Love Him Like I Do

Creflo Dollar on Larry King

From Nov. 27th

Please click the photo below to view.

Paula White on Larry King

From Monday Nov. 26th

Please click on the photo to view excerpt:

No One

Who is like the Lord?

No one.

No one could change the way

I feel about You.

Thank you Lord!

Thank You Lord For ALL You've Done For Me

Thanksgiving Praise

1 Chronicles 16:8-12

Thank God! Call out his Name!

Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done!

Sing to him! Play songs for him!

Broadcast all his wonders!

Revel in his holy Name,

God-seekers, be jubilant!

Study God and his strength,

seek his presence day and night;

Remember all the wonders he performed,

the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth.

Don't you love Him?

Walk til you run, run til you fly

During the sermon, the country preacher said to his congregation, “Now let the church walk.”





Deacon Jones said, “Amen, let it walk.”





“Let the church run,” said the preacher.



“Let it run,” echoed Deacon Jones.





“Let if fly,” said the preacher.





“Amen, brother, let the church fly,” said Deacon Jones.



“Now it’s going to take money to let it fly, brother,” said the preacher.”





“Let it walk,” said Deacon Jones, “Let it walk.”

from AEGA.ORG

Heart Attitudes that Affect the Body of Christ

Donkey or Jaguar?

More development on the investigation of the "prosperity preachers." Christianpost.com reports that some of the ministers are speaking out regarding the investigation into their ministries finances. Creflo Dollar is quoted as saying:

"Without a doubt, my life is not average," Dollar said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong." "The issue is, what route did you use to get that excess?" he noted. The prosperity preacher argues that "Jesus died for us so we can have a type of life that experiences peace and prosperity," according to CNN.

But the senator who is calling for the investigation retorts:

"Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey," Grassley told The Los
Angeles Times. "Do these ministers really need Bentleys and Rolls-Royces to
spread the Gospel?"

"The Grassley Six" include Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, Randy and Paula White of Florida, Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Texas, and David and Joyce Meyer of Missouri.

Who do you believe? Well I will tell you, my gut reaction to Grassley's quote was, "How are YOU going to tell anyone else what they NEED to do THEIR job? First of all, you have MORE THAN ENOUGH work to do just to keep up with your own business. And second, who CARES what kinda car a minister wants to drive? That is their decision. In the end, if they waste the resources entrusted to them, GOD will hold them accountable. Not only that, but GOD will also instruct HIS children NOT to give into that ministry anymore.

Don't hate 'cuz GOD beat you at your own game Senator! You made the rules, now you are trying to figure out a way to get around them. That REEKS of a lack of integrity. In case you have not read the end of the book, Senator -- GOD wins!

Dare 2 Share

What to know what other religious groups believe? Look at the profiles here on Dare2Share.

Funday Monday!

This game is pretty hard, so play at your own risk!

BALLOON HUNT

Stand under His umbrella!

Isaiah 30:1

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord,
that take counsel, but not of me;
and that cover with a covering,
but not of my spirit.

STAND UNDER HIS UMBRELLA

Foreverandever by David Crowder Band

Are you on the rough side of the mountain?

Please click on the picture to read Jeremiah 20:

You might be on the rough side of the mountain, but you are COMING UP! Hold on to God's powerful hand!

Rough Side of the Mountain by FC Barnes

God Blocked It

I was watching
Joel Osteen
Yesterday morning
And he said
Our outlook on life
Should be Like
the windshield
And the rearview mirror
On a car.
The rearview mirror
Lets you see things behind you.
And when you look through the windshield
You are looking forward.
The rearview mirror
Is tiny compared to
The windshield.
You can only see a small view
Of those things behind you.
But when you look through the windshield,
You have a very large view
Of those things in front of you.
Are you spending too much time
Looking in the rearview mirror?
Looking behind you?
Meditating on your past?
If you look through your windshield,
You will see all the wonderful things in front of you.
Jesus has prepared the way in front of you.
Won’t you follow him today?

They Overcame Him

Revelation 12:10-12 (New International Version)
10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,

and the authority of his Christ.

For the accuser of our brothers,

who accuses them before our God day and night,

has been hurled down.

11They overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

as to shrink from death.

12Therefore rejoice, you heavens

and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,

because the devil has gone down to you!

He is filled with fury,

because he knows that his time is short."

MESSAGE: 11They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness.

AMPLIFIED: 11And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony,

What does it take to defeat your adversary? Jesus AND a testimony.

Testimony: evidence that is obtained from a witness who makes a statement or declaration of fact. Testimony may be oral or written.

Witness: one who has first-hand knowledge (one who has personally experienced)

It is not enough to just BELIEVE in JESUS (or know Jesus through someone else’s experiences) – you have to be a witness – have first hand knowledge, to have PERSONALLY experienced his goodness, grace, mercy, and love. If you haven’t experienced it for yourself, how can you be a witness? You only know what others have told you.

