…free from your burdens!

Opening Night
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Opening night. The glitter of the marquee. It could be a show on Broadway, a picture at the Cineplex, or a local restaurant just down the street from you. Opening nights are a big deal for a lot people. They just simply have to be there and be able to say that they were there. Opening nights are important also for other situations. Take the case of the opening night of Pauley Pavilion, the home of the University of California at Los Angeles Bruins basketball team. Yeah, you got it; UCLA. Pauley Pavilion opened the night of December 1,1973. The legendary John Wooden was…

The New Pacifism
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Over the centuries of Christianity there has been an internal debate about whether or not Christians are required to be pacifists. Some have said, for instance, that it's wrong to be a Christian in the military. This was put forth in the early church. Others argue that Jesus said, "All who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52), so we must not bear arms. On the other side, they point out that the early church opposed Christians being in the military because being in the military in their day meant mandated idolatry, and Christians are certainly not to…

Talk Things Over
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:6 (NASB) If I have learned one thing as a husband, it is the importance of having regular conversations with my wife. But if I have learned one thing as a father of five children, it is the near impossibility of finding private time to do this. The importance of regular communication with God cannot be overestimated. It allows us to make sure that we are on the right track. The Teacher…

Visualize This (2-22-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Visualization techniques are modern methods used by athletes and other performers to enhance the outcomes of their efforts. These techniques vary in details but the basics are the same. The performer “sees” himself in a particular desired outcome (as the winner of a race, a star of a show, etc., etc.) and then mentally places himself into that role (including all the feelings and sensations that he might expect and intend to experience). Although these methods produce enhanced performances in the physical realm, there is another visualization technique that God requires…

Do You Have Questions You Want to Ask God?
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

How long have you prayed over some particular matter, and you do not see the answer for which you have looked? Has some specific prayer been on your heart for months or years, and you feel like giving up? No – don’t. We never know when we may be just one day away from receiving God’s reply. ……

Deep Spring Waters That Never Run Dry
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Isaiah 58 hold dear words of promise: If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your gloom shall be as the noon day. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many…

Conversation With God
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

There are many different kinds of prayer. A silent prayer of thought only, a short prayer of thankfulness for a meal before we eat, a prayer for safety in our unsafe world. Silent prayers at night after retiring. There are prayers in many different modes. Many pray only in desperation caused by an event in their life. Some prayers are what one could call “canned prayers” - prayers that with repetition become almost meaningless and simply ritual. Perhaps there is a time for this kind of ritual admiration, but personal prayer should be an intimate, honest, and loving conversation…

Psalms 91:13
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

'Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. ' Psalm 91:13 I've often looked at myself in the mirror and wanted to punch the mirror because of the disparaging thoughts I agree with concerning myself. Fortunately, I know better than to punch the mirror, lest I shatter it and cut myself. Come to think of it. Agreeing with these damaging thoughts can shatter and cut our relationship with the Lord. These agreements will deface…

Leaving Unhealthy Relationships
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Most have experienced it: staying with the same person no matter how bad and unhealthy a relationship becomes, hoping against the odds that things will eventually get better allowing love to prevail. Some look to God, wish upon a star, or seek out and counsel with every psychologist around to heal the broken seams, replace bad with good, take another drink of love potion which brought bodies together in the first place, and inflame the sparks both felt while first meeting. But realistically, sometimes the right thing to do is walk away early on before you wake up one morning, aged,…

Bible and Quote - October 20-24
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law. Psalm 119:29 Lord, overcome my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Valley Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions, 1600/1700s I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32 If thou make little spiritual progress, at least to be desiring to make more; to be praying and walking, and praying that thou mayest walk faster, and that in the end thou mayest run. Robert Leighton, 1611-84, Scottish Archbishop of Glasgow, Principal of University…

Obedience and Trust:Old Testament Style
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

Obedience and Trust: Old Testament Style “The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” Daniel 1:5,8 (NIV) 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if…