My Second Love one year...

For those who don't know I have a second blog that I now have had for one year. Please go visit it it's all about my family and you can leave a comment and brag about your family too!

Great is your faithfulness

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

lamentations 3:21-23

Isn't it a blessing that we have God's grace and forgiveness everyday? That we don't have to wake up in the morning beating ourselves up for the mistakes we have made. That we can call upon His name and be blessed and forgiven. That He is working on the inside of us everyday so that our mistakes become less and less the more we pray and reach toward Him. That we are growing spiritually everyday. That we don't have to worry about "karma" and through Jesus' blood we are not damned to every wrong thing we do and when we do have consequences for our actions He is using them to teach us not condemn us. Great is His faithfulness. Praise God

"but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 23-25

Associated content

I found a great website that looks at your writing and pays you to publish. I have 3 already published. It's very exciting, and it has a big reader base, so you can get your message out. Check it out at my links below and don't forget to stop in and read my stuff so far.

The "unfair" Parable

The parable spoke by Jesus below(Matthew 20) is often seen as an unfair parable. The parable below usually bothers those Christians who think that certain people who don't follow God's way don't deserve understanding and forgiveness. I love it because it shows the generosity and love of God. We should have an understanding attitude towards others instead of the "we are better and more righteous and you should be cursed" attitude. That isn't what changes people anyway. If you have love and compassion and pray for those who do wrong things, I firmly believe that changes will happen more quickly. For an example, I met a girl who believed in abortion. She wanted to abort her child. I had already witnessed to her and she wasn't too sure about being saved she didn't even believe in God. I didn't yell at her or tell her she was going to be a disgusting killer. That would've drove her away and given her a bad taste in her mouth about Christians. Instead I told her what I believed, told her that I loved her and so did God and even though she told me she was still going to do it, I still was kind to her and most importantly I prayed for her. Long story short, she decided to have her baby and she goes to teen bible study on Wednesdays. She's not saved yet, but I'm believing that it will happen soon.

Matthew 20:
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went. "He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' 7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.' 8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' 9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' 13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

Woman

This was sent to me and I really liked it. Hope you enjoy God bless!

There comes a time in every woman's life when

she has to take a close look at herself. Not at her circumstance, not at

what she did, not how unfair life is, or not at whom made you do it. She has

to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection. Have you ever

admired a woman who has been through changes in her life?

Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up.

Before you make this mistake, take a closer look.

A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone

of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.

Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary

Magdalene, Ruth and Naomi, the woman with an issue of blood flow,

and

Esther, to name a few. Mary was a prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by

the time Jesus was done with her, she was His closest follower.

Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man,

but by the time God was

done with her, she had married one of the wealthiest men in the land. Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up. Before you wonder,

"What's up with her?" ask yourself, "What's up with me?"

That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, or co-worker, etc.

That woman could be me.

Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let's build and encourage each other, as did Ruth and Naomi. Pass this to all the women in your life. Encourage and Love, Forgive and Forget, and trust that the woman that receives this will be touched in some way.

May peace and love be upon you.

The Contagious Christian

One of the hardest things for Christians to do (especially Christian teens) is witness to others. Many are afraid to be laughed at or judged when sharing their faith. I know one friend was telling me that she dreads telling people she is a Christian because the minute she does she will be scrutinized for everything she does. This is difficult, but we shouldn't avoid it because one person we will tell will catch on and have their life changed. It says in the Bible that when just one sinner comes to God all heaven rejoices. Everyone matters to God so we have to reach out to as many as we can. So how can we do that? There is a teaching video that helps you share your faith in an easy and conversational manner. On the website there are even clips for you to sample and see if these video courses would help you; you can even print out worksheets.

Clergy Appreciation Month

I heard on the radio today that October 8th is Clergy Appreciation day. So I wanted to take this blog to appreciate my pastor, Pastor Gregory Dickow of LifeChangers International Church He is a wonderful man who understands how the Bible is supposed to be presented; with love and understanding. He teaches us lovingly and doesn't act as if he is above everyone else. He openly tells of his past mistakes and admits that God is still working on him. He is a dedicated pastor who does a radio show, television show and preaches not only in his main church in Hoffman Estates, IL on Sundays but drives one hour and a half to preach in the Chicago based church as well. (He also runs a private school inside of the church.) He has a very beautiful family of five children and a wonderful God fearing wife; Grace Dickow. (Grace is my She-ro I really aspire to be as spiritual as well as a submissive wife yet a strong leader for women like she is) I especially love how he doesn't make you feel guilty and condemned on Sundays, but uplifted and powerful. Pastor Dickow puts it in your head that you are a child of God and nothing in this world should be able to get you down.
Please pray for my pastor, his family and my church.

Hebrews 13:7 (MSG)
Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness.

A Question Part two

After blogging the following question, I received various answers from different places.

The very next day in my e-mail I received my daily bible verse which was: Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
That scripture made me think that maybe God doesn't say no until you begin to doubt. Maybe it's my doubting even a little bit that makes God say that she doesn't believe I love her enough and I am capable so I'm putting it off for her until she does.

But then I spoke with a friend and she said there were times when she really did believe all the time without any doubting and didn't get what she was looking for. The comments that followed my question were very helpful too. I think that they are right, God has a wonderful and just plan for your life and that you shouldn't worry or doubt His plan, if he does say no then it's for a good reason.

Favorite Poem

I had a little time on my hands today so I felt the urge to post my favorite poem everywhere I can today! I love this poem and I believe that everyone who reads it perspective changes about Christianity.
(If you are used to me blogging once a week take notice that I blogged something yesterday please read the question I posted yesterday and add your comment thanks.)

Christian by Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
who received God's good grace, somehow.

~Maya Angelou~

A Question

Hello everyone I am going to do something different for this blog today. I want to know if you can answer something for me. I have been working on strengthening my faith as far as praying and receiving. I was wondering, is it a lack of faith to wonder if God will say no? For an example, let's say someone is believing that God will get them this one job but they look for other jobs just in case the answer is no. Is that a lack of faith that they are thinking maybe God will say no?
Please comment and I will then blog later my experiences on getting this answer.
God Bless!

New Book for book club

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdic by Josh McDowell

This book is a great read and it answers many questions that Christians and Non-Christians have about the Bible. Join my blog book club, pick the book up and tell me what you think or if you already read it, please comment on what you thought! I would also like comments from those of you who read the originals. Below is information copied from the books website.

'Evidence That Demands a Verdict' volumes 1 & 2 were classics. 'The New Evidence...' is fully updated in one volume to answer questions challenging followers of Christ in the 21st Century. This revised edition contains some helpful new material on apologetics in the light of postmodernism and the 'death of truth'.

Outline of Contents

Part 1: The Case for the Bible

• the Uniqueness of the Bible
• How we got the Bible
• Is the New Testament Historically Reliable?
• Is the Old Testament Historically Reliable?

Part 2: The Case for Jesus

• Jesus, a Man of History
• If Jesus wasn't God, He deserves an Oscar
• Significance of Deity: The 'trilemma' - Lord, Liar, or Lunatic?
• Support of Deity: Old Testament Prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
• Support of Deity: The Resurrection - Hoax or History?
• Support of Deity: The Great Proposition ('If God became a man, what would He be like?)

Part 3: The Case For and Against Christianity

Section 1: Introduction

• Is the Bible from God?
• The Presupposition of Anti-supernaturalism
• Archaeology and Biblical Criticism

Section 2: The Documentary Hypothesis & Biblical criticism

• Introduction to the Documentary Hypothesis
• Introduction to Biblical Criticism
• Introduction to the Pentateuch
• Development of the Documentary Hypothesis
• Ground Rules
• Documentary Presuppositions
• Consequences of Radical Higher Criticism
• Evidence for Mosaic Authorship
• The Phenomenon of Divine Names
• The Repetition of Accounts and Alleged Contradictions
• Incongruities
• Internal Diversity
• Conclusion to the Documentary Hypothesis

Section 3: Biblical Criticism and the New Testament

• Introduction to New Testament Form Criticism
• Historical Skepticism
• Jesus under Fire
• Conclusion to Form Criticism
• Modern Theology and Biblical Criticism

Part 4: Truth or Consequences

• The Nature of Truth
• The Knowability of Truth
• Answering Postmodernism
• Answering Skepticism
• Answering Agnosticism
• Answering Mysticism
• Certainty vs. Certitude
• Defending Miracles
• Is History Knowable?

Josh McDowell is an internationally known speaker and writer.

Mighty Overcomers

I heard someone talking about 9/11 and they had sighed and threw their hands up saying "what kind of world do we live in!" Out of all the crime, saddness, death and tragedies such as 9/11, it's enough to get you bogged down with anger and grief and fear. But you have to remember we as Christians are overcomers. We overcome all those people who hate us. We overcome all those who commit grotesque crimes against us. The best defense to me is going out there and filling as much people as we can with the knowledge of Christ. Our best weapon is prayer and faith in Him. Not just in America but all the world. And if anyone rejects you? Keep on praying and believing that He said that every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess Jesus is Lord. (romans 14:11)

"for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 4-5

Lydia Home

http://www.lydiahome.org Lydia Homeis an organizationthat helps youth in need with Christian values. Out of all the organizations like this one I support Lydia Home because they teach the children the one vital thing they need to know to help then thrive: Jesus Christ. Visit the webiste and lend your support.

only 4 percent

According to Enjoying Everyday Life magazine only 4 percent of teenagers today are going to become Christians. This shocked me to read even though I already know the great need to get Christ out to our youth. This should open our eyes to find out exactly where are our teens going. And not just the teens we parent (I have a long way to go for that) but all the world's teens. I believe it's vital to get to teens because they are in that huge transition of childhood to adulthood. They desire meaning in their lives and want to know where to go from here. (Even if they roll their eyes and act like they don't care.) I thank God for sending me a father who knew the importance of teaching me about Jesus' everlasting love and took me to church. But so many teens resist that because they come from families with unsaved parents or overly strict/righteous parents and live in a world that questions the Bible and they don't know where to truly turn. I think the biggest thing we need to get across to them is God's acceptance. Even Christian teens have a hard time believing that God loves and accepts them despite the mistakes they made and that holding on to Jesus will change them from the inside out without them having to try so hard. There was one girl I talk to in my youth group that had a list of things she needed to stop doing and she was telling me how hard it was and how sometimes she wants to give up. I told her how she was doing it backwards. You have to walk in love first. Love God and listen to His voice and allow Him to work in your life and next thing you know those temptations won't be so hard to conquer anymore. We have to share God's love before we give teens this long list of do's and don'ts. (After all, we have do's and don'ts we will always be working on ourselves) The youth is very important to God because their minds are fresh and they are open to faith much easier then adults.
That's why I also feel blessed to have this calling to reach out to young people. If you haven't already, check out Beyond It All Magazine dedicated to take the teen above and beyond the problems of life through the love of Jesus Christ and considering ordering or donating today.

1 Timouth 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

God doesn't debate

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
Acts 5:38-39.
I came across the above scripture the other day and had a word spoken into my heart. It saddens me to see more and more Christians involved in proving people wrong and debating certain issues and drawing people away from them then closer. So you say, they have to know what they are doing is wrong! This or that should be stopped! This law or that law should be abolished! But the real focus should be love. Faith goes beyond believing in God, faith can also be used to know that you can pray for a change and leave it alone. As it says in the scripture above, "Leave these men alone!" God will make sure that if it's not of Him it will fail.

For an example, this debate over stem cells is going too far. Christians need to stop painting themselves as these gunhoe warriors who will stop at nothing to be right. We need to learn to love, pray, and let go.

God doesn't debate, "He is slow to anger and abounding in love."

Exodus 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,

Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalm 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Joel 2:13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Jonah 4:2 He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
Well you get the idea...

God Bless! Prayer Requests!

I am opening this blog to all of you who need or know of someone who need prayers so post!!
Praise God He will deliver!!

temporary depression is okay

Depression is seen as a negative aspect in life, that people who are depressed have no faith in life and no faith to cope. While prolonged depression is a sign of something serious temporary depression is okay. In the Bible it says that we all will deal with deep saddness and mourning. We will all feel let down or overwhelmed. Being a Christian doesn't mean you have to have a permanent smile on your face. It says in John 16:20 "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." Just remember in your weeping and your grief that God is there and His will is perfect for you.
In fact, Jesus experienced temporary depression in His final days on earth.

"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." This is at a point where Jesus knew that He will be freeing all of mankind from their sins and that He will have victory over the devil but He still became sorrowful and asked for the responsibility be taken from Him. But the key thing to remember when we have this temporary depression is what Jesus said immediately after, "Not as I will but as thow wilt" We have to remember that God is in control of our lives and though we may "weep for a night, joy will come in the morning" (Psalm 30:5)

Reaching out to Muslims

I was listening to the radio when I heard a talkshow talking about CrescentProject.org. Crescent Project is an organization helping Christians witness to Muslims. This intrigued me because many Christians are afraid to witness to Muslims especially with the war going on and politics etc. But we have to remember it says in the Bible that "every knee shall bow"(Romans 14:11) to Jesus. It's not just some here and there but we are all God's children and we need to love everyone. Below is a synopsis of the organization I copied off the website:

"Our vision is to equip the North American Christian community to sensitively share the joy of knowing Christ with their Muslim neighbors. Personal relationships between Christian and Muslim populations are often strained or non-existent because of rampant misunderstandings that lead to fear and distrust. Our goal is to overcome misunderstandings about Islam through education so that Christians take the initiative to build friendships with their Muslim neighbors. Personal relationships open the door for discussion about spiritual issues and personal beliefs. Our approach to witnessing is best summed up by this quote taken from our training seminar:

“Our job is not to make the Muslim a Christian. Our job is to show them [Muslims] the love of Christ.”

For many years most Christians have assumed that Muslims are “too hard” to reach, and that only “experts” can adequately share the gospel with Muslims. We take the opposite view and believe that local congregations have the best opportunity to reach Muslims because they have the best opportunity to build meaningful relationships with them. "

I bolded the quote above because that is so true. The best way to witness to Muslims (and others as well!) is to not try to force the issue. Just let them know that Jesus loves them and put the seed of the word of God into their hearts and I believe the rest will be done by God. So check the website out crescentproject.org and get involved!

I WILL TELL

Hello everyone sorry I have been MIA on my blog..it's because of many personal dramas I have been dealing with the month of July but I'm thankful for the strength and maturity I'm building because of it all. I have really held on to Psalm 145. I came across it when i hit a really low point and felt like I was too weary to move. All I could do was open my mouth and pray. and it was when i was praying i was show these scriptures:

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.

11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

what made this Psalm stand out to me was the so many scriptures talking about how we will tell of His works. We will tell of his compassion...etc. That's my goal for my magazine, my blog, my website etc. Informing so many that just don't know the blessings of the everlasting love of God. and that's why I have been struggling so much. Satan is trying to shut me up but I refuse to let him. Everytime i feel the pressure I keep repeating I WILL TELL... I WILL TELL.....

JULY/AUGUST SPECIAL DOUBLE ISSUE

July/August issue is jammed together into the best issue to help you with your future. Confused about where you eventually want to end up in life? Or do you know but just don't know how to get there? This double issue is full of articles from experts that will help guide you to the right schools, careers, practices, etc. such as Networking to find music education jobs and Finding the right job in no time. Ofcourse, there is also the quiz which is not only fun but will also help lead you to what exactly is your gift. I am also excited to say that after this issue Beyond It All Magazine's venue will have changed to no only online but on newsstands! So look out for that!!