When you become a witness, when you know Jesus for yourself, when you have experienced Him, when you have seen for yourself His good work, only then you can testify about Jesus and DEFEAT YOUR ADVERSARY.

CASE CLOSED.

November Life By Design

Please click on the photo to enlarge. For more information, please visit Paula White Ministries.

From Prioirity Ministries

For more information on Priority Ministries and Laurie Cole, please CLICK HERE.

God is so good! We have seen Him moving in our lives and in this ministry over the last month, and we are so thankful for you and your prayers. Please join us again this month as you read and intercede for the following
requests:

Please pray for continued provision as we move towards the production
phase of the Beauty by The Book Bible study. The Lord has already provided a
portion of the $44,000 needed to print the initial batch of study books and to
tape, edit and produce the companion DVD sets and leader guides. Hallelujah!

Pray for Laurie as she travels to Northwest Bible church in Spring TX
to speak at their Christmas Brunch. Ask God to speak through her to these
precious women that they would walk away blessed and encouraged in their
relationship with Christ.

Please pray for Laurie and all the Priority staff. Ask that the Lord would continue to speak His wisdom and guidance to us, and that He would equip us with fresh ideas and His insights.

If you have a need, we sure want to pray for you. Email your prayer request to Stephanie Cole (Priority's Prayer Director), and be assured of our prayers for you.

Christian "Groupies"

Some people might call me a Christian "Groupie" the way I like to follow the teachings of some ministers. Here is a page I found about the subject:

Q: Some women are such avid followers of particular authors, speakers, and
teachers that they almost seem like "Christian groupies." Is this wrong?

CLICK HERE TO READ THE RESPONSE. The answer is given by Lisa Harper.

To view Lisa's promotional video, click here.

Enjoying Everyday Life

Click HERE to read the November Edition of Enjoying Everyday Life, published by Joyce Meyer Ministries.

Christians Under Attack!

Reported by Christianpost.com:

Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Finance, requested on Monday that the six ministry leaders provide financial statements and records by Dec. 6 and respond to a wide range of questions regarding their personal and organizational finances.

Letters requesting for full cooperation were sent to:

Paula White,

Joyce Meyer,

Creflo Dollar,

Eddie Long,

Kenneth Copeland and

Benny Hinn.

Grassley is trying to determine whether the ministries are improperly using their tax-exempt status as churches to shield lavish lifestyles, according to CBS News. Allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls-Royces, according to a statement by Grassley.

Responses from ministers:

Paula and Randy White found it unusual that a U.S. senator, and not the IRS, is leading the investigation. "We find it odd that the IRS did not initiate this investigation. It also seems odd that they have asked about areas that have no relationship to the operation of the church," the Whites, who recently announced an amicable divorce, told The Tampa Tribune.

A spokesperson for Joyce Meyer Ministries provided CBS News with an IRS letter dated October 10, 2007 that stated, "We determined that you continue to qualify as an organization exempt from Federal income tax."

Benny Hinn's spokesperson, Ronn Torossian, said in a statement that "World Healing Center Church complies with the laws that govern church and non-profit organizations and will continue to do so."

And Creflo Dollar told CBS News that his ministry is an "open book" and said he would comply with any "valid request" from Grassley.

What do you think? Comment now!

Wealthier Nations Less Religious

Christianpost.com reports that wealthier nations are less religious than poorer ones:

According to the report, which released last month, African and some Asian
countries – which are among the poorest in the world – scored highest on the
religiosity scale. Meanwhile, rich Western European countries are among the most
secular. Canada, Japan and Israel are also wealthy nations that have low levels
of religiosity.

Preaching Plagiarism?

Can you believe it? I couldn't the first time I heard someone in a local church preaching an almost identical message that I had heard from another preacher on TBN.



Sermoncentral.com is now asking preachers to sign the "Preachers Pledge" where preachers pledge that they:



•will make the Bible their primary resource in sermon preparation and preaching.

• may use other resources such as commentaries and web sites to enhance, not replace, personal interaction with Scripture. and

• As [they] study, [they] will strive to accurately understand and honestly apply God's Word, allowing Him to uniquely proclaim His truth in a relevant way through [them].



Has it really come to this? I think that some preachers get so wrapped up in keeping the flock's attention and having a new word every week, that they forget about Who is really in charge. If you really find a need to "lift" someone else's sermons - JUST BE REAL AND PLAY THE TAPE FOR THE CONGREGATION! Why be a second rate imitation - GIVE THEM THE ORIGINAL! When the congregation finds out, (and they will) you lose credibility.



Our spirit is "programmed" to recognize phony teaching! Pastors, if anyone, should know that! You must remember that God has created us to follow HIM, not the Pastor! The Pastor is a part of God's design, but by no means is a Pastor God.

Thanks for GIVING!

Here is a giving opportunity from Paula White. Please click on the photo to enlarge.

