Happy Thanksgiving

THE HAND
By Steve Goodier
http://www.bestinspiration.com/steve.php3

Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment --to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was.

The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

A pearl to string: The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world. They might not always say thanks, but they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

"Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand". Psalm 37:24

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me". Psalm 63:8

This Thanksgiving, thank God for all of the "hands" that have "touched" your life and know when you reach out with your hand to help another – its God’s hand that touches a heart.

Joyfully & Thankfully,
Lyndi

Light my Way

A Texas minister was scheduled to speak at an all-day conference. He was running late because his alarm had failed to ring. In his haste to make up for lost time, he cut himself while shaving. Then he found his shirt was not ironed.

To make matters worse, running to his car he noticed a tire was flat. Disgusted, and by this time thoroughly distraught, the minister finally got underway with a sudden burst of speed. Racing through town he failed to notice a stop sign and rushed through it.

As fate would have it, there was a policeman nearby, and in just moments he heard the scream of a siren. Jumping out of his car, the agitated minister said sharply, "Well, go ahead and give me a ticket. Everything else has gone wrong today."

The policeman walked up and said quietly, "Sir, I used to have days like that before I became a Christian." Needless to say, the embarrassed minister was shamed by the stranger's rebuke and went his way asking forgiveness and praying for strength to correct his attitude.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

A pearl to string: Well doesn’t that little story just stop you dead in your tracks. I stood straight up frozen like a deer caught in the headlights. It was as if the Holy Spirit was standing right next to me saying, ‘I can’t hear you’? Tearfully I blurted out loud, ‘I’m sorry’!
I don’t know for what but I’m breathing and we all know that is a breeding ground for unsavory behavior. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said, “People are like stained glass windows; they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.”

Lord may You always be the light that shines from within me and may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be Your joy. Amen and amen

May He light your way from within
You are loved,
Lyndi

Sleeping Through a Revolution

By Pastor James Ryle
http://jamesryle.blogspot.com/




"Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." (Ephesians 5:14).

Epic change is in the air while much of the Church has dozed off, oblivious to God . Perhaps we may be like Peter, James and John when the Lord invited them to a prayer meeting. The only problem is that it was on top of a mountain.

By the time Peter, James and John made the climb, they were so tired that they fell asleep while Jesus was praying. And as they were sleeping, two other invited guests arrived – Moses, and the Prophet Elijah. Jesus was delighted to see them, and they began talking together about the Kingdom of God and the coming Age of Glory.

At that moment, Jesus began to shine brighter than the noon day sun – so bright, in fact, that it woke Peter up. The Bible then tells us, “Peter and the other two disciples had been sound asleep. All at once they woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was” (Luke 9:32, Century English Version).
Hmmm. Don’t you think it’s time for that to happen again?

Do you remember reading the story of Rip Van Winkle when you were a kid? I do, but the funny thing is I can’t remember what was the point of the story. I mean, I know it’s about a guy who fell asleep for a really long time – but beyond that I couldn’t recall anything else. So I decided to read it again, and here’s what I discovered.

When Rip Van Winkle went to sleep, King George of England was the recognized monarch who ruled over the American colonies. Twenty years later when Rip woke up, George Washington was the President of the United States. Rip Van Winkle had slept through a Revolution!

Peter, James and John were essentially doing the same thing on top that sacred mountain of transfiguration. And, as the evidence seems to suggest, much of the church today is in the exact same condition – sleeping through a revolution.

Over a hundred years ago Charles Spurgeon wrote, “A slumbering church compels Satan to make it his chief business to rock the cradle, hush all noise, and drive away even a fly lest it light upon the sleeper’s face. His great dread is that this church might rouse itself from her dreamy repose.”

Indeed.

We would do well in these lazy days to take heed to the words of the apostle Paul. “Make sure,” he wrote, “that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God” (Romans 13:11, The Message).

Odd, don’t you think, that on the one hand we can be so busy about this and that – that we completely doze off and miss the very presence and work of God happening all around us? We can be like Jacob who, waking from his sleep, said, “Ah, surely the Lord was in this place and I knew it not!” (see Gen.28:16).

A few years ago I was in Lincoln, Nebraska, and caught sight of a most unusual spectacle. An ambitious truck driver had attempted to move a large, historic church building along highway 103 with his woefully undersized rig. He possibly could have made it, but somewhere along the route he fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road. When the rig listed to the right, the church slid off the truck and ended up stuck in the mud in the ditch.

The sight of this massive historic church building stuck in the mud in a ditch is disturbingly prophetic. Traffic was backed up for miles in both directions as gawkers came out in droves to see the strange sight. I can’t help but wonder how many churches in America are in just such a predicament today?

