The Real Message

Today's Seeking Him Devotional with Nancy Leigh DeMoss

As the Christmas season was approaching one year, I talked with a woman whose husband was in bondage to some destructive, sinful behavior. I’d been meditating on the message delivered by the angel Gabriel to Mary. He said, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

I encouraged this wife, “Remember that Jesus came to save your husband from his sin.” The story of Christmas brings hope to real-world situations. “Joy to the world” is more than just a Christmas cliché. It’s the real message of a real Savior born to solve real problems.

Are you facing problems this season that threaten to outweigh your joy? Don’t forget that the ultimate solution to these problems is the Savior who came to rescue us from sin and lead us into a right relationship with God. So turn to the only one who can provide true peace.

He's Just Not That Into You

I am re-visiting this book which came out in 2004. If you are wondering, if a guy is really into YOU. I suggest that you read this book and you will be shocked to learn that we make excuses for guys when they give us the cold shoulder. Pay attention to what they are doing instead of what they are saying. Here is a synopsis from Publishers Weekly:

It’s a classic single-woman scenario: you really like this guy, but he’s giving mixed messages. You make excuses, decide he’s confused, afraid of commitment. Behrendt, a former executive story editor for Sex and the City—and a formerly single (now happily married) guy who knows all the excuses—provides a simple answer: he’s just not that into you. Stop kidding yourself, let go and look for someone else who will be. After all, as Behrendt sensibly puts it, "if a (sane) guy really likes you, there ain’t nothing that’s going to get in his way." If you’re not convinced yet, by all means read this smart, funny and surprisingly upbeat little book, full of q’s and a’s covering every excuse woman has ever made to avoid admitting to herself that a man just wasn’t that smitten with her.

How Do I Set Priorities?

Telephone answering machine: This is Seeking Him with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Please leave your question at the tone. (Beep)

“My husband and I are trying to think through our schedules, and we’re trying to decide whether or not I should take a job. How do I make such a big decision?

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: As with all big decisions, the first place to turn is the Word of God. I’d look, for example, at Titus 2:4-5. It says women are to “love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be keepers (or workers) at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands.”

As you make a decision, ask yourself some questions based on those verses. For example, will a job outside the home interfere with your ability to serve your husband and children? Will it keep you from fulfilling your responsibilities at home? Just be sure your decision is based on God’s priorities for your life.

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Mistotle for Marriage- 25 days of Comfort and Joy

MOMENTS WITH YOU

Master Builders

by Barbara Rainey

When your marriage relationship hits a trouble spot, it may be difficult to find much to praise about each other. Yet those are the times we need praise the most. So I urge you to initiate praising your spouse. Make it a deliberate effort. Bring the power of positive words to him or her in the midst of trouble.

In the verse above, the author (who may have been Solomon) gave some very descriptive characteristics of well-spoken words. When you choose to encourage and praise your spouse, your words carry the ability to prod, or goad, him or her in the right direction. And notice the result: Those words become like “well-driven nails,” the kind that secure all types of building projects.

In the hands of God, your words can be used like nails to secure your mate’s self-esteem. Your wise and truthful words bring perspective to his or her life, to your relationship and to your situation as a couple. They make finding solutions to your problems a real possibility.

You may be asking, “What if all this praise goes to my spouse’s head? Won’t he become prideful?” There’s a difference between truthful praise and flattery. Flattery gratifies a person’s vanity, but praise is based on a person’s character and deeds. When you truthfully praise and applaud your spouse’s choices, you reinforce the value of building godly character.

Paul exhorts us, “Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). A keyword in that phrase is “truth,” which is the only real standard for bringing value to another person. Truth results in assurance and security, in worth and value. It becomes the compass during the storm that confidently steers us in the right direction.

So praise your spouse in all situations, using wisdom to meet the need of the moment, speaking truthfully to help construct character. Your words of affirmation can help rebuild what life has torn apart.

Discuss
What’s been blocking the flow of affirming words in your relationship? Share three real compliments with each other.


Pray
Pray for a heart that longs to build up, not tear down.

Have You Ever Wondered If You Married The Wrong Person?