He Sent His Word and Healed Them!

Luke 12:25-26
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Psalm 46: 1-2
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

James 5:13-15 (Message)
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet.

Matthew 18: 19-20
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

1 John 5:14-15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Jeremiah 29: 11-14 (Message)
I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.

Funday Monday!

Also check out the game "Breakdown" on Christianpost.com. You have to click on the same color groups to get the squares to disappear. The lower your score the better. I only got down to 16. Click here or on the picture below.

Virtue & Praise Ministries

A prophetic word...

I'll Stay with God!

Medina Pullings

My Redeemer LIVES!

Redeemer
Nicole C. Mullen

In You will I trust!

My Savior, My God
by Aaron Shust

'Tis the Season!

Well, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Need help sending out this year's Christmas letters? Check out this site!

Attitude of Gratitude

Paula White Ministries is pleased to offer a special gift of appreciation for your best Thanksgiving Offering. You'll receive Paula's newest teaching series, "An Attitude of Gratitude,"on 5 CD's or DVD's. If you are interested in ordering, please visit Paulawhite.org.

What is the most popular Bible verse?

Well according to Christianpost.com, it is John 3:16. I am sure you know it from seeing it on all those homemade posters at football games all your life:

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son,

that whosoever believeth in Him shall have everlasting life."

(my paraphrase if it is not verbatim to any translation)

The favorite book of the bible -- I have to agree -- EPHESIANS!

Number one chapter: 2 Peter 1... I don't know about that.

What are your favorites? Read the entire article here.

Turn off the lights or capitalize?

Christianpost.com had an article which discussed whether Christians should turn off the lights on Halloween or use the time to evangelize to those that came to their door. We did not have one person come to our house last night (does that mean I live in a bad neighborhood or that none of my neighbors trick or treat?)

What did you do? Comment now.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well, I turned on the Christian radio station yesterday, and they are already playing Christmas music! Can you believe it? Well, if you are ready to gear up for the holiday season, check out some of the things on Christianbook.com - it is my absolute favorite online Christian store.

Chrstmas at Christianbook.com

Salt n Pepa Show on VH1

I bet you probably never thought VH1 would be on my blog...neither did I.

I was camped out in front of the television this weekend and for some odd reason, I ended up on VH1. I decided to watch the Salt n Pepa Show. Well, I was pleasantly surprised, at least for this episode. It turns out that the duo had some reconciling to do after Salt decided to call it quits on show business. Salt confessed to dealing with bulimia back in the day. She found her recovery in Christ and has walked away from her old lifestyle. Pepa thought that Salt had left her in a lurch. After many tears and prayer (well, that is at least what Salt did), they decided to reunite and cleanup the act a little.

I think this show is kinda cute because of the good girl (Salt) vs bad girl (Pepa) portrayal. Salt really loves Pepa and she wants the best (ie Christ) for her. At one point, they do a reunion concert at Salt’s church and for just one minute, Pepa seems to forget where she is and begins to shake a little too much. Salt is shocked, quickly corrects her, and the audience BURSTS into laughter.

The show ends with SnP sitting together proud of their first live performance together in quite some time. Salt apologizes for the way she left the group – and it seems that that those few words were just what Pepa needed in order to let go of the past and embrace the future.

Here are some clips from the show.

Obama Hosts Embrace the Change Gospel Series

I was reading the Christian Post, and I came across an article that stated that Presidential hopeful Barack Obama will be hosting an "Embrace the Change Gospel Series."

I hate to be a party pooper, but do you reallyt think this party really about spreading the Gospel?

I am going to have to go out on a limb and say "Shame on the Obama camp!" They are trying to use OUR EVANGELISM tactics against us believers. How many times have you promised someone dinner if they would go to church with you? Or have you ever dragged an unsuspecting nonbeliever to a David Crowder Band concert, and once he(she) got there, they started the jammin' to his set, then all of a sudden, he heard the lines "Here is our King, Here is our Love, Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him, He is the one, He is Jesus" and they stopped jammin' dead in their tracks?

We Christians have all done this before - sometimes, that it what it takes to advance the kingdom of God. But how dare the Obama camp steal our best moves?

Here With Me

Mercy Me

reveal Yourself to us Lord, we surrender to Your love

Friday Faith Confession *100th post!!*

It is so funny how God works. My mom is visiting my kids this week. I was here this morning working on the Friday Faith Confession, and God had impressed upon my heart to write about healing. I don’t know many scriptures about healing, so I was looking up healing on Biblegateway and it was taking me forever.

