FW: They cry for water.

None of us can live without water. In the aftermath of destruction in Haiti, pleas for water were among the first desperate cries we heard. Water is always the first priority for survival, and even a small bottle of water became a cherished prize among the ruins and devastation. But the need for clean water is a daily necessity -- more than a bottle's worth -- and that is why water wells are such an answer to prayer. Mission: Water for LIFE is committed to deliver fresh, clean water to the needy through 400 new wells in 20 nations around the world -- including over 200 refurbished wells for Haiti. In this, our 11th year, Haiti was already targeted to receive new water wells, but with your help many more will be repaired and restored. Beyond Haiti there is a tremendous need, and in many other nations you do not see on the news the need is critical as well. See first-hand Dile Nikoli's plight for her children. One new well can impact the lives of 1000 people and make an immediate impact on their health and productivity ... it changes everything! Thank you for sharing LIFE through clean water, James Robison P.S. I am praying that as we respond to the immense need in Haiti, other tragedies will not arise. Much focus is on Haiti right now, as it should be, but many of our lifesaving outreaches are at risk due to support being down. Please give as God directs you.

Visit www.lifetoday.org Unsubscribe / Change your email preferences

Comfort In The Arms of the Lord

The other day my 5 year old boy was trying to get my attention while I was trying to work. He was very consistent and he used all his artillary to invade my work time. I tried to defuse the sitiuation by turning on the TV, but that did not work. I then gave him some toys but still that did not work. I finally sat down with him, turned off the TV, put the toys away and then asked hm, Son what do you want? Daddy, he said, I'm tired and I want to sit with you and take a nap. So I held him for a while, told him a story and within ten minutes he was asleep in my arms.


During this time I realized that my son would take no substitute or replacement for his time with me. It is where he found comfort, peace and security. Here in this moment I was able to see that this is what I do with God. The world and all its material offerings had no bearing on my liittle boy, all he wanted was to rest with me and be at peace. To often we try to substitute God and all His love with artificial possesions. We try to substitute something else for God’s comfort. The problem comes when we look to our comforts to stop the pain. True comfort doesn’t stop the pain. It makes the situation bearable. It gets us through. We are human – we want the pain to stop. And yet, sometimes, pain is what opens the door to experiencing God’s comfort. It is when we are desperate that He steps in and touches us in unusual ways. He wants to cradle us, rock us, and soothe us.

We need comfort in a host of situations, experiences and emotional states, but there is a difference between needing comfort and what I call “coming undone.” We can come undone in our greatest moments of loss, failure, betrayal or fear. We are unable to find relief. When you are undone, you have exhausted your ability to get comfort from anything around you. People can’t comfort you. None of the familiar comforts work anymore. There’s nowhere to turn. No letup. You’re just undone.

When you are undone, it is as if you have been thrown out of the boat. You can’t touch the bottom, see the shore, or even get a hold of the boat itself. You feel alone and desperate. You can’t see what is ahead, nor can you reach back for what is behind you. You are at a complete loss. You are exhausted physically, emotionally and spiritually. And yet the waves keep hitting you, one after another. You are tired. You can’t battle it anymore. You have none of your own resources left. The problem has taken over, and you can’t focus on the Lord. He is out of focus; everything is out of focus. All you know is the problem. And it is overwhelming.

“Undone” is not a place God wants us to stay. His goal is to comfort us in our brokenness and then lead us out of it. But you do have an enemy committed to keeping you undone. He will use whatever means necessary to shut you down and convince you that you will never function and never be whole again. The enemy wants you to believe that undone is the new normal.

In Luke 22:31 Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.” That’s what the enemy wants to do – sift us, fragment us, take us apart.

Satan knows our failures and weaknesses. He knows our fears and the areas in which we find ourselves insufficient. The “the accuser” will send words through you such as:

“Nothing will ever change.”
“No one will ever love you.”
“You can’t possibly do that.”
“You’re inadequate for this – you’ll never pull it off.”
“You’ve blown it again.”
“You’ll always be a failure.”
“You’re destined for mediocrity.”
“Your hopes and dreams will never come to pass.”
“God can’t use you anymore. You’ve made too many mistakes.”

These are the kinds of words the enemy sows into our minds and hearts, but we have the Word of God, which tells us what God says about us. Someone far greater than the enemy is living in our hearts and fighting on our side. (1 John 4:4)

God does not create our ruins.

Undone is never the final chapter with God. He promises comfort. He promises restoration. He promises joy and gladness. Thanksgiving. No matter what the enemy says or does, we can know God’s comfort in our ruins.

My son did not need to travel far to find comfort for the arms of his father are always open and that it what we all need to remember.

Familiar Sin

Have we become so complacement to our daily sin that it has become acceptable? Is there a price to be paid for our ignorance? I dont know but what I do know is the world is not in a stable way. Our hardships are never far away. The turmoil that bows at our heals is firmly attached for its attraction and strength comes from our sins and wrong doings. There is much more to this life than struggling daily. We dont need to accept lies, deceit, cruelty and unforgiveness. The powers to conquer this state of being is within but for you to realize this gift you must reconnect your faith and establish your relationship with God. There is no other way. I'm sorry but it is the truth.
" A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." -Galatians-
Think back over your life and see the seeds you planted ,whether good or bad and remember the outcome. It unfolds in front of you like a map of your lifes journey. It does not lie.
The fields of your life will harvest what you plant. Yes there will be droughts and seasons of hard times but the roots of your crops will flourish over time as long as they are nurtured and cared for by the word of God. So let me ask you, this familiar sin you include in your daily life is it the seed that will reap a plentiful harvest or a season of darkness?

Finding Faith

If we hear a message of faith and we are not one so inclined to listen, try not to put up a wall to prevent these words from entering your being. This attitude or lack of faith prevents a breakthrough. Most of us were never nurtured the correct way towards God and the Holy Spirit. Too many distractions avert our attention from the underling beliefs and principals. The stereotypes the world has wrapped and packaged through its communication and information has definitely misrepresented the truth of what God is all about. It is time you choose your destiny; it is time to forge ahead with the God given powers that can only bring peace and prosperity. Be the voice of reason; listen to the encouraging voices of motivation and good will. Get your mind right and begin helping and listening to others. Spreading love and compassion to others is the conviction needed to weaken your old belief system; they will slowly tear down the fortress of denial, doubt and manipulation that have guarded the exit to your spiritual freedom.

When you realize the purpose for our existence there will be a responsibility to continue the cure so we can inject this vaccine that will bring honor, healing and a renewal of thought to the desperate souls who’ve wandered for so many years. Just as Paul says in Romans 15: "We who are strong in faith should help the weak with their weaknesses, and not please only ourselves. Let each of us please our neighbors for their good, to help them be stronger in faith." If we are privileged to comprehend the process needed to live in faith we can never turn our backs on the helpless and confused. It is our duty to infuse the ethics, values and teachings of our Lord as a guide and inspiration to heighten the awareness of possibilities others thought unattainable. The commitment must be pure and honest with a desire for joy that will reach to the lowest levels of sadness and begin the process towards peace and harmony.

Haiti Disaster Relief

An unimaginable tragedy these people are now going through; let us open our hearts and shower upon them kindness, love, compassion and peace. May God bless them and protect them during the nights and days ahead. Please donate to World Vision, American Cross or any other charitable organization that needs our help now.

Haiti quake: World Vision anticipates massive needs and difficult response Port-au-Prince, Haiti, January 13, 2010 Christian humanitarian agency World Vision plans to begin assessing damage and preparing a relief response today after the major earthquake that hit Haiti Tuesday. The agency has worked in Haiti for 30 years and has some 370 staff in country. Downed communications, blocked roads and continuing aftershocks slowed relief efforts overnight, with staff unable to leave the agency's Port-au-Prince office for several hours due to fallen debris in the roadways. "It felt as if a truck had hit a wall," said World Vision staffer Magalie Boyer, of the initial tremor. "There is extensive damage in the city. People are getting ready to spend the night in the streets. They are not comfortable staying in their houses." "World Vision Haiti will distribute first aid kits to survivors, along with basic materials such as soap, blankets, clothes and bottles of water as an initial response," Boyer added. Meanwhile, World Vision staff from less affected regions of Haiti are mobilizing and the agency's global experts are expected to arrive in the disaster zone as soon as possible. Crystal Penner, a World Vision aid worker, was in the central plateau region of Haiti when the quake hit: "There are relief goods prepositioned in various locations across the country, though the challenge will be getting those supplies swiftly to those in need," she said. "We would be very concerned about a quake of this magnitude anywhere in the world, but it is especially devastating in Haiti, where people are acutely vulnerable because of poor infrastructure and extreme poverty," said Edward Brown, World Vision's relief director in the United States. Reaching hard-hit areas with supplies is expected to be a significant challenge due to damaged roads and infrastructure, including the main airport and government buildings. Donations of cash are needed for the response. The public can help by visiting worldvision.org or by calling 1.888.56.CHILD.         www.CastingCrowns.com

This message was intended for: mstimothy@hotmail.com
You were added to the system May 20, 2008. For more information
click here.
Update your preferences | Unsubscribe

Drop the Anchor of Worry

Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12

Throw the weight of worry away and breathe deep for there you will find peace. Since when does worrying achieve great things. It is a disrupting thought whose main purpose is to confuse you and knaw at your insides. It truly takes away your joy and your vision for the wonders of this life. Ignore this enemy and stop engaging him on the battlefield. Go outside, take a walk through nature, breathe in the cool air and calm your soul.

Come to the Lords Table

The ignition to move us forward and receive the abundance of the Lords table must begin by reflecting on the Cross. What it stands for, the atonement of Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for all of us. The victory was won at the Cross and that is where we must examine ourselves. Why we have not flourished, why we have not obtained the victory that was bestowed upon us over 2000 years ago. If we are to break bread with our Father the lessons and selfless act of Jesus must be instilled within. The invitiation to be a participant at the Lords table is always open but we have bi-passed this opening; our wounds and bruised egos sustain the continuous denial of our wholeness and inner being of faith. This offering is for everyone and it is blessed upon your worthiness and faith to encompass the healing we need for salvation. Coming to the Lords table is the calling for all of us to celebrate the life and gift Jesus sacrificed for us. The triumph is there for all to partake in. The Kingdom of heaven is where our debts are erased and forgiveness becomes the jewel within our souls. Just because we are sinners, and our hearts are filled with jeolusy, anger, bitterness does not mean there is not a seat for you. You are deserving to share the table of Life for you are made in the image of our Lord. It is time you lift the gate of bondage and inherit the Love and forgiveness of God our savior. Pull up a chair and dig in!

The Discipline of Faith

Its too easy nowadays to lose focus on whats inherently necessary to survive in this world. It has become easy to deceive ourselves from whats important; from the instruments of lifes gifts that can lead us and heal us to a more peaceful existence. I dont need to remind you of the distractions the world places before us every day. Our busy lives and self centeredness have stalled our faith. Our intellect tries to rationalize through the teachings of man that faith and God is not necessary. This my friends is dangerous and a false premise that many now believe in. There was a time when I fit right into that category, taken in by wealth, greed and materialism. Even the birth of my children did not reconnect my relationship with God. This is why I speak of our faith and how significant it is to help lead and direct your life. So how do we get there? How do we begin and instill the heavenly powers of faith? It starts by you stopping your search somewhere else other than your own heart. God is within us all but He lies dormant in the mind and hearts of men and women everywhere. You need alone time with God. Do not search out His presence by asking the world. Search inside yourself and connect with your soul, not your mind or the voices of fear and negativity. Allow the presence of God to envelop your heart and fill the breath of life that transcends all mankind.

The Thief of Comparison

The Greatness of you will never be discovered if you compare your life to someone elses.  Be joyous for who you are and what you offer.  This is a great lesson written by Chuck Swindoll in how comparisons can steal harmony and happiness from within us all.
 

 

COMPARISONS ARE ODIOUS

Odious . . . disgusting, detestable. If you want to be a miserable mortal, then compare. You compare when you place someone beside someone else for the purpose of emphasizing the differences or showing the likenesses. This applies to places and things as well as people. We can become so proficient at this activity that we sustain our addiction through an unconscious force of habit. Inadvertently, the wheels of our thinking slide over into the ruts of this odious mindset. Comparison appears in at least two patterns.

 

Pattern one: We compare ourselves with others. You can imagine the results already. Either you are prompted to feel smug and proud because your strengths outweigh his weaknesses . . . or, more often, you begin to feel threatened, inferior, and blue because you fail to measure up. Striving to emulate a self-imposed standard, you begin to slide from the pleasant plateau of the real you to the sinking sands of I don't know who. This sometimes leads to extreme role-playing where you try every way to adapt and alter your portrait to fit into someone else's frame. In simpler terms, you've pawned your real personality for a phony disguise. That's odious! Paul penned similar sentiments to a church that had become known for its comparison cliques:

 

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. (2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV)

The very next verse tells us, "Our goal is to measure up to God's plan for us" (TLB, emphasis added). Not for someone else, but for you, personally. God's great desire for us is that we fulfill His plan for us in our own lives. In His way---His timing.

 

Pattern two: We compare others with others. This is worse than unfair; it's stupid. And often cruel. Children suffer most from well-meaning adults who catalog one child's talents in front of another child in some misbegotten effort at motivation. "Look at your sister Debbie. If she can get an A in math, so can you." Or, "See how easily Jimmy learned to swim? Why are you so afraid?" That sort of comparison is toxic---poisoning a child's self-image and smothering the very motivation the parent was seeking to kindle.

 

But children aren't the only victims. People compare preachers and teachers, church philosophies and orders of service, soloists and song leaders, personalities and prayers, wives and mothers, families and friends, homes and cars, salaries and jobs, scholarship and salesmanship, husbands and fathers, weights and worries, luxuries and limitations, pain and pleasure. That's odious! Why not accept people and places and things exactly as they are? Isn't that true maturity? Why not accept and adjust to differences as quickly and enthusiastically as God forgives our wrongs and stands behind our efforts to try, try again? When love flows, acceptance grows.

 

Do you know what it is that kicks the slats out from under yesterday's routine and challenges us to rise and shine on today's menu of hours and minutes? It's variety. It's not the similarity of days that brings fresh motivation and stimulates enthusiasm---it's the lack of such, the varied differences that keep our attitudes positive and pleasing. To try to compare one day with another, then complain because today wasn't at all like yesterday, would be sheer folly and foolishness. The same principle applies to people.

Now listen very carefully: God, our wise and creative Maker, has been pleased to make everyone different and no one perfect. The sooner we appreciate and accept that fact, the deeper we will appreciate and accept one another, just as our Designer planned us. Actually, there is only one thing that would be worse than constant comparison, and that is if everyone were just alike.

Can you think of anything more odious?

 

 

 

Shipwrecked

If the storms have broken you down, if your ship of life has been torn apart, maybe its time you start thinking about an alternative way to get your life back on course.

You know those mornings you wake up and yesterdays events carry forward right back to your mind, and immediately your dwelling on those negative emotions. You cant shake the lousy feelings and constant playback of yesterday. It can drive you nuts-because the nausea in your stomach doesn't go away and the more we let those emotions stir and fester the harder it is to feel better. Most of these experiences we bring upon ourselves. It becomes the norm and you think these ups and downs-these fears, doubts, jealousy's, envy, judgments are just part of life. Let me tell you though, this belief is nonsense. If you believe that life is to carry burdens, to be in constant negative environments, to always battle demons within then you are living what you think and believe. This can all be changed, one step at a time, one day at a time. But this victory is probably the toughest challenge you will ever face. It is not easy to conquer ourselves, to choose the higher path and not the lower, to be truthful and honest and loving and pure and wise. It may appear easy on paper or in the confines of a church, temple or any other spiritual venue- but it is very difficult to change on a daily basis; when your in the office, the home, and out in the street-difficult yes; but not impossible. This transformation for peace begins with ourselves. We must take inventory on how we have been living our lives-how we are treating others. We need to realize the most work to be done is on some defect in disposition, some fault of character that is holding us back. We need to see that all this intellect and so-called common sense has been fooling us for years. We deceive our selves with justifications and acknowledgments from the world that how we are living is correct. Whats the old saying, "The Truth hurts" and that is because we have been lying to ourselves. To create the change you search for you had better see what is inside and face up to it. Then you can take the steps forward to meet it. Otherwise you will keep fooling yourselves. Those thoughts of inferiority or know-it-attitudes or constant fault finding and criticism have not been your friends and they certainly have not matured your life or strengthen the inner soul. So whats your prognosis? What are you going to do to start enjoying your life? What choices are you going to make and what attitudes will you use as your ally to win this challenge? Think about it-You had the power to create the life you currently live- which means you also have the power to change it for the better.



"AND SO IT IS WITH LIFE. IF YOU WANT TO GO HIGHER, YOU MUST CLIMB THE STEPS. IF YOU THINK,"THIS STEP IS TOO HIGH, I CAN'T TAKE IT," IT IS YOUR CHOICE. IF YOU THINK,"THIS TROUBLE IS TOO MUCH. IT IS SO UNFAIR"-THEN YOU STAY BELOW UNTIL YOU WAKE UP TO THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU CAN DO IT. HOWEVER, IF YOU MEET EACH CHALLENGE WITH THE REALIZATION, "GOD IN ME IS STRONGER THAN ANYTHING I HAVE TO MEET, GOD HAS GIVEN ME DOMINION OVER MY CIRCUMSTANCES. I LET NOTHING IN THIS SITUATION FRIGHTEN ME FOR I KNOW GOD IS WITH ME," AND CONTINUE IN THAT VEIN, YOU WILL GET YOUR FURTHER SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING, AND YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR MIRACLE. IT MAY TAKE TIME AND PRAYERFUL EFFORT, BUT YOU WILL GET IT." -Emmet Fox-