Somebody fell asleep at the wheel – and the church is stuck in the mud. And the watching World, far from being impressed with our theatrics and swollen words, merely drives by at a snail’s pace taking in the view and cracking a few worn out jokes.

We desperately need an Awakening – especially among those who serve as the leaders in Faith. For if they are indeed “asleep at the wheel” we are not only poised for ridicule – but quite possibly disaster. If the blind can lead the blind into a ditch, where will we end up if we follow sleeping leaders?

Awakening is a theme often repeated in scripture. “Awake! Awake! Put on your strength, O Zion!” Isaiah cried. “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin,” Paul said to the Corinthians. He put it this way when he wrote to the church in Ephesus – “Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!” (Ephesians 5:14, The Message).

A great example of this very thing is Lazarus, the friend of Jesus.

When the disciples heard the news that Lazarus had died, Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up" (John 11:11). Arriving at the tomb, Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!" Lazarus came out of the crypt fully alive, but was still wrapped up like a mummy. Jesus said to those standing by, “Loose him, and let him go." (see John 11:43-44).

The story of Lazarus shows us three things Jesus does to awaken a sleeping Church, and rouse a slumbering giant.

First, He gives us the ability to hear His voice -- “Lazarus!” Just days before this miracle took place Jesus had said, “The hour is coming when those who are in the graves will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will live.” Lazarus heard His voice and came to life -- so can you and I.

Second, Jesus gives us the power to become what He has called us to be -- “Come forth!” When Jesus called Lazarus by name, that awakened him; when He told Lazarus to come forth from the tomb, that empowered him. The Lord never commands us do something that He does not empower us to do. What has He commanded you to do?

And third, Jesus gives us the help we need to be completely liberated from the effects and trappings of a failed life -- “Loose him, and let him go!” Jesus spoke these words to those standing by, and He does the same for us.

There are key people – close friends and valued associates whom the Lord has put in our lives to help us get out of our grave clothes and into a new wardrobe. If we will cooperate with the process, our lives will truly be transformed. If we are willing for it to happen. That’s the key.

We’ve got to want this awakening. Our hearts must do more than dream of these matters, they must hunger to be awakened, empowered, and transformed. We must be possessed of such a compelling desire that no bed can afford us comfort, no distraction can provide us peace, and no fear can back us down from reaching the prize.

Let me conclude this short series of devotional thoughts with a direct challenge, found in the inspiring words of James Ephraim McGirt, a celebrated African-American poet (1874-1930) --

"Success is a light upon the farther shore,
That shines in dazzling splendor to the eye.
The waters leap, the surging billows roar,
And he who seeks the prize must leap and try.
A mighty host stand trembling on the brink;
With anxious eyes they yearn to reach the goal.
I see them leap, and, Ah! I see them sink –
As gazing on dread horror fills my soul.
Yet to despair I can but droop and die;
‘Tis better far to try the lashing deep.
I much prefer beneath the surge to lie
Than death to find me on this bank asleep."
.
Rip Van Winkle slept through a revolution. Peter, James and John woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was. So……which will you do?

Too Weak to Peek?

We all attempt to side step or hide our weaknesses. It can really be discouraging in this perfection driven society we live in to find those weaknesses resurrecting themselves when we least expect it.

I wrote down these words from somewhere. “A powerful life embraces pain, brokenness and weakness and understands that perfection is for Heaven, not Earth”. The words of Paul are profound, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV)

God's power is instantly recognizable in obvious weakness. God has always allowed man's weakness to validate the immeasurable need of His redemption and His sufficiency in our lives. He can and will use us if we allow Him to do so -- not despite our weaknesses -- but through our weaknesses. We are not the message -- just the messenger. Our weaknesses are not excuses to escape God's plan but divinely appointed opportunities for that plan to work. It helps to remember:

Noah was a drunk.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was suicidal.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
John the Baptist ate bugs.
Peter denied Christ.
The Disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.
Zaccheus was too small.
Paul was too religious and Lazarus was dead!
(Author unknown)

A pearl to string: More important than where you have been or even where you are, is where you are headed. Don't wait until you have it all figured out. That won't happen, this side of Heaven. Don't wait until you think you are good enough. You never will be. Step up to the plate and be the imperfect you; allowing God's perfection to shine through each and every weakness. Do not listen to the doubts and lies of satan. His goal is to render you helpless and defeated, no longer a threat to him or his kingdom.

I so want to get to the place in my walk with God, that when my feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, "Oh, no! She's awake!"

Smile, you are loved,
Lyndi

The Lord is Our Judge, Our Lawgiver, and Our King

by Pastor James Ryle
http://jamesryle.blogspot.com/


"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

The human heart hungers for three things always --
Justice, Security, and Peace.
Look to your own soul and you will know this to be true.

No one likes to be cheated, or threatened, or harmed in any way. We all want to know that our pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness is unmolested by scoundrels and thieves. We want to know that if there are those who interfere with our God-given rights to these things -- there is somebody who will intervene and bring us justice, security, and peace.

We are so dedicated to these ideas that we formed our Government into three branches to insure that we would see these things come to pass in real and practical ways. Our Judicial Branch serves to bring us justice. Our Legislative Branch serves to gives us laws. And our Executive Branch serves to insure that we live in peace.

Yet, we are never to place our faith in MAN, but in God.

The Prophet Isaiah is reminding us where our focus must always be fixed -- upon the Lord. For it is He who is our Judge, our Lawgiver, and our King. And it is He, and He alone, who will save us.

Therefore, our hope is not in the Government, nor in the elected officials who serve in the various branches of our Government. We pray for them, and trust that they will govern wisely, with humility and honor; but we are not naive. We know that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Our faith is in the Lord, who alone is incorruptible. "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26).

The Lord bless and keep thee -- that's our Judge at work. The Lord make His face shine upon you -- that's our Lawgiver at work. The Lord lift up His countenance and give thee peace -- that's our King at work.

It is He, and He alone, who will save us.

Veterans' Day

Today is Veterans' Day. Originally, it was a day set aside to honor the Veterans of World War I because the signing of the Armistice which ended World War I took place on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. Since that time, it has become a day to honor the Veterans of all wars. To all of our Veterans, thank you. We salute you, we are grateful for your courage and your sacrifice. We are blessed by your commitment and your service.

"Yahshua, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen and amen."

Hummingbird Friends

So, how’s your today going so far? What’s that? Not so good huh? Well I usually don’t get this devotional off until about 8am or so and that’s 10 am on the east coast so perk up you’ve only got about 14 to 16 hours left depending upon your time zone and your outlook.

Both vultures and hummingbirds are winged creatures. Indubitably …. but

Vultures have a knack for finding dead decaying animals…because that is what they are looking for…… and

Hummingbirds have a knack for spotting nectar in beautiful flowers…because that is what they are looking for.

*******************************************************************************

There is an old story about two travelers nearing a great city.
The first stopped and asked a woman seated by the wayside,
“What are the people like in the city?”

“How were the people where you came from?” she asked.

“A terrible lot,” the traveler responded. “Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects.”

“Ah,” said the woman, “You will find them the same in the city ahead.”

Scarcely was the first traveler gone when another one stopped and also inquired about the people in the city before him. Again the old woman asked about the people in the place the traveler had left.

“They were fine people; honest, industrious, and generous to a fault. I was sorry to leave,” declared the second traveler.

Responded the wise woman: “So you will find them in the city ahead.”

*******************************************************************************

String a pearl: Our words are a reflection of what we are looking for in people, circumstances, and life. We tend to see people through a lens of our own making. Whatever we are looking for is generally what we will find. Dwelling on the negative keeps you with the dead and decaying. While others have a gift for bringing out the best in people that is wrapped in believing the best and tied with beautiful ribbons of loving words. We’ve just come off a week with hummingbird friends – they make us feel blessed and beautiful. How thankful we are.

Jesus is going to bring out the best in you – that other guy? Not so much!
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20

Humming with Jesus
And loving you,
Lyndi

Barack Obama is elected

Not since John F Kennedy ran for election in 1960 has there been so much nationwide excitement for a Presidential race. Truly this election will be marked in history as the most electrifying election of all time though I did not cast my vote for Barack Obama. I wanted a leader who has a compassionate view of life from conception to death, who supports values and legislation designed to strengthen marriages between men and women and that protect the family. I also wanted a leader who understands Israel’s Biblical significance and who will support her protection as God’s chosen people and chosen land. These are the issues closest to my heart.
BUT
I am an American with the inalienable right to choose and cast my vote. My fellow Americans have chosen and voted to elect Barack Obama and I now put the divisiveness of choice behind me to support and stand with our new President elect because we are the United States of America.
AND
As a follower of Yahshua (Jesus), the words of Paul commanding obedience to secular rulers is essential to me. The passage is from Romans: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God... if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Romans 13:1, 4


First Lady Michelle holding Sasha (2001) & President Obama holding Malia (1999)

We welcome our new First Family to the White House,
we love you, we will pray for you and we are proud of you.

Lead Choice

Brothers and sisters from days gone by have suffered and laid down their lives for the freedom we have in these United States to choose who leads our country. As you prepare to vote in this 2008 Presidential Election calm your heart and choose who leads you. May His grace and peace always be with you.

Lead Choice

He leads me…Do you ever experience times when you sit down to do something and your mind travels to distant places? He leads me… It is cheaper than airfare but it makes me feel flighty. He leads me… Reading over the 23rd Psalm I kept pulling myself back. He leads me… Why does my mind wonder I ask myself? Possibly, because it’s been a favorite Psalm of mine since my Gram taught it to me when I was 6 years old and the very familiar often fails to hold my attention I answer myself (Oh that can’t be good). He leads me… Struggling to stay in focus I break out in laughter. My flighty attention span reminds me of my two little Bichons when I take them for a walk. I call them my crazy little women. They twist and jump and screech until I open the door then boom – I’m suddenly air born and parallel to the ground. Catching my breath and feet at the same time is tricky business. Then I struggle to keep the every-which-way racing dogs from twisting their leash cords into a tangled mess while winding me up into a knotted mummy. It’s so exhausting by the time I get to the end of the driveway I need a nap.

Oh my, Lord………… is that what I do to You? Ugg! I’m so sorry, please forgive me and please heal me. I want to walk by your side where you lead me Lord. The imagery of a shepherd watching over his flock, tenderly caring for the needs of those innocent and trusting creatures, is one which radiates a safe haven to me. In the 23 Psalm from David we see our relationship with the Lord affirmed. We are reminded of His provision, His refreshment, His healing, His guidance, His purpose, His testing, His protection, His faithfulness, His discipline, His hope, His consecration, His abundance, His blessing, His security and His eternity. Oh Lord, help me focus on all that love you give when You lead me.

A Pearl to String: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Know you are loved and
May we live forever in His lead
Lyndi

God Is Still in Control
David Langerfeld

By the end of the day today, we will know a lot about the future of the United States. You might be surprised to learn that I am about to predict the outcome - I am about to predict what will happen after the election. Before the votes are counted, even before the voting booths close, I can predict with 100% accuracy that the following things will happen...

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praise of His people.
5. God will still pour out His blessings upon His people.
6. There will still be God-anointed teaching and preaching.
7. There will still be singing of praise to God.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love His own.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

Whatever the outcome of this election, remember, God is still in control.

Today, tomorrow, forever...
God is still in control.

Message From Our Pastor

Tomorrow’s election is extremely important because there are so many critical issues at stake. Many of these issues are a matter of personal convictions and preference, but some fall into the category of the sacred. Sacred issues are those that are close to God’s heart. They are issues that leave no room for personal convictions or preferences.

No candidate is a perfect candidate, but I believe we should always vote for the ones who best support God’s heart.

Here are what I believe are the top three sacred issues to consider before heading off to the polling booths tomorrow:

1. LIFE
Life is precious to God. He laid down his life so that we could live. We need leaders, therefore, who have a compassionate view of life from conception to death. From the unborn to the elderly, we need leaders who will fight for all those who are sick, oppressed, or underprivileged. We can’t pick and choose which lives are more important because all life is precious to God. Every life deserves to be loved, cared, respected, and valued. Vote for the candidates who have the broadest definition of what constitutes a life.

2. FAMILY
Human life began with the marital union between Adam and Eve- a man and a woman. God charged them with building the family of man. God wasn’t just after building numbers, but building a home where each member of the household would be loved, nurtured, protected and valued in radical ways. We need leaders, therefore, who support values and legislation designed to strengthen marriages between men and women and that protect the family.

3. ISRAEL
God loves all the people of this word, but Israel is unquestionably a unique people and land from a Biblical perspective. It is the place of God’s eternal affection and the epicenter of Biblical events throughout history and beyond. We need leaders, therefore, who understand Israel’s Biblical significance and who will support her protection as God’s chosen people and chosen land. To be chosen by God is to be targeted by Satan, and no people and land has paid a higher price than Israel. Evil spiritual forces will continue to target Israel for extermination and we need leaders who understand this battle on a spiritual level.

Be informed! Take some time today to investigate the candidates. Leave your personal convictions and preferences out of the equation and make sure you vote for ones who best support God’s heart in these three sacred issues. Make your vote count.

One more thing to consider. I truly believe that it is critical to exercise our privilege to vote tomorrow. However, when the election results are in, it is also important to know that the candidates who are elected will be the ones God appointed for this hour in His-story.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

Please vote for the men and women who will best represent God’s heart, but please don’t stress out if those candidates aren’t elected. God is in control and we should find peace and comfort in that truth. Whoever gets elected on Tuesday deserves our respect and support on Wednesday, for this too, is sacred to God.

Rabbi Gene
Cornerstone Church
Boulder, Colorado
http://www.gocornerstone.org/staff1.html