My mom just walked in to chit-chat, so I took a break. She came to tell me that last night, as she tucked my daughter in bed, my daughter said to her, “Jesus is a healer.” Why is this significant – because first, it confirmed that God was compelling me to write about healing. The second reason why it is significant: my mom really isn’t that big on Jesus. She laughed about what my daughter said, but deep down inside, I know that God is doing what only He can do, and He is calling out to my mom. Like the Good Book says, “From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise.” (Psalm 8:2 NIV)

Today is a day of healing. Whatever ails you, today is the day to declare your healing in the name of Jesus. Be restored and made whole by the power of the Lord. He is more than enough to heal you. Hearken unto His voice today and declare the good works of the Lord. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. Do you remember the wonderful things God has done for you? Or did you just praise when you got what you wanted, and you haven’t thought about it since!

Think about this: what if someone begged you for some money and you gave it to him (or her). You hadn’t heard from him since that time, so you decide to call to ask him how he is doing. He tells you that he doesn’t have time to talk. But, it didn’t hurt your feelings. And wouldn’t you know…they call YOU two weeks later asking for more money.

That is how we treat the Lord sometimes – we spend all our time begging, and spend no time on remembering His good works or fellowship – getting to know Him, interacting with Him through prayer, praise, and worship.

Well, when the Lord heals you today, don’t just say thank you when you get what you want and never think about it again. Be a witness – tell the world what He did. Magnify the Lord with your testimony.

Lord, You have seen my ways, and still You healed me.
You have healed and I am healed.
You sent Your word to heal me.
I will believe in Your word about my healing.
I will live in Your truth.
And the day will come when all will plainly see the work of Your hand.
And I will remember You and Your good work.

Tyler Perry on Paula White Today

Tyler Perry was the special guest this morning on Paula White Today.

It was a good interview where Perry talked about how God has worked in his life. Again, it confirmed for me that He who promises is faithful to deliver! What the enemy meant for bad, God WILL use it for good.

Then, when you get to where He has promised you, if you are lucky, you will look back and say, “Isn’t it great that Miss Popular didn’t invite me to her party. Because if I had gone, I wouldn’t have been depressed, and I wouldn’t have gone to the ice cream store and bumped into Sally Superstar’s personal assistant.” (Remember that God knows you. Don’t pretend like He doesn’t know that you like to comfort yourself with ice cream.)

The Mom Song - Anita Renfroe

All mom's at some point have sang a chorus of this song:

Paula White Ministries supports Darlene Bishop’s Home for Life

From the PWM website:

In the past facilities such as Home for Life -- once known as “homes for
unwed mothers” -- were a common part of society’s fabric, providing a sanctuary
for unmarried, pregnant young women who were abandoned, thrown out, and/or
ostracized by their homes and communities. But as social mores and thinking
changed, combined with advances in birth control and legalized abortion, these
kinds of homes became almost non-existent. Today, teenage girls are offered few
options for safe havens in which to make decisions and choices for their future,
or for their unborn child’s.

Whatever happened to these types of places? Did it just become more socially acceptable to have children out of wedlock? BELIEVE ME I am not passing judgment -- just asking a question.

Even on Desperate Housewives, Bree's daughter as at such a home - where anyone else would find one - ONLY GOD KNOWS!

Comment on Criticism of Osteen's Writings

I was reading an article by Michael Horton called “Doesn’t God Want Us to be Happy?” – for what it’s worth. I think it is another misguided attempt to use natural logic to discern spiritual things.

When people write articles like this, the lawyer inside of me gets riled up and wants to yell – YOU HAVE MISSED THE POINT! You need to go back to the first article of the contract and READ THE DEFINITIONS!! Duh! That is what is wrong with all of these people who like to slam ministers like Joel Osteen or Joyce Meyer – THEY FORGOT TO READ THE DEFINITIONS!

One of the first things you learn in law school is not to run to Webster’s Dictionary to define words in contracts, statutes, and certainly not “terms of art.” You will look like a fool. Any good contract or legal statute will have at its outset a section where the terms used throughout the document are defined. If anyone is unclear as to what a particular word means, THEN you look outside the contract to define it.

People like Horton are trying to use THEIR definitions of happiness to judge ANOTHER’s definition of happiness – and quite frankly, it makes a learned man like himself look like he does not know what he is talking about. I think Horton needs to ask Osteen what Osteen considers happiness – and I am sure it will include some reference to joy – and Biblical joy comes from rest in Christ. Happiness doesn’t mean that your life is all roses, mansions, Bentleys, and self- fulfillment (as it seems Horton would have you to think). Rather, I believe that joy that comes from the knowledge that you are doing God’s will – WHATEVER that may be. You can have joy in the mansion if that is what God has provided, and you can have joy on the mountainside if that is what God has provided.

MY definition of SELF-FULFILLMENT: I have emptied myself and have allowed the Holy Spirit to fill me. Now I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST! To live a defeated life, still under condemnation, does not manifest God’s glory or the gift of salvation.

People are so broken nowadays that they cannot even BEGIN to think of the marvelous gift that Jesus gave us. And there is nothing wrong with a Christian knowing that IT IS FOR THEM. Believe me, if there was something inherent about people that wasn’t worthy of this gift, do you think God would have given it to us? We were created in HIS image. (I just wanna say “duh!”) That in and of itself should get us to understand that we are inherently valuable to God.

Christians need to be empowered to RECEIVE from God – not material things – but the most precious gift that He has given us – HIS SPIRIT. I wish Christians would wake up – THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST. No matter how unworthy we WERE, we have now been reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus. WALK IN IT. RECEIVE IT. If you are still condemning yourself over how sinful as people we are because of original sin, you have left the bulk of your salvation on the cross.

So I say – YES! LIVE “YOUR” BEST LIFE – because the life that “you” live is not your own. “You” have been bought with a price. Daily “you” die so that CHRIST IN YOU may be glorified.

At least, that is MY interpretation of what these preachers are trying to tell us.

Hardee's unveils what I call "heart attack in a tortilla"

Hardee's new breakfast burrito features a two egg omelette filled with bacon, sausage, diced ham, cheddar cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy, all wrapped inside a flour tortilla. The burrito contains 920 calories and 60 grams of fat.

Can anyone say "gluttony?"

Condi visits Jesus' Birthplace

from AP

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a devout Christian, visited Jesus' traditional birthplace. Her day began in biblical Bethlehem in the West Bank, with a tour of the Church of the Nativity, built over Jesus' traditional birth grotto. In the grotto, she lit a candle and paused for prayer.
"Being here at the birthplace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has been a very special and moving experience," said Rice, the daughter and granddaughter of Presbyterian ministers, said after the tour. "It is also, I think, a personal reminder that the prince of peace is still with us."

No Ordinary Love

Toby Mac (you thought I was going to post Made to Love, huh?...Well, I wanted to change it up on you...)

Take You Back

Jeremy Camp

Praise You in the Storm

Casting Crowns

Get ready for the American Music Awards. They will air on Sunday, November 18 at 8 pm ET on ABC. This year, AMA has 20 categories where the public can vote for their favorite artists. Nominees for the Contemporary Inspirational Artist category are: Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, and TobyMac. Log on to ABC to vote. Voting for the AMA opened on Tuesday, Oct. 9, and closes Nov. 2 at 3 a.m. ET. Only one vote is allowed per registered account from the U.S.

Who is your favorite? All are great - but Jeremy Camp has had a good year with strong songs like Take You Back, but TobyMac is the man to beat!

Last year, the winner of the Contemporary Inspirational Artist category went to Kirk Franklin.

What do you think? Comment NOW.

Interview with Paula White on Flashpoint

Here is a clip from the interview with Paula White on a Tampa Bay talk show Flashpoint. I think this was a good interview - Brendan was direct, confronted issues that interest the viewers, while still being fair to Paula.

Click here for Part 2

Click here for Park 3

It is really puts to shame the radio interview conducted by Detroit's Paul Edwards - Edwards professes to be a man of God, but quite frankly, I think that he was brutal - and that is not cute, it is not funny, and it is not Christian. The Edwards interview stinks of his Pharaseic theology. New Testament Christianity is not about one man making up rules for another, but about LIFE IN CHRIST - CHRIST IN ME. The Bible tells us that unless no one can see the kingdom of heaven unless they are born again. And I really do believe that the enemy has infiltrated the church (the places people congregate on Sunday mornings) and is blinding God's people - but only the born again can identify the wolves from the sheep. Who are the wolves? They are those that are condemning and judging their brothers and sisters instead of believing that it is God that raises one up and sits one down. They are those that follow man's ritualistic traditions instead of the promptings of the Lord. They are those that try to use natural logic to discern spiritual things. They are those that follow rules for the sake of working their way into the good graces of God. Often, their hearts are in the right place, but they have the wrong motive. They have been deceived by the god of this world.

Your adversary (the devil) does not even like you enough to hate you. He is not going to go out of his way just to "trip you up" if you are not living for the Lord. In his eyes, you are not worth his time. The enemy is attacking those who know the Lord and have decided that it is Him that they will follow. He is attacking those that work to advance the kingdom of God.
But the devil forgot,

GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME THAN HE THAT IS WITHIN THE WORLD.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

I WILL PRESS ON TOWARD THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME.

THOUGH THEY ATTACK, WHEN I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THE LORD.

The adversary that has infiltrated the church is trying to win this battle by creating a lot of lukewarm Christians. But in Revelation 3:15-17, the Lord is clear:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm—

neither hot nor cold—

I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

(what can I say after THAT! I am having "chu'ch here by myself now...PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD!)

Lord I Love You

It took me TWO months to find this song...my absolute favorite. By Houston's own Shei Atkins, here is Lord, I Love You off her newest album Girl Talk.

Paula White radio inteview - TALKS ABOUT DIVORCE

Paul Edwards conducted a radio interview with Paula White. Clearly, Paula was there to discuss her new book, "You're All That." However, Edwards took the opportunity to lambast Paula on her beliefs and her decision to continue in ministry even while going through her divorce. All I can say is "Do not judge, lest ye be judged." It reminds me of a little faith scenario that I went through a couple of years ago.