Pastor Bob Moeller is not a licensed psychologist or marriage therapist. However,he is a Pastor-at-Large with MarriageVine Ministries, a ministry designed to help couples remain consistently in the vine of Jesus Christ.

Here is his opinion on this if you are wrestling with this thought!!


It’s not uncommon when couples are struggling with their marriage to wonder if you made the right choice when you got married. Doubts such as these are normal and natural and are usually temporary in nature and pass on. There are clearly situations in Scripture where we are told not to marry certain people (such as the result of an adulterous affair or where one person is a believer and the other is not). Assuming that’s not the case, let’s look at how you can put an end to the nagging idea you married the wrong person.

You can find peace of mind and relief from your stress by going back to one of the most basic teachings of the Bible: God is in control of our lives (the technical word is sovereignty). That means nothing happens in life without God’s permission or ultimate say in the matter. Let’s get to the place where the Bible speaks directly to your worry that you married the wrong person found in Genesis chapter 2, “Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man (verse 22).” Did you catch that? God Himself fashioned, designed, and created the very first wife for the very first man. The Creator of the Universe created the very first woman exactly with Adam in mind (and vice versa).

Which brings me to my first prescription: Stop repeating the thought you married the wrong person and instead three times a day thank God for creating the person you married just as He did. You can relax and take comfort in the fact that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, designed and fashioned the person you married with you in mind (and vice versa).

This leads me to my second prescription: Whenever you are assaulted by doubts that you married the wrong person, stop and repeat these simple words, “And God brought her to the man.” Do this each and every time you struggle with doubts and you will find yourself looking at your mate in a whole way. “So this really is the person God had in mind in me…” will replace the ugly and discouraging thought you are mismatched and in the wrong marriage. Again, the basic biblical truth behind this prescription for peace of mind is this: God is sovereign. That means He is in complete control of all the events of our lives, including who you married.

Even if you are going through a difficult time in your relationship, you can rest in the fact Jesus Christ is directing the course of your lives – past, present and future.

Prescriptions For Healthy Marriages

Focus on the Family has a long list of resources for married couples to enjoy. Take a look at the resources available and surprise your mate with one. Here are a few of the books on the list that I especially like:

1. Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti,
2. Boundaries In Marriage
3. For Women Only: What You Need To Know About The Inner Lives Of Men
4. The Five Love Languages: How To Express Heartfelt Commitment To Your Mate
5. Moments With You: Daily Connections For Couples

END OF THE EARTH SERIES ON THE TODAY SHOW

Green House: Eco-Friendly Disposal And Recycling At Home

PBS is broadcasting a program on living green. According to PBS, the program will share strategies for conserving energy in one's home. At our library, we have a great little book on living GREEN. It is written by Norm Crampton and it provides practical information for adopting a greener and more earth friendly habits of disposal by promoting recycling and living a little lighter. In this book, all sorts of unimaginable items are mentioned for recycling like the following: Fireplace Ashes? Cat Litter? Grease? Light Bulbs? Dog Poop? Cooking oil? Diapers? Batteries? Computers and Hard Drives? Telephone Books?

Dollars to Doughnuts

Daily Devotional from Moments With You, Dennis & Barbara Rainey

If we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8:25

Not long after I graduated from the University of Arkansas, a female friend came to me for counsel. She was dating a young man who happened to be my best friend. And though she wanted to marry him, he was uncertain about committing to her.

I had doubts, too, about whether they should marry. So I told her a parable I had recently heard, about a boy who’d been playing in his front yard when his uncle stopped by to visit. After talking for a bit, the man sprung a philosophical question on his five-year-old nephew: “If I gave you the choice, would you like a dime today or a dollar next week?”

The boy stood and thought. A dollar could buy him that rubber ball he’d seen at the corner store, but a “dime today” could mean a package of potato chips for his hungry late-afternoon stomach. So he took the dime, bought his snack and went home happy.

But about a week later, a buddy passed his house bouncing a new rubber ball. The boy then thought about his uncle’s offer. The chips were a distant memory, along with the dime that had seemed so valuable at the moment. If only he’d been willing to wait for that rubber ball later on.

There’s a lot of truth to that story, you know. Sometimes we’re so glamorized by the glint and gleam of the one thing we want right now that we’re not willing to wait and trust God for the something better He planned for us down the line.

I should know. Because just over a year later, this female friend of mine decided to marry someone else—my best friend’s best friend. Me. And even though there’s been a lot of inflation since then, Barbara says she got her dollar!

ANOTHER EXCELLENT MOMENTS WITH YOU!!

3-Hour Diet

It works for me!! I feel some much better after eating SMALL portions throughout the day. I have more energy. I just need to be consistent with eating this way and I will see the results that I so desperately desire. A friend introduced me to this concept after losing 30 pounds by eating every 3 hours. At first, I was skeptical about eating so much on a daily basis and not worrying about what I eat. I had never heard of such. It is called the 3-Hour Diet.



The book is not available at the library where I work. So, I googled the title and found an informative article from WebMD about the 3-Hour Diet.

• Jorge Cruise believes that eating this way increases your metabolic rate--how fast your body burns calories, increase energy, and decrease appetite.
• Cruise believes that portions are very important as well as timing. And that there are no bad foods, just bad portions. If you learn to eat the right portion, at the right time, you will lose weight.
• Bottom line: (1) Eat breakfast within one hour of rising (2) Eat every three hours thereafter (3) Stop eating three hours before bedtime.

The latter is the hardest for me to do because I get off of work at 9pm. And, I am hungry when I get home. And, even more after riding my bike for 30 -45 mins.

Stay As Far As You Can From Infidelity

Today's Marriage Minute comes entirely from the book Marriage Minutes by Dr. Bob and Cheryl Moeller. Published by Moody Press, copyright 1998.

Now then, my son, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from [the adultress], do not go near the door of her house . . .Proverbs 5:7-8

Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher of the nineteenth century, used to tell the story of a man who wanted to hire a buggy driver. He asked each applicant the same question: "How close do you think you can drive my carriage to the edge of a cliff without falling off?"

Driver after driver boasted of his daring and driving prowess. Yet none of them was offered the position. Finally one applicant appeared who considered the question, then gave a very different answer. "Sir, as your carrige driver it would be my business to keep you as far away from the edge of the cliff as possible," he said. "I have no intention of seeing how close to the edge I can come." He was hired on the spot.

The question in a marriage relationship should not be "How close can I come to infidelity without crossing the line?" Instead it should be "How can I put safeguards in place that will prevent me from even coming close to adultery?" Enter into a covenant today that you will both live your lives as far from the edge as humanly possible.

THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT MARRIAGE MINUTE!!!

Picture Perfect Weight Loss

I was sharing with a friend my frustrations about eating after reading a book on sugars. Sugars are in the most unexpected foods. It seems like my eating habits are so unhealthy regardless of the efforts that I make to eat healthier foods. I started two months ago eating side salads as my main course when I go to a restaurant. And, I was eating soups, granola bars, 100 pack calories snacks, and drinking a lot of fruit juices assuming that I was getting it right. And, I come to find out that many of these choices were full of sugars.

Therefore, a book was suggested for me to examine called "Picture Perfect," by Dr. Shapiro to see if it would help. Dr. Shapiro uses pictures to illustrate your calorie intake.

Publisher Weekly's synopsis: "A New York-based physician specializing in weight control, Shapiro will no doubt startle many lifelong dieters and experts with his approach to eating. There are no "correct" portions and there are no bad foods. Instead, he insists that people must become aware of what they're consuming. To illustrate this principle, the book is filled with color photographs of different foods.

For example, one page shows a handful of mixed nuts, potato chips and vegetable crisps: these three portions have 400 calories each, but 10 cups of popcorn has the same number of calories as the rest. A one-cup serving of Quaker Natural Cereal has 540 calories, but that same number of calories is found in 16 low-cal Fudgsicles. Shapiro uses real-life examples of people with weight problems and includes practical advice, albeit in brief chapters, on exercise and the psychological reasons why people become overweight. However, the power of this book is clearly the illustrations showing the "right" and "wrong" food choices. Shapiro walks readers through ethnic menus (Chinese, Greek, etc.), explaining which choices make the most sense health wise. This is a smart approach to dieting from which everyone, regardless of their weight, will benefit. "

ONLINE DATING

Dr. Laura Berman discusses what to do and what not to do when looking for love on the Internet.

For Better, For Worse, For Keeps Marriage Seminar

Attending this seminar would be a great investment for couples!! Look here to see the schedule and information about the seminar. Taken from the website, here are some of the topics that will be discussed.

• Building Intimacy: The Accepting Heart.
• Communication and Conflict.
• Seven Secrets to a Great Sex Life
• How to Stay Together - For Better AND For Worse.

Revive Our Hearts: God Will Sustain You

A daily devotional from Nancy Leigh DeMoss inspired me the other day titled, "God Will Sustain You."

If God has placed you in a challenging situation, are you leaning on him to help you? God's Word says, "My grace is sufficient for you." That means he will never lead you anyplace where his grace will not sustain you. He will never place more on you than he will give you grace to bear. Therefore, when the path in front of you seems endless, remember, the day is coming when all suffering will be over. When you stand before him, the tears and sorrows of a lifetime will seem as nothing compared with his glory. That's when you will say, "His amazing grace has brought me safely home."

And I hope that many of you believe this because God will sustain his children. Believe and have faith in this period of time!

Get The Sugar Out: 501 Simple Ways to Cut the Sugar Out of Any Diet

What a wonderful book! It provides insight on sugar that I was unaware of. As I continue to read this book, I am realizing that my eating habits are horrible. I am feeding my body more sugar than I realized. Sugars are hidden in so many foods which are not even imaginable. And, to control my craving of sugar is not an easy task to accomplish. This is why this book is so wonderful to read. It discusses the most simple ways to cut sugar out of any diet. It provides the basic tips on low sugar shopping, cooking, and dining out, and brand-new information on the truth about artificial sweeteners. Here are a few of the tips in the book:

• Cereals are one of the top places you need to watch for sugars. Look for cereals that are whole-grain with 3 grams of sugars or less per serving if possible.
• In 1 cup of milk there's 11 grams of sugars, so go easy using it.
• Hold the salt for a couple of reasons. First, too much salt in the diet can cause sugar craving.
• Pass up the ketchup, a little something that seems so innocent but is really a sugar monger in disguise. In fact, ounce for ounce, ketchup has more sugar in it than ice cream!
• Avoid eating sweets between meals. Try instead more substantial mini-meals.
• Granola may seem like a health food, but its sugar content often puts it in the same league as many desserts.
• A cooked sweet potato is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Full of fiber and nutrients, sweet potatoes also have another unexpected advantage: They rank only 48 on the glycemic index.
• Eating your baked potato with a little butter, high-quality oil, sour cream, or low-fat cream cheese is better for your blood sugar than eating it plain. This is because it is a very high inducer of insulin. But, eating fat or protein with your potato will slow down the insulin response and keep your blood sugar steadier.
• Diet drinks are dangerous and definite no-nos even when you are trying to avoid sugar. Not only are aspartame-sweetened drinks believed to deplete the body of chromium, a mineral important for proper blood sugar functioning, but storing these drinks in hot places may cause the aspartame in them to break down into toxic chemicals that can cause a multitude of health problems.

Additionally, the book has holiday coping strategies, desserts made with fabulous fruits, satisfying cookies, soup basics, meaty matters, how to be menu savvy when eating out, and the top ten tips.

" THE BRIDGE"

This video depicts God's love for us. Let us not forget this and live our life in accord with his will. John 3:16

Thanks Eva for sharing!

For Women Only: What You Need To Know About The Inner Lives Of Men

I do not understand men EVEN after reading this book. The way they think is totally different from us. In fact, I have even questioned if they were created this way. But, there must be some truth to this book because it is based upon the opinions of MEN. And, my friends who are men agree with the information that I am sharing.

Therefore, I recommend this book to be added to your reading collection. Shaunti Feldhahn discovered the most profound things about men in my opinion and I want to share them with you. The following are:

• Sex is not just about sex. What does that mean? Well, if a man is having a satisfying sexual relationship with his mate, it helps him at work...in all areas of his life...giving him the confidence that he needs. But, the lack of it can also have a negative result as well. Also, a man take it really personal when his wife says NO. It's more than being rejected physically but he feels unloved and like he is not a good husband. But, I am sure that is not what we are thinking. When we are upset at our spouse, we just do not want to be touched. We want to talk about it before we reconnect in a sexually way, but men are different SEX is how they reconnect and then talking come last. So, SEX is more than just a PHYSICAL act to your husband.


• Looking is hard because of being visual beings. It does not matter if he is a godly man....a man will look.


• Men often feel disrespected and would rather feel unloved than disrespected. Respect is important to a man. They desire to be respected publicly and privately.


• The wife's appearance is important. Husbands want their wives to look nice. They do not have to have a supermodel. But, they want you to be healthy and fit. As you were interested in how you looked while dating, maintain that level of attractiveness in the marriage.

THERE ARE MANY MORE IN THE BOOK

Fifteen Ways to Please Your Husband

I enjoy listening to Dennis & Barbara Rainey on FamilyLife. The broadcast is so encouraging...you come away from listening to them... feeling uplifted and inspired to make changes in your family life. Recently, I subscribed to "Moments With You" from the link to receive daily devotions taken from the book. And, they are wonderful to read. Recently, I enjoyed reading the one titled, "Fifteen Ways to Please Your Husband". Here are the suggestions:

• Write him a letter and send it to his office, or put a love note in his lunch box or his briefcase.
• Prepare his favorite meal.
• Arrange an evening out for just the two of you.
• Greet your husband warmly after work.
• Surprise him with a trip to do something that he likes.
• Pray and read the Scriptures with him daily.
• Wear his favorite dress with your hair done the way he likes it.
• Purchase something small and frivolous for him that he won't buy himself. AND THERE ARE MORE!!!!

Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace

Here is another book that was recommended last week through MarriageVine. Love That Lasts shows that marriage is about God's glory and not our own. Today, getting married is centered around what is best for ME. For some women, it is all about how good a man look or how well of a provider he is. For some men, it is all about how pretty she is, what type of body she has or how well she can satisfy him sexually. However, this book focuses on the primary purpose of marriage. It tells exactly what marriage should be about. In other words, we need to see marriage as God does to keep it in arrangement with his purpose. Sad to say, many of us did not understand the purpose of marriage and ended up in a divorce. I can attest to this because I am one of those divorce statistics.

Additionally, I really encourage you to subscribe to the daily postings from MarriageVine. It is an investment of time that will strengthen your relationship. I enjoy reading the emails even though they are overwhelming.

BOTTOM LINE: We need to see God through Marriage and not ourselves!!!

Love Notes on His Pillow: And Other Everyday Ways to Keep Your Love Alive

Love Notes on His Pillows by Linda Gilden offers creative ways for spouses to show love toward one another. According to marriagevine, when someone compliments us, it makes us feel good. When someone appreciates us, we feel that we have value. Well, these are the things that we need to do for our spouses. Take some time and plant some hide and seek notes throughout the home and other places. Here are some examples taken from the book.

• Love note for the dresser: Thanks for doing the laundry. I appreciate having clean clothes to wear.
• Love note for the lunch box: Thank you for working hard to support our family. We love you.
• Love note for the refrigerator: Enjoy your snack. I'd like to nibble on you.
• Love note for the remote control: You really know how to push the right buttons with me.
• Love note for the freezer. Wow! It's cold in here, but my heart is warm every time I think of you.

I JUST LOVE THESE NOTES! THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO KEEP LOVE GOING STRONG IN MARRIAGES WITHOUT MUCH COST. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU GETTING THIS BOOK FOR YOURSELF OR A FRIEND.

Are You Up For A Challenge?

CLICK THE TITLE

Take the challenge and see what happens! I am taking the 30-day True Woman Makeover!

Marriage Minutes

Every day, I receive an email from marriagevine.com. The marriage minutes are great reminders for us to implement a change into our lives or an awareness on how we live. This minute was basically saying that our actions need to line up with what we speak because others are watching. As a Christian, it is important that we try our hardest to uphold God's standards before others(believers and non-believers) to not stumble anyone. And, above all else, to glorify God's name. This was timely information for me. So far, I have shared this with one friend and plan on reading it to others. Below is the minute !!!!!!

Unbelievers Can Spot Inconsistencies In Our Lives

Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah 1:7

Often unbelievers can see more clearly the discrepancies in our lives than we can. Although they may not hold our values or belief system, they can sense when our behavior is out of sync with our profession of faith. When Jonah was discovered to be running from God, the pagan sailors were terrified. "What have you done?" they demanded. It was no doubt superstition that caused them to ask the question. Due to the terrible storm at sea the sailors could see that Jonah had infuriated his God. But from God's perspective, Jonah had seriously compromised his faith in front of pagans and unbelievers.

We too need to show great care in how we live in front of unbelievers. Though they may not share our faith or values, they nonetheless know hypocrisy when they see it. Let's resolve to love and treat one another in our marriages in a way that validates our profession of faith in Christ. Let's conduct our business dealings in a way that glorifies God. Above all, let's be ready to admit when our actions or words have been inconsistent with our faith. If unbelievers can spot hypocrisy, they can also spot genuine integrity and humility. Let's verify the truth of what we believe by how we behave.

Robert and Cheryl Moeller, authors of Marriage Minutes.

Return to Love

Today, I was interested in adding this book to my must read collection, but it was unavailable. A student had checked it out. Now, I am even more interested in reading it. I know that it is a good read. I especially like the synopsis of the book from Barnes and Noble website.

Williamson reveals how we each can become a miracle worker by accepting God and by the expression of love in our daily lives. Whether our psychic pain is in the area of relationships, career, or health, she shows us how love is a potent force, the key to inner peace, and how by practicing love we can make our own lives more fulfilling while creating a more peaceful and loving world for our children.

And, there are two movies that I have seen and enjoyed very much which used her writing about "our greatest fear". They were Coach Carter and Akeelah and the Bee.

Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer. She has published eight books, four of which -- including the megabestseller A Return to Love -- have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Her titles include Illuminata, Everyday Grace, A Woman's Worth, and Healing the Soul of America.

What's Your Deepest Fear?

Our Greatest Fear
Author: Marianne Williamson

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

Watch this clip from the movie, Coach Carter!

Relationship Assessment Test

CLICK ON THE TITLE TO TAKE THE TEST!!!

According to the website, the purpose of this assessment is to help you see how your evidence of connection compares to your level of clarity about your relationship. This assessment is structured to be helpful both for those who have seen a relationship grow over a period of time but want to know if it's moving toward a more formal romantic relationship and those who want to know if their formal romantic relationship is moving toward marriage.

The Bend in the Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the song has ended,
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended,
Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying?
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying?

There's but one place to go and that is to God,
And, dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side.
And together we stand at life's crossroads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision,
And He tells us it's only a bend.

For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the pause in the song is a rest,
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best.
So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load.
Your work is not finished or ended,
You've just come to a bend in the road.

A poem of encouragement by Helen Steiner Rice.

A Story of Cancer and Comfort

This broadcast brought tears to my eyes, this morning. Listen to the broadcast by clicking on the title and click on "listen now". The Rev. David Jeremiah describes how his faith in God sustained him during two bouts with cancer. He also explains why he believes God allows suffering, and offers encouragement to those facing trying circumstances. (Part 1 of 2) This was very comforting to me because I have gone through some circumstances that were difficult. Yet, after hearing this, I am even more convinced that suffering builds character and draws you closer to God.

Related Article , "Suffering Brings Wisdom," Perspective by Randall Murphree

“I want to tell you, you can learn a lot from being sick,” said Dr. David Jeremiah. The popular author, speaker and media teacher made that observation to a national group of Christian journalists gathered May 6 - 10 in San Diego for the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association.

Participants included writers and editors from Charisma, Christianity Today, Moody, AFA Journal and scores of other Christian periodicals.

Dr. Jeremiah is qualified to address the issue of suffering and sickness. Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, Calif., he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1994. After treatment, he thought he had weathered the storm, but in 1998 the cancer recurred. Surgery removed a nodule from his neck, and in early 1999 he had a stem cell transplant.

“It was the darkest night of my soul, a nightmare with no hope of waking,” he wrote in his latest book, A Bend in the Road: Caves In Experiencing God When Your World (Word, 2000). The book is a chronicle of his battle with cancer and the life lessons God taught him in the process. Today, he again has hope and lives in remission.

Jeremiah told the journalists he has learned many things through his experience with cancer, including the power of prayer, the persistence of Satan and the perspective of attitude. He says studies show that attitude can be as important as medical treatment for a cancer patient. “Attitude comes from your personal walk with the Lord,” he said.

Dr. Jeremiah’s "Turning Point" program is aired internationally on more than a thousand TV and radio stations. In addition to serving as pastor at Shadow Mountain, he is chancellor of Christian Heritage College in El Cajon and has written 12 books, including Jesus’ Final Warning and The Handwriting on the Wall.

Randall Murphree is a freelance writer and editor of American Family Association Journal in Tupelo, Miss.

Bott Radio: 640 AM Station

If you are not familiar with Bott Radio, you need to invest some time and listen to some of the programs. They are so insightful...covering everything imaginable with the Word of God as the authority on the issue.

I must admit that Familylife is one of my favorite links. And, I am going to recommend you to read any books that are on the programs since they are written by God-fearing men and women.

This morning, I heard a great program on Bott Radio called Hazard of the Road. It was about the danger that a married couple faced when Sam, the husband, traveled alot for his business, spending alot of time in hotel rooms. He had much sexual temptation and it became impossible to resist. Finally, he gave in to it. The broadcast features him and his wife, Toni, talking frankly with Dennis Rainey about his struggle with pornography and the moral failure that turned out to be his wake-up call.

Things that were discussed in the program and worth mentioning to YOU:

• Sam was a CHRISTIAN.
• He REASONED that since he was away from home and his wife, why not sin since no one would know.
• Couples need to agree about the time that they will spend apart to avoid SEXUAL TEMPTATION.
• The relationship, the covenant, in marriage has got to supersede ALL OTHER THINGS.
• The D word might come across your mind but do not make it an OPTION.
• The wife, Toni did not get involve with another man during this time. Yet, she precoccupied her mind and time by decorating her home and the result was still a struggling marriage. Do not avoid the issue CONFRONT IT.
• Men beware in hotel rooms because cable is accessible and you are ALONE.

There is much more! Listen to the broadcast for yourself...click listen on this link http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3789887&ct=6018859





Sam Gallucci is senior pastor at The Harbor Community Church in Ventura California, and is president of CRM Associates, a management consulting firm. He is the author of Road Warrior. Sam and his wife, Toni help lead men out of sexual sin, and offer hope and healing to women who have been wounded in the aftermath. Sam and Toni have been married for more than 25 years, and have three sons.

GABE in Washington

Gabe's Day as President!!!!!

Eva, Gabe's mom wrote to me about their experience in Washington, last week.

It was so encouraging to see Gabe's eyes light up
when he saw or heard something familiar like when we were on a tour of
Washington and various excerpts from famous speeches were played - MLK's I Have
a Dream speech, JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you...." But I have
to say he also enjoyed the "city" life with the traffic, buses, taxi's, metro,
etc. and chasing the pigeons on the lawn of the Natural Museum of History and
taking a dip in the reflecting pool (much to my dismay!) I can hear you now,
"that's Gabe!" And, of course, he brought back a suitcase FULL of new
books! He also got to meet R.L Stine. That was a big thing for him.

The Love Dare Book That Will Fireproof Your Marriage

The Love Dare from Mike Stecker on Vimeo.

After the movie, last Saturday night, a pastor was giving out flyers as we were leaving stating that if you visited their church on Sunday that you could have a FREE copy of the Love Dare. So, my friend and I went on Sunday to get a copy. I could not pass up that give-away. It is so much more than a book to me.

According to a website, this daily devotional steers you through the fiery challenge of developing a strong, committed marriage in a world that threatens to burn it to the ground. The Love Dare personally leads you through daily devotionals, records your thoughts and experiences, and ends each day daring you to perform a simple act of love for your spouse.