…you serve a risen Savior!

Fill'er Up!
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

I remember when gasoline was 35 cents a gallon during a price war in the late 1960s. (Yes, I know that dates me! Although, I am not as old as dirt.) That was long before Esso had to change its name to Exxon. I can still hear my dad say, “Fill’er up.” We’d get the full treatment. It was why they were called service stations rather than gas stations. My dad worked at one of those while he went to A&E school—Airplane and Engine mechanic school. He was very familiar with Christian service. Service is much more than checking the oil level…

To Direct Your Steps
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Have there been times when you thought, "what am I going to do now!" There are always moments in all our lives when there seems to be nothing else we do. It is common to the race. We live in uncertain times in an uncertain world. As someone has summed up this feeling, we do not even have "wiggle room" - there is nothing left to do. Perhaps you are struggling with an important decision that there seems to be no clear road to take. We may be faced with a financial crisis, a health crisis, a family crisis or - a spiritual decision that may seem to have no clear…

Pretzel Love-Psalms 91:14
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

'Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high because he hath known my name. ' Psalm 91:14 KJV I like pretzels. I want them hot, out of the oven with plenty of butter on them. I like to look at them also. They intrigue me. The way they are twisted and shaped makes me wonder how pretzels' creator came up with the idea. So I looked it up. According to howstuffworks.com, The world…

The Rearview Mirror
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I read a book one time about ways of discovering your life’s meaning. It was informative, and filled with lots of ideas and methods of taking your existence into positive territory. And one of the areas I enjoyed most was an exercise in listing at least ten of your biggest moments so far—those trinkets in time helping shape who you are and that left the greatest impressions. For everyone, those experiences can be both, good and bad; a divorce or bad breakup, childhood bully, death of someone you loved. Or maybe it was the thrill of graduating from college, getting your…

Bible and Quote - March 1-5
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

You have made him to have dominion over . All sheep and oxen-- beasts of the field, birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. Psalm 8:6-8 Man’s terrestrial position of superiority mandates not power but responsibility, not abuse but compassion, not greed but conservation. O LORD (Y@hovah), our Lord ('Adonay), how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9 The highest and most intense worship takes place when we can do nothing but be amazed, when we are rendered helpless and speechless with wonder and gratitude,…

Seek God
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“Then if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT These are words spoken by God. He lays out a plan for those present at the dedication of His Temple, His children, (us), when their (our) land becomes evil. God directs His children to humble themselves—come clean about sins and recognize their place as compared to God. God’s people are…

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. ……