I attended a church where the pastor was always asking for money. When I first attended, I could see the vision that God had given the pastor for the church, and I believed that God wanted me to sow into the ministry. But as time progressed, every sermon was asking for more and more money. I began to worry about whether it had been good for me to give this pastor all my hard earned money. But the day came when God put it in my spirit that I was to do as He (GOD) instructed. Now, if the pastor did not do what God instructed with the money that I had sown, it would be the pastor that would stand in judgment for his disobedience. If I did not sow when God instructed me to sow, then I would stand in judgment for my disobedience. Even if it did not make natural sense to me, I was to obey God's instruction, not my own, and certainly not a beggin' pastor.

So in the same way, I will not judge Paula's decision to stay in the ministry, even while going through this difficult personal time. It will be Paula that will be judged by a just, soverign, and almighty God for her obedience to His instruction and for her stewardship over the seeds that He has entrusted to her care.

Paula White discusses divorce and effects on ministry. Here is an excerpt:

To hear the entire interview, click here.

Made Me Glad - Hillsong

Paula White Ministries Update

Interesting factoid

A study from the Barna Research Group of Ventura, shows that millions of twentysomething Americans - many of whom were active in churches during their teens - pass through their most formative adult decade while putting Christianity on the backburner. This group is significantly less likely than any other age group to attend church services, to donate to churches, to be absolutely committed to Christianity, to read the Bible, or to serve as a volunteer or lay leader in churches. The Barna Research Group also reports that many twentysomethings struggle to find their place in churches and feel overlooked as potential leaders. The age group with the greatest number of church leaders are those in their 50s.

Experience does help to shape good leaders, but when will people train up the next generation of leaders? I know from my own experience that fresh ideas are critical to the life of a church. My childhood church virtually went under due to stagnant leadership and "same 'ol" thinking. How has your church integrated twentysomethings in church leadership? Do you all have a formal program to train up the next generation of leaders?

COMMENT NOW!

Are you going to church tomorrow?

According to Christianpost.com, tomorrow churches across the country are shutting their doors and taking their worship outside to demonstrate one of the most principal mandates in Scripture – faith in action.

Faith in Action Sunday is the culmination of a four-week churchwide campaign that aims to get Christians out of the pews and onto the streets to raise the value of social justice and compassion, serving as Jesus served the church, says one spokesman.

I hadn't heard of this until today. I plan to be in church tomorrow morning, but I think it will be a wake up call for many Christians. Everyday should be Faith in Action day.

Weekend Audio Moment (WAM)

1. Glorious - Martha Munizzi
2. I'm Walking - Donnie McClurkin
3. Praise on the Inside - J Moss
4. Enough - Barlow Girl
5. I Will Bless the Lord - Byron Cage

Homemaking Taught at Seminary

I just came across this article about a new program at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. They are now offering a degree with a concentration in homemaking. There are also classes open only to women that teach homemaking. It is sad to admit, but I think classes on homemaking have become somewhat needed due to the degradation of the family unit. Just think about how many people grow up with a disfunctional view of what it means to be a husband or a wife. How many people have justified that divorce is one of many solutions to marital problems? I am not saying this to be judgmental - not in the least. I think that there is a perversion in society that people think that marriage is all about being in LUUUUVV! That is deception from the enemy, and he is using it to defeat Christians.

In ALL things, God wants to draw us closer to HIM. He has put His Spirit in both male and female. We are to come to each other looking for the Lord. And His Word tells us that when two or more are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of them. He has designed us to come together as catalysts for His work on the Earth -- we should accelerate His work, and yet in doing so, we keep the identity of who He has made us to be.

Whe we marry, we are to connect Spirit to Spirit. I would tell anyone contemplating marriage to ask themself just one question: "Can you promise GOD that you will never leave this person?" --NOT "can you promise THAT PERSON that you will never leave them. " Everyone knows my favorite saying about marriage: "God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. Translation: PEOPLE LIE AND PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR MINDS." People are running off getting married just because the LUV somebody...and then, when they don't feel that LUV anymore - when some thangs start happening in life - they want to run.

Ask God if that person is the mate that He has chosen for you and encouage that person to do the same thing. Then, when you say those vows, make your vows TO THE LORD, not to each other. Then you will know who is serious.

But back to the article. (boy, did I digress!) I think there is a lack of Titus 2 leadership in the church. There was a time when a mother would teach her daughter how to cook, how to clean, how to live life as a mighty woman of GOD! What is wrong with traditional gender roles when you have a choice? I think one of the most important roles for a mother is to instruct their children - they should be able to trust you to instruct them on how to navigate an ungodly world. The world gives them choices, and so does God. It is our service that will win our children to the Lord, not our indoctrination. (but back to the article)

With the devaluing of traditional gender roles, and the lack of adequate role modeling and instruction, we have now moved to a place where it is now necessary for women to 1. recognize and embrace that God has ordained traditonal gender roles; 2. recognize that there has been a lack of instruction or modeling of traditional gender roles in their lives; 3. understand they are not alone; and 4. know God is restoring His church and is raising up instructors for a time such as this.

Here is the link to the article that was featured in the LA Times.

Friday Faith Confession

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

God knows the plans He has for my life.

I put my trust in the Lord.
He has already overcome the world.

The Spirit intercedes on my behalf.

God gives us the desires of our heart.

And HE who has promised is faithful to deliver.

Signs!

Have you ever seen those clever marquees on churches that make you think – I never thought about that – the first one I remember seeing was “7 days without God makes one Weak” (you get it??) Well anyway, I found a list of “one sentence sermons that I thought you might enjoy. If you like these, you might want to check out these books at


Christianbook.com.

"Pray" is a four-letter word you can say anywhere - except in public schools.

Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope.

If God is your Co-Pilot - Swap Seats!!

The church is prayer-conditioned.

WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

Plan ahead - It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

Exercise daily - walk with the Lord.

Coincidences happen when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Never give the devil a ride - he will always want to drive.

Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door for years.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen...1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

The best vitamin for a Christian is B1.

It’s hard to stumble when you’re on your knees.

Tropicana - Peach Papaya Juice

My husband bought me one of these yesterday, and it is the best (fake) fruit juice I have ever tasted - and I don't even like peach or papaya. Turns out, there is no peach or papaya in it - it is made out of a little pear juice. Anyway it goes, it is great!

Laugh!

Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously! Don't be too afraid to laugh - God knows our heart anyway. I wish I knew her name. She is bringing JOY -- I am not making fun of her, but I am laughing because it is funny! She has given God praise, and now God is blessing her and us by bringing joy to our lives through her. Think of how popular this lady is…Views: 70,646; and tagged as a Favorite: 531 times -- in a little over a year!

In all things, TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

November/December Catalog for Christianbook.com

The Nov/Dec catalog for Christianbook.com is now online.

As always, it’s packed with great deals and new releases!

Just click on this link to check it out!

100%

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer this Question: The Wimpy Witness Christian Evangelism Blog: 100%

You've Been So Good!

Music Video:YOU'VE BEEN SO GOOD (by Martha Munizzi)

Music Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

I've Resigned from Resigning

What do you do when you feel like giving up? Mark 4:15 tells us that when we hear the Word of the Lord, the adversary comes immediately to take the Word from our hearts. Are you going to just let him have it, or are you going to protect what is yours? Matthew 11:12 (NIV) states that “the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it.” Here is a clip from an article from SpiritLed Woman (Oct/Nov 2007) that I know will encourage you to press on toward the call of the Lord.

I've Resigned From Resigning
By Barbara Wentroble

I had a million good reasons for wanting to leave the work of the Lord. But there is
nowhere you can go to escape your calling.

Why am I doing this to myself?" I asked. Excuses to resign from the call of God flooded my mind.

I can be normal like other women and stay home.

I am sacrificing my time, energy and finances to help people who do not appreciate what I am doing.

My husband and children do not treat me the way some of these people treat me.

My family will appreciate my spending more time with them.

I really need to have more quality time with the Lord. I can do that if I stop what I am doing.

Since I am experiencing difficulties, maybe I am out of the will of God.

All the excuses made sense to me. After all, I had three young children and a husband who was able to support me financially. Tradition had taught me that a woman should stay home and care for her children and husband. My church emphasized to me that the highest call of God for a woman was to be a mother and a wife.

View the rest of the article and find out how Barbara overcame at SpiritLed Woman.

Life Coaching by Paula White

I just had the opportunity to log in to the inaugural life coaching session offered by Pastor Paula White. This was a perk offered to those who preordered her new book You're All That.

The session lasted about 20 minutes. It included here speaking a message covering the first few chapters as well as questions for self reflection. There was also an interactive comment section where participants could ask questions and comment.

Here is a screenshot:



I enjoyed it, to say the least. Although I have not received my book yet, it was an exciting preview. She begins by telling the story of how her son snuck out of the house when he was a toddler on a busy 4th of July. You can hear the story here in the audio excerpt.

Let him that have an ear, HEAR!

2 Timothy 4:2-5

Preach the word!

Be ready in season and out of season.

Convince, rebuke, exhort,

with all longsuffering and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,

but according to their own desires,

because they have itching ears,

they will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away from the truth,

and be turned aside to fables.

But you be watchful in all things,

Indure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Why do you attend the church you attend? Why do you listen to the teachings that you listen to? Is it because the pastor or the teacher is friendly, outgoing, or you like what they say? What are you listening to? Are you listening to the words they are speaking, or are you seeking God through the speaker?

