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Announcements, Announcements, Announcements! #21
General | Posted 15 years agoOk, congrats to new members! YAY!
A reminder to them to watch us and make sure we are watching you. If you want your name to the list please contact me or Rev. Wally. NOT both of us, since we might double post.
I still need to get the communication thing between mods efficiently. (I am so sorry I forgot to tell you specks is taking a break Rev. Wally.) Due to my college stuff. (I had a recent OMG exam that almost killed my thinking capacity for overthinking the questions.) I have not been on the group as often, only limited to about one day per week. Trying to keep the 411's every week, and the newsletters every month. If I cannot do a 411, do not panic. (Have to talk to Rev. Wally if I cannot do a newsletter.)
Remember, we are not proffesionals, and we do things asap when time permits.
Concerning the book study:
Everyone agrees, but does not have the time to do it. Including me! X3
However, I think we might build a book suggestion list. There are two particular books I recommend to everyone, and if you do read them, I will post a discussion journal for it (if anyone has read them.
Here they are:
Mere Christianity - by C.S. Lewis (You SHOULD know who he is if you are a furry, PSST, ASLAN!)
What's So Amazing About Grace? - by Philip Yancy
Why these books? Well, Mere Christianity is for those who are not sure if scripture is "reliable" and a way that he "makes sense of Christianity" using worldviews and sound reasoning which can help those who do not believe or comprehend a divine being but want to believe, "except there rational and intelligence gets in the way".
And I have to say something about Philip Yancy's book. If you are gay and Christian, please read the chapter "Grace Healed Eyes". I highly recommend this book, the chapter is important, but so is the rest of the book. I will also mention two movies used in this text:
-Babbet's Feast
-Les Meserables
I know most know of the second, but maybe not the first. Check Wikipedia or the movie out to see what you think. And those that complain about finances.
I think that exausts the annoucnement, ttyl!
-Dog of Heaven signing out.
A reminder to them to watch us and make sure we are watching you. If you want your name to the list please contact me or Rev. Wally. NOT both of us, since we might double post.
I still need to get the communication thing between mods efficiently. (I am so sorry I forgot to tell you specks is taking a break Rev. Wally.) Due to my college stuff. (I had a recent OMG exam that almost killed my thinking capacity for overthinking the questions.) I have not been on the group as often, only limited to about one day per week. Trying to keep the 411's every week, and the newsletters every month. If I cannot do a 411, do not panic. (Have to talk to Rev. Wally if I cannot do a newsletter.)
Remember, we are not proffesionals, and we do things asap when time permits.
Concerning the book study:
Everyone agrees, but does not have the time to do it. Including me! X3
However, I think we might build a book suggestion list. There are two particular books I recommend to everyone, and if you do read them, I will post a discussion journal for it (if anyone has read them.
Here they are:
Mere Christianity - by C.S. Lewis (You SHOULD know who he is if you are a furry, PSST, ASLAN!)
What's So Amazing About Grace? - by Philip Yancy
Why these books? Well, Mere Christianity is for those who are not sure if scripture is "reliable" and a way that he "makes sense of Christianity" using worldviews and sound reasoning which can help those who do not believe or comprehend a divine being but want to believe, "except there rational and intelligence gets in the way".
And I have to say something about Philip Yancy's book. If you are gay and Christian, please read the chapter "Grace Healed Eyes". I highly recommend this book, the chapter is important, but so is the rest of the book. I will also mention two movies used in this text:
-Babbet's Feast
-Les Meserables
I know most know of the second, but maybe not the first. Check Wikipedia or the movie out to see what you think. And those that complain about finances.
I think that exausts the annoucnement, ttyl!
-Dog of Heaven signing out.
FPC 411 #67
General | Posted 15 years agoAlrighty, sorry for the delay.
Requests:
-
luna11 asks us to pray for 
derekpaws. He died in a car crash at the age of 21. Pray that his soul rests in heaven with our Lord.
-
thenewfurry asks us to pray that God helps him with guidance and consolance, he is having a hard time in his life and asks we preay for him.
-
kaizi asks us to pray for these people involved in the gas explosion in San Francisco
http://www.torontosun.com/news/worl...../15313736.html
Pray for them
-
bigpuppy_stuart asks us to pray for 
alkora. He is very sick and his mate is under alot of stress. Details here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1706226/ Pray for them.
-
sciencefurs just want to remind us that science and religion should respect each other. (They do, since science explains the physical world, while religion explains the spiritual plane, two different things that support each other's exsistence in every way possible.)
And that is all for this week, stay tuned! (Ah! The Radio Announcer Bug bit me!)
-Dog of Heaven
Requests:
-
luna11 asks us to pray for 
derekpaws. He died in a car crash at the age of 21. Pray that his soul rests in heaven with our Lord.-
thenewfurry asks us to pray that God helps him with guidance and consolance, he is having a hard time in his life and asks we preay for him.-
kaizi asks us to pray for these people involved in the gas explosion in San Francisco http://www.torontosun.com/news/worl...../15313736.html
Pray for them
-
bigpuppy_stuart asks us to pray for 
alkora. He is very sick and his mate is under alot of stress. Details here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1706226/ Pray for them.-
sciencefurs just want to remind us that science and religion should respect each other. (They do, since science explains the physical world, while religion explains the spiritual plane, two different things that support each other's exsistence in every way possible.)And that is all for this week, stay tuned! (Ah! The Radio Announcer Bug bit me!)
-Dog of Heaven
To the 8 new members, and no sermon this week.
General | Posted 15 years agoWell 6, 
and 
just switched their profile....
BUT!!! The Mod I commissioned to take care of the new members has taken a break...and I wasn't told. (yeah)
SO! As the Official pastor and all that I'll welcome you all right now:
spazzingzombie
Nathanael_Wolf
ChristianWolf
The_Zomby_Woof
CrazedWolf28
Wow, almost all wolves....for they come in sheep's clothing but inward they're really ravenous wolves...XP
But seriously, I'll make sure your on the list on lunch. ^^
Moving on...
No sermon because of time delays on my end....this would be a great time for a guest speaker!
~Rev. Wally Bear
and 
just switched their profile....BUT!!! The Mod I commissioned to take care of the new members has taken a break...and I wasn't told. (yeah)
SO! As the Official pastor and all that I'll welcome you all right now:
spazzingzombie 
Nathanael_Wolf 
ChristianWolf
The_Zomby_Woof 
CrazedWolf28 Wow, almost all wolves....for they come in sheep's clothing but inward they're really ravenous wolves...XP
But seriously, I'll make sure your on the list on lunch. ^^
Moving on...
No sermon because of time delays on my end....this would be a great time for a guest speaker!
~Rev. Wally Bear
Need some Ginkgo biloba in the Upper Room #XL
General | Posted 15 years ago40 devotions....8 weeks sense I started this, and I have yet to get anymore then a few on my page to comment on them. I need a hit counter for them journals.
*sigh*
~Rev. Wally Bear
A Lifelong Tradition
Read Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NLT)
Teach [the Lord's words] to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
-Deuteronomy 11:19 (NRSV)
FOR most of our 60-year marriage, my husband and I have read The Upper Room and our Bible together. Often, we have empathized with a writer's experience and included them in our prayers that day. Each message has enriched our lives.
However, advancing age is taking its toll, and we can't always recall what we read an hour earlier! This upsets us because these devotions are too meaningful to simply allow ourselves to forget. We want to retain what we've read so that we can continue growing closer to God.
We have discovered a solution that is helping us retain the content of the message. Before we begin reading the present day's message, we review the message from the day before. Our sluggish memories begin to "click in" as we recall the details. This procedure has become important to us. It's based on a principle that we learned in school: constant repetition helps us to retain information. We want to continue to grow mentally and spiritually as long as we have physical life so that we can always be useful to God.
June Megill (North Carolina, USA)
Prayer
God of all our days, we trust you to be with us as we age. Help us and guide us to take care of ourselves so we can keep alert and serve you as long as we are able. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Listen to The Upper Room on cassette to reinforce the day's message.
Prayer Focus
Those with memory problems
*sigh*
~Rev. Wally Bear
A Lifelong Tradition
Read Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NLT)
Teach [the Lord's words] to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
-Deuteronomy 11:19 (NRSV)
FOR most of our 60-year marriage, my husband and I have read The Upper Room and our Bible together. Often, we have empathized with a writer's experience and included them in our prayers that day. Each message has enriched our lives.
However, advancing age is taking its toll, and we can't always recall what we read an hour earlier! This upsets us because these devotions are too meaningful to simply allow ourselves to forget. We want to retain what we've read so that we can continue growing closer to God.
We have discovered a solution that is helping us retain the content of the message. Before we begin reading the present day's message, we review the message from the day before. Our sluggish memories begin to "click in" as we recall the details. This procedure has become important to us. It's based on a principle that we learned in school: constant repetition helps us to retain information. We want to continue to grow mentally and spiritually as long as we have physical life so that we can always be useful to God.
June Megill (North Carolina, USA)
Prayer
God of all our days, we trust you to be with us as we age. Help us and guide us to take care of ourselves so we can keep alert and serve you as long as we are able. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Listen to The Upper Room on cassette to reinforce the day's message.
Prayer Focus
Those with memory problems
Let's have a BBQ in the Upper Room! YEAH! #XXXIX
General | Posted 15 years agoI'm seriously considering buying a Koran just to keep it safe...I don't agree with the Muslim faith, but I don't want wackos pissing them off. And I'm an American! I may not agree with your belief, but I'll fight to the death for your right to do believe it.
The only reason Atheists anger me is because they try to stop me (and others) from believing in our faiths.
~Rev. Wally Bear
The Healer of Broken Hearts
Read Luke 4:16-21
Jesus read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted."
-Luke 4:18 (KJV)
I recently encountered a situation that brought back memories of some past hurtful events. However, I found that I did not feel as hurt as I had back then. In reality, the wrongs others had inflicted on me had done little real harm; nevertheless, those hurtful actions had been very distressing at the time. Commenting to my wife about the past, I said, "You know, it really doesn't matter anymore."
To which she responded, "It really never did."
I responded, "Yes, I know. But now it doesn't matter to me." At that moment I realized that God had brought healing to my broken heart.
Wounds of the heart are unique to the person who suffers them. Some hurts we suffer are deeper than others, but every wound affects us. Sometimes the wound doesn't heal quickly. Sometimes we recover without a scar, and sometimes the scar left behind seems never to disappear. Even when others tell us that it shouldn't matter, it may still matter to us. But in every situation, if we turn to Christ, we will find that he still heals broken hearts.
Mark Beaird (Alabama, USA)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to move beyond the past and trust you to heal our wounds. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Decide to let go of one past hurt and forgive the one who hurt you.
Prayer Focus
Someone who is brokenhearted
The only reason Atheists anger me is because they try to stop me (and others) from believing in our faiths.
~Rev. Wally Bear
The Healer of Broken Hearts
Read Luke 4:16-21
Jesus read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted."
-Luke 4:18 (KJV)
I recently encountered a situation that brought back memories of some past hurtful events. However, I found that I did not feel as hurt as I had back then. In reality, the wrongs others had inflicted on me had done little real harm; nevertheless, those hurtful actions had been very distressing at the time. Commenting to my wife about the past, I said, "You know, it really doesn't matter anymore."
To which she responded, "It really never did."
I responded, "Yes, I know. But now it doesn't matter to me." At that moment I realized that God had brought healing to my broken heart.
Wounds of the heart are unique to the person who suffers them. Some hurts we suffer are deeper than others, but every wound affects us. Sometimes the wound doesn't heal quickly. Sometimes we recover without a scar, and sometimes the scar left behind seems never to disappear. Even when others tell us that it shouldn't matter, it may still matter to us. But in every situation, if we turn to Christ, we will find that he still heals broken hearts.
Mark Beaird (Alabama, USA)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to move beyond the past and trust you to heal our wounds. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Decide to let go of one past hurt and forgive the one who hurt you.
Prayer Focus
Someone who is brokenhearted
3 topics in the Upper Room #XXXVIII
General | Posted 15 years agoSOOOOoooooooo, I have 3 topics for sermons right now:
-doubt
-free will
and mine-tolerance
Which one do you guys (and girls) want to hear next?
God Is Able
Read Psalm 46
God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
-Psalm 46:1 (TEV)
The doctor's words hit like a punch in the gut: "You have Parkinson's Disease." Of course this was not what I wanted to hear. Nor did I want to be told a few months later that a deadly gene was destroying every organ in my son's body. Within four days he moved from the intensive-care unit to heaven. Months later a beloved aunt was placed in hospice, to be provided only comfort care. The night after my aunt's funeral, my mother suffered a massive brain bleed, and the emergency-room doctors agreed that she could not live without life support. This cluster of losses left me reeling emotionally. Just when I would think I was adjusting, another beloved person would die. This went on for two- and-a-half years.
Recently someone asked, "What's going to hit your family next?" Frankly, I don't want to know. What I do know is that I am clinging to God's power to help me through these days of grief and sorrow. This power is my hope for the future. I am presently weak, but I know that God is strong and is able to carry me through. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. I am supported by God's comforting presence that I experience in loving acts of kindness from God's people.
Janet Huff (Illinois, USA)
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for carrying us through life's difficult places. Amen.
Thought for the Day
When I am weak, God demonstrates strength.
Prayer Focus
Those grieving multiple losses
-doubt-free willand mine-tolerance
Which one do you guys (and girls) want to hear next?
God Is Able
Read Psalm 46
God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
-Psalm 46:1 (TEV)
The doctor's words hit like a punch in the gut: "You have Parkinson's Disease." Of course this was not what I wanted to hear. Nor did I want to be told a few months later that a deadly gene was destroying every organ in my son's body. Within four days he moved from the intensive-care unit to heaven. Months later a beloved aunt was placed in hospice, to be provided only comfort care. The night after my aunt's funeral, my mother suffered a massive brain bleed, and the emergency-room doctors agreed that she could not live without life support. This cluster of losses left me reeling emotionally. Just when I would think I was adjusting, another beloved person would die. This went on for two- and-a-half years.
Recently someone asked, "What's going to hit your family next?" Frankly, I don't want to know. What I do know is that I am clinging to God's power to help me through these days of grief and sorrow. This power is my hope for the future. I am presently weak, but I know that God is strong and is able to carry me through. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. I am supported by God's comforting presence that I experience in loving acts of kindness from God's people.
Janet Huff (Illinois, USA)
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for carrying us through life's difficult places. Amen.
Thought for the Day
When I am weak, God demonstrates strength.
Prayer Focus
Those grieving multiple losses
"Want to hear what I know about 'your kind'..."
General | Posted 15 years agoA friend just noted me that question after seeking to gratify his lust with one of my characters. (something I did when I was da pimp)
I am NOT like any of them other born-again people (I'm just that crazy), nor are any of us here!
We seek to free ourselves from the lust of the fandom but still enjoy furry art.
Remember my brothers and sisters in Christ we are NOT contradictions!
A true artist would not need to stoop so low as to use porn as a hook to attract peoples attention.
...I feel better...
God bless friends....
~Rev. Wally Bear
I am NOT like any of them other born-again people (I'm just that crazy), nor are any of us here!
We seek to free ourselves from the lust of the fandom but still enjoy furry art.
Remember my brothers and sisters in Christ we are NOT contradictions!
A true artist would not need to stoop so low as to use porn as a hook to attract peoples attention.
...I feel better...
God bless friends....
~Rev. Wally Bear
Truth will set you free in the Upper Room #XXXVII
General | Posted 15 years agoTelling the Truth
Read Acts 22:1-16
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."
-2 Corinthians 4:13 (NIV)
I joined the church when I was young but didn't know what being a Christian meant. I was attracted to church activities: singing songs, having overnight prayer meetings, and eating goat meat at church gatherings.
Our parents were the first to join a new church in our area, and we followed them. Many people laughed at us because most members of the church were older; it was like the church of old people. Our faith decreased because of how our friends looked at us. When they asked me to what church I belonged or if I still went to that church, I told them lies: "Oh, I stopped going to that church some time ago."
One day as I was reading the Bible, I came across the story of Paul. This apostle told people the truth about the life he lived before he knew Christ. Paul spoke with confidence, telling the truth in the presence of a commander and a mob of people, even though people had threatened to kill him. Shame on me for failing to tell the truth to my relatives, who would not harm me!
Speaking about Christ is part of what it means to be Christian.
Kondwani Beza (Mzimba, Malawi)
Prayer
Thank you, God, for giving us life and for protecting us from harm. You are worthy of praise! Keep us from going in the wrong direction, call to us when we are lost, and lead us in the right direction. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
See https://www.upperroom.org/bookstore and https://www.ccel.org for books about Christian martyrs.
Prayer Focus
To witness about my faith willingly
Read Acts 22:1-16
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."
-2 Corinthians 4:13 (NIV)
I joined the church when I was young but didn't know what being a Christian meant. I was attracted to church activities: singing songs, having overnight prayer meetings, and eating goat meat at church gatherings.
Our parents were the first to join a new church in our area, and we followed them. Many people laughed at us because most members of the church were older; it was like the church of old people. Our faith decreased because of how our friends looked at us. When they asked me to what church I belonged or if I still went to that church, I told them lies: "Oh, I stopped going to that church some time ago."
One day as I was reading the Bible, I came across the story of Paul. This apostle told people the truth about the life he lived before he knew Christ. Paul spoke with confidence, telling the truth in the presence of a commander and a mob of people, even though people had threatened to kill him. Shame on me for failing to tell the truth to my relatives, who would not harm me!
Speaking about Christ is part of what it means to be Christian.
Kondwani Beza (Mzimba, Malawi)
Prayer
Thank you, God, for giving us life and for protecting us from harm. You are worthy of praise! Keep us from going in the wrong direction, call to us when we are lost, and lead us in the right direction. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
See https://www.upperroom.org/bookstore and https://www.ccel.org for books about Christian martyrs.
Prayer Focus
To witness about my faith willingly
Upper Room #XXXVI
General | Posted 15 years agoI messed up a bit on the sermon....it was 
Busterdrag who asked about death....not granddragoon...sorry....^^`
~Rev. Wally Bear
No Request Too Small
Read Psalm 34:1-10
Pray without ceasing.
-1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NRSV)
"YOU prayed about a lost pen?" my friend exclaimed. I assured her that we did and that we found Bill's treasured pen inside his suit pocket the next day. My friend felt that to pray for something as insignificant as a pen was exploiting God's goodness and mercy. I disagreed with her and explained that we pray about things like lost pens, unexpected dinner guests, rude remarks, and all things that are a part of our everyday lives. When our prayers are answered, we celebrate with thanksgiving for God's graciousness. We see God as a member of our family, and God celebrates with us too. When we include God in every aspect of our lives, we feel closeness and intimacy with our Creator.
Jesus told his disciples, "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive" (Matt. 21:22). I well remember whispering my favorite plea on the evenings when unexpected dinner guests would show up for dinner and I'd prepared food only for the seven in our family. "Please, Lord, loaves and fishes." (See Mark 6:34-44.) God knows what I mean by that prayer, and we have never had guests leave the table hungry.
Whether our prayer requests are large or small, God responds with joy to our trust.
Mary E. Dess (California, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, help us understand that you want to be involved in every detail of our lives, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Amen.
Thought for the Day
To learn about centering prayer, go to https://www.upperroom.org.
Prayer Focus
Those seeking deeper fellowship with God
Busterdrag who asked about death....not granddragoon...sorry....^^`~Rev. Wally Bear
No Request Too Small
Read Psalm 34:1-10
Pray without ceasing.
-1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NRSV)
"YOU prayed about a lost pen?" my friend exclaimed. I assured her that we did and that we found Bill's treasured pen inside his suit pocket the next day. My friend felt that to pray for something as insignificant as a pen was exploiting God's goodness and mercy. I disagreed with her and explained that we pray about things like lost pens, unexpected dinner guests, rude remarks, and all things that are a part of our everyday lives. When our prayers are answered, we celebrate with thanksgiving for God's graciousness. We see God as a member of our family, and God celebrates with us too. When we include God in every aspect of our lives, we feel closeness and intimacy with our Creator.
Jesus told his disciples, "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive" (Matt. 21:22). I well remember whispering my favorite plea on the evenings when unexpected dinner guests would show up for dinner and I'd prepared food only for the seven in our family. "Please, Lord, loaves and fishes." (See Mark 6:34-44.) God knows what I mean by that prayer, and we have never had guests leave the table hungry.
Whether our prayer requests are large or small, God responds with joy to our trust.
Mary E. Dess (California, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, help us understand that you want to be involved in every detail of our lives, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Amen.
Thought for the Day
To learn about centering prayer, go to https://www.upperroom.org.
Prayer Focus
Those seeking deeper fellowship with God
Announcements, Announcements, Announcements! #20 (READ PLZ)
General | Posted 15 years agoOk, first a reminder if you want your name on the list, make sure you ask since we do not automatically add you. Make sure that if you watch us, we are watching you cause we can forget, lol. We are not proffesionals. Yada yada yada......
Another thing that has concerned me...
I suggest everyone pick up Philip Yancy's book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" and read the chapter titled: "Grace-Healed Eyes". I think it shall help everyone understand any issues reguarding this group's stance on sexual orientation. We do not have one, but this book comes the closest to my interpretation (as in, on a personal level). Chrisitans should treat other Christians as brother irreguardless of orientation, race, and something else I can't remember. LOL
I was never planning to say anything about this, but I have received questions (and a recent PM to make me think) so I decided to make it clear.
ANOTHER NOTE! College is being a pain, have to stay off more cause of demanding schedule, so don;t worry if I am not on.
ALSO, NEED YOUR VOTE!
I am thinking of having a journal book study, since we have Bible devotions we should also examine other literature. Though we are a non-denominational group, I thought it would benefit us to study what others have written concerning the Bible, God's Message, and (well, what enspired me to do this group) the meaning of grace, mercy, compassion, and love. (Especially grace and love.)
I could go on about grace, but that is not the point. Need your vote now.
-Dog of Heaven signing out
PS! If anyone has read it, will post a discussion if I get enough votes.
Another thing that has concerned me...
I suggest everyone pick up Philip Yancy's book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" and read the chapter titled: "Grace-Healed Eyes". I think it shall help everyone understand any issues reguarding this group's stance on sexual orientation. We do not have one, but this book comes the closest to my interpretation (as in, on a personal level). Chrisitans should treat other Christians as brother irreguardless of orientation, race, and something else I can't remember. LOL
I was never planning to say anything about this, but I have received questions (and a recent PM to make me think) so I decided to make it clear.
ANOTHER NOTE! College is being a pain, have to stay off more cause of demanding schedule, so don;t worry if I am not on.
ALSO, NEED YOUR VOTE!
I am thinking of having a journal book study, since we have Bible devotions we should also examine other literature. Though we are a non-denominational group, I thought it would benefit us to study what others have written concerning the Bible, God's Message, and (well, what enspired me to do this group) the meaning of grace, mercy, compassion, and love. (Especially grace and love.)
I could go on about grace, but that is not the point. Need your vote now.
-Dog of Heaven signing out
PS! If anyone has read it, will post a discussion if I get enough votes.
FPC 411 #66
General | Posted 15 years agoSorry a day late...have things coming up that I am posting on my user account.
Requests:
From
zwerewolf-
-To
fancymisslady, she's been having a really rough time for a fairly long time, she deserves a turn around in her life. she needs it bad :(
-To
valentinecrow, she's been sick, on top the things life has thrown at her, pray that her strength stays strong, she has a lot on her plate :(
-To
calicokitea, She's still searching for a job as a teacher, she deserves a chace that nobody will seem to give her, and she would make for an awesome teacher! :(
-
cw_greyfox asks us to pray for 
jadebleufox. she is in a rather difficult position right now, details here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1687814/ Pray for her safty. Her child needs prayer, and her ex. Pray for them all.
-
minotaurtoo asks us to pray for his brother, who fell into a bad crowed. Pray that he learns from his mistakes.
-
tjfoxxxx asks us to pray that hsi wrist will stop bothering him and heal quickly.
-
fiver16 finally feels relieved. I am sure your grandmother is watching you happily in heaven!
- granddragoon asks us to pray for 
zavian's father, who has a heart disease. Pray for him. Pray that he recovers, he is not doing well.
That's all folks!
-Dog of Heaven
Requests:
From
zwerewolf--To
fancymisslady, she's been having a really rough time for a fairly long time, she deserves a turn around in her life. she needs it bad :(-To
valentinecrow, she's been sick, on top the things life has thrown at her, pray that her strength stays strong, she has a lot on her plate :(-To
calicokitea, She's still searching for a job as a teacher, she deserves a chace that nobody will seem to give her, and she would make for an awesome teacher! :(-
cw_greyfox asks us to pray for 
jadebleufox. she is in a rather difficult position right now, details here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1687814/ Pray for her safty. Her child needs prayer, and her ex. Pray for them all.-
minotaurtoo asks us to pray for his brother, who fell into a bad crowed. Pray that he learns from his mistakes.-
tjfoxxxx asks us to pray that hsi wrist will stop bothering him and heal quickly. -
fiver16 finally feels relieved. I am sure your grandmother is watching you happily in heaven!-
granddragoon asks us to pray for 
zavian's father, who has a heart disease. Pray for him. Pray that he recovers, he is not doing well.That's all folks!
-Dog of Heaven
My second sermon is about...the SECOND DEATH!
General | Posted 15 years ago: Rev., I'm afraid of death...
: ? How can you be afraid of something that already happened to you?: WHAT?!Revolations 20:6
"Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years." (NLT)
Second death? What's Second Death Rev? Well to put it simple...everyone is born dead.
When Adam listened and obeyed his wife instead of God he broke the connection with God and all who is born from him is not connected with God because of the sins of our father (ever wonder where that came from ^^). So spiritually we are the walking dead and just breathing to death{lecrae song). And before Jesus came everyone went to hell, or hades as it was called in Greece. Before Jesus came it was split...but that's another story...
We sin because we're sinners, not sinners because we sin. Sense we're not connected with God we have no way of knowing how to act, and when we hit the Age of Consent we learn the difference between good and evil, and like Adam...that's when we die the first time, as in the connection to God/life cut. Now a few have found favor with God and he took them to be with him but in today's age it almost imposable to do so.
That's why God sent Jesus to us...God is STILL so angry at how evil our thoughts are (Genesis 6:5-6), that he needed to quench it some how and still let his children to be with him...so all his anger was struck on Jesus (and it was a lot of anger...enough to wipe the world clean again).
So, to sum up what I just said:
Your not connected to God after the Age of Consent, and are spiritually dead at the point you know the difference of good and evil.
We know no other way to live but in sin.
And, God sent a way....THE WAY to reconnect with him.
And so, your already dead...and live in death, for some it's a short time for others it's longer (I myself wasn't truly saved until I was 21) But when you accept Jesus as the price for your sins and quench God's anger, He'll welcome you to his home as the child of his you are. If not, he'll turn you away as if he never knew you...and there's only two places to go after you suffer the second death.
"BUT WAIT! Rev. you said that it wouldn't effect me?..."
Your right...it won't have power over you because you have chosen the path that conquered death. Death strikes our hearts, where life is, it's called the lifeblood for a reason. And when death strikes our hearts, and Jesus is there, the one who concord him, well. We will concur death as well and be with our Father and his house for eternity.
"And if we don't have Jesus?"
Then you'll go to where God doesn't exist...even as much as it saddens God. You'll go where all who hate God go....and the ones this place was made for....they hate everything about God because He cased them out of heaven...these fallen angels hate it all and want to attack Him. Even the very image of God drives them crazy.....and who are made in His image?
....only cowards attack their enemies children.
So when second death is upon you, it's isn't death to God's children....it's going home after a long (or short) journey.....
laboring in the Upper Room #XXXV
General | Posted 15 years agoOUR LIFE'S WORK*
Read Matthew 5:1-12
God said to Moses, "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
-Hebrews 8:5 (NIV)
FEW are called to be leaders like Moses, but all are called to make things; for God who is our maker gave us this instinct. And soon we begin with bricks, sand, and blocks to express this desire.
We were made for full employment. Some make laws; others ships, cars, homes, and gardens. More important, in all our making of things, we are being made ourselves for better or for worse.
Are we consciously working, day by day, in accordance with God's design? In obedience to God's command, Moses rose up early in the morning to be alone with God. The result of his keeping that appointment was the glory of God upon his way and upon his face and knowledge concerning his life's work.
God made this world and saw that it was good. We seek, through Christ, to find and to do God's will in all things in this world that God created. In this way, we help fulfill God's redemptive love and purpose, both in us as individuals and in the world around us.
H. Cecil Pawson (England)
Prayer
O God, help us this day to offer ourselves and all our work to your glory. Guide us in all we do, that as you make all things according to your pattern, you may also make us into the likeness of Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
When we are dedicated to God's service, our work will bear good fruit.
Prayer Focus
My co-workers
*To celebrate our 75th Anniversary, we have included this "encore" meditation which was originally published on March 5, 1955.
Read Matthew 5:1-12
God said to Moses, "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
-Hebrews 8:5 (NIV)
FEW are called to be leaders like Moses, but all are called to make things; for God who is our maker gave us this instinct. And soon we begin with bricks, sand, and blocks to express this desire.
We were made for full employment. Some make laws; others ships, cars, homes, and gardens. More important, in all our making of things, we are being made ourselves for better or for worse.
Are we consciously working, day by day, in accordance with God's design? In obedience to God's command, Moses rose up early in the morning to be alone with God. The result of his keeping that appointment was the glory of God upon his way and upon his face and knowledge concerning his life's work.
God made this world and saw that it was good. We seek, through Christ, to find and to do God's will in all things in this world that God created. In this way, we help fulfill God's redemptive love and purpose, both in us as individuals and in the world around us.
H. Cecil Pawson (England)
Prayer
O God, help us this day to offer ourselves and all our work to your glory. Guide us in all we do, that as you make all things according to your pattern, you may also make us into the likeness of Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
When we are dedicated to God's service, our work will bear good fruit.
Prayer Focus
My co-workers
*To celebrate our 75th Anniversary, we have included this "encore" meditation which was originally published on March 5, 1955.
A message for the Mods.
General | Posted 15 years agoThis is Wally and I want to know which one of you have been deleting comments that aren't connected with you?
For the past week granddragoon has been leaving comments on the upper rooms and I have not seen the notice of them! In fact in just today's there was 4 comments left on the upper room journal that I had no idea of until I looked.
Who is ever doing this please stop because your impeding the rest of us from doing our jobs on here.
So I'll ask all of the mods to only delete comments that are apart of your section of this page and if you do delete them by accident inform one of the higher ups or spread it around what happened. We don't need people leaving because we didn't communicate with them....and that's the very purpose of this page isn't it? To show that God loves them and that at the very least we care?
So please stop.
Thank you
For the past week
granddragoon has been leaving comments on the upper rooms and I have not seen the notice of them! In fact in just today's there was 4 comments left on the upper room journal that I had no idea of until I looked. Who is ever doing this please stop because your impeding the rest of us from doing our jobs on here.
So I'll ask all of the mods to only delete comments that are apart of your section of this page and if you do delete them by accident inform one of the higher ups or spread it around what happened. We don't need people leaving because we didn't communicate with them....and that's the very purpose of this page isn't it? To show that God loves them and that at the very least we care?
So please stop.
Thank you
THERE IS NO GOD! T_T ......Upper Room #XXXIV
General | Posted 15 years agoBecause Mr. Steven Hawkings says so!
I can smell the fires of the atheist's camps ready to launch a blitzkrieg against us, not saying it's going to happen but...be ready if it does come.
AND I had another dream....great.
I was watching a screen and
nadaz was on it with a Dr. Steel costume on. And he was talking about how poorly made my ring was. I was so pissed I was going to take all of them back. I looked at my ring and The head of it looked black and melted. I was so mad at Nadaz thought I bit the top of my ring and it popped off! I could feel the top on my tongue and saw that the band was so weak I could break it with one finger.
This means ether 2 things:
1) That I should quit the Toy Soldiers.
2) That the power and light of Joy comes from my words and will shine out my mouth while I speak, and not a piece of resin....
These devotions are scaring me...the scripture talks about the second meaning of my dream....PRAISE GOD! XD
~Rev. Wally Bear
The Second Chance
Read Ephesians 4:29-5:1
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
-Romans 12:17 (NRSV)
"IT Changed My Life in a Minute" is the name of the workshop I coordinate at a hospital in Buenos Aires. When I was 18 years old, an incident happened that changed my life.
One day my school friends and I were waiting at our bus stop. Suddenly, a car ran a red light and crashed into me. The force of the impact threw me across the sidewalk, and I sustained a severe head injury. I was in the hospital for a month, unconscious most of that time, and my doctors believed I would not survive. But I did survive, and I now walk with the use of special walking canes.
The driver of the car tried everything, including lies, to disavow responsibility for the accident or my injuries. I have seen him at various court appearances but at first did not want to look at him. I recalled the words of my doctor: "This girl is a miracle." I could not waste my miracle being bitter or harboring thoughts and feelings that would limit my future. And so I chose to extend compassion to the offender. Because God has given me a second chance at life, I thought, my life should reflect the blessing of that second chance. Because of that, I have forgiven him.
Paula Tresols (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Prayer
Giver of life, free us from the hurts we have sustained, and help us to repair the harm we have caused others. We are grateful that you forgive us. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Learning to forgive frees us to move forward in spite of our losses.
Prayer Focus
Accident victims
I can smell the fires of the atheist's camps ready to launch a blitzkrieg against us, not saying it's going to happen but...be ready if it does come.
AND I had another dream....great.
I was watching a screen and
nadaz was on it with a Dr. Steel costume on. And he was talking about how poorly made my ring was. I was so pissed I was going to take all of them back. I looked at my ring and The head of it looked black and melted. I was so mad at Nadaz thought I bit the top of my ring and it popped off! I could feel the top on my tongue and saw that the band was so weak I could break it with one finger.This means ether 2 things:
1) That I should quit the Toy Soldiers.
2) That the power and light of Joy comes from my words and will shine out my mouth while I speak, and not a piece of resin....
These devotions are scaring me...the scripture talks about the second meaning of my dream....PRAISE GOD! XD
~Rev. Wally Bear
The Second Chance
Read Ephesians 4:29-5:1
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
-Romans 12:17 (NRSV)
"IT Changed My Life in a Minute" is the name of the workshop I coordinate at a hospital in Buenos Aires. When I was 18 years old, an incident happened that changed my life.
One day my school friends and I were waiting at our bus stop. Suddenly, a car ran a red light and crashed into me. The force of the impact threw me across the sidewalk, and I sustained a severe head injury. I was in the hospital for a month, unconscious most of that time, and my doctors believed I would not survive. But I did survive, and I now walk with the use of special walking canes.
The driver of the car tried everything, including lies, to disavow responsibility for the accident or my injuries. I have seen him at various court appearances but at first did not want to look at him. I recalled the words of my doctor: "This girl is a miracle." I could not waste my miracle being bitter or harboring thoughts and feelings that would limit my future. And so I chose to extend compassion to the offender. Because God has given me a second chance at life, I thought, my life should reflect the blessing of that second chance. Because of that, I have forgiven him.
Paula Tresols (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Prayer
Giver of life, free us from the hurts we have sustained, and help us to repair the harm we have caused others. We are grateful that you forgive us. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Learning to forgive frees us to move forward in spite of our losses.
Prayer Focus
Accident victims
and the wind blows, in the Upper Room #XXXIII
General | Posted 15 years agoPutting up a BIG tent for my woman's parents garage sale and it was windy (a storm as blowin in) and 2 or 3 times i almost got lifted of the ground by the updraft in the tent while we was tying it down. Which is crazy because I'm around 260 lbs.!
~Rev Wally Bear
Igniting Our Faith
Read Matthew 17:14-20
Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
-Matthew 17:20 (NRSV)
EARLY one afternoon my nine-year-old son asked me to cook hamburgers for dinner. I told him we could have charcoal-grilled hamburgers, and he was happy because he wanted to help light the charcoal. After 30 minutes, he was frustrated. He said, "Mom, I guess we won't be eating soon, and I'm hungry."
I told him, "Don't worry. All we need is to light a small piece of charcoal to get it going. It won't take long after that."
Lighting that small piece of charcoal reminded me of a spiritual retreat I had attended. I reflected on all the problems I'd been experiencing that had pulled me away from God, tested my faith, and stamped out the hope in my heart. The retreat was the spark I needed to ignite my faith and to confront the difficulties in my life. As a charcoal fire gets its start from a small piece of charcoal, our faith can be ignited by a small dose of love and the confidence that God will not abandon us.
Gabriela Marquez Gomez (Distrito Federal, Mexico)
Prayer
Faithful God, grant that in our love for you we will find the spark that ignites our faith. As Jesus taught us, we pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
Grill hamburgers and invite your neighbors for a meal.
Prayer Focus
Those who have lost their faith in God
*Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV).
~Rev Wally Bear
Igniting Our Faith
Read Matthew 17:14-20
Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
-Matthew 17:20 (NRSV)
EARLY one afternoon my nine-year-old son asked me to cook hamburgers for dinner. I told him we could have charcoal-grilled hamburgers, and he was happy because he wanted to help light the charcoal. After 30 minutes, he was frustrated. He said, "Mom, I guess we won't be eating soon, and I'm hungry."
I told him, "Don't worry. All we need is to light a small piece of charcoal to get it going. It won't take long after that."
Lighting that small piece of charcoal reminded me of a spiritual retreat I had attended. I reflected on all the problems I'd been experiencing that had pulled me away from God, tested my faith, and stamped out the hope in my heart. The retreat was the spark I needed to ignite my faith and to confront the difficulties in my life. As a charcoal fire gets its start from a small piece of charcoal, our faith can be ignited by a small dose of love and the confidence that God will not abandon us.
Gabriela Marquez Gomez (Distrito Federal, Mexico)
Prayer
Faithful God, grant that in our love for you we will find the spark that ignites our faith. As Jesus taught us, we pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
Grill hamburgers and invite your neighbors for a meal.
Prayer Focus
Those who have lost their faith in God
*Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV).
What do you want to hear?
General | Posted 15 years agoI have no sermon for this week.
Not because I can't think of one..because I think of too many! My mind has been firing out stuff but I"m never somewhere type or even write it down! I need to have an idea of what you want to hear...
My last sermon didn't go over well (at least I don't think so), SO I'll ask what do you want to hear about? I'm here for YOU, to give you the words you need to hear.
So tell me....what messages do you want to hear?
ALSO!
I told my friend Matt I'd do this so....
Guest speakers are welcome. I'll read what you want to be posted, send it to the mods and/or at least DoH and see if it's something we can all agree on.
^^
~Rev. Wally Bear
Not because I can't think of one..because I think of too many! My mind has been firing out stuff but I"m never somewhere type or even write it down! I need to have an idea of what you want to hear...
My last sermon didn't go over well (at least I don't think so), SO I'll ask what do you want to hear about? I'm here for YOU, to give you the words you need to hear.
So tell me....what messages do you want to hear?
ALSO!
I told my friend Matt I'd do this so....
Guest speakers are welcome. I'll read what you want to be posted, send it to the mods and/or at least DoH and see if it's something we can all agree on.
^^
~Rev. Wally Bear
"23 minutes in" the Upper Room #XXXII
General | Posted 15 years agoI was reading 23 Minutes in Hell last night, it's....something.
I can't describe it. He was talking about (of course) his 'experience' in hell. You'll have to read it for yourself otherwise I'd tell you the entire book paraphrased.
I only had time last night to read his accounts and Jesus pulling out of the pit.
Only the first 4 chapters is about his journey, the other 6 is expanding on the venture, yeah, venture is a good word.
~Rev. Wally Bear
The One in Need
Read Galatians 6:2-10*
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
-Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
AFTER a night of pounding rain and howling wind, I awoke to the shrill sound of the telephone ringing. The hurricane had left over two million Gulf Coast residents without electrical power and other necessities of life such as food, water, and shelter. Instantly each of us became either a person in need or a person who needed to help.
Ten days later I, who normally live alone, still had ten houseguests. My daily routine had been tossed aside, and I felt weariness setting in. At that point, God spoke quietly within me. Would you rather be the one in need? Imagine their weariness!
I have concluded that God uses life situations to help us examine ourselves. I had always felt I was a helpful and patient person. But this situation caused me to acknowledge that I needed to grow in my compassion and my willingness to help others. Imagining myself in another person's situation helped me to focus and redirected me to what the Bible tells us God has called us to do. After that when I felt weary, I remembered that my actions not only help others in a material way but also help others see God.
Queen Ester Martin (Texas, USA)
Prayer
Patient and generous God, thank you for the opportunity to serve others. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Contact your nearest disaster-relief organization and volunteer.
Prayer Focus
Victims of disasters
I can't describe it. He was talking about (of course) his 'experience' in hell. You'll have to read it for yourself otherwise I'd tell you the entire book paraphrased.
I only had time last night to read his accounts and Jesus pulling out of the pit.
Only the first 4 chapters is about his journey, the other 6 is expanding on the venture, yeah, venture is a good word.
~Rev. Wally Bear
The One in Need
Read Galatians 6:2-10*
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
-Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
AFTER a night of pounding rain and howling wind, I awoke to the shrill sound of the telephone ringing. The hurricane had left over two million Gulf Coast residents without electrical power and other necessities of life such as food, water, and shelter. Instantly each of us became either a person in need or a person who needed to help.
Ten days later I, who normally live alone, still had ten houseguests. My daily routine had been tossed aside, and I felt weariness setting in. At that point, God spoke quietly within me. Would you rather be the one in need? Imagine their weariness!
I have concluded that God uses life situations to help us examine ourselves. I had always felt I was a helpful and patient person. But this situation caused me to acknowledge that I needed to grow in my compassion and my willingness to help others. Imagining myself in another person's situation helped me to focus and redirected me to what the Bible tells us God has called us to do. After that when I felt weary, I remembered that my actions not only help others in a material way but also help others see God.
Queen Ester Martin (Texas, USA)
Prayer
Patient and generous God, thank you for the opportunity to serve others. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Contact your nearest disaster-relief organization and volunteer.
Prayer Focus
Victims of disasters
Decoding a dream in the Upper Room #XXXI
General | Posted 15 years agoSo I have a messed up dream (like all my dreams) but this one was to tell me something:
My future father-in-law hands me his old hunting coat, pockets full of stuff. Now I'm next to my Dad and I empty one pocket of shells in his hand and go with my brother into the field. It was almost light until I stepped into the field, then it was dark like night and fogy. I saw a big buck right in front of me with another shadow before it...I could tell it was a bear, (probably black by it's size), my bro has his gun up ready to shoot the deer that's running farther into the fog. And the bear, walking at me...I pull my pistol (the only weapon on me) and think: "At least I'll see what it is." BANG! The muzzle flash illuminated the ground, but the bear wasn't, just a shadow...and It's getting closer...and bigger! It's going to get me!
And I force myself awake (always nice to be able to do ^^)
What does it mean?
When I go to save my brothers and sisters in the darkness, I mustn't go in with nothing but a small weapon, I must go with one I know can kill the evils (the bear) in it....
I have much to learn
~Rev. Wally Bear
Christian Friends
Read Matthew 11:28-30
Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
-Galatians 6:2 (NRSV)
MY wife and I were driving home from her last chemo-therapy treatment. As I turned onto our street, I could see a large number of people in our front yard. They were holding balloons and signs, and ringing bells. As we got closer, I saw that they were members of our church family. These Christian friends had stood by us in many ways over the preceding eight months. Cards, words of encouragement, meals that were waiting when we returned from treatments -- these were just a few of the ways they had helped us to bear our burden. Now these friends were seeing us across the finish line with a great celebration.
In today's scripture, Jesus tells us when we are weary to bring our burdens to him and he will lighten our load. These wonderful friends have been the hands and feet of Christ by standing with us, bearing our burden, and lightening our load. Thanks be to God for the church!
Chris McCormick (Texas, USA)
Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Christian friends who stand by us in difficult times. Make us all aware of those whose burdens are heavy, so that we can be your helping hands and feet. Amen.
Thought for the Day
If we look, we will see people who need our help with their burdens.
Prayer Focus
My Christian friends
My future father-in-law hands me his old hunting coat, pockets full of stuff. Now I'm next to my Dad and I empty one pocket of shells in his hand and go with my brother into the field. It was almost light until I stepped into the field, then it was dark like night and fogy. I saw a big buck right in front of me with another shadow before it...I could tell it was a bear, (probably black by it's size), my bro has his gun up ready to shoot the deer that's running farther into the fog. And the bear, walking at me...I pull my pistol (the only weapon on me) and think: "At least I'll see what it is." BANG! The muzzle flash illuminated the ground, but the bear wasn't, just a shadow...and It's getting closer...and bigger! It's going to get me!
And I force myself awake (always nice to be able to do ^^)
What does it mean?
When I go to save my brothers and sisters in the darkness, I mustn't go in with nothing but a small weapon, I must go with one I know can kill the evils (the bear) in it....
I have much to learn
~Rev. Wally Bear
Christian Friends
Read Matthew 11:28-30
Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
-Galatians 6:2 (NRSV)
MY wife and I were driving home from her last chemo-therapy treatment. As I turned onto our street, I could see a large number of people in our front yard. They were holding balloons and signs, and ringing bells. As we got closer, I saw that they were members of our church family. These Christian friends had stood by us in many ways over the preceding eight months. Cards, words of encouragement, meals that were waiting when we returned from treatments -- these were just a few of the ways they had helped us to bear our burden. Now these friends were seeing us across the finish line with a great celebration.
In today's scripture, Jesus tells us when we are weary to bring our burdens to him and he will lighten our load. These wonderful friends have been the hands and feet of Christ by standing with us, bearing our burden, and lightening our load. Thanks be to God for the church!
Chris McCormick (Texas, USA)
Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Christian friends who stand by us in difficult times. Make us all aware of those whose burdens are heavy, so that we can be your helping hands and feet. Amen.
Thought for the Day
If we look, we will see people who need our help with their burdens.
Prayer Focus
My Christian friends
We are dying....(Upper Room #XXX)
General | Posted 15 years agoThe pastor at my church had a cook-out for us young adults at the parsonage.
Only Sarah and I showed...it became 'dinner with da pastor', which was fine.
Sarah leaned over to me and wispered: "This is sad."
Our church is dying...I sense that it will no longer be there in the coming years....
Pray for us please...
~Rev. Wally Bear
Body and Spirit
Read Revelation 22:1-7
[The servant] was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
-Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
FIFTY years ago, I had the opportunity to preach the gospel in remote villages with an evangelist who trained me. Along with preaching, we taught the people how to take care of their health and gave them tips for good hygiene.
One of the people who heard us asked me, "What is your contribution in this healing ministry?" This question stays in my memory. Some might think that preaching has little to do with health and healing, but the vision of wholeness found in the Bible includes both physical healing and salvation.
This is part of God's ongoing work. Revelation 22:1-7 offers a vision of the tree of life, and "the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (verse 2). The world needs to hear the scripture's message about healing and the place of healing. Jesus Christ, who healed people's physical diseases, also offers cure and comfort for our souls.
In a world full of tension, terrorism, and violence, Christ invites each person to experience healing and comfort. That is why Jesus calls to all of us, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).
G. V. Savariroyan (Tamil Nadu, India)
Prayer
Dear God, we long to experience your healing and comfort in every area of our lives. Make us instruments of healing and comfort for others through your love. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Christ offers healing for both body and spirit.
Prayer Focus
Rural health workers
Only Sarah and I showed...it became 'dinner with da pastor', which was fine.
Sarah leaned over to me and wispered: "This is sad."
Our church is dying...I sense that it will no longer be there in the coming years....
Pray for us please...
~Rev. Wally Bear
Body and Spirit
Read Revelation 22:1-7
[The servant] was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
-Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
FIFTY years ago, I had the opportunity to preach the gospel in remote villages with an evangelist who trained me. Along with preaching, we taught the people how to take care of their health and gave them tips for good hygiene.
One of the people who heard us asked me, "What is your contribution in this healing ministry?" This question stays in my memory. Some might think that preaching has little to do with health and healing, but the vision of wholeness found in the Bible includes both physical healing and salvation.
This is part of God's ongoing work. Revelation 22:1-7 offers a vision of the tree of life, and "the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (verse 2). The world needs to hear the scripture's message about healing and the place of healing. Jesus Christ, who healed people's physical diseases, also offers cure and comfort for our souls.
In a world full of tension, terrorism, and violence, Christ invites each person to experience healing and comfort. That is why Jesus calls to all of us, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).
G. V. Savariroyan (Tamil Nadu, India)
Prayer
Dear God, we long to experience your healing and comfort in every area of our lives. Make us instruments of healing and comfort for others through your love. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Christ offers healing for both body and spirit.
Prayer Focus
Rural health workers
My fight in the Upper Room goes to round 3! #XXIX
General | Posted 15 years agoBut nothing will stop me...
I got my Rev collar yesterday, Sarah was pissed because how muched it cost, and mom was pissed because she thought it was going to be just a regular reverend's collar.
Sarah, said "I'm pissed because of the money, but at least your following your calling."
And Mom and me got into a normal fight about it. She doesn't like the fandom...her and dad went with me to FCN '09 to see what I was into...but I finally told her about changing the image toward the art aspect of it then the fetish.
She agreed with that.
Another victory.Yay!
~Rev. Wally Bear
What We Least Expect
Read Acts 3:1-10
Peter said [to the man], "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk."
-Acts 3:6 (NRSV)
WHEN my children were young and wanted a toy, I often heard, "But Mom, I need it!" As children of our heavenly Father, we are no different. Sometimes what we perceive as our greatest need is not at all what we need.
In today's reading from Acts chapter three, the beggar who was laid at the temple gate thought his greatest need was money. He had been crippled since birth and had no way to earn income for life's necessities. Consequently, he had begged for money.
Had Peter and John given the man money, his immediate need would have been met, but his life would not have changed. The next day he would have been back at the gate again, begging. Instead, Peter looked at the man's greater need -- his need for physical and spiritual healing. The beggar left the gate that day a changed man, praising God. He could walk! He received not what he asked for but what he needed.
Our wise God often goes beyond what we ask, too. Many years ago, I prayed for God to move my husband to a particular job. It didn't happen. In the time since, that organization has endured years of staff loss and upheaval. God, in mercy, sent us to a different place, to a job that has been stable for 13 years.
Cathy Bryant (Texas, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for meeting our deep needs, even when what comes to us is not what we expected. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God can work through us to meet the deepest needs of those near us.
Prayer Focus
To trust God for what I truly need
I got my Rev collar yesterday, Sarah was pissed because how muched it cost, and mom was pissed because she thought it was going to be just a regular reverend's collar.
Sarah, said "I'm pissed because of the money, but at least your following your calling."
And Mom and me got into a normal fight about it. She doesn't like the fandom...her and dad went with me to FCN '09 to see what I was into...but I finally told her about changing the image toward the art aspect of it then the fetish.
She agreed with that.
Another victory.Yay!
~Rev. Wally Bear
What We Least Expect
Read Acts 3:1-10
Peter said [to the man], "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk."
-Acts 3:6 (NRSV)
WHEN my children were young and wanted a toy, I often heard, "But Mom, I need it!" As children of our heavenly Father, we are no different. Sometimes what we perceive as our greatest need is not at all what we need.
In today's reading from Acts chapter three, the beggar who was laid at the temple gate thought his greatest need was money. He had been crippled since birth and had no way to earn income for life's necessities. Consequently, he had begged for money.
Had Peter and John given the man money, his immediate need would have been met, but his life would not have changed. The next day he would have been back at the gate again, begging. Instead, Peter looked at the man's greater need -- his need for physical and spiritual healing. The beggar left the gate that day a changed man, praising God. He could walk! He received not what he asked for but what he needed.
Our wise God often goes beyond what we ask, too. Many years ago, I prayed for God to move my husband to a particular job. It didn't happen. In the time since, that organization has endured years of staff loss and upheaval. God, in mercy, sent us to a different place, to a job that has been stable for 13 years.
Cathy Bryant (Texas, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for meeting our deep needs, even when what comes to us is not what we expected. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God can work through us to meet the deepest needs of those near us.
Prayer Focus
To trust God for what I truly need
shop till you drop, in the Upper Room #XXVIII
General | Posted 15 years agoMe and my lady was runnin around town and I asked if we can stop at the Christian Family Store to see if Manga Mutiny was there...we get there and there was another Manga attached to it Manga Melech, and there was a note on the order sheet. The guy said to me: "Well this one you haven't paid for yet, but there's a note that says: 'hold, he WILL want this."
I ended up with 2 Mangas, a Bible holder, a War of Ages CD, and the New Living Translation on DVD...yup, I hate money.
But I did find something in Mutiny (Genesis and Exodus) and I found one piece of info they should of left in...in chapter 9 of Genesis it talks about all the great heroes, I think they should of had a panel for it...the books are geared towards the young...
~Rev. Wally Bear
Witnesses
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.
-2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV)
TERMINALLY ill patients often know when death is near, yet I couldn't tell if Delores was just being overly positive. "I'm not ready to die," she said. "I'm going home." A nurse had paged me, the on-call chaplain, because she thought Delores was dying.
But Delores did go home, only to return for more chemo, more radiation. When I stopped in to see her one morning, I barely recognized her from the effects of her treatment. Suddenly, she exclaimed, "He was here, right here in my room."
"Who was?" I asked.
"Jesus! I was lying here in bed, and I looked up at that wall over there and --" she stopped. Her eyes filled with tears as she pointed toward the wall opposite her bed. "Jesus came through that wall. The room was flooded with light, and it was so peaceful! Thank you, Jesus!"
I found her joy so palpable that I started to cry. You can't work in a hospital among the critically ill and dying without struggling with God. In Delores' presence, I felt with my whole being that what we Christians say and hope and pray is true. The one who once walked among us, the one who died on the cross, is risen. He is faithful and will not leave us comfortless. Sometimes it takes someone else's faith to remind us of that.
Marcia Krause Bilyk (New Jersey, USA)
Prayer
O God, thank you for coming to us in our need and empowering us to live faithfully. Amen.
Thought for the Day
What we say and hope is true: Christ is risen.
Prayer Focus
Hospital workers
I ended up with 2 Mangas, a Bible holder, a War of Ages CD, and the New Living Translation on DVD...yup, I hate money.
But I did find something in Mutiny (Genesis and Exodus) and I found one piece of info they should of left in...in chapter 9 of Genesis it talks about all the great heroes, I think they should of had a panel for it...the books are geared towards the young...
~Rev. Wally Bear
Witnesses
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.
-2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV)
TERMINALLY ill patients often know when death is near, yet I couldn't tell if Delores was just being overly positive. "I'm not ready to die," she said. "I'm going home." A nurse had paged me, the on-call chaplain, because she thought Delores was dying.
But Delores did go home, only to return for more chemo, more radiation. When I stopped in to see her one morning, I barely recognized her from the effects of her treatment. Suddenly, she exclaimed, "He was here, right here in my room."
"Who was?" I asked.
"Jesus! I was lying here in bed, and I looked up at that wall over there and --" she stopped. Her eyes filled with tears as she pointed toward the wall opposite her bed. "Jesus came through that wall. The room was flooded with light, and it was so peaceful! Thank you, Jesus!"
I found her joy so palpable that I started to cry. You can't work in a hospital among the critically ill and dying without struggling with God. In Delores' presence, I felt with my whole being that what we Christians say and hope and pray is true. The one who once walked among us, the one who died on the cross, is risen. He is faithful and will not leave us comfortless. Sometimes it takes someone else's faith to remind us of that.
Marcia Krause Bilyk (New Jersey, USA)
Prayer
O God, thank you for coming to us in our need and empowering us to live faithfully. Amen.
Thought for the Day
What we say and hope is true: Christ is risen.
Prayer Focus
Hospital workers
Music for the Soul~ Yes or No?
General | Posted 15 years agoHiya all~
This is fiver16 here apologizing because I haven’t been able to make the music journal for a whole two weeks. My laptop has been acting up very badly and I lost the songs that got requested so I’m going to try and make it up with one of the most powerful songs that I’ve ever heard. In the meantime, I will be searching for the list that was on my desktop. lol
The song that I’ve chose is “Cassie” by Flyleaf.
This is one of the most powerful songs that I’ve ever heard because it’s about it's about a girl named Cassie, which was one of the victims of the Columbine school shootings. She was asked if she believed in God and said yes right before she was murdered. The lead singer of Flyleaf (Lacey Mosely) is saying that we should all follow Cassie's example and stand up for our beliefs even at the risk of death.
~LYRICS~
The question asked in order
To save her life or take it
The answer no to avoid death
The answer yes would make it
Make it
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
Say yes to pull the trigger
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
And Cassie pulled the trigger
All heads are bowed in silence
To remember her last sentence
She answered him knowing what would happen
Her last words still hanging in the air
In the air
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
Say yes to pull the trigger
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
And Rachel pulled the trigger
How many will die
I will die
I, I will say yes
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
Say yes to pull the trigger
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
And Cassie pulled the trigger
(Do you believe)
Do you believe in God (Do you believe)
Do you believe in God (Do you believe)
Do you believe in God
And I will pull the trigger
https://youtu.be/jCMvQrp8zoI
~My View on the Song~
My view on the song is that if you do believe in something; you need to embrace it and not hide it away from people. You should be proud of your opinions and your beliefs and not be scared that people will judge you. The question is if you was held hostage for your beliefs of something similar; would you say yes or no?
This is Fiver16 signing off :]
Peace, Love, and Happiness~
"Cassie" © Flyleaf
Flyleaf © A&M/Octone, GUN, INO Records
This is
fiver16 here apologizing because I haven’t been able to make the music journal for a whole two weeks. My laptop has been acting up very badly and I lost the songs that got requested so I’m going to try and make it up with one of the most powerful songs that I’ve ever heard. In the meantime, I will be searching for the list that was on my desktop. lol The song that I’ve chose is “Cassie” by Flyleaf.
This is one of the most powerful songs that I’ve ever heard because it’s about it's about a girl named Cassie, which was one of the victims of the Columbine school shootings. She was asked if she believed in God and said yes right before she was murdered. The lead singer of Flyleaf (Lacey Mosely) is saying that we should all follow Cassie's example and stand up for our beliefs even at the risk of death.
~LYRICS~
The question asked in order
To save her life or take it
The answer no to avoid death
The answer yes would make it
Make it
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
Say yes to pull the trigger
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
And Cassie pulled the trigger
All heads are bowed in silence
To remember her last sentence
She answered him knowing what would happen
Her last words still hanging in the air
In the air
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
Say yes to pull the trigger
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
And Rachel pulled the trigger
How many will die
I will die
I, I will say yes
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
Say yes to pull the trigger
Do you believe in God
Written on the bullet
And Cassie pulled the trigger
(Do you believe)
Do you believe in God (Do you believe)
Do you believe in God (Do you believe)
Do you believe in God
And I will pull the trigger
https://youtu.be/jCMvQrp8zoI
~My View on the Song~
My view on the song is that if you do believe in something; you need to embrace it and not hide it away from people. You should be proud of your opinions and your beliefs and not be scared that people will judge you. The question is if you was held hostage for your beliefs of something similar; would you say yes or no?
This is Fiver16 signing off :]
Peace, Love, and Happiness~
"Cassie" © Flyleaf
Flyleaf © A&M/Octone, GUN, INO Records
You can hear better in the Upper Room #XXVII
General | Posted 15 years agoInterruptions
Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
-1 Samuel 3:9 (NRSV)
AS a high-school teacher, I am frequently interrupted by announcements over the school's intercom system. Often the interruption involves a student being called to the office or a change in an athletic team's practice schedule. To me, these announcements constituted an annoying interruption of valuable teaching time. However, when I read about the priest Eli and the boy Samuel in the Bible, I suddenly saw these daily interruptions in a new way.
Eli's sleep was interrupted three times by Samuel because Samuel thought that Eli was calling him. Eli thought Samuel's interruptions were simply a child disturbing his sleep, until he realized that Samuel was being called by God.
Reading about Eli's misinterpretation of Samuel's interruptions, I wondered if I was misinterpreting those intercom interruptions. Perhaps they were God's call to me to pray for the student or for the athletic team mentioned. Once I began to treat the intercom interruptions as calls to prayer, they were no longer an annoyance. I won't say that I look forward to the interruptions, but instead of being annoyed by them I now channel that energy into prayer.
Vicki Hines (Tennessee, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, help us to remember to look for you in both the routine tasks and the interruptions of our daily life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Each time you are interrupted today, stop and pray.
Prayer Focus
Teachers
Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
-1 Samuel 3:9 (NRSV)
AS a high-school teacher, I am frequently interrupted by announcements over the school's intercom system. Often the interruption involves a student being called to the office or a change in an athletic team's practice schedule. To me, these announcements constituted an annoying interruption of valuable teaching time. However, when I read about the priest Eli and the boy Samuel in the Bible, I suddenly saw these daily interruptions in a new way.
Eli's sleep was interrupted three times by Samuel because Samuel thought that Eli was calling him. Eli thought Samuel's interruptions were simply a child disturbing his sleep, until he realized that Samuel was being called by God.
Reading about Eli's misinterpretation of Samuel's interruptions, I wondered if I was misinterpreting those intercom interruptions. Perhaps they were God's call to me to pray for the student or for the athletic team mentioned. Once I began to treat the intercom interruptions as calls to prayer, they were no longer an annoyance. I won't say that I look forward to the interruptions, but instead of being annoyed by them I now channel that energy into prayer.
Vicki Hines (Tennessee, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, help us to remember to look for you in both the routine tasks and the interruptions of our daily life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Each time you are interrupted today, stop and pray.
Prayer Focus
Teachers
Going to meditate in the Upper Room.... #XXVI
General | Posted 15 years ago...Before something bad happens!
Read the comments...ugh...and a little support would be nice.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1657177/
Restored
Read Acts 3:11-16
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
-1 Peter 2:5 (NIV)
ON my street sits an empty, Georgian-style house with huge white columns in front. As I pass by, I think how beautiful it must have been in times past. Long neglected, the paint is fading and peeling. The house has been vandalized inside and out. It's hard to know how much damage has actually been done. How much would it cost to restore this old house? I wondered. Can it even be saved? How I wish someone would move in and fix up the place! I know it has the potential to be beautiful again.
That old house is a lot like many of us. We come into this world created by our Maker to be whole. Then someone we trust hurts us emotionally, physically, or both. We may shut off our emotions because it hurts too much to feel. Spirits are broken and sometimes even destroyed. Others may start to wonder if we can ever be restored.
But when we allow Christ Jesus into our hearts, he can heal the scars caused by life and repair our wounded spirit. And unlike that old house on my street that could be too costly to restore, the high price of our restoration has been paid by Christ, the Master Carpenter, whose work is always of highest quality.
Susan Dollyhigh (North Carolina, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for your assurance that faith in Jesus Christ can bring us complete healing. Amen.
Thought for the Day
We are never so broken that God cannot restore us.
Prayer Focus
Those whose spirits are broken
Read the comments...ugh...and a little support would be nice.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1657177/
Restored
Read Acts 3:11-16
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
-1 Peter 2:5 (NIV)
ON my street sits an empty, Georgian-style house with huge white columns in front. As I pass by, I think how beautiful it must have been in times past. Long neglected, the paint is fading and peeling. The house has been vandalized inside and out. It's hard to know how much damage has actually been done. How much would it cost to restore this old house? I wondered. Can it even be saved? How I wish someone would move in and fix up the place! I know it has the potential to be beautiful again.
That old house is a lot like many of us. We come into this world created by our Maker to be whole. Then someone we trust hurts us emotionally, physically, or both. We may shut off our emotions because it hurts too much to feel. Spirits are broken and sometimes even destroyed. Others may start to wonder if we can ever be restored.
But when we allow Christ Jesus into our hearts, he can heal the scars caused by life and repair our wounded spirit. And unlike that old house on my street that could be too costly to restore, the high price of our restoration has been paid by Christ, the Master Carpenter, whose work is always of highest quality.
Susan Dollyhigh (North Carolina, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for your assurance that faith in Jesus Christ can bring us complete healing. Amen.
Thought for the Day
We are never so broken that God cannot restore us.
Prayer Focus
Those whose spirits are broken