FW: Insight for Today

Let us begin the New Year by remembering the good in our lives.  Let gratitude and forgiveness be the forces of change in the months ahead.     January 1, 2010 Year-end Reflections by Charles R. Swindoll Jeremiah 17:7, 8; Psalm 63:5-6; Philippians 2:1-11 Time to reflect. That would be my answer to the question: "What do you like most about the year-end holidays?" Oh, the food is good---those delectable, fattening morsels that make Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's so special. So are the parties and the people . . . the songs, the smiles, the smells. Each weaves its way into the fabric of our minds in such a beautiful manner that we live in the warmth of them for days. Sometimes months. But the best those traditional holidays can offer, in my opinion, is time to reflect. To stand in front of the full-length mirror of memory and study the scene. Thoughtfully. Silently. Alone. At length. To trace the outline of the past without the rude interruption of routine tasks. To walk along the surf or stroll through a mountain pathway, taking time to stop and listen. And think. To sit by a crackling fireplace with all the lights out, staring into the heat, and letting thoughts emerge, drift, and linger. To turn over in the mind a line out of a poem. To hear some grand music played at sufficient volume that all petty noises and worries are submerged beneath the waves of stimulating sound. Maybe it's part of what Charles Wesley meant by being "lost in wonder, love, and praise." A kind of solitary worship. An extended, unhurried leisure yielding rich benefits and deep insights. Invariably, those occasions leave me feeling grateful to God. Often I end up thanking Him specifically for something or someone that He provided in the yesterday of my life that makes my today much more meaningful. It happened again last week. The day had been relaxing and fun. Night fell. One by one my family slipped into sleep. I put a couple more logs into the fireplace, slid into my favorite chair, and read for well over an hour. I came across a few thoughts put together by a long-time leader in the World Vision ministry---Ed Dayton. His words sent me back many, many years. Ed mentioned watching the short film called "The Giving Tree," a simple, fanciful piece about a tree who loved a boy. They played hide 'n' seek in his younger years. He swung from her branches, climbed all over her, ate her apples, slept in her shade. Such happy, carefree days. The tree loved those years of the boy's childhood. But the boy grew and spent less time with the tree. On one occasion the young man returned. "Come on, let's play," invited the tree . . . but the lad was only interested in money. "Take my apples and sell them," said the tree. He did . . . and the tree was happy. He didn't return for a long time, but the tree smiled when he passed by one day. "Come, play, friend. Come, play!" But the boy---now full grown---wanted to build a house for himself. "Cut off my branches and build your house," she offered. He did, and once again the tree was happy. Years dragged by. The tree missed the boy. Suddenly, she saw him in the distance. "Come on, let's play!" but the man was older and tired of his world. He wanted to get away from it all. "Cut me down. Take my large trunk and make yourself a boat. Then you can sail away," said the tree. And that's exactly what he did . . . and the tree was happy. Many seasons passed---summers and winters, windy days and lonely nights---and the tree waited. Finally, the old man returned . . . too old, too tired to play, to pursue riches, to build houses, or to sail the seas. "I have a pretty good stump left, my friend. Why don't you just sit down here and rest?" He did . . . and the tree was happy.¹ I stared into the fire. I watched myself pass in review as I grew older with the tree and the boy. I identified with both---and it hurt. How many Giving Trees have there been in my life? How many have released part of themselves so I might grow, accomplish my goals, find wholeness and satisfaction, and reach beyond the tiny, limited playground of my childhood? So, so many. Thank you, Lord, for each one. Their names could fill this page. Now I, like the tree, have grown up. Now it's my turn to give. And some of that hurts. Apples, branches, sometimes the trunk. My rights, my will  . . . and even my children and grandchildren. So much to give. Thank you, Lord, that I have a few things worth giving. Even if it's a lap to be sat on . . . or the comfort of a warm embrace. The fire died into glowing embers. It was late as I crawled into bed. I had wept, but now I was smiling as I said, "Good night, Lord." I was a thankful man. Thankful I had taken time to reflect.   1. Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree (New York: Harper and Row, 1964). Excerpted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Copyright © 1983 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by arrangement with Zondervan Publishing House. Insights on Romans 6-8   Listen Now   www.insight.org   Shop Online IFL Bookstore

 © 2009 Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide.