Laugh your Way to a Better Marriage - Mark Dunger

Part 1:


Part 2:

Francis Chan - How Deep the Father's Love for Us (Alliance Council)

My friend, Karl Kaufman, shared this podcast with me.  In turn, I wanted to forward it to whomever arrives here on this blog.

Lets develop a more personal relationship with the Father.  HE can't be more in our lives if we are unwilling to be less.  And, if we make HIM more, what is our motivation?

1/17/16 Restore A Crippled Spirit

The title above might not be what Pastor Scott was aiming for when he gave this sermon, but I couldn't help but think it as his sermon went on.  Thankfully, you can watch the Sermon for yourself and judge for yourself.

I work at a therapy clinic, and I read the scripture Pastor Scott was preaching from today, some time ago.  I know people who can't walk, people who would love to jump up and leap about.  It had crossed my mind to say to this one or that, "Get up in the name of Jesus."  This thought, however, would be short lived.

I mean if I said such a thing to someone  and nothing happened, I'd look like a complete idiot!.  This would make me think "wow, what nerve Peter had!"  And that is where my mind would settle concerning this story.  That is, until today. 

Today, I was able to see how Peter's obedience and faith restored the crippled-man's crippled spirit.  The man wouldn't even look at people as they passed by, Pastor Scott explained.  Imagine being so destitute that you give up making any connections at all... like you don't even exist.  Then look at what a few word did to change all that, and look at the degree to which the change manifested itself.  

Anyway, here is today's Service:

Watch: Joyce Meyer - How to be Led by the Spirit

I appreciate this message so I decided to share it.

What Giants are Standing in the way of GOD's Plan for Your Life? 1/10/16 Worship

Scripture Spotlight - God's Word or Man's Wisdom?

After feeling compelled to share this scripture on Facebook, I thought I'd also share it here on our blog.

You see, I continue to  notice Facebook posts from friends and family members expressing quaint little phrases of wisdom.  When I read some of them, I think, you are completely missing the boat!  These humanist phrases miss the mark because they are devoid of spiritual substance, are they not?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there is no place for this human wisdom, but we shouldn't use it as a substitution for GOD's word.

Here are a few such posts: 

"Be careful who you trust and tell your problems to.   Not everyone who smiles at you is your friend."

"One small crack doesn't mean you are broken, it means you were tested and you didn't fall apart."

Paul's Message, the Spirit's Power (1 corinthians 4,5

"…4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."

There is also the following verse to consider:

Proverbs 3; 4-6

…4  So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.… 

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

I wanted to share a scripture regarding Spiritual Gifts.  When the HOLY SPIRIT resides within us, we are are granted one or more spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11New International Version (NIV)

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

1/3/16 Worship: Be Dedicated, Directed and Demonstrative - Pastor Scott's Sermon

In his sermon, Pastor Scott uses the Scripture below to explain how (if we want to be like Jesus) we should be dedicated, directed and demonstrative.  (SEE VIDEO BELOW)

Mark 1:35-45  New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

³⁵ 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. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy^[a] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

⁴¹ Jesus was indignant.^[b] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴² Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

⁴³ Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ⁴⁴ “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵ Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.