else will

Will I give to a man, standing on the street

A little of what I have, so that he can eat

If I don't, maybe someone else… Continue

Added by Alphonso Rodgers on April 19, 2009 at 4:24pm — 1 Comment

living for God

Living For God by Joe La Bianca

Do we live for God in constant worry? Should we always question if we are right with God? Does God want us to be unsure of our salvation? This is a message for perfectionists.

I think we should let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Ask any perfectionist and they’ll tell you they are not happy. They cannot have peace. This should tell you it’s not the way.

Peace! What is a peace that passes understanding? Well, it’s a peace without… Continue

Added by Joe La Bianca on April 18, 2009 at 8:18pm — 1 Comment

Winter Haven - Divine message or coincidence?

I just received a new revelation as I wrote about my ministry on my home page at this site. I wrote about God giving me a scripture, which was II Chronicles 15:7, "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded," and about how it became my battle cry. I would like to share more with you here about this scripture and how it came to be my battle cry.

In early 1998, I earned my living as an over the road truck driver. My passions included reading… Continue

Added by Jack Hoover on April 18, 2009 at 1:04pm — 1 Comment

Activate your faith

I come to you in the name of our Father in heaven. Not as a preacher or minister, but as a person who's trying to be a better man by excercising my faith. I know that it's by Gods grace that I still have life. Although I do not know God's complete purpose for me I'm learning how to pray better. Not just to ask God for what I want and need but more importantly to ask God for what he wants from me. In the process I'm developing better listening skills. After all prayer is just having a… Continue

Added by Alphonso Rodgers on April 17, 2009 at 5:05pm — 4 Comments

Do We Matter?

Do we matter? It's human nature to think that what we do matters to those around us. Every one of us loves to get a little pat on the back now and then from our friends, family, co-workers, etc. It lifts our spirits. It makes us feel productive. It gives us a feeling of belonging. It gives us a sense of pride. It increases our self confidence. It encourages us to do even more. Yet, more often than not, we are not recognized as being important to others. So I ask again, do we matter? In the… Continue

Added by Jack Hoover on April 16, 2009 at 10:00am — 4 Comments

carrying your cross

Carrying Your Cross is Comforting by Joe La Bianca

Carrying your cross is comforting. What does it mean to carry your cross? I know Christians that incorporate carrying their crosses into their relationship with God. They make being saved a very hard thing, and think that it is God who gives them their crosses. Listen well! God does not give us the cross, the unbelieving enemies of Christ do.

Every time you are persecuted, whether by word or deed, you are carrying your cross.… Continue

Added by Joe La Bianca on April 14, 2009 at 6:01pm — 4 Comments

mean ones

Here’s something strange. I’ve been telling of the love of Jesus on line. I get all kinds of responses. But the funny thing is, of all the people who respond to the message of Jesus, it’s the ones who say they have never sinned who are the meanest. The ones who deny being evil are the nastiest people you will ever meet. How is this? Well, the fact is, all have sinned, so when these mean ones hear this, it touches a nerve inside of them, and they lash out. Conversely, the people who hear that… Continue

Added by Joe La Bianca on April 13, 2009 at 12:32am — No Comments

Jesus the Man

Jesus The Man

By Joe La Bianca

Hebrews 2:14-18

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful… Continue

Added by Joe La Bianca on April 7, 2009 at 5:35pm — No Comments

hard heart

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart… Continue

Added by Joe La Bianca on April 2, 2009 at 11:26pm — No Comments