…you are the image of your creator!

Our battles begin and end in our mind
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

(An excerpt from my new workbook that is a companion to my book "Refreshment in Refuge") Our battles begin and end in the mind… Freedom of will is the same as freedom of choice. We choose who we love, where we live, what we eat, how we react to our trials and tribulations. We choose not us suffer consequences so we obey our parents. We choose to believe God exists and believe His Word, or we can choose not to believe. As in the passage from Joshua, "Choose you this day whom you will sever, as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." …

The Only Solution
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Recently a prayer by Billy Graham circulated via email to those who interested in what he said concerning the spiritual condition of America. It is repeated with the prayer we all can take it to heart and respond in prayer for America. As the American Senate Chaplain prayed many years go concerning our national complacency: "Please turn us Lord...for we are hard to turn!" "Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we…

Long Life-Psalms 91:16
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91:16 KJV This guy I know is one I don't want to be traveling with on a long road trip. He's a good guy, but his mouth tends to speak everything he is thinking. I mean everything. From the rising of the sun, till he lays his head down at night, he would say everything he's thinking. It's the gift of gab on a double shot of espresso. My ears work overtime consuming the thousands of letters crammed into my brain. The processing power it takes for my mind to comprehend the surplus of words causes me to lose…

Creating Your Passions
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I had the pleasure of seeing blues legend, B.B.King perform during the 90’s in Washington D.C., and most recently here in Dallas a few weeks ago. He’s definitely slowed down some, lagging the aggressive and mesmerizing zip he once had (taking about 30 minutes to introduce his band). But, despite the fact that Mr. King is now well into his 80’s, thousands still flock to see him play every year looking to catch the wave of a living legend, still doing what he can to make us smile through his supreme gift of music. And after recently reading his biography, he knew…

Bible and Quote - November 10-14
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

I will meditate on Your statutes. Psalm 119:48b It is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. Thomas Brooks, 1608-80, English Puritan preacher, author Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope. Psalm 119:49 God will never disappoint an expectation which himself hath raised. George Horne D.D., 1730-92, English churchman, writer, university administrator The arrogant utterly deride me, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. Psalm 119:51 …

God With Us
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

Have you ever wondered if God was actually with us? Or did you think he created the world and then sat back to watch what we do with it? In Psalm 139:13,15-16, we read David’s words of belief. “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. . . . You saw my unformed body.” God guides us through difficult times. When we receive the news of tough medical decisions, He is ready to comfort and to assist us through those times, especially when…

The Love of a Son
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Every now and then you realize that you have slipped up. Last night I sat with my son, Sean, in the upper arena of Rupp Arena in Lexington and watched my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes win their first round game of the NCAA National Basketball Tournament. At one point my emotions got the best of me and I put my hand on Sean's shoulder and told him, "Thank you, son. I love you." That was such a tremendous gift for a son to give his father. Then I remembered why I am such a fan of the Buckeyes. I had a father, too. My dad was raised in the radio era. He used to listen to…

Running
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

This is a marvelous passage from Hebrews. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) I really like it. I like the imagery of running the race. On one hand, it is work. On the other, it is of limited duration. I love the…

God's Bells
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2 The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn't know what to do. Napoleon's massive army was preparing to attack. A council of citizens was hastily summoned Easter Sunday to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. The pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our…

Justification X (2-24-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Today's message contrasts those who caused problems for Jesus and those who did not. What we will find is exactly the opposite of what we might expect. It was also the exact opposite of what many thought in Jesus' day. We will let the following text speak and then make some observations about it. "Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore…

Who Is God Raising Up and Sending Today?
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

As far as we know Habakkuk had no call like Isaiah or Jeremiah - no vision of God - but he did have an argument with God. You never know what is going to happen when you talk with God - when you pray. He asked questions - he interceded for Israel. He reveals himself as a man of urgent intercessory prayer. ……