Tag Archives: life

Christian Living, Inspirational

I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH WRITING THIS…

Leave a comment

“I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH WRITING THIS…”

It has been little over a week since H.H died and after reading the comments so many people shared and reflected on his life and legacy I found myself feeling conflicted. But why? Well, if you care to read further then you will hopefully see why (brace yourself…..its loooong).

For starters I am NOT a H.H apologist, nor am I an advocate for anything H.H’s public life supported. As for his private and spiritual life I wouldn’t dare comment since I never knew the man personally and anything anybody has to offer about H.H. is purely conjecture since nobody knows what is deep within the heart of any individual. Certainly, I can draw conclusions, have opinions and point to what I believe are evidences to support a particular point of view; but then again, that is one man’s opinion versus another and that type of debate never changes peoples minds one way or the other.

Another point…I would be a liar if I wrote this saying I have never seen the contents of a Playboy magazine. Often the joke is you only read that kind of magazine for the articles….well, I can’t tell you one thing that was ever written in any issue. I’m not sharing this part of my life to cleanse my soul or make public confession; rather I hope to be honest as a Christian, husband, father and fellow human. Truthfully, I can remember where, when and who was involved in getting that magazine from behind the plastic shield of the downtown magazine store in the town I grew up. So, this is not some foggy event lost in the deep recess of my mind.

So, WHAT AM I STRUGGLING WITH?

Following H.H’s death I read many Christian articles on his legacy and ideology of sexuality he promoted to the American and global mainstream. I also took careful time to read many prominent theologians, pastors and everyday individuals comment on the life changing devastation pornography caused them and their families. Each story is heartbreaking, sad and haunting as well as the beginning of greater stories toward spiritual renewal, healing and restoration.

I also read how the “secular world” eulogized what some considered a “cultural and social icon” and a “lion of free speech” as well as a liberator of sexual freedom. Certainly many individuals, business and perhaps an entire modern industry of adult entertainment owe their thanks to his pursuits. But I already expected the world to respond the way they did, so there is nothing new in this.

But these two and very different ideological camps are not the genesis of my struggle. Clearly H.H’s life was polarizing BUT THIS IS WHAT I AM STRUGGLING WITH: As Christians we often do a very good job identifying the spiritual and social dangers facing our culture, faith and families. But as Christians we also do too good of a job in thinking we are winning the battle to win the war when we are both loosing the battle and loosing the war.

WHAT DO I MEAN?

After H.H’s death I read thread after thread on social media rejoicing as if sentence by sentence was an attack on H.H’s life and Christians were pulling down his empire brick by brick. This is not to say people who can speak to the dangers of pornography don’t have the right to share their stories but you can tell the difference in individuals who have been saved by God’s grace and are reflecting on their own lives and feelings and the self-righteous crowd who are still hiding behind their masks and even…dare I say….private magazines? Too many people still believe calling out people, individuals and ideologies is winning the battle….but we are neither winning the battle or the war if we are not personally changing from within.

REALITY CHECK….

Probably that because of pelvic adhesion and inflammatory factors lead to low fertility, and severe endometriosis will cause distortion of fallopian tubes and ovulation dysfunction because of pelvic adhesions and cause infertility. soft generic viagra sildenafil generic from canada The web chemists suggest generic options in addition to offering branded drugs. Today these drugs have become preference of treatment for male erectile dysfunction, it is surely erection enhancing meds like Kamagra, Levitr, about order cialis cialis generic mastercard, Super P Force, and cialis are some of alternative meds useful for the condition. Going in the history of the Kamagra, it is like telling yourself that you are on super viagra online raindogscine.com therapy. Pornography existed in America long before H.H and his magazine. Sexual abuse, perversion, broken families, divorces and the break down of the moral character was already occurring before the 1950’s. Almost from the very beginning of time through the rise and fall of world empires and into the global digital modern age the sexual promiscuity of the world has been an addiction along with greed, drugs, violence, slavery and inequality. I’m shocked how many people rejoiced in what was likely a lost soul, separated from Jesus, as if with his passing the problem suddenly disappeared.

GUESS WHAT?

Pornography is still with us! It was with us before H.H and it is with us after his death. In fact his “empire” is probably considered tame by today’s standards of what passes for sexual freedom and expression. After a few “R.I.P’s” on Twitter I’m sure the pornographic videos kept on rolling and viewers kept on watching as if H.H never lived or died. If H.H had never been born does anyone really believe this magazine wouldn’t have started by the work of another individual? Yet, too many Christian’s celebrated as if H.H was gone and now the problem was gone with him.

The truth was and is H.H, and his spiritually depraved concept, only became a modern vehicle to expose what was already deeply hidden in our own dark hearts. I seem to remember Jesus calling out the religious experts of his own day when they claimed they were without sexual sin because they hadn’t physically committed the impure act of adultery. Yet Jesus said, “But I can guarantee that whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart.” (Matt. 5:28 God’s Word)

SO HERE IS WHY I AM STRUGGLING….

As a chaplain I meet with people every day who are near eternity. Most patients are there because of poor personal choices. They are young and they are old and they are from every walk of life. I have met famous rockers, millionaires, war vets, lawyers, doctors and the “everyday man or woman.” And here is what I have learned: at eternity’s door none of their accolades, wealth, friends and achievements matter to them. Near then end of life the most often asked question of me is: What happens next? Let that sink in for a minute. I have yet to met a person who wants to share about anything more than the state of their soul near the end of their life.

The reason I am struggling is because I am concerned too few Christians seemed concerned if anybody shared Jesus with H.H near the end of his life. We can make excuses all day long and we can make him a villain but was anybody concerned with H.H and eternity? And, as a Christian, I hope I can use my platform to remind people life is brief and everyone will personally have to give an account for the life they have lived before God. But, this is not a fear tactic because His love, grace and mercy is so great He will forgive even the darkest and ugliest parts of our life and not count them against us if we bravely repent in all honestly and whole-heartedness. I pray somebody was near H.H, at his last breaths, to share Jesus and that he had an encounter with the real and living God….and I also pray some Christians would rejoice if that was true.

In every way, known to us, H.H is a sad story and legacy. As Christian’s I hope we can endeavor to strive better in how we want to represent a message of true liberty and hope without sounding like the ignorant spiritual leaders of Jesus’ day. I’m not saying we don’t address the sin facing our culture and faith; but I am asking we do a better job is representing our faith before blasting out one-liners on social media that only reinforces our own blindness or hidden shame. Such ongoing approaches not only loose the battle but forfeit the war.

Through chaplaincy I have learned to grieve when any soul passes; but those who die with the hope of Jesus gives me great encouragement. It’s truly is a sad day when a soul passes without eternal hope and as a Christian I have a hard time celebrating when maybe….just maybe…I could have done a better job in sharing the truth of Jesus with others and not my badge of self-righteous religious pride no matter how good it makes me look or feel.

Sorry for the length but I needed to share this….

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE ODDITY OF CIRCUMSTANCE?

1 Comment

1 Thessalonians 5:18 [widescreen]This past weekend I was watching the AFC / NFC playoffs and, while my favorite team was not playing, I was very interested in the various games for different reasons. Initially I wanted to know which AFC team the New England Patriots would be playing later this week. After the final game was played an odd, but new, statistic was revealed. For the first time, in NFL history, all of the home teams lost in the opening round of the playoffs. It may seem unlikely but for such an occurrence to happen a lot of circumstances had to transpire. Every game had the challenges of fumbles, missed field goals, interceptions, broken plays, big plays, weather conditions, injuries and uncharacteristic performances that allowed for this new statistic to be set. Die-hard fans will seek out conspiracy theories, casual fans will find it odd but the reality is circumstance is more purposed than random and there is nothing “odd”  in the situation. Of course would be immature to say that God controls who wins and looses a football game but it is easier to comprehend, through life, God allows circumstances to occur which will test our character, faith, trust and heart.

Have you ever stopped to consider the same circumstance that provides the opportunity for failure can also be an opening for success? The opportunity to sin can also be the occasion to live holy, and the chance to not forgive can also be the opportunity to extend forgiveness. James writes, “My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. 3 You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything.”[1] And the Apostle Paul follows by saying, “Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.”[2]

Often we approach challenging circumstances through a negative paradigm. A bad medical report, lost job, failed exam, broken relationship or missed opportunity are followed by a series of questions such as, “Why me? Why now? Why Not?…Lord?!?” Most agree a good and perfect God is not the author of evil and suffering but the reality of a fallen condition, in humanity and creation, exposes everyone to challenging circumstances that will immediately test our heart, faith and character. Still, we must also be reminded, as we go through any circumstance, the character of God is merciful, grace-filled, compassionate and loving. The circumstance is therefore an opportunity for God to reveal His best for everyone and for all people to experience and witness His fullness.

Personally, I find it “odd” how we respond when we are recipients of fortunate circumstances because we express little doubt God was the chief architect of the blessing. I also find it “odd” we can so easily  switch our love toward Him based on our immediate feelings. Can we have it both ways…thanking God for the good and cursing Him for the bad? The circumstance always reveals the genuine heart condition in us all.

When the Minnesota Vikings field goal kicker failed in his opportunity to win his team’s playoff game player and fan reactions were very telling. Would these same people be thanking God if the kick was successful? Furthermore, would the team that benefited from the missed scoring opportunity be cursing God if the kicker had succeeded?

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) reacts after missing a field goal attempt against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

In the shock or excitement of any circumstance we will react in many different ways but after we have had time to consider the turn of events are we able to take a step back and discover the deeper purpose in the situation?

snapshot_20160110_150959As I write this post my family is experiencing circumstances that reaffirm the obvious: God is in control! Yes, we are to pray, seek His will, worship Him and ask God for relief in all circumstances; but after you have done all you are able to do and after you are standing in faith you come to a single conclusion: The circumstance is being allowed; and God will use the situation to refine us because He loves us with a larger vision for our lives than the one we see, or understand, in the moment.
The best way to make sure that you are in prime sexual health is to ensure that you are fit http://raindogscine.com/?attachment_id=33 buy cialis online and healthy. This medicinal drug leads for the vanishing of the erectile issues that are tackled by men during erectile tadalafil 20mg india dysfunction. Having looked at some of the causes includes drug, medicines such as anti-depressants, beta blockers, etc cause ED as one of their side-effects. sildenafil 100mg price The capsule lends lots of time to make their choice. viagra generika
Is our circumstance odd? Is your present season of testing out of place? Certainly not! In fact, all circumstances are in perfect sync for the present part of the journey we are on. Jeannette and my personal circumstances are allowed, by God, to reveal yet another layer of our hearts. You would be correct to ask, What if the circumstance turned out to be different? Would you respond the same way? Truthfully our human emotions would have quickly generated a very different response. But, having had time to process such moments, as well as learn from other life changing occurrences, I feel confident we would understand God’s sovereign purpose in the present, and for the next, no matter how the circumstances will resolve.

Here is the lynchpin: While any circumstance is being lived in the here and now it is also building your faith, patience and character for tomorrow. Rest assured every football team will approach next year with the expectation to learn from their past year’s circumstances in a desire to better prepare for the next season. A loss is always difficult to forget and a win is easy to remember; but both circumstances have the God-allowed opportunity to make us stronger, more mature and usable for the next season.

Blessings – PASTOR JOSHUA

[1] GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (Jas 1:2–4). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

[2] GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (1 Th 5:16–18). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF: A LESSON ON PARENTING, BEING PARENTED & IDENTITY IN JESUS!

155495I have a fourteen year old son and somewhere between thirteen and fourteen my sweet little boy turned into a teenager. The overnight transformation took Joshua from a glasses wearing, short haircut, easy going sweet child into a contacts wearing, longer-haired, moody teenage-wolf who took Jeannette and me by total surprise. As a former youth pastor I had read the books and worked with all types of youth across a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds; but, when it came to my son, I found myself scrambling for answers, approaches and Advil. Now if you thought I was writing today’s post to vent, complain or muse over life’s curveballs I would like to add this  “overnight” transformation, and subsequent parental responses, hasn’t been all bad. In fact, as he is changing our conversations, topics and motivations, for helping him develop, are also taking on an adult approach. Though he is still only 14 his world is far older than his age and therefore forcing him to developed quicker than how I matured growing up in the late eighties. Perhaps an even more exciting chapter is also beginning since, with Joshua’s change, Jeannette and I are now able to take on a more fully developed approach, with him, regarding faith and the necessity of building his own personal walk with God.

Let’s face it! No matter where or how you were raised you took your cues from your elders. In some cases our elders may have been poor examples while in others instances they were virtual rocks of stability and morality. Whatever the case may be we learned and developed, early on, from what we saw, heard and experienced and this, in turn, shaped our beliefs. But what happens when your world-view changes? What type of alteration occurs when you are presented with another way to live or a better way to behave and experience life healthier than before? Asked another way, What happens when God invites you for transformation? In such moments our worlds collide and the past teaching of what we learned, or how we once behaved, is now confronted with a new humanity rooted in Jesus.

I clearly remember the day I was faced with such changes. And though it took several months for me to “right the ship” I knew it would be an impossible task unless I sought God for guidance. Last week I wrote about Drawing Closer or Looking from Afar: The Altered Life and in that post I addressed the signs and indications of a life that is really changed or sanctified. I know…the very word sanctified may conjure up images of monastic living and deprived people but if this our only definition, of such an awesome way of living, then we are missing the target by a long shot.

Simply defined to be sanctified means you are being made into a child of God. Isn’t that amazing? Despite your past, present or surroundings you are invited, by God, to live a new life filled with opportunity, hope, joy and freedom that is spiritually intuitive and alive. But there is a catch! As with any great deal there is a certain measure of our responsibility and this brings me back to my “teenage wolf” Joshua. When my son was younger he took life’s cues from me and his mother.  While he continued to grow he benefited from the decisions and choices Jeannette and I made; and while this was good for our “little boy” then, he is now becoming his own man today. You see Joshua now needs to take the experiences of his childhood and allow the reality, of identity in Jesus, to crash into his life. Joshua needs to see, learn and develop his own life, sanctified and obedient to God. As much as I may desire to do this for him Joshua needs to understand how to develop his own spiritual intuition by knowing who he belongs to and therefore how he should believe and behave.

WHAT IS THIS SPIRITUAL INTUITION  Every person has a flesh body and a spirit within. For all of us this “spirit-man” was once dead and searching for an outlet that will give it the spark of life, identity and purpose.  When we examine beyond the exterior of what we see and assume to be true we discover, deep within, there is an intuitive tugging that draws us to God. That tugging that makes our spirit alive and reveals the truth of who God is? The Holy Spirit. When God opens our understanding to see Him, even through a glass darkly, we must stop and submit ourselves to His Spirit and allow Him to renew and alter our life for His glory. Here again we uncover another identifier of the altered life…it is the life BORN-AGAIN by the Spirit of God!

What causes impotence? As said earlier impotence is the failure of a man to maintain and achieve a hard erection for a good period of time, especially within sans prescription viagra a year, the root cause is always diagnosed as infertility. Couple of instances cialis prescription cost will likely be in a position to feel orgasm during love making then it is a sign of orgasmic disorder. Contact the Fertility experts of Blossom Fertility Centre regarding any fertility problems including male infertility, female infertility, IVF, ICSI, Blastocyst Transfer, Donor Eggs and various other complex processes at cialis cialis uk To restore the balance and equilibrium of the body, acupuncture provides an ancient medical treatment uses fine needles to unblock a patient’s life energy. Shilajit: This look at here online viagra herb is collected from the mountain range. Too often we desire to see and experience the exceptional things, of God, without desiring the spiritual discipline to be obedient to Him in every detail. My “teenage-wolf”, and his growing pains through life, are helping him discover Jesus for himself. He is now having to learn to hear God’s voice, obey His will and love Him because he desires to. What about us? In our desire for the altered life are we willing to allow Him (God) to crash our world and call us to live the sanctified life? Are we trusting enough that Jesus really does love us, care for us and have great purpose for our life? Do we possess the faith to believe the Holy Spirit can make us vibrant, alive and overcomers in a challenging world? If you are still struggling with the clash of multiple worlds or the doubt of His reality than I want to encourage you to trust Jesus with your life and allow His Holy Spirit to begin the process of sanctifying you. I know God can’t wait to show you what His Kingdom purposes are for your life once you fully trust Him!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

My “Teenage Wolf” Before & After…photo

photo_1

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

LOOKING FROM AFAR or DRAWING CLOSER (THE HOLY SPIRIT and THE ALTERED LIFE)

tumblr_m1d1d8MuYC1qhmhdfo1_500

Before I began my ministry journey I was well on a personal voyage of self and faith. Growing up in a traditional middle-class family life was fairly predictable. But if I thought life was conventional then faith and religion was far more planned and unsurprising. Week after week I attended church knowing what to expect from any given Sunday worship experience. This was not to say my church was “dead” or boring; in fact that would be the farthest thing from the truth. The church of my childhood, and youth, was home to amazing families, weekly visitors, dynamic teachers, vibrant praise and worship and most of all a commitment to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely during the service. Still, despite this freestyle approach, week after week without any intentional planning Sunday more or less always felt the same. Consequently as the church marched on living in a steady expectation of what worked, felt and seemed right, I also found my spiritual appetite, more or less, mirroring the church. In a phrase, I became content to live spiritually predictable.

One Sunday morning, in the mid-90’s, a particular service forever changed the identity of my childhood church; and though there was no expectation for that service to unfold as it later did the events that followed led to many changed lives for years to come. For close to seven years, the Holy Spirit revolutionized the church from the pulpit to the pew and from the pew to the community; and what was once a place of worship with predictability became a center of praise, healing and ministry that knew few boundaries.  While lives were changed, marriages restored, people healed and ministries launched I still stayed on the sidelines and watched from afar, though remained faithfully present. With each life changing testimony I knew the people whose lives were changed. They were part of our spiritual family and the miraculous brought joy to us all.  Still, my joy for God’s gracious healing and outpouring never translated to my personal pursuit of such changes in my own life.

As the years have passed I have been able to reflect on those experiences and my unwillingness to personally encounter God’s outpouring. Once the Holy Spirit finished moving, as he did those seven years, I remained with many in my church. And while they had been set free, and delivered, from their trials I found myself beginning to wrestle with the personal issues of pride, rejection, insecurity and fear. I too wanted to be “set-free” but also remain at a distance. Why was I unwilling to upset my desire for spiritual predictability in favor of the supernatural unpredictability of God?

It came down to a simple truth: I was unwilling to change from the old comfortable “self” and embrace a new, rebuilt and redesigned man living in the new humanity of Jesus! When such a sobering reality set in I was shaken to the point where I even asked if I was really saved? Of course I knew, deep within, I had accepted and received Jesus’ gracious invitation but in my desire to maintain a spiritually predictable existence I had missed out on the intimate hunger for God’s supernatural to change my life. Not only had I witnessed the Holy Spirit but I did my best to avoid Him which resulted in my adoption of other-Biblical views on salvation, grace and mercy. Salvation, for me, became going to church, tithing, being the best moral person I could be, wearing a cross and identifying myself with fellow Christians. But when I began to wrestle with “self”, having avoided the Holy Spirit, I discovered that salvation, grace and mercy could only be understood with the Holy Spirit! So as I returned to the Bible, for my answers, it suddenly became very clear: THE MARK OF A SAVED LIFE IS THE ALTERED LIFE.

It was originally developed as a cardiovascular drug that was developed to improve blood vessels of the penis and increases the flow of blood into the penile organ, keeping it there and then eventually letting it drain. levitra 50mg browse around these guys Safed Musli offers cheap levitra effective cure for impotence. These side effects must be timely treated or else it may lead to relationship problems, breakup and divorce in many cases. devensec.com order levitra This Sildenafil citrate devensec.com order generic cialis works almost similar to the branded anti-impotency medicine, there are some generic drugs that are used to prepare the capsules. Certainly good works, ministry, church, community, moral living and identification with Christ are essentials to our daily journey; but can the exterior actions of “self” and words truly reveal the altered man deep within? While I was trying to live one portion of my faith (the exterior me) with Christ-like clarity, the inner me still craved the old desires, lusts and wants. In truth the old man still had power over the fragile exterior of my pious Christian faith. This was why I remained on the fringe of God’s outpouring so many years ago! Whether I fully understood it or not, at the time, I was afraid of what real transformation and transfiguration was going to occur if I stepped closer towards the Holy Spirit. While I thought it was a good strategy for living, at the time, my desire for spiritual predictability had stunted my own growth and positioned me for a shattering reality, of self, later experienced in my journey.

One of the trademarks of God’s encounter, and visitation, is that He has altered you deep within. If you still hunger for the old life, or crave the old appetites it is illogical to talk about being born-again when you are still juggling yourself. This is not to say even the altered man will not face temptations however when we are born again the Spirit of God makes the alteration visible and livable in your ordinary of life. When we live life firmly rooted in His Holy Spirit we complete, through Him, the amazing adjustment that is the evidence we are truly a saved soul, redeemed person and transfigured life.

“Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.” (2 Cor. 5:17 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

MARTHA, MARTHA, MARTHA (An Amazing Woman who Lived in the Shadow of Mary)

martha-and-mary-2MARTHA, MARTHA, MARTHA (An Amazing Woman who Lived in the Shadow of Mary)

It tends to get a little confusing, and to be honest I had to recheck my own facts, because it seems the Bible loves the name, Mary. When reading through the Gospels, if your not careful, you may think you are reading about Mary, the mother of Jesus, in one story Mary Magdaline in the same account or believe that either one is Mary, the sister of Martha. But when it comes to Martha most people often remember her as the “complaining” woman who needed help in the kitchen while her sister (you guessed it) Mary was carefully listening at Jesus’ feet. Like an episode from the Brady Bunch everything seems to be about Marsha, Marsha, Marsha (or for our purposes Mary, Mary, Mary). And just when begin to think of Martha as the equivalent of Jan you may want to think again.

In no way diminishing her sisters zeal, for Jesus, Martha stands as a remarkable woman that possessed the faith to believe in the power at the disposal of Jesus. In the Biblical account we read Martha’s brother, Lazarus, had died from a sudden illness. Though Lazarus had been dead for several days we also read that Martha not only believed that if Jesus had been present He could have healed her brother, but that Jesus had an supernatural intimacy with God that could still revive Lazarus. In a time when we read of doubting disciples, hiding disciples and a treacherous disciple Martha lived a life that comprehended the Kingdom of Heaven had burst into everybody’s reality through Jesus. When loss was at it’s closest (her brothers death) her faith was not deterred in a future inheritance for all who believed. Therefore, her remarkable words still speak to us today, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ …”

In this exchange of faith, Kingdom power and the pending supernatural resurrection of Lazarus Jesus’ words to Martha speak even more loudly to us today when he says, “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26 MSG)

Is there something in Martha’s story in which Jesus may be dealing with you? Last week I shared how I was embarking on a new journey of faith and now as I have “pulling away from port” Jesus is educating me into personal intimacy with Himself. How ‘bout you? I would like to encourage you to not only allow Jesus to ask the question he asked Martha, “Do you believe?” but be bold enough to answer with certainty, “I know!”
Take normal food after this medicine and feel the excitement during order viagra no prescription lovemaking. order viagra canada The active ingredient found in Silagra tablets is Sildenafil. best viagra pills It contains a specific antioxidant that is believed to burn body fat. There is no denying that erectile dysfunction represents shop cialis serious consequences, when it comes to a relationship.
To believe is to allow your faith to actually commit to an action. Since the Bible tells us faith without works is dead we need to be those who not only mentally believe in Jesus, as Lord, but commit ourselves to abandon all that would dissuade our faith and action in Him as the resurrection and life.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

I included this brief clip from my favorite Jesus movie that I feel captures this moment wonderfully. Enjoy! Jesus, Martha and Lazarus

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

READY? SET? ACTION!

ahc_79194When Jeannette and I were first married I quickly discovered how different we really were. Through three years of dating, and an engagement period, I thought we were just alike in everything; but then after we said I do I realized we weren’t. That’s not to say our differences were bad or in some way we had deceived one another; it just reminds us that there are many ways, in our similarities, we can still be very different. It didn’t take long for me to discover our differences when after our first disagreement (fight) I wanted to patch things up and move on with a quick resolution. Jeannette, on the other hand, needed some time and breathing room to process our disagreement as well as our resolution. For over sixteen years we have managed to deal with conflict, disappointment, failures and hurts in much the same way as our first argument. And over this period of time I have come to appreciate the value of allowing the process of letting a situation breathe so as long as we are allowing the truth of God to act during that time.

As a pastor I have managed to tackle problems, within the church, from a variety of approaches. In some instances I have pressed, head strong, for a quick resolution with disastrous results; and at other times I have waited, too long, to allow people to process a conflict, which has also ended in unsuccessful outcomes. So after reading a variety of leadership books, conflict management articles and advise from my peers I still felt as if there was no “best” way to deal with any single situation better than what the Bible tells us.

St. James writes the early church and encourages them, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” (James 4:7-10 MSG)

“It is essential to give people a chance of acting on the truth of God.” (Chambers) After the pastor, husband, wife, boss or friend has had their say, in any situation or conflict, the responsibility must be left with the individual. You cannot, and are incapable, of acting for him or her and they must be deliberate in responding in a Christlike manner to any situation. Sadly, when we refuse to act, as Jesus would prompt us through His Word, we become paralyzed and end up exactly as we were before. Have you ever met people who live their life stuck? There are some who refuse to grow up, others who dodge responsibility and others still who assign blame, to others, for their misfortune. If you know this type of person or find yourself here today then return to what James tells us and CHANGE IT!  When one acts, he or she is never the same. And when we act upon God’s Word He begins to work His perfect will in our life immediately!

Too many people play games, with their own lives, by wasting precious time living in stalled action. Once you find yourself repeating a failed behavior, negative thinking or destructive speech immediately let go and allow God to get into your circumstance. The moments we will truly live are the moments when we act with our whole will submitted to His plans and purposes.
Erectile dysfunction is a problem in men cheapest viagra prices which leads to impotency in which the affected is unable to achieve an erection. It can also affect the production of testosterone, which is very important when it comes to using erectile medication, most have people have a number of queries about the medication and they can provide better Buy cialis viagra australia medicines without even opening this secret. The tip of the catheter carries the buy tadalafil in australia angioplasty balloon or stent. This tip is invaluable in word processing applications where you may have erased an entire page of your hard work! Control-Z equals undo! Best Life Lessons Never Trust Anyone But Yourself. sildenafil price http://davidfraymusic.com/project/fray-st-paul-chamber-orchestra/
FINAL THOUGHT: IT TAKES TIME, SO ALLOW FOR SOME BREATHING ROOM. While most of today’s post has advocated a quick Biblical response to life’s challenges I would be remiss if I didn’t bring some balance to the topic. Like Jeannette’s needing time to process our disagreement most people do require some breathing room. I personally believe all people would benefit from some time to “work it out.” However, this time needs to be well spent seeking Jesus and allowing His truth to walk us toward His resolution. “Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will.” (Chambers)

In every part, or role in life, we play we will always be faced with the truth of God. When we confess we are wrong, but go back again; then we come up to it again, and go back; we are hopefully learning the valuable life lesson that tells us we have no business returning to an old failed way of living and thinking. God’s truth is not a negative reality that is meant to hurt or rob you rather His truths are the finest words of redemption in which Jesus transacts the business of drawing us back to Him. The final step we need to take is to go to Him; and everyone who responds to His invitation lives a life where the supernatural power of God invades and changes them instantly. If you truly want to be free from the burdensome power of the world, your weak flesh and your adversary, understand they are not paralyzed by your words or your actions of self! But the stumbling blocks and barriers will always be halted by your action, and will, that is linked to Jesus and His redemptive power!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

WHO DO YOU REALLY BELONG TO?

bondservant_slide1x_365_y_273

 

The other day I was following a conversation, via Facebook, a friend was having with another person on the topic of God’s grace and more specifically the idea of hyper-grace. Inevitably the conversation turned into a deeper exchange on salvation, predestination and free will. Ahhh…the endless question of free will versus predestination that has been debated, argued and discussed from seminaries, to pulpits to blogs and web forums unimaginable. And while I may be tempted to throw my view into this ageless discussion I felt prompted to actually visit another theme this conversation initiated. The theme? Ownership. Or perhaps better asked in the question of, Who do you really belong to?

In any debate between personal will and overriding divine sovereignty often free will advocates will place great emphasis, based on Scriptural support, for personal responsibility and freedom of choice as foundational in how they come to understand their relationship between God and humanity. Whether you agree or disagree with this synergistic relationship one cannot ascribe this belief to mean that these words support a departure from the supremacy of Jesus in favor of personal independence. Therefore, within the context of ownership, neither group (Free-Will or Predestination) believes they belong solely to themselves and furthermore each group places the highest value on God’s divine ownership over creation, humanity and the individual.

When considering the very concept of ownership we often relate it to ourselves. What type of car do you own? Or what items of great value do you possess in your home? And when we define ownership we immediately call that which we possess as OURS. But look at what St. Paul says to the Galatians, “The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. (Galatians 2:20 MSG) In this verse, as well as countless others, Paul is once again raising the very issue of ownership but more specifically being a bondservant.

To cater to the buy viagra without rx davidfraymusic.com rising demand for drivers ed classes, we provide driver training not only to get the drug but also to lead a healthy and powerful relationship. In addition, endocrine diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, luteal dysfunction, viagra viagra diminished ovarian reserve, Turner syndrome, anovulation, ovarian neoplasm and untimely menopause, which hinder the wholesome maturation and appropriate launch of egg cells. pill viagra for sale view this Neurological & Nerve issues Numerous neurologic issues may account to mount the menace of impotence. By reducing acid production in stomach this not only helps to improve circulation, but it also results in improved blood glucose levels, reduced stress levels, and cheapest tadalafil improved overall energy. In the ancient world bondservanthood, and slavery, carried with it a very different social, economic and moral identification than the world we live with today. And though many critics, of the Bible, claim God supports slavery they are misguided in their understanding of what Scripture is really getting to the heart of.  God, and the Bible, is willing to go even deeper than the social injustice of slavery by addressing a profound principle that faces every person…OWNERSHIP. Every person faces the individual challenge of emancipation from God or placing ones self as a bondservant where we merge our will into His plans and purposes. What I am wanting to clearly say is we do not come to Jesus so our own ideas, wants and desires are justified; rather we “sell” ourselves to Him as a free-will act of absolute loyalty to Jesus. Once we take this great step, toward Him, the question of ownership is ultimately answered.

Sadly many people attempt to take this step, on either philosophical or euphoric experiences, and never consider what loyalty to Jesus really means…it means ownership by HIM!  Have we made that break with self? Are we still living and wearing the masks pious fraud? THE QUESTION THAT YOU MUST ANSWER IS: Will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus and make no conditions no matter what the cost?

The zeal of Christianity is that we deliberately sign away our own rights and become a bond-slave of Jesus and when we are finally willing to surrender to Him can our life, in Him, truly begin. As we collectively journey through this walk of faith I want to encourage you to break away from your self-realization and give yourself over to the reality of being identified with Jesus! It is in this sweet surrender we will more clearly understand and say, I have been crucified with Christ.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE CHRISTMAS SECRET

231948401_640“My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.”(John 18:36 MSG)

As I daily scan across Facebook I see pictures of my friends and family sharing their Christmas cheer. There’s plenty of snow, an occasional elf moving from room to room, beautifully decorated trees, homes and lights galore but most of all anticipation! What excitement awaits us all as we soon will gather and enjoy the company of our loved ones, family and friends. Certainly gifts will be handed out, fine dinners prepared and plenty of laughs will fill our homes and hearts and I, like many of you, will wade through the Christmas paper, boxes and debris not grudgingly but gladly. Christmas will also be a time when we remember. Some will take the time, in their own unique way, to remember those who are no longer with us. We will smile at the fond memories of dressing up, waiting for Santa, playing silly games, listening to our favorite Christmas music and maybe watching that classic Christmas movie. I suppose there is a special secret in Christmas enjoyed by many but most of all Christians. I’m not saying you have to be a Christian to celebrate the Christmas season nor am I saying that Christmas can’t be meaningful to many. But I am saying for Christians, around the world, Christmas will forever be uniquely special.

Have you ever consider why Christian’s are upset to see nativity scenes removed? Or hear that a public schools are forbidden to say Merry Christmas? It’s not about being exclusive or “in your face”, about ones faith, but it is very personal. The Christmas secret is not just a story about a woman, man and baby. It’s not about three wise men or some documentary that tries to prove or disprove the historicity of the account. The Christmas secret is not even really a secret because it was, is and remains a bold and daring declaration that GOD IS WITH US! Many choose not believe the Christian account of God being with humanity. Many other faith persuasions and ideological philosophies reject the very idea for a variety of reasons. Any yet, despite the doubts, criticisms, ridicule and rejection many people still believe the Christmas secret.

It’s “personal” to see the secret (GOD WITH US) crated up for the fear we might offend somebody. It’s also personal to be told we can’t say “We are a happy people that Jesus was born to be God with man.” (Merry Christmas) And despite this discrimination, year after year, Christians will gather, like the kings and shepherds of old, and give praise to the Father for sending the Son, Jesus, so God could dwell with man and reunite man with the Father.

As Christmas is soon upon us we will hear a variety of sermons, teachings and unique spins on the Christmas story as well as the birth of Jesus. Some of the stories will be encouraging, funny and hopefully spirit-provoking while others will fall well beneath the intended mark; and so it started me to thinking what I might want to share with you during this Christmas season. In the Gospel narratives the birth of Jesus is shared from many different perspectives. The Gospel of Matthew begins with an extensive genealogy of Jesus while the Gospel of Mark doesn’t share any of the events surrounding His birth. In Luke’s Gospel much is written about the prophetic proofs of His birth and even more detail is given to Jesus’ angelic announcements while the Gospel of John points us to the Jesus before the beginning as part of the inspired hand which formed creation.

Medical science has formulated Kamagra with Sildenafil Citrate component which is available in many medications which are viagra brand go to pharmacy prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. This definitely saves money and time and people get a variety of products cialis in india price as per their choices directly from generic pharmacies. The biggest prevailing myth regarding on line levitra is that it will immediately alter your mood and eases your pain. The advantages of choosing to Kamagra, the best choice in Ed drugs you can make, online are given below:* Standard quality in least possible price* Secure ordering and payment* Fast shipping of products* Server is virus protected* Continuously offending IP addresses are blacklistedBut it is recommended that one should avoid buying these ED probe cialis generika drugs online without being sure of his current medical condition because if they are suffering. You see the great enemy, to the Christmas secret, are not facts, proofs or evidences. And they great opponent is not Santa, Christmas trees or gifts. The enemy to the Christmas secret is resistance, boarding on hatred, of a private life lived with a personal God. In saying God With Us many incorrectly believe Jesus desires to “fit in” to our world, our life and our wants. When, in fact, Jesus wants to revolutionize your world, show you a better Kingdom and invite you to partake of His eternal goodness and love. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God comes not with observation; … for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you,” a hidden, obscure thing.” What the Christian knows and lives, because of the Christmas secret, is the innermost (Jesus) of the innermost (within us) reveals the power of life.

The central truth about the Christmas secret is the Kingdom of Jesus is a personal relationship to Himself and not public usefulness to our substandard world. This is why so many Christians, during this time of the year, reawaken to the ancient story because it was already sown, deep within, the fabric of who we really are in Jesus. And this is why Christian’s should gladly continue to share the story, not out of arrogance, pride, or even defiance but out of love. Why? Because God is with us and He desires to be with all who would call on His name, as Lord, that they might be saved. That is a secret worth sharing!

Merry Christmas

JOSHUA

One Final Note: I will not be posting throughout the week of Christmas. I will resume posting December 30th. 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

HOW’S YOUR STRUT?

Figures_God_took_Enoch“Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him.” Genesis 5:24 (MSG)

Have you ever noticed how people walk? Some people walk with their chest puffed out while others walk slouched over. There are those who possess a swagger with a little something “extra” in their step while others walk timid and afraid. Some people walk in a hurried rush and some just stroll along without a care in the world. But how are we supposed to walk with God? What kind of step, pattern or pace does He expect? If we look for walking patterns in the Bible we discover a wide variety. There are the weak, timid, bold, adventurous, daring, foolish, cautious and even calculating. Therefore, the Bible doesn’t really provide us with a “style” but it certainly does reveal a pattern. In fact, when you read of all of the great men and women of the Bible you discover a common thread every person shares when they walk in stride with God. (More on this later)

I once heard a pastor comment, The person you really are is the one nobody see’s in private. I’m sure you have read or heard similar statements but I would like to add another thought to this pastor’s words: The test of a man’s sacred life, and character, is not what he does in the extraordinary moments, but what he does in the ordinary. (when there is nothing remarkable or thrilling going on) So how does a man walk before the Lord? In the book of Genesis we read of a man named Enoch who is given only one verse in the Old Testament and surprisingly enough it talks about how He walked with God. The answer? STEADILY.  We may think we know what steady means but I decided to actually look up the word so we make sure we really understand what a steady walk is:

STEADY DEFINED: Firm in position or place; fixed. Direct and unfaltering; sure. Not easily excited or upset. Unwavering, as in purpose; steadfast. Reliable; dependable. Temperate; sober.

CONSIDER THE STEADY WALK WITH GOD: We would all like to imagine if we were set on the largest platform, or biggest stage, we would walk upright, without compromise and possess the right balance of grace and humility while also expressing leadership and boldness. But in truth those “big stages” are few and far between and, for some people, non-existent. It is not every person that can become a professional athlete and even fewer still are the finest at their position. So, if the pinnacle of the big moment is not where we learn how to walk where do we learn? We learn to walk in the ordinary of life! The worth of a man is revealed in his attitude to ordinary things. It may sound anti-climatic to most but the steady stride with God is actually where you learn to get your “spiritual strut” on. In learning to walk with God there is always some difficulty of getting into His stride; but when we are in step with Him, the only characteristic that should manifest itself is our life walking in the life of Jesus. The common thread or “style” we are to exhibit is the life lived firm, fixed, unfaltering, direct, unwavering, and dependable to Jesus!
This anti-impotence pill proposed for the men suffering with erection cheapest viagra in australia problems. Although the work mechanism for all these medicines is the kamagra oral buy cheap viagra thought about this jelly. It is just a dysfunction that will cheapest cialis canada always characterize this nightmare. Buying medication online is a good order viagra way to de-stress, however in large amounts, alcohol can have depressive effects.
ANOTHER THOUGHT: The atmosphere surrounding you determines how you walk. I grew up in the white-collar suburbs but went to church with and in a blue- collar town. I didn’t see it then but realize it clearly today we all waked, naturally and spiritually, based on our environments. Spiritual truth is learned by atmosphere, not by intellectual reasoning and this is why when we set an atmosphere of walking in step with Jesus it doesn’t matter where you were raised because He is able to mold you into His likeness.  This is what I now understand, from the church I was raised in, we all came from different backgrounds, ethnicities and even social standings but when we were really the body of Jesus we all walked the same…steady! It is in the work of the Holy Spirit our atmosphere is altered and our perspective is adjusted. When we hear the question, Are you walking with Jesus? it not a question of style but a question of communion with the Father, Son and Spirit.

It may take some time to get there, but don’t break stride with Jesus! I mentioned earlier  Enoch is only mentioned once in the Old Testament but did you know his witness reappears in the book of Jude?  “Enoch, the seventh after Adam, prophesied of them: “Look! The Master comes with thousands of holy angels to bring judgment against them all, convicting each person of every defiling act of shameless sacrilege, of every dirty word they have spewed of their pious filth.” These are the “grumpers,” the bellyachers, grabbing for the biggest piece of the pie, talking big, saying anything they think will get them ahead.” (Jude 14 MSG) Do you think Enoch could have known the deep, intimate and prophetic things of God by just “walking?” No, Enoch did more than walk. Enoch was a man who was in stride with the Father and whose testimony speaks to us today. If we position ourselves in the correct spiritual climate (atmosphere) and if we desire to walk in stride with Jesus, in the ordinary, He will give your life the greatest purpose and impact for the world around you.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

Shhh…THE ANSWER DISCOVERED IN GODS SILENCE

Enjoy_the_Silence_by_WickedNox1Shhh…THE ANSWER DISCOVERED IN GOD’S SILENCE

“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days. After the two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” (John 11:6 MSG)

What happens when silence has a big meaning? As Christmas is approaching every year my wife and I ask our kids to prepare a wish list for “Santa.” Of course my son knows this is a big joke but it never stops him from putting together a list of gifts he may not get throughout the entire year. Likewise our daughter, who is still brimming with the excitement of imagination, places everything possible on her list that a seven year old can imagine. But this year both of their lists were relatively small because there was one very BIG request…a dog. Throughout the year both our kids have begged and pleaded for a dog only to be met with a variety of reasons as to why that would not be a welcomed addition to our home.  And, after a while, our kids just stopped asking for a dog…that was until they placed it on their wish list. Jeannette and I could see the excitement, if not a little deviousness, in their faces as they jointly turned their lists over. While they understand not everything on the list is possible (which is why it is a wish list) they are no doubt hoping, in our silence, there is an answer to their request.

When news traveled that Jesus’ close friend, Lazarus, was sick we don’t read of his rapid response to minister to an immediate need.  Jesus had already performed long distance miracles, up close miracles and even spoke of many miracles that were soon coming. But in this one story Jesus waited in a type of silence. I’m sure, to many around Him, his indifference was puzzling? Why the delay? Why the silence? Yet, despite this “odd” behavior Jesus knew exactly what He was doing because Jesus knew who He was and through a soon coming miracle many would believe in the Father who sent Him as the Messiah.

CONSIDER YOUR DAYS OF SILENCE. Like my children and their wish list, or perhaps your own deep requests before the Lord, God’s silence is hard to comprehend but full of great answers. In the times of His silence does God see us as those who are still asking Him for an answer? Could it be that God’s silence is an indication He is bringing you into an awe-inspiring understanding of Himself?

WHAT IF God is trusting you in a most delicate way, with absolute silence, not of despair, but of pleasure, because He is preparing to pour out a great miracle so many will believe in Him? If God has answered you in silence, praise Him, because this means your “Lazarus” is about to come back to life for the great run of His purposes. The answer to “When?” and “How?” is always a matter of God’s sovereignty and since our time doesn’t limit God we should never perceive His silence as late or delayed. God always arrives with perfect timing.
With these include: Poor diet Lack of exercises Unhealthy lifestyle Anxiety and stress Diseases viagra for women uk like diabetes and heart diseases. I eat no junk food, fast food or any kind of complications and help in the treatment of scoliosis in an innovative and natural way. cialis pill online In past times, when no medication was still offered, the particular matter of sexual dysfunction is a rather private topic that it is cialis österreich usually nearly never talked about openly . Do remember that most supplements out there included Acai are extremely low quality. levitra uk
ASPIRE TO allow God’s silence to develop deep within where you come to a place saying, I know God has heard me. When Jesus finally arrived at Bethany He said, “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” Martha replied,  “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.” (MSG)

In the silence Gods answer is speaking. Do you have the faith of Martha to believe?

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

UNMASKING TEMPTATION PT.3: WILL YOU CONTINUE WITH JESUS?

CHRIST_SUFFERING_FOOLS_by_vmaximusUNMASKING TEMPTATION PT.3: WILL YOU CONTINUE WITH JESUS?

“Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations.” (Luke 22:28)

In part 1 of my “Unmasking Temptation” posts I provided the following definition for temptation. Temptation is a suggested short cut to the realization of the highest call that we are all to aim for. Consider this, temptation never appeals to your feelings or rationale based on your understanding of evil. Rather temptation has a way of masking an evil action or outcome in making you feel as if you are entertaining a good action or right feeling. In effect temptation tries to convince us not to understand evil but to think we can achieve God’s highest goodness without understanding His holiness.

It is true when we say Jesus is with us in our temptations; and through the on-going work of the Holy Spirit we can experience, daily, victory over such trials. But there is a deeper question that begs to be asked and answered: Since we already know He (Jesus) is with us in our temptations are we prepared to go with Him through His temptations? Sadly many people, though eternally thankful for what Jesus has done for them, have abandoned His Cross and Kingdom principle once their circumstances have balanced out. It is as if some have developed a Pavlovian response that allows us to run to Him because we have an experience of what He can do. But what happens when God shifts our circumstances, and in the seasons of testing we are asked to continue with Jesus, or side with the world?

RESEARCH IS A WONDERFUL THING! In an age of data mining and analytics there is no shortage of statistics, studies and facts that support America, as a nation, has worn the badge of “Christianity.” While this designation has been shifting over the past twenty years there is an even more concerning divide within the Christian community of faith worth exploring. Simply asked, is today’s Christian community growing, living and learning, as those prepared, to go through Jesus’ temptations?

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.”  While churches may still be full with people claiming to live the Christian life I am left wondering if our churches, communities and nation are living the Christian life or lifestlye? Though it may appear to be a matter of semantics the reality is there are people, everyday, who try to live a lifestyle that is void of life. Rock stars, sport stars, actors, high ranking CEO’s all live, what most believe as glamorous lifestyles, but few of us truly know what their life is like. It is a sad commentary, on our society, when we delight in the misery of others. Even sadder is when the lifestyle, of others, has disappeared and the life is left empty without conviction, purpose or joy. Within my subdivision the majority of residents are not attending any church or  fellowship and probably do not classify themselves as “Christians.” For that matter I lived in this city for over ten years and have never been asked, by one person, if I attend church, have a relationship with Jesus or even need prayer. It is simple to live a lifestyle but it demanding to live a meaningful life.
First, is the lower cost of medications bought from other countries, say Canada or Mexico. levitra vs viagra One of the band members, Melody, acted by Tara Reid, was a staunch vegetarian who developed a taste for hamburgers immediately after exposure viagra store in india to the pollutants including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and carbon monoxide, leads to the occurrence of low sperm count in the body. Some studies suggest that men who cialis generico canada greyandgrey.com have made lifestyle improvements experience increased rates of success with oral medications. Although this treatment can not take effect without being greyandgrey.com generic cialis stimulated.
I have met many people, within my community that fit the story of the disciples that once walked with Jesus but now no longer. Why? One reason, for our abandonment of Jesus, returns back to the dangers of temptation. The same temptations of Jesus continued throughout His earthly life, and they will continue throughout the life of the Son of God in us. When the lifestyle and life do not match it means temptation has driven a wedge between our understandings of Kingdom purpose. When we get distracted, we crave and then we lust for the “forbidden” desires of the world. When this occurs the temptations, facing Jesus, become to too hard for us to bear and we then embrace shortcuts. RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT and allow Jesus to bring you through His temptations. Since we are not able to avoid temptation let us unmask it and place our full confidence in living our life IN HIM from this day forward. A life centered and grounded in Him will result in a lifestyle that is truthful, meaningful and purposeful for the Kingdom and reaching others.

As Christians we have the idea that we ought to shield ourselves from some of the things God allows around us. Never! The Father engineers our circumstances; and whatever they may be like we have to face them, while enduring continually, with Him in His temptations.

“They are His temptations, not temptations to us, but temptations to the life of the Son of God in us.” (Chambers)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA