TOXIC LOOK-ALIKES

From 'Our Daily Bread'
Acts 8:9-23 talks about Simon and how he practiced sorcery. How he boasted of being someone great.
People had followed him because he had amazed them for so long. When Philip preached about Jesus and the kingdom of God, the people believed him as did Simon. The people were baptized as was Simon. When Peter and John showed up, they prayed for the people that they may recieve the Holy Spirit. Simon seen this and offered money to recieve the Holy Spirit. Then Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!"
It goes on to say that Simon's heart is not right with God.
v23~Peter said, "Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."


****Some people look like toxic plants. They look harmless, and they blend in with people who, like roses, are fragant and beautiful. Like poison ivy among roses, they cause misery. Everyone needs to avoid contact with such a person as Simon. Spiritual look-alikes appear to be good, but their "fruit" is toxic.

Submisive

Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord...
*Main Entry: submissive

  Part of Speech: adjective

•   Definition: compliant

~Synonyms: abject, accommodating, acquiescent, amenable, bowing down, comformable, complying, deferential, docile, domesticated, dutiful, giving-in, humble, ingratiating, lowly, malleable, meek, menial, nonresistant, nonresisting, obedient, obeisant, obeying, obsequious, passive, patient, pliable, pliant, resigned, servile, slavish, subdued, tame, tractable, uncomplaining, unresisting, yes*, yielding
~Antonyms: disobedient, fighting, intractable, resistant, unyielding
* = informal/non-formal usage

• Main Entry: abject

Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: hopeless and downtrodden
Synonyms: base, contemptible, degraded, dejected, deplorable, dishonorable, fawning, forlorn, groveling, hangdog, humiliated, low, miserable, outcast, pitiable, servile, submissive, worthless, wretched
Antonyms: commendable, exalted, excellent, magnificent, noble, proud, worthy
Ephesians 5:25, 28
Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church......

• Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies...he who loves his wife loves himself....no one has ever hated their own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church.

Who can explain to me what this scripture is saying??

BITTERNESS v. FORGIVENESS

bit·ter
adjective

1. hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.

2. causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.
3. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.
4. hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.
5. resentful or cynical: bitter words.

Synonyms

heartbreaking
antagonistic
disagreeable
acrimonious
distasteful
calamitous
disturbing
*by ADIMADMOM on October 19th, 2007
     It's not just bad experiences or disappointments, or any of the things listed here. Lots of people have bad things happen to them and do not become bitter. Bitter people are those who cannot get past the disappointments of their life. They dwell on them, hug them to their chest and make them the defining factor of their lives.
**Read more: What makes people bitter?
Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/434711#ixzz13KwJcBSy

• Is it possible to love unconditionally or too much? No
• Is it possible to love others as Christ loves us? Yes
• If we can forgive easly, does this mean we are gulty? NO
• If we feel God is leading us in a direction, is it right to turn from that direction when it's not agreed upon with a parent or spouse?Not for me
• Is it wrong to look at others faults and mistakes and not even consider our own first? Yes
• Is using guilt words something Jesus did? NO
• Does anyone understand what it means to be in an unhealthy relationship? Yes

Food for Thought

It is so easy to show disapproval of others with disrespect. We roll our eyes, snicker at one's feellings, thoughts, mock , show disgust, condem, degrade, gossip, humiliate publicly, and continually try and change someine into who WE think they should be.
A healthy relationship not only recieves but gives back as well.

We all need room to feel free to share thoughts, ideas, challenge, confront, and strengthen one another.
To be honest, I do not feel any of this right now.

Serenity

I really enjoy the serenity I have right now. I am thinking all sorts of things like, what it would have been like to live back in the 'Cowboy' days, what it looks like here in the winter, and what would I like to do for a living if I lived here.
There is so much natural beauty surrounding me right now; the daytime is full of bird songs and bugs, the night sky is beautiful with all the stars, and the peaceful cool weather is perfect!
I really like it here!!

Searching God's Path~Monday October 18, 2010

I am searching You O` Lord, for direction. I am not certain where I am going, all I know is I choose life, love, wisdom, Christ-like forgiveness, growth, maturity, and unconditional love.

• What spiritual truths need to be stirred up today in your life?
• Have you forgotten to spend time with your first love — Jesus?
• Have you forgotten the power of praise to defeat a negative thought life?
• Do you remember to witness to the lost who need the Lord?
• Are you living expectantly, waiting for Christ's return?

Open the Word of God today

From the book: The Emotionally Destructive Relationship

Seeing it is close to impossible; Stopping it sounds dangerouse; Surviving it CAN BE DONE!
There are many relationships in my life that I have tried to restore. My mom, my friends from childhood, my kids; but I always seemed to be the one who always took the initiative to make these relationships work. I put forth the effort until I crumbled and felt unworthy of these people.
I am learning more and more about healthy relationships.
To have a friend we must first be a friend. In order to have a healthy relationship, both persons need to put forth effort, both parties must be active within the relationship. If only one puts forth effort the relationship will deteriate.

Spouse #1 spends two days during the week with friends and most of their weekends with their friends instead of home with the family.
Eventually spouse #2 begins to feel that they are carrying the entire load ALONE! and feels ALONE!
Spouse #2 begins to feel as though they are seen as only a caretaker: someone to clean, cook, care for the kids, do laundry, pay the bills, and to provide sex when spouse #1 wants it. It looks and feels as though spouse #1 doesn't care about the feelings and needs of spouse #2.
Can you relate to this? Do you know of someone who can relate to this?
Do NOT ask the following: 'Am I giving more' do to the fact this will only make the problem worse.
DO ask: 'Is there a habitual pattern of disregard for my feelings, needs, desires, goals, or perspectives?'

dis·re·gard [ dìssri grd ]

~transitive verb (past and past participle dis·re·gard·ed, present participle dis·re·gard·ing, 3rd person present singular dis·re·gards)

~Definition:
1. ignore somebody or something: to ignore or pay no attention to somebody or something

2. treat somebody or something disrespectfully: to treat somebody or something with contempt or without respect

~noun~

Definition:
*neglect: a lack of attention or respect
*dis·re·gard·er noun
*dis·re·gard·ful adjective
~Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

How To Wreck YOUR Life....By: GCC

Acts 17:16-18;

Ezekial 14:1-3;

Acts 17:16;

Exodus 20:5;

Matthew 6:21




Peple amaze me! Really they do. They want this, they want that! When they get what they want it isn't enough! What will satisfy them if they are not satisfied with what they already have?
Listen to this from Rob Wengre: A Pastor from GCC:
Did you know that a good thing can sabbatage your life causing a massive wreckage? It's true.
I wanted so much to have a close relationship with my kids that I lost my tough love at some point. Our relationship is now wrecked!

Did you also know that you, as we all do, have an idol in our hearts? Yes, that is correct! We all do, but the question is...What is YOUR idol? What do you cherish? Is it that mom, you want the best for your kids so you place ecspectation on them that eventually puch them AWAY? Or is it dad, that you work so many hours because you feel like you need to in order to make money for your family that you don't have time to spend with your kids, and by the time you DO have the time, they are grown and don't know who you are?
This is a 'SERVE SOMEBODY' Sel-Test and is followed with Scripture
1. Imagination: Your religion is what you do with your sloitude-William Temple
What do your thoughts drift effortlessly to when there is nothing else demanding your attention?
What do you enjoy daydreaming about?
What fills your mind when you have nothing else to think about?
2. Money: (Everyone LOVES that name don't they?): Where your treasure is there your heart will be also
What does our money flow effortlessly toward?
3. Emotion: (Such a touchy topic): What causes almost uncontrollable emotions in YOU?
Anger-"What is so important to you that you must have it all costs, to the point that you unleash rage?"
Fear-"What is so important to you that if it is threatened, you are deeply anxious and almost paralyzed with fear?
Sadness-What is so important to you that if you lost it, you would feel as though you have no more meaning? 

REALITY KICKED IN

It's a funny thing that beginning October 3rd and 4th, through October 23rd and 24th, Granger Community Church..aka..www.gccwired.com, will be teaching the following:
Week 1: Wading Through The Wreckage
Week 2: Love Life Sabotage
Week 3: Family Damage
Qwwk 4: Shambles of Success


In our culture it seems that marriages, careers, and a secure retirement has vanished for over nearly over 85% of the world.








Now the reason I am so excited about this is because I feel that a lot of people are facing these very trials in todays world.
 Do you feel that you have the perfect life?
 Does your life at this point bring you peace and happiness?
Are you as successfull as you hoped and feel complete?
Do you feel lost?
Do you feel alone?
Are you disenchanyed; maybe resentful?
Do you feel as though all your life all you received were empty promises?
Join us for the next 4 weeks as we all wade through the damages that can be caused when 'Good Goals' take a place in our heart that they were not designed to fullfill.
Granger Community Church is located in Granger on University Park Drive
Log onto http://www.gccwired.com/
to view services.

Ephesians Ch. 3

v 11 & 12
...He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have BOLDENESS, and CONFIDENT ACCESS through faith in HIM.
v14 - 21
I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and in earth derives its name, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length, heigt, and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surrpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Now, to Him is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we could ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the gloryiin the church, and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.
~Amen

BAPTISIM @ GCC in Elkhart: ;RV Hall of Fame on CR17

I am not sure what to write for my first sentence. I have so many things on my mind and in my heart but have NO clue where to start.

I guess I will start with this:

I will be baptized next week at Granger in Elkhart. Now, I have struggled with this for close to 2 years. I was baptized when I was 13 years old. I try to think back when I was that age and try to remember why I was baptized. As far as I can remember it was just something everyone did. You get saved then baptized. Through the years I rebelled. Running away from home, physically fighting with my mom, sneaking out of the house, and stealing from cars. 

When I was 22 I was baptized again in a church located in Paducah, KY. It was different then. I was older and understood better. Then I was accused of being false. I was in my 6th year  of my first marriage and it was like I was only a speck of light. I became overwhelmed with darkness surrounding me and sufficating me until I could no longer breath.

When I was 26 I was again baptized in a Pentacostal church because that was their rule. I stopped attending the church about six months later. 

I then was out of church for 7 years(give/take a year). Then one day I knew I was being called back into church and I had no clue where to go. I was sent to GCC(more like dragged by the holy Spirit..LOL)between 2004-2005. I can still rememebr Mark Beeson teaching Core 101. I struggled several years, needing counceling, taking core classes, learning about boundries, but most importantly I learned that Jesus loved me right where I was at and He loved me for WHO I really was. It wasn't unitl GCC was launched in Elkhart in the Theator that I became a small group helper. By the time we moved to the RV Hall of Fame on CR17 I became a small group leader. We had our first baptisim there last year. I was so excited for those who were baptized! I asked a few people then if I should get baptized. They said once you are baptized you never have to do it again.So, I just went on in agreement. This year I had asked again about getting baptized. These are the words that were said:'If you FEEL you should then you should'.

The difference from when I was 13: I felt a bit pushed, when I was 22:Still unsure, whe I was 26: This time it is because I feel led by God to do it. To show the leaders, the parents, and the students that I am a Christ Follower. It feels real to me this time, just like my walk with God. In the past 2 years I feel more real than I ever have. This is why I am getting Baptized next Sunday. :-)   

A Week Full of Blessings

CRUEL WORLD??

We live in a world full of cruelty! The world itself is beautiful but the people in the world can destroy that beauty.
How is it that people can pin point everyone elses faults, mistakes, and mishaps and not look at themselves?
This is so irritating!
If anyone is any better than the people they tear apart, then let them HELP us out of where we are with kindness and encouraging words. If they're not better than us then may they be directed to look at themselves and where they are at in their minds and in their hearts.
Let us remember where we were in earlier years to where we are now. I believe this will help us show mercy and grace to those around us and we can help them grow with unconditional love.

Live Less=Have More

I was listening to Focus on The Family this morning on the car radio. The topic was 'Live Less, Have More.'
When you here these words, what is your firdt thought? Do these words ring to you?
~THIS IS OPEN FOR DISCUSSION~

John 1 The Deity of Jesus Christ

v1. I the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the WORD WAS GOD.
   God was, is, and always will be.
v3. All things came into being through God and apart from God nothing ever was.
    Without God earth would not exist. No living thing would be in existsance.
v4. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
v5. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Jesus was the Light and those who lived in darkness did not understand/grasp Him
    Comprehend: comprehend


com·pre·hend [ kòmprə hénd ] (past and past participle com·pre·hend·ed, present participle com·pre·hend·ing, 3rd person present singular com·pre·hends)
verb

Definition:

1. transitive and intransitive verb understand: to grasp the meaning or nature of something

It was hard to comprehend the sheer scale of the problem.

2. transitive verb include something: to include something as a part of a larger whole ( formal )

[14th century. < Latin comprehendere "grasp fully" < prehendere "seize"]

com·pre·hend·i·ble adjective

Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Struggles: Part 2~The End

As we live our daily lives we learn to adapt, to improvise. (got this from the movie ;Heart Break Ridge...LOL).
As my friend Stephanie says, 'If it weren't for struggles, how then would we know we were alive?! It lets us know we ARE alive, fully alive in the way we see, feel, taste, live'.
If God is at the center of our core then with Christ we can endure all things because in Christ all things are possible. If we believe in God, if we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, it is then that we can walk through the storms of life without drowning. God will keep us safe and bring us through anything.

Struggles: Part 1

So what does Thursday bring? Joy and pain.
I hurt for others when I know they struggle. What type of struggle you ask? Life! We all struggle with daily stress of work, bills, traffic, people, our kids. We try to be heros to everyone around us, but in the end we become so drained that we forget about ourselves. It is good to help those in need, but we also need to help  ourselves. There are many things we can do on a daily basis, but it takes determination, and prayer. 

What Shall I Wear Today

Nothing to Wear


Monday / July 26, 2010


Teaching our young children to dress themselves in the morning takes patience. We painstakingly wait as they learn to manipulate buttons, zippers, and shoelaces. However, by far the most agonizing aspect of the morning ritual of getting dressed is the statement, "I can't find anything to wear." As mothers, we realize this statement doesn't mean there is nothing in the drawers and closets, nor does it mean your child has not looked hard enough. What they really are saying is they think the clothes available to them are not good enough for them to wear.


As adults, we dress ourselves in the same fashion. We waste our time manipulating the outward appearance because we worry about what other people will think. What about going to the closet of God's Word and choosing to dress ourselves according to His wardrobe. "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness" (Colossians 3:12-14). Do we desire to dress in the "clothes" God has given us, or do we continue to "not find anything to wear"?


Becoming more Christ-like is the ultimate goal for us as homeschooling parents. The Lord does not look on the outward appearance of man, but at the heart, as when Samuel was led by the Lord to anoint David to be king. Choosing to dress ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love is what He can use the most to influence our children and teach them how to live godly lives.


So what will you put on to wear this morning? Look to His Word and find the clothes that fit and reflect God's character to your family and your world. All the academics you teach will not have as lasting of a value as modeling the love of Jesus Christ in your words and actions. "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14).






Father, thank You for giving me the opportunity to dress in the character of Christ. Show me those areas in which I have forgotten to put on the "clothes" You have provided. Help me to reflect Your Son in all I do and say this day. In Jesus' name, Amen.


You can help save a homeschool! Learn how today by visiting aophomeschooling.com!

R.I.P. Jim Linson

Luke 10:36-37 - "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

What can we do when one of our neighbors live 8 hrs. away, and then we find out that they are no longer with us? We can pray, stay in touch with our neighbor's family and friends. We may not know if our neighbor (s) came to know Christ but God knows, so we can only hope they did.

GRANGER COMMUNITY CHURCH

Everyone has a mission in their life. A lot of us don't even know we have a mission and some of us who do know they have a mission can't seem to find it.
Have you ever felt this way? I know I sure have!
Where ever you are at I hope the following will be of help to you. It has been a HUGE help to me.
~OUR MISSION~
WE VALUE THE PEOPLE GOD VALUES ....

1. Cultural Relevance
2. Personalized Growth
3. Everyone playing their part
4. Teams
5. Clear Biblical Teaching
6. Life-giving Relationships
7. Excellenc
8. Innovation
9. Leadership
10. Whole-hearted Devotion to Jesus
11. Community Transformation

I have been a member of GCC for 5 years nows and still I am working on most of these and I probably will until the day Jesus comes to take me home.
To learn more about Granger Community Church please visit http://www.gccwired.com/

UNSTOPPABLE: Is This Really Possible?

UNSTOPPABLE = Power~Courage~Love~Focus. All these things are possible ONLY through Jesus Christ, we can play it off like we have all these things already, but truth is we have NOTHING without Christ in our life. Through Him is where we gain courage, strength, power, love, and are able to focus. We will not be able to walk the straight and narrow without falling, but when we know we have fallen and we get up and walk again, God forgives us and gives us the strength and courage we need.
Visit http://www.gccwired.com/ to learn more.

Sunday Teach

Today was such an awesome day as Brad, Stephanie, and I were a 3team. It was so cool! I can't wait to do this again!
On another note, I did miss service today so I will be hitten up GCCLive later on tonight. Can't wait to see today's service. Though I would much rather be there live & in person, sometimes life just happens and we do what we can.

Today has been such a wonderful blessing! Though I thought I had my day scheduled with the typical -HoneyDue- list, all those plans went out the door. I would not change one thing today.

I believe that what Mark Bees saying last Sunday regarding that we have the here and the now right where we are is that no matter if we are working or unfortunatley do not have work, we still have ways we can be desiples. If we have a phone, we can call a friend or family; if we are fortunate to have the net and availability to a computer, start typing away!
This is where I was at mentaly: I don't have a job, I don't have people I hang out with, what I do have is family and they are all over the net. So why not take this opportunity, and share Christ via facebook, email, blogs. For me it isn't about being face to face anymore, if I do what I feel God has called me to and share Him with those He puts in my path be it in person or the net, it is my honor to share His glory and all He has to offer to those who don't know Him. I mean, really, if churches can go live around the globe with internet then why can't we go close to home with it.

Walking Through The Storm

For the past two weeks I have been dealing with a lot of inner storms. Now I know I am not the only one facing a lot of these storms, such as todays economy, the loss of homes, vehicles, and whatnot.
As I was blessed during teaching Children's Church, the story I was teaching brought my spirit to a place where I was familiar with. No matter how small or big the storms get, with God in my life I can withstand all things. 

What is Relaxing?

In todays economy, stress is obviously attacking people all around the world! I am one of these people. Our unemployment rate right now is at 11%. People are looking for ways to saves their homes, and their vehicles, but in the midst of it all, how can we remain at peace, how can we keep from becoming so stressed that we end up having a heart attack, or making the wrong decissions? Key: Relax....I went to several sites and found the following to be helpful.
http://www.righthealth.com/
http://www.buynathansnaturals.com/
http://www.thetalltrees.com/

Motivation Techniques

Where does motivation begin? With US as individuls. How we perseve ourselves plays a huge role in our motivation. We must apply a possitive attitude http://motivateus.com/, http://pickthebrain.com/ within ourselves and once we accomplish that then we can begin to spread the possitive to others around us.