Category Archives: Thoughts

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My Never Again List

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Let me first start by apologizing for being away for so long. My computer was in the repair shop and I just couldn’t get the hang of typing on my kindle!
Next let me say this list is not of my own making, but I received permission from our Senior Pastor at New Testament Church, Dr. William Hohman to use his compilation.

“My Never Again List”
Never again will I confess “I can’t”, for “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Never again will I confess lack, for “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Never again will I confess fear, for “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Never again will I confess doubt and lack of faith, for “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

Never again will I confess weakness, for “The Lord is the strength of my life” (Psalm 27:1). “The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32)

Never again will I confess supremacy of Satan over my life, for “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).

Never again will I confess defeat, for “God always causeth me to triumph in Christ Jesus” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Never again will I confess lack of wisdom, for “Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Never again will I confess sickness, for “With His stripes I am healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus “Himself took my infirmities and bare my sickness” (Matthew 8:17).

Never again will I confess worries and frustrations, for I am “Casting all my cares upon Him, who careth for me” (I Peter 5:7). In Christ I am “care-free.”

Never again will I confess bondage, for “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Never again will I confess condemnation, for “There is therefor now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) I am in Christ; therefore, I am free from condemnation.

Never again will I confess loneliness, Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20) “I will never leave thee, nor forsake the” (Hebrews 13:5).

Never again will I confess curses or bad luck, “Christ had redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ: that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14)

Never again will I confess discontent because “I have learned, in whatsoever state (circumstances) I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11)

Never again will I confess unworthiness because “He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:12).

The confession of our mouths will eventually bring forth the things we speak.

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Fairy Tales and Super Hero’s

Ok, so I love both. I grew up on fairy tales, being a lover of books and stories. My fondness for superhero’s came much later. Some people think me crazy or living in a fantasy world, but I beg to disagree. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and so many other fantasy writers take what we loved as children in the classic happily ever after fairy tales and shown the dark side of man, and the love of God. Good versus evil, never gets old, especially when good wins out every time. I think the longing in us all to be saved, to save, to be part of something bigger, to have a purpose is why I love those stories. Almost every superhero story starts out with a flawed individual who ends up doing good, putting the needs of others before themselves.

Jesus told stories to get his point across. I think modern day story tellers can do the same. Unfortunately, our society seems to like the dark, satanic stories of torture and torment. Sometimes I even hate walking down the isles of the local movie rental place, the covers themselves enough to cause nightmares. I have to thank those who continue to show that good is better than evil. That a story should have a moral and a point. There are even a few who are brave and take chances and risks. Ted Dekker is one of those authors who couldn’t find a publisher at first due to talking about passion, sex and intimacy. But he stuck to his guns, and his convictions and is a writer of renown, not just in the Christian world. I have had the privilege of reading a few good Christian fiction books lately that have the message that I think our world needs, and they entertain as well. I am giving you their links. Please check them out and support those brave men and woman who continue to press on!

From Ted Dekker:
The first book of his that I read and it got me hooked! http://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Child-Bill-Bright/dp/0739423231/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
His fantasy that caught my heart! Passionate, romantic and full of God’s love!
http://www.amazon.com/Circle-4—1-Ted-Dekker-ebook/dp/B0052FTNJ2/ref=la_B001IODFIQ_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491291&sr=1-2
My favorite Dekker books! http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Trilogy-Heavens-Wager-Thunder-ebook/dp/B005K0CM7O/ref=la_B001IODFIQ_1_19?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491338&sr=1-19
Epic Christian books:
Francine Rivers, Mark of the lion series- http://www.amazon.com/Voice-Wind-Mark-Lion-ebook/dp/B0096W5GK2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
Bodie Theone, full of history! Zion Chronicles (only one of many wonderfully moving series)http://www.amazon.com/Gates-Zion-Chronicles-Bk/dp/1414301022/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491775&sr=1-1&keywords=9781414301020
New authors! Up and coming Christian fiction authors.
Guy Stanton- http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Redemption-Warrior-Kind-ebook/dp/B00G72MF6M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491953&sr=1-1&keywords=9780991056507
Nicholas Downing- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GL4IOIE?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00GL4IOIE&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
J.J. Herbert- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098196480X?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098196480X&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Tracy Groot- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098196480X?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098196480X&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Ronie Kendig- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616265949?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616265949&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Renee Riva- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589190912?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1589190912&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

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Prayer To My Father

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Dear Father (Father of my heart, love, life, peace, salvation, hope, dreams, provision, health, and family),
I love God! My heart is full of love for you. I am thankful and grateful that you adopted me! You’ve cleansed me from all my unrighteous acts, delivered me from every curse and every yoke of bondage, those of my own making and those that came with my family ties. You have set me free from the law. You have made me an heir and a joint heir with Christ. I am seated with Him in heavenly places, because of my acceptance in the beloved. Because you are a loving Father, Faithful and Trustworthy, because Your Word is true, You watch over it to perform it in my life. you have sent your angels, your ministering spirits, to minister according to your perfect will, the plans and the purposes, you have for my life. You have placed a hedge of protection around me, your angels guard round about me, day and night. Because I am your child, no weapon formed against me will prosper, and every tongue raised against me, to accuse me or curse me, is already condemned! Even what the devil has planned and prepared for my harm you, in your grace and mercy, have turned it around for my good. Who is like you, Oh God? There is none other. Only you have creative power. Only you can save. Only you can change our hearts and minds and conform us into the image of Christ. You alone are worthy of all praise, honor and glory… and you are my Father. You call me your child. Let my life glorify you.
In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

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Screen Your Thoughts

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Let’s pretend that it is spring. We have been cooped up in the house all winter and there is a fresh spring breeze blowing outside. The first thing we want to do is open all the windows wide and blow out all the stagnant air in our homes. Unfortunately, there are these little (or if you live in Wisconsin-BIG) pesky things called mosquitoes. Thank God for the invention of a simple thing called a screen! They allow the fresh breeze to come in and keep those irritating blood suckers out. The screen has little holes that are too small for those bug and creepy things to come in through.

God’s word is like a screen. But like most Godly things, it works the opposite of our window screens. The screen of God keeps the good stuff in and allows the bad stuff to fall through. Picture this in your mind for minute. This screen isn’t vertical, but it is horizontal. Now picture a shovel full of rich dirt, with some clean flowing water. This screen will catch all the precious stones and allow the silt and dust to flow on through.

We all have some thoughts that are just plain “puny”. God’s thoughts are so much bigger than ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9). Here are a few examples:
“I can’t afford to tithe.”
“It’s flu (or cold) season.”
“If I just had enough to pay my house payment.”
“I hope I have a good day.”
Can you say PUNY? Those would all fall through!

Now let’s allow the screen of God’s word to do it’s work and see what is left behind.
“God said to “try” Him in paying my tithe and promised to open the windows of heaven and poor out blessings. (Malachi 3:10) So I can’t afford not to tithe!
“Flu doesn’t have a season in my body, because Jesus took my infirmities, and by His stripes I have already been healed.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
“I not only have enough for all of my bills, but I am debt free and owe no man anything but to love him. I have enough to give into every good work.” (II Cor. 9:8)
And instead of just a good day, why not a God directed and planned day. “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. The plans you have for me this day is to prosper me, not to harm me.” (Jer. 29:11)

Can you see a pattern? Allow all those “puny” thoughts, those no expectations, too little for God’s children, stinkin’ thinkin’, UNGODLY thoughts to flow through. Don’t hang on to them. If they don’t line up with God’s word and His 8,000 promises, they need to be flushed away-literally! Allow the big dreams, great hope, huge expectations to remain. Keep them as precious stones! Look at them, think about them, show them off! Nothing, absolutely nothing, is too difficult for Him! Or for His children. Matthew 19:26 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” He makes a way where there is no way. All His promises are Yes and Amen! To God’s glory through us. We have to hang onto, declare and receive those promises to give God the glory. The world will see how He takes care of us, and they will see His banner of Love over us, clearly defining our leader and our general. When things get hairy, which side will they flock to? The ones with the puny thinking, who’s banner over them is depression, sickness and poverty? Or the one who’s banner is LOVE! Those ones who possess peace and portray life? Who can share their abundance and stand in faith? The family of God who have a great Hope, for the One who has promised is able to do what He promises.

Don’t have a screen? Ask God to be your Lord and Savior. Give up, surrender your heart to Him. He’ll take such better care of it then you ever will. Is your screen ripped and torn, wore out? Get into His word, do some repair. Look up some of those promises. Write them on note cards and memorize them. Ask God how much He loves you then listen for His answer. David said he his God’s word in his heart to keep him from sin. Ask God to engraft His word into your heart. When you engraft one branch of a tree into another type, that engrafted tree becomes part of the host. Let God’s word not just hide in your heart, let it become part of you! You ask, and apply yourself, He’ll do it! He is faithful.