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Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 16 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 30977 |
| Visitors Out: 843 |
| Total Visitors Out: 843 |
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| The sad state of our society |
| 2008-05-02 20:37:00 |
These days a newspaper is a sad commentary on the state of our society; and its articles reveal in many ways the depravity of the human heart. Stories of murder and rape, suing or exhortion, supposed discrimination defeating religious freedom, young children committing terrible acts, senseless accidents, and attacks against Christianity fill it's pages. Yet a recent article I read revealed the terrible condition of our society in a slightly more obscure way. The report was about a tragic accident. A group of young people had stolen a vehicle, and in running from police struck a taxi and killed the driver. Later, police interviewed a 16 year old passenger and were shocked at her cold and callous view of what happened. H...
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| God is faithful |
| 2007-11-06 21:40:00 |
God is faithful. Yes all of you who are believers are nodding your head and saying, " Yah I know that already." But no I mean really, God is faithful. He has a plan, a purpose, and a direction that He is faithfully and intentionally pursuing. In my life this plan is to make me more like Jesus Christ, and He is using every circumstance in my life to accomplish this.I am learning to trust that His hand is on my life no matter what I may be going through. These past few months especially have been a time of seeing first hand that He does care and always provides. I had been reading and studying a lot about living a simplier life, of not getting caught up in the materalism that surrounds us, and instead using the wealth of this land to further His kingdom. This was impressed on me more as I sp...
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| Shades of Falling Leaves |
| 2007-09-27 02:16:00 |
The national symbol of Canada is at it's best in brilliant fall colours. Although fall forewarns of the cold winter ahead, it more than makes up for it in the beauty of contrasting colour that is seen across the Ontario landscape. If you were ever to question if God loves beauty, it would find a clear answer in the radiance of autumn in Canada. ...
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| Defining Trust |
| 2007-09-26 02:19:00 |
Trust is: That childlike faith and rest in the loving care of a Father who is ever working all things for His child's good. ...
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| Salvation - by Grace Alone |
| 2007-09-22 22:12:00 |
This is My BodyThat salvation is all of grace and none of works is one of the basic and most fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, and it is well taught in this sermon. The Christian's comfort and assurance of perseverance in salvation and a right standing before God is based in the finished work of Christ and His grace, not on their individual performance....
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| What would you do? |
| 2007-09-14 21:58:00 |
This is a great DVD which follows eight Christian teens who travel to Vietnam and witness first-hand the persecution of their fellow brothers and sisters. It will confront you head-on with the reality of persecution today; and make you face the question of, " What would you do?"http://www.ur-video.com/main_page.htmlRemember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. ~ Hebrews 13:3...
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| Follow Him |
| 2007-09-13 01:57:00 |
Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." ~ Luke 9:23,24Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. ~ Matthew 11:28-30My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. ~ John 10:27,28...
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| God chooses the weak |
| 2007-09-12 22:44:00 |
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:26-31Weak, pitiful vessels we are, and through that there will be no doubt that it is God...
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| Suffering for His name |
| 2007-09-08 23:51:00 |
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? - Mark 8:34-37Eritrea Christians Tortured" We need to keep up our prayer vigil for the Christians in Eritrea," says Open Doors USA President Dr.Carl Moeller. "..The government keeps denying that persecution is taking place. But that is not the truth. There are at least 2,000 reasons for praying for our imprisoned brothers and sisters in Christ."F...
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| The True Treasure |
| 2007-09-07 00:20:00 |
If you could be granted one wish, what would you wish for? Would it be a full bank account? A house on the ocean? A new body? Or would you set your sights on something more worthy, more lasting, and much more valuable? What we desire and seek after reveals the true nature of our heart; for Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6 that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If you focus only on temporal things such as money, possessions or education you are revealing that you are trying to find satisfaction and happiness in things which are worthless in the light of eternity. You are making a treasure of that which will be destroyed. So what is a lasting treasure? What is something you could put a value on, prize, and know that it would last for...
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| No More Night |
| 2007-09-06 02:59:00 |
No more night. No more pain. No more tears. Never crying again.And praises to the great " I Am."We will live in the light of the risenLamb.All praises to the great " I Am."We're gonna live in the light of the risen Lamb.~ No More Night ~ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ~ ...
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| Romans 8:28 |
| 2007-08-27 22:30:00 |
All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.God's definition of good is that which works to transform us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is possible for a Christian to suffer - such as persecution- and still call it good because God promises that it IS good. If we only look at one point, there are thousands of God-honouring testimonies from Christians who were imprisoned, beaten, or martyred for their faith; of how their trust and love for Christ thrived under the pressure of suffering....
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| Speak, oh Lord |
| 2007-08-25 00:39:00 |
Speak, oh Lord, as we come to You to receive the food of Your Holy Word. Take Your truth, plant it deep in us; shape and fashion us in Your likeness, that the light of Christ might be seen today in our acts of love and our deeds of faith. Speak, oh Lord, and fulfill in us all Your purposes for Your glory. ~ Keith Getty and Stuart Townend " That the light of Christ might be seen today" ... indeed this is what I desire this morning, that as I go about my duties at work, Christ might shine through. I fall so short of what I should be, but desire to be a reflection of His character to the eyes of my unbelieving co-workers. To share and live out the gospel to them is my commission, yet knowing my weakness and failings, I hesitate. God is gracious though, and pr...
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| The mind of Christ |
| 2007-08-21 01:35:00 |
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11...
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| Hope |
| 2007-08-04 22:10:00 |
"The setting of a great hope is like the setting of the sun. The brightness of our life is gone." - Henry Wadesworth LongfellowToday I stumbled across this quote in some papers I was sorting through from a long while ago. It struck me how true it is of my life recently but yet it seemed strangely depressing. Is it really true that when a hope is crushed the brightness of life vanishes?For the Christian I don't believe this needs to be permanent. Yes there will be times when we are overcome with sorrow and grief, when dashed hopes and unexpected disappointments seem to take all the happiness out of our lives. You can see this throughout the Bible and especially in the book of Psalms. David's poems are full of strong expressions of sorrow, anger, pain and tears. Yet after these storms you wi...
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| Persecution in China is real |
| 2007-07-27 21:00:00 |
There is no religious freedom in China. The free Christians that the world hears about, the churches that President Bush visited when he was there, are under the strict control of the government; just as the churches under communist's rule in old time Russia. The true Christians running underground house churches, witnessing, and printing Bibles are constantly being arrested, beaten, tortured, and locked in jail without fair hearings, let alone fair trials. Sadly the world turns a blind eye to the reports documented by religious freedom organizations and lawyers; this is wrong. China should not enjoy the priviledges of being on good terms with democracies when it is all the while hiding its abuse of basic human rights. As trading partners, Canada and Americ...
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| A Puzzling Thought |
| 2007-07-27 20:39:00 |
It is one thing to learn how to spell and add from secular sources, and quite another to learn how to minister to people. If I want to learn how to be a godly Christian, I won't be learning theology from a Buddist; if I want to learn how to be a godly counsellor, I won't be learning counselling and psychology from a humanist. This being reasonable, why then would Christians go to secular universities to learn how to be counselors?...
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| You Alone |
| 2007-07-07 03:19:00 |
In You alone my strength is foundIn You alone my hope aboundsIn You alone my strength is foundMy life is bound up in YouAnd in my weakness give me still more graceGrace to cast myself on YouIn every trial let me find Your peace and joyAnd grace to humbly walk with YouO disarm me of everything I would lean onSo I will lean on YouJesus, strip me of everything I would depend onSo I'll depend on You ~ It was Your Grace, Mark Altrogge Valley of Vision ...
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| Calvary Calls |
| 2007-06-30 01:13:00 |
watching the sunset from Coney IslandI could squandor my existence, live my life in search of ease, giving all my days to gaining men's applause. Thinking only of myself and all that pleases me, but Calvary calls, Calvary calls.In the mumbling of a stranger, in the clamour of a crowd, I can hear the constant cry above it all. Sometimes it's just a whisper, at times it seems so loud - but Calvary calls, Calvary calls.Calvary calls me to surrender, Calvary calls me to obey; and to a dying world it calls me to be a light along the way. For the cross demands allegiance, I'll give nothing less than all; I'll answer "Here am I" when Calvary calls.If I see a brother broken by defeat and left to die, but no one comes to help him when he falls, let me be the arms of mercy reaching out in Jesus' nam...
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| Psalm 139 |
| 2007-06-28 08:35:00 |
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it.Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there, if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cov...
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| Before the Cross |
| 2007-06-25 08:53:00 |
My Saviour's sacrifice paid for all my sinSo in my suffering I look to the cross againNo need, no want, no trial, no painCan compare to thisThe wrath of God, once meant for meWas all spent on HimBefore the Cross, I humbly bowI place my trust in the SaviourYour finished work captures my gazeYou bore the wrath, I know the graceIn my darkest hour, Your presence is my peaceIn my days of joy, Your grace carries meJesus, my Great High PriestThe One who pleads for meMy heart is filled with faith in YouHere at Calvary on my kneesBefore the Cross I humbly bowI place my trust in the SaviourYour finished work captures my gazeYou bore the wrath, I know the grace~ Before the Cross ~ Jon Payne...
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| How deep the Father's love for us |
| 2007-06-22 10:49:00 |
How deep the Father's love for us,How vast beyond all measureThat He should give His only SonTo make a wretch His treasureHow great the pain of searing loss,The Father turns His face awayAs wounds which mar the chosen OneBring many sons to gloryBehold the Man upon a cross,My sin upon His shouldersAshamed I hear my mocking voice,Call out among the scoffersIt was my sin that held Him thereUntil it was accomplishedHis dying breath has brought me lifeI know that it is finishedI will not boast in anythingNo gifts, no power, no wisdomBut I will boast in Jesus ChristHis death and resurrectionWhy should I gain from His reward?I cannot give an answerBut this I know with all my heartHis wounds have paid my ransom~Stuart Townend~...
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| A day on the streets of NYC |
| 2007-06-19 03:06:00 |
The day started at 7 am with a shower to wake up before going downstairs to help prepare breakfast for 25 people. Considering how many people we fed, preparation was relatively easy and clean-up was made simple by using paper dishes. After an enjoyable breakfast of good food with great conversation, the group headed upstairs to watch a sermon on prayer by Mr. Symbala, as Tom prefers not to take groups on the street until lunchtime. Then we spent some time in prayer, for prayer is the backbone of the work and we depend on the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of those we talk to.The group piled in the van and we headed to downtown Brooklyn and set up outside the Brooklyn Tabernacle.Take a deep breath, smile genuinely, prepare for rejection, and approach someone with a tract. Repeat. Witnessing...
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| Praise You in this storm |
| 2007-06-18 07:32:00 |
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining. As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you" ; and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.And I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are no matter where I am; and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand. You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm.I remember when I stumbled in the wind, You heard my cry to You and raised me up again.My strength is almost gone - how can I carry on if I can't find You? And as t...
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| Shadow of the Almighty |
| 2007-05-12 04:24:00 |
This evening I resumed reading Shadow of the Almighty, which I had left off reading last year and never got back to finishing. It is a biography of Jim Elliot, largely comprised of his journal entries and copies of correspondence. Jim's writings are honest, personal, passionate and compelling; he truly was seeking a soldout life and it is a convicting, yet inspiring read. I would encourage everyone especially young people to read it, and would like to quote a section dated from October 24th - 29th 1949.October 24: I see the value of Christian biography tonight, as I have been reading Brainerd's Diary much today. It stirs me up much to pray and wonder at my nonchalance while I have not power from God. I have considered Hebrews 13:7 just now, regarding the r...
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| To Live is Christ |
| 2007-05-08 06:13:00 |
"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."As Christians we're here for only one purpose - to glorify God. John Piper likes to say 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.' We need to find our only peace and satisfaction in God and live to serve Him, not out of a sense of duty,but out of love for Him and thankfulness for what He has done in our lives. I urge you not to waste your life. Don't be distracted by money, a new car, or the newest fashions. 1 John says that if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. Our love for God as Christians should over-ride any attraction the world offers. We should learn to say with Paul that we count everything as rubbish compared to knowing Christ. Then, as He becomes our t...
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| Love in action |
| 2007-05-02 05:16:00 |
What is love? Love is not an emotion. Love is not that walking on air feeling. Love does not grow cold or wear out. Love does not betray. Love is not consumed with self. Love seeks the good of the other person at all times. Love is forgiving in response to attack. Love is patient. Love returns good for evil. Love rejoices when others are blessed, even at the expense of self. Love is gentle in the face of harshness. Love knows not pride. Love gives and gives again, but asks no reward. Love is of God and only those who know Him can truly be loving.In all this I have only described love in action. It is a choice, a conscious choice that goes entirely against human nature. In and of ourselves we do not know how to love, nor can we live it out. Only through God's...
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| Psalm 136 |
| 2007-05-01 05:18:00 |
O give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever. O give thanks to the God of gods: for his mercy endures for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever.To him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endures for ever. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endures for ever. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures for ever. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures for ever. With a strong hand, and with...
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| Remember those who are in bonds |
| 2007-04-30 06:04:00 |
On April the 19th a grieving friend of mine in Turkey told me of the brutal murders of three Christians he knew. His pain, and the pain of the other Turkish Christians, was impossible to relate to; but all I could offer was reminders of God's promises and the assurance of our prayers. The following Sunday night I shared his story with my study group and we prayed for both him and the Turkish church; and all through the week fellow Christians thought of and prayed for them. At the beginning of the sermon this morning, I listened with mixed emotions as my pastor retold the story and accounts I had heard and read so many times in the past week. Truly God has been glorified by the response to this tragedy! The families, fellow Christiansm, and church leaders, have responded with genuine...
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| To Learn Humility |
| 2007-04-29 06:32:00 |
I am reading a most excellent classic book called Humility by Andrew Murray. There is so much truth in it to quote, that I would not know where to start. However there is one section that seems so real and that is so relatable, it was necessary to blog about. So I quote: Every Christian virtually passes through these two stages in his pursuit of humility. In the first he fears and flees and seeks deliverance from all that can humble him. He has not yet learnt to seek humility at any cost. He has accepted the command to be humble, and seeks to obey it, though only to find how utterly he fails. He prays for humility, at times very earnestly; but in his secret heart he prays more, if not in word, then in wish, to be kept from the very things that will make him humble. He is not yet so in lov...
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