I think that we can confused and think "Oh, Pastor Bob sure gave us some good advice today!" But what advice was God giving you? People leave their deliverance, their victory, the answers to their prayers at the altar because they confuse the message with the messenger. We have to train ourselves to be able to distinguish natural problems from spiritual ones.

Why? Because you cannot use natural wisdom to fight a spiritual battle. Sometimes those in authority will tell us things that sound like good advice, we try it, but it doesn't work for us. Why -- because it is like trying to cut a 2x4 (a thick piece of wood) with a steak knife -- you might make a few scratches, but it is going to take a lot of work, and a lot of effort to get all the way through. God gives us the best tools for the jobs He has called us to do. As in the example, he will give you the "band saw" you need to get the job done and be through with it!

When seeking wise counsel for anything, be deliberate in prayer -- ask the Spirit that is within you to "translate" the message that God is sending you. He will reveal real wisdom. Don't just act on what people tell you - act on the word that God has revealed to you through the words that they speak. We are not created to follow one another, but the Lord. Jesus tells us in Luke 10:27-28: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

The Lord has made this clear to us. In Matthew 23:10, we know that we only have One Teacher -- and that is Christ.

If you are not connecting Spirit to Spirit with someone you are asking for advice, wrote the book you are reading for wisdom, or sang the song you are listening to in the hopes of ushering in the presence of the Lord, I think the Lord will look at you and ask you, "Daughter, what are you doing? I know you have a good heart, and you mean well, but you need to focus. REALLY"

Some Christians like to get upset when those they look up to do not meet their expectations. But the truth of the matter is that some folks are shouting when the Lord is not speaking. What are you shouting at? What did God tell you? "The Pastor sure is preaching today!" But what is the Lord preaching?

Be Encouraged!

Philippians 3:10-14:

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship
of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so,
somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I
press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Here are some great inspirational resources available at Christianbook.com.

The Truth Project

I have heard about the Truth Project before, but I have never really taken a good look at it. While cruisin' the web, I came across the site Place it at the Cross and a promotional trailer for the Truth Project. I have to tell you that it is absolutely fascinating. Believers, we must defend a Christian world view. This is imperative as society becomes more profoundly bombarded with a "do what you wanna do, say what you wanna say" mentality. It becomes more critical because now, virtually everyone has INSTANT ACCESS to the WORLD -- via Youtube, Myspace, Google, Yahoo...YOU NAME IT!

Please view the trailer -- it is pretty lengthy, but even just this glimpse of what is going on in the world will really get you to thinking...and hopefully studying so that you can discover the Truth.

Self Control

THE SCRIPTURES DESCRIBE THE DIFFICULTY OF SELF-CONTROL
The wisdom of Solomon declared it is easier to capture a city than to be in control of our spirit Pr 16:32

HOWEVER, IN CHRIST THERE IS STRENGTH TO CONTROL SELF
Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Ga 5:17
This does not mean we are no longer tempted to sin,

but we are free from the dominion of sin! Ro 6:14
For those in Christ, there is added strength as they "walk according to the Spirit"!
The Holy Spirit helps us overcome the "deeds of the body" - Ro 8:11-14; Ep 3:16,20
Prayer (based on Titus 2:5 and Colossians 3:16-17):

Dear Lord,
Help us to be self-controlled and pure
so that no one will speak evil of the Word of God because of us.
And help us to be thankful.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly
as we teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.
And whatever we do, whether in word or deed,
may we do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Amen.

Fight Like a Girl!

Today, I was wondefully blessed to catch the Believer's Voice of Victory on TBN. I usually do not watch the program, but I was looking for something different for my prayer time this morning. Well, I did not know that it would be a God appointment. Today's broadcast featured Lisa Bevere. She is the author of the book Fight Like a Girl.

How can I begin to express how great this woman of God is! She discussed her own experiences and finding her place as a woman in the church. She had a heart to serve the Lord, but people spoke some very disheartening things to her. But she perservered! She found out who she was in the Lord. And now her work reaches out to women around the world.

Lisa makes it clear: God is raising up FEARLESS DAUGHTERS! We are not here to take the place of men, but to work alongside them. God is pouring out his spirit on his sons AND daughters!

This is my VERY first time listening to Lisa, but definitely it will not be the last time. I am going to order the book from Christianbook.com
and I will be back soon with a review.

Retail Price: $16.99
CBD Price: $12.99

Buy 10 or more of this product and pay only $12.34 each.

Click here to read an excerpt: www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_slideshow?sku=77588&actual_sku=77588&slide=0

You can also order the Fight Like a Girl Curriculum package from Kenneth Copeland Ministries for $89.99 here.

The kit includes:

• 12 lessons of 4 DVDs
• Fight Like a Girl Hardback Book
• Fight Like a Girl Interactive Workbook
• Genuine Crystal bracelet
• Makeup bag
• Advertisting Poster

Watch a clip of the broadcast below: