In the Know

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Mark 4:33-34

i love the way mark describes certain situations. he says that when Jesus was alone with His disciples, He explained everything. how incredibly awesome is that that? he didn't keep the Truth hidden, or have the disciples try to decipher it for themselves. He explained it. simple as that.

i feel that sometimes i struggle to understand the Truth. i go to the Scripture for knowledge and wisdom, but none seems to come. maybe because i don't go to the Teacher first. i go to the book, and search with my own strength and understanding, instead of going to the person Jesus, and waiting to hear from Him. there is a relationship which i sometimes ignore. Jesus is still alive and He longs to speak directly to me. He tries to get me to listen to His instructions, tho sometimes i'm too A.D.D. to sit still and pay attention. There's a song in Sister Act II which has these lyrics, "If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you got to wake up and pay attention." there's a great deal of wisdom in those simple words.

Hey Friend,
You are the greatest Teacher of all times. You spend time with Your disciples, and desire for them to come to You with their questions. so i come before You with open ears and a calm spirit, waiting to hear an answer from You. forgive me for seeking the book, without expecting You to say something directly to me. our relationship does matter to me. and i love times spent in Your presence. You have an incredible way of drawing me close to You.
may You continue to explain everything to Your disciples as they come to You for answers to the questions in their hearts. have us pay attention and expect to hear a new Word from You, the Word become flesh. thanks for revealing Yourself to me.
thru the power of Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Marty *Scott *my mom

A Time to Take Refuge

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Ps. 57:1

my heart breaks for all these people who were and continue to be affected by the tsunami and earthquake. i believe the death toll now is about 65,000 ...(updated: now 80,427 have been confirmed dead as of 10:35 am 12/29/04). the fear of disease taking more lives than what has already been reported is weighing heavy on peoples minds. 3 days after the devastation, and dead bodies are still decomposing in the streets and on the beaches. there are not enough people alive in the affected areas to bury those who have been killed.

most of me wishes i could be there, helping in some way. part of me is glad i'm here in america where it seems safe and comfortable. but all of me is crying out to my heavenly Father - for mercy and grace. even in the midst of devastation as great as this one, He still reigns on high. He's present with them there, providing their needs which He knows. and He hears my prayers. that is why i pray.

Powerful Jesus,
i continue to lift to You the people affected by this disaster. may You use this opportunity to draw these broken people back to Yourself. Spirit, i know that You are moving in a mighty way to mend the hurting. i lift up those carrying Your good news - may You equip them with power to speak boldly of Your truth and to resound with Your love thru their actions. thanks for the outpouring of help from various nations willing to provide financial support. tho i don't know why this happened, You do and are using it for Your grand plan. Your power is great, and armed with mighty strength.
in Your holy Name, Jesus, Amen

a mighty fortress is our God

the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.

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*The Red Cross *steve and nopaluck *tam

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Josh. 1:8

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Ps. 119:97

Life has been kinda crazy lately - running here and there, getting Christmas cards together, adjusting to a new cat, etc. the list could go on and on. and because i've been busy with all those activities, i've not had much time with Jesus. His word hasn't been my first thot in the morning or my last thot at night; all day long i've not meditated on it. and i'm feeling the effects.

the gartahotze's have been trying to get their lives together, but it seems to be a losing battle. and yet God has a way of reigning down His sovereignty in the midst of the havoc. 1st, i got a speeding ticket, and discovered that i needed to rely on His grace to get me thru. 2nd, denise's computer started acting up - not booting up - and she thot that she may have lost all her documents (but it kinda fixed itself after a visit to the computer clinic). and 3rd, steven told us last night that his Palm ran low on battery power, which means that the memory and all its info was reset to factory settings. even tho technology is so great and fabulous, it certainly doesn't compare to the power of Jesus Christ!

Jesus,
i know that You're presence with me and in me. thanks, Holy Spirit, for abiding in me, and for having me abide in the Father. it's amazing how Your grace works. and now that You've gotten my attention, i lay down my ways and agenda, and profess my reliance on You. You are the true source of power and strength for today. i love You. thanks for drawing me back.
in Jesus Name

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*Derek *Ashley *Tom

Peace: Where Is It?

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.
mic. 4:5,6

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.
eph. 2:14

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
is. 9:6

i've started something new - i've been studying different qualities of Christ, and examining myself to see if these same qualities are evident in my daily life. the current quality i'm studying is peace.

i'm working on being content while being patient. too often i am not at peace b/c of the busyness of my life. and when i have free time, i'm rushed to get other things accomplished. i'm a do-er and it's irritating and boring to just sit and be still. but i've found that stillness before my Christ is what brings abundant peace. and i'm slowing learning that He is my peace, even in the midst of storms and raging seas, too.

those are difficult lessons to learn. this quality may have to be studied for a very long time.

my Prince of Peace,
i come to You as one filled with busyness. i need You to be my peace. may my quietness before You be an avenue for which You can penetrate my life with Your being. i want to abide in You richly, and let Your word dwell in me. speak to me, Jesus, and open my ears and brain to new understandings of Your peace. i love You and desire to do Your will. may You reveal more of Yourself to me thru this advent season.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Derrick *Oliver *Sheila

Truth Thru Predictions

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
Matt. 28:6

"When all this comes true-and it surely will-then they will know that a prophet has been among them."
Ez. 33:33

"But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true."
Jer. 28:9

in today's society i don't hear many predictions, perhaps because i don't read the star or enquirer. (lol) and the predictions that i hear, i tend not to believe. so i am as guilty as those folks listed in the Bible who slain the prophets and denied their predictions.

1000's of people didn't believe Jesus. they took him as a blasphemous liar, not a great prophet sent from yahweh. but Jesus predicted the temple be distructed and then reconstructed in 3 days. He fulfilled many of the prophecies of old. His very life was a fulfillment of a prediction made 1000's of years before His arrival upon the earth. that in itself is proof the He is the Son of God most high.

Jesus,
as the advent season is upon us, i praise You for coming to earth to accomplish a task Your Father asked You to perform. and since You accomplished the mission, my life is changed. You've given me a gift of eternal life by simply calling on Your Name and trusting that You are who You say You are. You're not a fake. Your predictions came true, and the temple was rebuilt in 3 days. how great You are, and most worthy to receive all my praise and worship. i love You. thanks for Your gift of eternal life. may the joy i know spill out of my life - witnessing to others that You are my King and my God.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Skylar *Jaden *Tom

solitude?

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
mark 1:35

is it really solitude when you hide away to be with Jesus?

Connection between mercy and forgiveness

"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed." "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
matt. 18:32-35

this passage brings new light to the importance of forgiveness. how many of us want to be 'tortured until we pay back all we owe'? i have some clue about how much i owe, and there is no way i could repay Christ (or my debtors) for all that owe. i would be in eternal torment.

and yet there are times when i know i am to forgive others, and i choose not to. i am the same person as this unmerciful servant. i choose to hold a grudge, talk poorly against others who have offended me, etc. the list could continue on and on. and yet Jesus' words say that i will be treated the same unless i forgive from my heart. i think the key is from the heart. my mouth can say the simple words, 'i'm sorry', but my heart doesn't always get that memo. too often i harbor negative thoughts of others, and share that 'anger/hatred' with others.

oh Jesus,
please forgive my hard heart. You've forgiven me in a greater way than i could ever repay, and my 'thanks' is holding accounts against others. love holds no records of wrong --that's a tough one, Jesus. i can't do it on my own. i need You in my heart, refreshing me from the uncleanness which lingers. if there is any unforgiveness in my heart, please reveal it to me so that i may be made clean. i know Your blood set me free from sin and death, and yet there is a war raging in my inmost being. i praise You for allowing me to cling to You. i know that with You in my heart, i can't help but forgive others, and erase my slate of their wrong-doings. i beg You to help me forgive in the same way that You forgive. only thru You am i forgiven and without punishment from the sin i commit. Your mercy is great. i love You, sweet Jesus, and my heart rejoices that You are doing a new thing within me.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Herb *Kelsey *Kelly

Faithfulness

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Is. 25:1

the last two days i've been thinking about my past, and how God has been so faithful to me. it's amazing to me.

and the lincoln brewster song 'all i really want' is my praise song today. i enjoy most of lincoln brewsters stuff.

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*Ann *Rob *Mitchell

Crisis

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Matt. 6:25-27

so sunday night i'm driving home from youth and my car begins to make a funny noise when i go over 30 mph. not good. so monday my car goes to the car hospital to diagnose the problem. the wonderful people at Lawson Chevrolet fix "kelly" (my car). in the morning i will pick her up and we'll be re-united again.

that's the story. but the part that i'm leaving out is how i've fretted about getting it fixed. how am i going to pay for it? how long would it take to be repaired? how am i going to get to work? who will i need to bum a ride from? where do i need to take kelly? 'dear God, please don't let it be too expensive, cuz you know i don't have much money for repairs." (like i can tell God how much money i have or don't have? --definitely lacking some faith there.)

so i'm feeling a bit better about my car. the lawson people gave me a bit of a discount - always helpful. and all will be fine. 'why so downcast, o my soul; put your hope in God.'

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*Susan *Valerie *Erika

Blessings Galore!

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
ps. 145:16, 19

this morning i awoke to the most amazing sight! the sun had peaked over the mountain, and was brilliantly blazing upon the trees. it was incredible! (of course i had woke up late...really late...and shouldn't have ever seen it, but the blessings flowed none-the-less.) since i get up and leave before the sun rises, i never have a chance to see the glory of the morning. it was fascinating! oh to be able to enjoy that beauty every morning. and as it turned out i was only 30 minutes late for work. pish-posh! oh, for the glory of God, right there! do you see it?

yesterday i cleaned my desk - it was long over due. got rid of a calendar under my keyboard which was opened to July. just a hint of how overdue it was. now my monitor is lowered, and my desk seems to have much more room. i'm loving it. being more productive with my time is a good thing.

an opportunity has arose for a change in my career. more to come!

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*Jim *Shari *Eden

Mission

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deut. 6:5

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 cor. 13:4-7

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34

this is going to sound cocky, but i don't mean for it to come across that way. i have a great deal of head knowledge about the Bible; i can quote scripture with the best of 'em. if people need to know where to find a verse, they come and ask me. (for which i'm honored, and surprised.) it's a priority in my life to know God's Word - in my heart and in my mind. but lately i've been struck with the question, 'what am i doing with all this knowledge?' can others see that i'm a christian thru my actions? am i loving others with a passion that portraits Christ? what am i saying when i say nothing at all? and who do i know that may have never heard me speak of my Savior, my Lover, my very Life?

too often my mouth is filled with complaints, harsh words, put-downs, negative criticisms, slams, hypocrisy, slander, gossip, and just plain filth. and sometimes denise so graciously points out my quick tongue. i love having a close friend who is willing to speak some truth into my life,(tho i may not enjoy the chastising when it's being administered). that is a larger blessing that i could ever express. (thanks be to the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for accountability partners.) so i guess my challenge is to consciously make an effort to love those around me with the love my Friend has lavished on me, that others may see His grace and melt away their selfishness.

most precious Jesus,
it is an honor and privilege to know You in an intimate way. i love waking up in the morning and You are my first thought. and then comes the praise song filling my heart with gratitude and awe of who You are, and how You are creating me to be more like You. let me be a light to shine Your love. may You send others into my life whom You need to touch. let me be faithful to You. i adore You, Jesus. i love You. my heart swells to be called Your beloved daughter. humbly i bow to Your majesty, Your grace, Your mercy. my heart shall say, 'blessed be Your name.' may You continue to cleanse me from the muck which wages war within me. thru You i am more than a conqueror.
in Your precious name, Jesus ~ Amen.

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*Nancy and Yawon *Leslie *Casey

Filling Needs

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matt. 25:34-40

so it's been too long since i last updated, but i'm back - and doing well.

there has been a question resting on my heart the last week, 'what needs am i fulfilling in others?' somewhere in that statement is the heart of my life's purpose. when i am needed - or being used - am i most content with life. often i don't feel content with where i am or what i'm doing. perhaps i'm lacking in peace - since peace and contentment seem to be hand and hand.

so what am i doing about it? i have a young friend whom i feel compelled to 'disciple'. i met with her this week. it was good to be in contact again. she's going thru some difficult times - learning the importance of not procrastinating, caring for others, and living out her faith. and aren't those the heart of Christianity - when our reason for being pro-active is Jesus, caring for others w/ His love, and striving to lead others into a deeper relationship with Him?

Jesus,
my peace, my contentment - You are the reason i matter to anyone. as i continue to grow in the knowledge of You, i rejoice that You value me enough to be You to others. may You guide me to those whom You needs Your touch. i wanna be used by You. i love You and desire to matter for You. shine thru me. You've blessed me in so many ways - let me bless You in return. i love You so much.
in Your Name ~ Amen

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*Laurie Beth Jones *Jim *Dave

Fearing the Worst

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Ps. 27:1, 5

what a storm! Denise and i have had quite the last couple of days. please read her post to hear all about it. hurricane ivan made an impact on my life, needless to say.

and in the midst of it all, God is faithful. He does shelter us in the shadow of His wings and carries us in His arms. what an amazing Creator - of storms and humans. He truly is good and worthy of our praise.

Jesus
You've proctect us and calmed our fears. You've allowed us to place our trust in You - knowing no matter what happens that You are still God and ruler of our hearts. i praise You for Your protection and deliverance. it is good to praise You. and i praise You for this birthday and for allowing me to live in Your care for another year. You are my Dad and i'm rejoicing with You today.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*austin *juanita *bruce

Seeking First

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
matt. 6:33

we are now out of the apartment in marietta and into the jasper mountain home, aka 'The Black Diamond'. the home is going to be adventure, ranging from 30 degree slopes to spiders, rodents and bears. i had a run in with a giant, hopping spider this morning, but he lost (his life).

and with all the moving choas, i admit i've not given much time to hanging out in Jesus' presence. and i can begin to tell that it's taking its toll on me. my nerves are easily frayed, and i even snapped at denise on several occasions and steven for doing something what was helpful. pand i'm sure that my body being tired, 5:30 am until 10:30 pm the last two days is a bit much. so this morning i woke in time to read 1 chapter - matt 6. it was a breath of fresh air! hour and fifteen minute drive to work this morning i could sense the my relationship with Jesus was being mended by those simple few minutes of Bible reading. i can sense that this morning i'm much more calm and sensible. 're-focused' may be a fitting term.

Jesus,
You are my Prince of Peace. You've entered my choas and offered peace, and i couldn't be more thankful. thanks for loving me so deeply. thanks for carrying my burden and giving me rest and strength. You are my Source when i am weak. forgive me for choosing to ignore Your Word these last few days. i know that only in You comes true peace and tranquility. thanks for returning me to the cross to see what You've been thru so that i may have peace and life abundantly. i know You're teaching me how to be still and trust in You. i love You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Kathy *Mom and Dad *Derrick

Reality Defined

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
john 16:13

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 cor. 5:17

I've been reading this book 'Jesus Life Coach' by laurie beth jones. so far i absolute love it. it has challenged me to dig deeper into the Word - figuring out what God has in store for me. no matter what the topic, laurie just puts it out there - and allows her reader to gnaw on the info at hand. i've pondered many topics under a new light. today's reading was about our reality and how Jesus gives us new terms. with all the 'reality' tv programs on the air these days - it's a wonder why we believe what we believe. for many of us, our lives are going down a regular path, and then comes Jesus. He tells us that our lives are changed - our hearts are made new and we are not longer who we think we are. it's amazing the power He bestows upon us when we relinquish our lives into His care.

Jesus,
thanks for coming into my life and giving me hope for the future. Your plans are wonderful; i praise You for calling me by name to be part of Your wonderful family. may You teach me the reality to which You've called me. i am submitting to Your will. let Your Word be truth in my heart.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Chad *Dan *Jimmy and the rest of 'The Common'