Info Request...

Ok, so I was checking out someone else's blog online the other day and saw that they had a "bookshelf" on their blog with books that this person had read, or wanted to read. So I says to myself I said "Self...you should put that on your blog." Myself quickly agreed and so it was done!

Now I would like for you all to help increase the number of books on this bookshelf. I added three books that I read and really enjoyed. I am asking for you to do the same. You can give 1 book or 20 books. It is totally up to you.

Also check out the new page I created for the "Holy Newbies." It is a page for new believers and/or those interested in learning more about God and His awesome love! If you have any stories, suggestions, or warnings for "newbies," feel free to let me know or post them on the site through a comment.

READ: Romans 5:6-11

Jesus lived a perfect life...one which was sinless and fully pleasing to God. He had no unrighteousness that He owed payment (Romans 3:23). But we do. Until Jesus came, our destiny was fixed: we were headed for eternal separation from God. God cared so much for us that He willingly set aside His divinity and became a man to live among people whose hearts were far from Him. He came to die on behalf of a world that rejected Him.

The verses today describe the mystery of an innocent man dying in place of a guilty one. Would any of us volunteer to endure the deserved punishment of someone else? Maybe we would consider helping a person we considered good or righteous, but Jesus was willing to help the guilty! He voluntarily became our substitute--taking on our sin-debt and enduring the penalty we deserved. God's wrath was poured out on Him for all our sins.

The Savior died on the cross so that we might enter God's family and live with Him forever. because of Jesus' sacrifice, our status has been changed from outsider to child of God, from enemy to beloved, and from stranger to friend. No one could care about us more deeply than that. Jesus is truly our loving friend.

InTouch Magazine, February 2008, Vol. 31 No.2

Philippians 2:14-15

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Philippians 2:14-15

I love these two verses! Imagine how pleasant life would be if we all lived like this...

Week #18 Why Easter Matters

Hello...

Week #18 Why Easter Matters has been posted. I hope you all can check it out at some point this week. Love Jesus...

Oh...how are you all liking the music player I put at the bottom of this page? If there are any songs you would like for me to put on it, just let me know.

Easter Obituary

White as Snow

Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 86:5

Forgiveness requires two parties--one to ask for it and the other to give it. Between you and God, you are always on the asking side and He is always on the giving side. Fortunately, if you are sincere, you are assured of God's forgiveness. No matter what mistakes you've made, God promises that He will take the stain of your sins and make it "white as snow."

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

Psalm 103:3

The One Year Mini for Students

Good Friends

My friendships are really important to me. How can I make better friends?

READ: 1 Samuel 18:1-4

When David and Jonathan met, they became close friends at once. Their friendship is one of the deepest and closest recorded in the Bible, which is odd when you consider that Jonathan was the king's son (and in line for the throne) and David had been anointed to eventually become king. Jonathan knew this, but he and David were still best friends. They based their friendship on a common commitment to honor God; they let nothing come between them, they drew closer together when their friendship was tested, and they remained friends to the end. There are the marks of a true friend.

A friend is always loyal.

Proverbs 17:17

When Less Is More

If I want to be a good friend, what are some things I should avoid?

READ: Job 2:11; Job 16:1-3.

Job's friends were at their best when they showed up, sat with him, and listened without saying a word (see Job 2:12-13). Unfortunately, they then began to lecture Job on why they thought he was suffering and what they thought he should do about it. In the end, they even told Job that his suffering was his own fault. If only they knew the truth (read Job 1-2 for the real reason Job suffered)! A good friend is quick to listen and slow to judge. The words you speak to a friend can heal like a comforting balm or they can wound like an arrow. When your friend is hurting, the best thing you can do is to be there to listen and comfort.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

The One Year Mini for Students

A Fruitful Life

READ: Proverbs 3:5-12

God has created us with a longing to know that our presence in this world counts. He also designed us to find the fulfillment of that desire through His Son Jesus Christ.

Dependence on the Lord is central to an abundant life. Trusting Him with all our heart means giving Him control over our families, finances, jobs, and everything else. Today's passage emphasizes how essential trust is to a fruitful life: we are cautioned against being wise in our own eyes and warned twice not to lean on our own understanding (3:5,7). When faced with decisions, it is tempting to gather information and choose the answer we think is right. However, we can't know all the facts or predict with certainty how others will respond. But our Father is omniscient. He "reads" our hearts and perceives every thought (1 Chronicles 28:9). No aspect of our life escapes His notice (Psalm 11:4), and He cares about everyone. That's why He alone is certain which decision will be best for our circumstances.

The abundant life also involves acknowledging the Lord in all we do. Speaking about Him is just part of what it means to give Him recognition. As His children, we are to have a marked resemblance to our heavenly Father...in thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Our priorities are to reflect His, and our plans should fit with His purposes.

CLOSING: Life becomes fruitful as we surrender ourselves to God and carry out His will. By allowing His Spirit to live through us (Galatians 2:20), we will find our lives characterized by significance and satisfaction.

InTouch Magazine, January 2007.