Tag: Christian life

Posted in BIBLE STUDY, WHAT'S ON YOUR ...?

PBI: Personal Bureau of Inspiration: Before Dresser, a Real Dress-Down on Relationships

Posted on by pastorappreciationblog

Well … I studied Carol’s cards as I started to get back to our “PBI: Personal Bureau of Inspiration/What’s on your dresser?” series … but, after the first sentence, God turned it into this:

We’ve written much about how important it is to have, to set aside, that daily time of prayer and Bible study. Just you, the Lord, and His Word. Both of you … speaking. If you really think about it, that should be “all three of you speaking.” And, both of you … listening.

It is just something that you must … make time for. Yes, you must make time for it, as you must “make” time for all of those things that are really important. You may think that you just don’t have the time … that this time doesn’t exist. Ready for this? You are right: The time doesn’t exist – – – That’s why you have to “make” the time!

How often many of us, when someone asks us about our “religion,” have described it this way: “I don’t have a religion; I have a relationship.” Don’t have time for that daily time of prayer and Bible study? Then, tell me, how can you have a relationship with someone you don’t speak with?
How do you get to know someone without spending time with them? It is a relationship, that’s for sure. And, just like any relationship, it can only grow by spending time with each other.
One more: What happens … and, man, have we all seen it … What happens when two individuals in a relationship don’t “make time” to spend with each other? Remember, the time isn’t there … it doesn’t exist: That’s why you have to “make” the time.

In a strictly worldly sense, often, it is both individual’s fault when the relationship starts to turn. However, could it be said that, often, one of the two has become too busy? That one of the two wishes, more than anything, that the other would just “make time” for them. If they would … if they could … just do that … make an obvious attempt to “make the time” to spend with them … how much different … how much better the relationship would be. Why, even if the other person would just “make the time” just to talk to them, and “make the time” just to listen to them … how different … how much better … their relationship, and yes, their world would be.

Do I “need to go there,” to the place where one leaves the other … or, “strays” from the other?
Perhaps not. Too painful.

I guess it is painfully obvious the relationship we are really writing about. How Jesus must feel when we don’t “have time” to spend with Him. To get to know Him better. To speak to Him. To listen to Him. That we’re too busy to “make the time” to spend with Him. How He must feel, that, if only we would just “make” the time, take the time, to spend with Him … how much better our relationship would be … and how much better our world would be. Then, the expected result of turning away from Him, leaving Him, straying from Him … how painful, to Him, this must be. Part of His pain comes from the fact that He knows how painful it will be for us … if we continue walking away … Indeed, He can keep us from stumbling … if we will keep holding His Hand.

How many of us claim to know God, and claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus, yet don’t spend any time with Him? How can this be? Sad to say, but it can’t be. Sorry!
I am so reminded (have I spent too much time around kids?) of the times when I have heard a Pastor say something like “Just because you go to McDonald’s doesn’t make you a hamburger.”
Or, how about this one: “Just because you have a car, and a garage, doesn’t make you a mechanic.” And, other sayings like it. Usually these statements are made in conjunction with the really old one: “Just because you go to church, doesn’t make you a Christian.”

I think it goes so much deeper than that. No, I don’t see how you can claim to be a Christian, and not have a burning desire to go to where the Word is preached. It’s much deeper than that, because it is true … you can go to church … do what is expected, etc., and still not live a Christian life. I believe there is just no way you can live a Christian life without this personal relationship with Jesus. I mean, unless you have this personal, intimate relationship with Him … how in the “world” can you possibly know what He wants you to do? Without spending time with Him, speaking to Him, listening to Him … how would you even know what is expected for you to do? I mean, without this quality time, how will you get quality answers? If you don’t hear from Him personally … how will you even recognize His voice? Oh, you’ll hear voices, all right … I can assure you of that. But, His sheep recognize His voice, because He is their Shepherd. So, how can He be your shepherd if you are not in His flock?

Are you going to tell me that you are going to be led by someone you don’t know? Now, that is what I call worldly living, and worldly thinking. Just remember that if you choose to follow the world, or the crowd, you will end up in the same place they do.

Jesus loves you, and wants to spend more time with you than anyone else. You will also get more benefit from spending time with Him, than with spending time with anyone else. By the way, yes, He wants most of all for you to have this personal, intimate relationship with Him … but, He also wants you to “make the time” for the other important relationship in your life.

Ever written, or perhaps preached something that you hope was also meant for someone else???
If the Word is really from God, it changes the messenger first.
Will close for now … must “make” a little time for a conversation I need to have …

Blessings to you, and your family,
Richard. Vincent. Rose.

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PBI: Personal Bureau of Inspiration: Card Stack # 1 and Card Stack # 2

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To continue from where we left off … On my bureau/dresser, I have note cards with Scripture, standing up, where I can rotate them, one Scripture at a time, displaying one Scripture verse at a time, which directly “speaks” to something I am specifically praying for, right now.

On Carol’s bureau/dresser, she has the cards laid out, face up … three on one side, and three on the other, which speak to our day-to-day relationship with God. You can read them all at once, or concentrate on just one.

It never struck me until this writing that the two dressers, a room apart, address every reason why we need to read and speak Scripture every day … no matter what we are, or aren’t, going through. Carol has the fundamental, foundational Scriptures which we need, covering every area of our existence, posted where they can be seen. They cover our personal relationship with God, and why we need Him, in every area of our lives, every day. Meanwhile … on my bureau/dresser … I have a specific need/request covered with Scripture verses addressing that particular need/request only. What strikes me now is this: It is that fundamental, foundational relationship with God, which I need every moment of every day, that builds my faith and trust … builds my personal relationship with Him … every day … which gives me the faith and assurance that He will meet my needs and requests … which I have addressed in the “other” set of note cards!

God is so faithful! But, how would we know if we don’t find out for ourselves? It is the daily walk with Him, depending on Him, knowing Him, being led by Him, that proves to us that He really is Who and What His Word says He is. We will never know Him … until we know His Word. That is why it is so important to read His Word, to hear directly from Him, and to speak to Him … every day. This, His Word, is our foundation. A solid foundation, which will hold us up … regardless of what we may face … any day … every day.

It is almost like Carol’s cards are “Stack # 1;” My cards are “Stack # 2.” You can’t go to Card Stack # 2 until you have “dealt with” Card Stack # 1. It is your day-to-day relationship with God-good or bad-which will determine how you handle things that hit you … which would end up in Stack # 2 … the “Emergency” stack. It strikes me now that it is your personal relationship with God which determines how you handle the circumstance … or, whether the circumstance will handle you. How often I have written that it is how you face every day, which determines how you handle the major issues of life. If you don’t depend upon God for everything … then, things will happen which will only leave you, alone, to handle them. I call that certain disaster.

Trust and obey … as the song says … there is no other way … You just can’t know what God has promised … until you know what God has promised! Not what I say, but what He says. You just can’t have a personal relationship … until you have a personal relationship. It is how God gets you through the “day-to-day” … every day … which moves you to trust Him, as you move from your own, personal “Card Stack # 1” to your own, personal “Card Stack # 2,” which will prove that He can be trusted when “the deck” seems to be stacked against you.

Blessings,
Ted

Posted in BEGIN A NEW DAY, BIBLE STUDY, SUCCESS: NOTES, QUOTES, & FOLKS, WHAT'S ON YOUR ...?

PBI: Personal Bureau of Inspiration: What’s On Your Dresser?

Posted on by pastorappreciationblog

I just can’t state strongly enough how important it is for you to read God’s Word every day. To expose yourself to the Word. Every Day. To make every attempt to put your eyes … yes … your eyes … where they will see Scripture promises … God’s Word … where you will see it … every day.

I have written often of how critical … yes-I’ll say it … even life or death important … especially when you are facing a trial or tribulation … to write down specific Scripture verses to read, often, throughout the day … every day. How important it is, when personal trial strikes, to have … in places that you’ll see it … read it … verses that “speak” directly to what you are going through. I know … there are times that the pain, the agony is so deep, that the only thing you have to “cling to,” to “hold to,” are the promises of God. Directly from God’s Word. Not from your friends, not from your neighbor, not from the television, not from the newspaper, but words which “proceed from the mouth of God.” You know that I am not speaking against “Godly counsel;” I’m just stating how important it is to put God’s Word where you will see it … read it … speak it … repeat it … pray over it … constantly, throughout the day.
Wow! This paragraph just “took off” …

This writing is really not about “emergency” reading … but, the lesson is still there … What I am writing about is exposing yourself to God’s Word … when there is not an “issue” you are going through … there is no tragedy or painful circumstance you are facing at the moment … just day-to-day life. Which can be tough enough. I encourage you, plead with you, and implore you to make Bible reading/study and prayer a part of every day of your life. Every day. Don’t wait until something “strikes” all-of-a-sudden, to realize how valuable this encouragement is. We need God’s Word every day, and to pray every day, to keep the most important relationship in our lives going strong. I believe that the best time to read God’s Word, and to pray is first thing in the morning. Often, and I try to do this every morning, as the clock goes off, and I get up and hit the snooze button for the first (of maybe 3 times?) time, I lay there and pray … first thing … before I even get up … I dedicate this day … I dedicate my thoughts, my actions, and my words, to Him … When the second snooze goes off, I ask for His help in my thoughts, actions, and words … the first thing I think of, in the morning, even before I get up, is how to serve Him today … and, the realization that I have no chance of serving Him without His direct help and intervention … See, I need Him every moment, of every day, in every way … or, I’m just not going to make it. Keep in mind this is without having a major “issue” that has kept me awake most of the night … How much more do I need His help and guidance when I am really “going through something?”

I am going into this lengthy explanation because I know people, as you do, who are going through major issues in their life, and they’ve come to you for answers. I don’t have the answers … but, I know, personally, the One who does. I just know that I need to read God’s Word every day, and pray every day. Period. How God uses me is up to Him. But … I have to be ready for any situation … and, the only way that I can do that is to be “in the Word, and in prayer.” Period. I don’t want to wait until I am “in a foxhole” to cry out to Him. I cry out to Him now, even before “something happens.” That is the key. God’s Word and prayer-before something happens.

You need to write down verses that will encourage you, and place them where you will see them often … every day. We all know people who have verses posted on their refrigerators, on their bathroom mirrors, etc. Great! The key is to put these verses-those that mean the most to you-where you will see them … even when you are “not looking.” The refrigerator and mirror is such a great place because you go to these often … every day.

For several months, there was something that I was believing God for. I put a postcard/note card on my car visor with the promise I was believing in … I saw the promise every time I drove the car … I would see the card, then read it … meaning that I was speaking the promise. Of course, the promise came true. It had to! Why? Because I believed in the One who had promised! It was a promise He made … so, it had to come true. It had to!

At some point here, I must get to the “bureau” or “dresser.” My parents called it a bureau. I call it a dresser. It is the … well, you know what it is … and, it is the most important “standing” piece of furniture in your bedroom. It is where all your … well, you know … clothes and accessories are … the important point is that I, and most of us, have no choice but to spend a certain amount of time there, every day, to prepare to go to work, or, before we go anywhere. Whether we are getting dressed, seeing how we look after we are dressed, or anywhere in-between, it is a major focal point of our existence. The point is, that, regardless of how rushed we are, how big a hurry we are in … we always have to “stop” while we are there … I don’t remember much about a lot of details in our home, but I can tell you-exactly-what is on my dresser. And, what is on Carol’s. I can’t remember what I wore to work yesterday, but I can tell you-in detail-what is on our dressers/bureaus. I can also tell you exactly what is, in detail, on our bathroom counter and mirror. And, our dining room table. And, on my truck visor.

Here is the point: For some reason, I really like the idea of the bureau/dresser … it’s because my Bible is there, and I always have note cards, standing up, which I read every time I am there … which is concentrated time, at least a few times a day. And … if, I don’t read them, I always know they are there. I always have a stack, with specific verses to address just exactly what I am going through now, and I just rotate the cards on a daily basis … the cards are always there … they are just as much a part of my furniture as the clock radio … and the Bible …

On Carol’s dresser, it is a little different, as far as the cards are concerned … she is so awesome … they are laid out, individually, covering a large part of the top of the dresser. So, you can read all of the cards at once, or just concentrate on one card. On my dresser, I have the one-card-at-a- time, carefully rotated.

Here is the real point, and please allow me to be used to express this, in the manner intended:
While writing this, I have realized that, in the true “team” concept, I have just been given what is really happening here. On Carol’s dresser, there are verses for the “day-to-day” living … what we strive for every day, as part of our daily dependence on God and His Word.
On my dresser, there are cards, standing up to display one card at a time, which address a specific promise for something that we are going through, what we are “believing for” right now.
But, do I only see my dresser cards?
Well … my dresser doesn’t have a mirror … and, Carol’s dresser does … That’s ok, because my dresser was my Father-in-Law’s, and Carol has her Mother’s dresser … I never want another one … So, what this means is that, often, in order to dress properly … I must stand in front of “Carol’s” dresser, the one with the mirror … which has all of those verses on display … Even as I write this, I can quote the Scriptures on her dresser … I see the note cards almost every day …

I offer this as encouragement to those of you who have a spouse which you are trying to … encourage … even trying to lead to the faith …
Think about it … please … Your spouse knows what is on your dresser … just as much as you do … Let’s say you start leaving “note cards” around where “someone else” may see them …
I can’t tell you how many times I have read, and read again, the note cards with Scripture, which are on Carol’s dresser … Does she know this? I would say that a large percentage of the time, she is not aware that I am reading the note cards … she may be asleep, or out of the room while I read, again and again, the Words written on them … but I read them … often … and it changes me …

I know people who have these note cards posted “everywhere,” and some who have them posted in certain “high traffic” spots … but, I can assure you, both wives and husbands, there is no place where you can post them, where it will be noticed, more personally, than on the bureau or dresser …

Blessings,
Ted
 

Posted in BIBLE STUDY, GUEST POSTS, MINISTRIES WE SUPPORT, QUOTES FOR ALL, VICTORY OVER DEPRESSION

Fear Not: Verses to Encourage You

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We are always so blessed and encouraged when someone sends us a Bible verse … the right verse just seems to show up at the right time …
Often, we’ll receive a particular verse as part of correspondence with friends and customers, and, so often, it is just what we needed to hear at just the right time. I am always seeing messages the Lord is sending my way, wherever I go. It may be a bumper sticker or automobile tag, a sign somewhere, and many times, it’ll be a poster someone has posted on their door or wall. God always uses whatever means are necessary to put the right words in front of us, or allows us to hear “just what we needed” from a friend or associate … often during just a “regular” conversation. How many times have we gotten “confirmation” from a simple conversation with someone we just happen to run into?
I remember once, being deep in thought over a particular problem I was confronting, stepping out of an elevator, and walking down the hall behind 2 men who were having a conversation. I only overheard a small part of what they were saying … but, it was exactly what I needed to hear to help and encourage me … at that exact moment.

There are just so many verses in Scripture which deal with fear … all written to help and encourage us. I can’t reinforce how strongly I feel that the most important way to start your day is with prayer and Bible study. Even just one verse … being allowed to sink into your mind and soul first thing in the morning … will stay with you the rest of the day. Many times, someone will send me a list of verses on a particular subject, and I may spend the entire week-or longer-using those verses for my morning study.

So, I’ll share this list with you, which I received from Gregory Dickow Ministries, which really helped me, and it can help you. I’ll provide a link for you to download these below.

My Pastor used to always remind us that courage does not mean that you are not scared … even “scared to death” … courage means that you act in spite of your fear.
I hear Joyce Meyer, in teaching about overcoming fear, that FEAR stands for
“False Evidence Appearing Real.”
I hear another Pastor give an example like this:
Fear knocked on my door.
I went to the door with Faith.
When I opened the door, there was no one there.

Enjoy these verses:

Scripture Verses for VICTORY OVER FEAR
BY PASTOR GREGORY DICKOW

II Timothy 1:7
God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a calm, well balanced mind.

Isaiah 12:2
I am not afraid because God is my salvation and I trust Him.

1 John 4:18
I am not tormented because all fear is cast out in God’s perfect love.

Isaiah 41:10
I do not fear nor am I dismayed, because God is with me. God makes me strong and helps me and upholds me with His victorious and righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1
I do not fear, for God has redeemed me and called me by name – I am His.

Hebrews 13:6
The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man can do to me.

Proverbs 29:25
I avoid snares because I do not fear man, but I place my trust in the Lord and therefore I am safe.

Deuteronomy 31:6
I am strong and courageous, delivered from fear, because the Lord my God goes with me. He will not fail me nor forsake me.

Deuteronomy 1:21
I will not fear nor be discouraged, for the Lord my God has set the land before me – I will go up and possess it.

Deuteronomy 3:22
I will not fear, for the Lord my God shall fight for me.

Luke 12:32
I do not fear, for it is my Father’s good pleasure to give me the kingdom.

Psalm 112:7 
I am not afraid of bad news, for my heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

Isaiah 12:2
I am strong and courageous, not fearful and dismayed for the Lord Jehovah is my strength, my song and my salvation.

John 14:27
I walk in the peace that Jesus has left for me, not peace as the world gives. My heart is not troubled neither is it afraid.

Here’s a direct link, if you’d like to download the Scriptures:
Gregory Dickow Ministries

Posted in MINISTRIES WE SUPPORT, SUCCESS: NOTES, QUOTES, & FOLKS, VIDEOS, POWER POINTS, AND PHOTOS TO SHARE

Success: Message From Gregory Dickow: You CAN Change

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“Change is not something that happens BY you. It is something that happens TO you.”

We wanted to share this short message with you from Gregory Dickow, founder and pastor of Life Changers International Church.

“Do you need something to change in your life? Maybe in your finances, your family, your emotions or your health? Well it’s easier than you think and easier than what most people will tell you.

Yet how often do we feel that changing our lives is a difficult and almost insurmountable challenge? We tell ourselves: “It’s too hard. I’m too old. It’s too late. I don’t have the background or resources, the right education or experience.”
But the truth is: the power to change doesn’t come from anything on the outside. The only pathway to true transformation is from the inside out.

Every day we make the choice to accept whatever thoughts come to our mind, or to fill our mind with God’s thoughts through His Word. Proverbs 23:7 says, as a man thinks, so is he. Therefore what we fill our mind with shapes our entire life.

Real change begins by simply filling your mind with God’s Word. Then it is the power of God’s Word that transforms you from the inside out. Romans 12:2 says “…BE TRANSFORMED…” This is not something that happens BY you. It is something that happens TO you. As you renew your mind to God’s Word, your life begins to supernaturally change. Before you know it, you begin to think differently, see yourself different and treat others different. Before you know it, success and prosperity begin to cling to you, simply because of the way you think.

You might ask, “How long is all this going to take?” Not long. Remember, though it took the children of Israel forty years to get from the wilderness to the Promised Land, it was only meant to be an eleven-day journey! Are you ready to turn your “forty-year” delay into an eleven-day journey?”

To Visit Gregory Dickow Ministries, click here:
Gregory Dickow Ministries

Here is a short video message from Pastor Dickow that we really enjoyed: If we want our lives to change, our thinking has to change:
Remember, “Think right. Act right.”

Posted in BIBLE STUDY, ROADS SCHOLAR, VICTORY OVER DEPRESSION

UPDATE/DIAGNOSIS ON CAROL

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Hello All:

First, WOW! Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for Carol.
We have been so blessed to have heard from friends all over the globe … who have prayed for Carol, and for me!

An added blessing has been to have been honored to have heard from friends that we had lost contact with over the years … but, have contacted us in the last few days …
God is so good … still!

Carol is doing great: As you know, at “just the right time” (from an enemy point of view), Carol lost vision in her right eye. Because of her medical history, this was a major concern; not only because of this fact, but that it appeared that “an old medical enemy” was trying to make a comeback.

A few years ago, God healed Carol of a crippling disease. Yes, He did. He can do this because He can do anything. There is nothing too hard for Him. The potential is “always there” for the “condition” to try, attempt, to return a comeback. This was the concern here.

Here’s the situation with Carol: She has optic neuritis, which is an inflammation of the optic nerve. Because of this, the brain cannot receive the “information” from the optic nerve. There are limited treatments for this, but those that are available are potentially successful. The best procedure is to receive medication through an IV, known as an “IV Drip.” The solution is prednisone, which is a steroid. By taking the IV, the medication gets into her system much more quickly, and effectively, than if she took the prednisone by pill.

For months, we had planned a trip to Georgia, and, of course, this situation happened just before our trip. Today is Tuesday, and Carol had her first IV treatment today at the local hospital. The total process is about three hours. The doctors worked out a plan so that we could still take our trip, and they did it so fast! The MRI was done late yesterday, Monday … the doctor called with the results Monday evening, less than four hours later, which, as you know, is a miracle in itself.

We had the consultation today, got the first IV today … Carol will take a prednisone pill tomorrow (airport day) … and on Thursday and Friday, will get the IV treatment at a hospital in Georgia …

This will allow us to still make the trip, and still keep Carol on her medical schedule. She is such a “trooper!” I wish I could take all those needles for her. It is so hard watching the nurses try to find a vein … Today, it took three tries, and she is bruised up from all the previous testing, etc. All this time, with the enemy trying to creep in, her only thought was making this family trip to Georgia … she has been looking forward to this trip, and vacation, maybe more than me … just before the School year begins, only 2 days after we return …

Many of you who contacted us used the word “miracle.” Jesus is still in the saving business, and He is still in the healing business.
Because … He can still do both.

We can see God’s hand in this, every step of the way.

We’ll keep you posted. Earlier, I mentioned “the situation with Carol.”
Here’s “the situation” with Jesus:

Matthew 11:5: “…the blind receive their sight”

Matthew 9:27:30: “Believe ye that I am able to do this? … Yeah, Lord … Then touched he their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened.”

Matthew 20:32-34: “What will ye that I shall do unto you? Lord, that our eyes may be opened … Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight.”

Mark 10:51-52: “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said … Thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight.”
 
Here’s “one for the road”:

Matthew 17:20: “If ye have faith, nothing shall be impossible.”

“There is nothing too hard for God to do:”
Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27

Will close for now. Have some packing to do. Carol … well, she has been packed since Saturday … Lord, give me her faith!

Blessings, and thank you,
Ted
    

Posted in HEROES OF THE FAITH, HISTORY CHANNELS, VIDEOS, POWER POINTS, AND PHOTOS TO SHARE

Special Video Testimony: Ivan Koloff

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Ivan Koloff, who accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord of his life in 1995, is now an ordained minister, and active in the ministry, traveling to share his testimony across the United States.
When we shared the Lex Luger testimony recently, we shared how wonderful Jesus is, to take “bad guys”-like us, love them, save them, and deliver them. After all, we were all “bad guys” at one time. Funny how we forget that, sometimes …  
 
I just finished a story about someone at the end of their rope-and hope, calling out to Jesus, who answered their call, saved them … delivered them … and then, they answered His call …
When I wrote the story, I thought about Ivan Koloff. How just listening to him, looking at him speak of Jesus, blessed me, and encouraged me so much.

I must be honest: I still sneak a peek at the old Wrestling Videos on Youtube … the old videos … it was such a part of my life for so long … I loved to watch the Ivan Koloff interviews, especially. Anyway, late one night, months ago, there was a video interview of Ivan Koloff, filmed at one of those “legend” events, I supposed. It wasn’t the interview that grabbed my attention … it was the T-Shirt he was wearing. It said, “I Love Jesus.” WOW!
I checked it out, and, I am so proud of Ivan Koloff! And, proud to share a couple of videos with you.

First, here is Ivan Koloff’s personal testimony. I’ve seen it many times, and it still blesses me, still encourages me. That’s exactly why we want to share this with you. He is able to reach many people that others can’t, and I hope this touches … blesses … encourages … and reaches you:

I wanted to also share this this video clip with you. There is just something about seeing Ivan Koloff in a suit and tie … in a church … that really blesses me! This was a short video taken after Ivan Koloff had spoken at the church. He talks about his book, answers a couple of questions, and, issues an invitation to all … Enjoy!

Finally, I’ve included this link to the Ivan Koloff website, to his personal testimony page, which begins, “I am overjoyed that I am alive and so grateful that I have a Savior, who loves me so much that he died for me.  My Savior, “Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God” was patient with me and still is today.  Thank You Jesus!”
IVANKOLOFF.COM

 

Posted in GUEST POSTS, SUCCESS: NOTES, QUOTES, & FOLKS

Guest Post: So What is “Church Growth” Anyway? | Life Reference

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“It is my view that a church cannot grow numerically until it’s leaders and congregation grow enough spiritually to do the things that cause church growth.”

As a follow-up to our “Success Guaranteed” posts, we share this article from Don Merritt, over at his “Life Reference” Blog.
Enjoy, grow, and be blessed!

So What is “Church Growth” Anyway? | Life Reference.

 

Posted in BIBLE STUDY, QUOTES FOR ALL, SUCCESS: NOTES, QUOTES, & FOLKS

Success: Guaranteed! Five Words Down To One

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Earlier, we shared the five-word statement that will guarantee success as a Christian, applying both as a person, and success as a church. A five word statement that, if acted upon, will guarantee success, both personally and corporately.
Remember? It was exactly what the leaders of the early church did.
Remember the five words?
Know Him.
Make Him known.

I guess it’s no secret what the one word is, the most important word of all … not just in this “principle,” but the most important word in the whole human language.

So, I thought I’d just jot down some principles, taking the Five Words down to One.
Please keep in mind that, while there is no question about the one word which we’ll end up with, all of us can come up with our own list of four, three, and two words. And, I encourage you to please do so.
So, here is a “start list” of some
“Success in ___ Words” I began with:

One more time:
Guaranteed Christian Success in 5 Words:
Know Him.
Make Him known.
(Can you tell I really love this one?)

Guaranteed Christian Success in Four Words:
Know Him.
Show Him.

Know it.
Show it.

Show Him to others.

Do what He did.

Be found in Him.

Much prayer.
Much power.

Not mine, but Yours.
(After all, it is a question of will!)

Think right.
Do right.
(This isn’t a part of the list, but it’s four words, and it’s an original!)

This is a good start for your own list!

Guaranteed Christian Success in 3 Words:

Know, Grow, Show.

I surrender all.

To win, submit.

Abide in Him.

Christ in me.

Trust and obey.

Listen and learn.

Make Him Lord.

Listen to Him.

Learn from Him.

Guaranteed Christian Success in 2 Words:

Jesus Christ.

Christ Jesus.

Trust Him.

Obey Him.

Guaranteed Christian Success in One Word:

Jesus.

Period! That’s it!

Colossians 2:3: “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
1 Corinthians 1:24: “… Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

Know Jesus.
Make Jesus known.

I’ll close with one of my originals, a “formula” I have used in classes and teaching for years:

Pray more.
+
Study more.
= Be More … Like Jesus

Blessings,
Richard.Vincent.Rose.

Posted in HEROES OF THE FAITH, VIDEOS, POWER POINTS, AND PHOTOS TO SHARE

Rare Videos and Mickey Mantle: “I’ve Accepted Christ As My Savior”

Posted on by pastorappreciationblog

Mickey Mantle.
To a kid growing up in the 60’s, Mickey Mantle, was …  well … Mickey Mantle. To 4 country boys growing up, every available minute playing baseball, Mickey Mantle was … well, Mickey Mantle. I never heard of “The Mick” or “The Commerce Comet” until well after I was grown. He was … well, Mickey Mantle. He was on a short list that, years later, we could say, “People today just don’t realize how popular he really was.” How the greatest treasure we could imagine holding in our hands was his baseball card. Only in dreams we held his Rookie Card. 

Writing totally from memory, today, 45 YEARS after he retired, I still remember: .298 lifetime average, 536 home runs, 1506 RBIs, 18-times All-Star. And, it is just a coincidence, but he wore my favorite number … 7.
I remember the look on my father’s face, the way he talked, the way he showed us his hand … after he had met, and shaken hands with, Mickey Mantle.  

Much has been written about his final days. His honesty, his repentant heart, his heroism, and example touched a nation. Bob Costas, delivering the eulogy at Mickey Mantle’s funeral, said, “Our last memories of Mickey Mantle are as heroic as the first … Then, in the end, something remarkable happened … all of America watched in admiration … ”

We now share with you this rare interview with Bobby Richardson, from CBN.com … What I have heard for so many years, and many of you have heard, and many may already know, that, on his deathbed, Mickey Mantle accepted Christ as his personal Savior. Here is Bobby Richardson’s testimony about those days. Bobby Richardson, who played for the Yankees from 1955-1966, continued to be Mickey Mantle’s friend, and as Bobby Richardson says in this interview, “I wanted to be bold, because I wanted him to spend eternity with me in Heaven …”
You’ll hear Bobby Richardson’s memory of rushing to Baylor Medical Center, when Mickey Mantle told him, “I’ve accepted Christ as my Savior.”
This is such a rare video, that CBN.com does not allow certain pictures to be shown … so, as you watch, please stay with it … as the interview will continue, and the pictures will come back … Mickey Mantle. Thank you Bobby Richardson, and thank you, Jesus … for not giving up … on Mickey Mantle … Enjoy the interview:

Remember this quote from Casey Stengel?: “That boy hits baseballs over buildings. He runs as fast as Ty Cobb.”
Here’s a rare video interview of Mickey Mantle, which was featured on “The George Michael Sports Machine.” Enjoy:

Here now is the rare video of Bob Costa, delivering the eulogy, at Mickey Mantle’s funeral service. Many will be viewing this for the first time, and we have it just as it was televised live. After this remarkable, and most poignant eulogy, Roy Clark sings, as Mickey Mantle had requested, “Yesterday When I Was Young”:

Now, just for a special treat, here is a rare video of Mickey Mantle appearing on the television Game Show “Name’s The Same.” This is from May 26, 1953, only 2 years after his rookie season. Part of the show weekly show would feature a special guest, who shared with the guest panel, “Who I would like to be.” As was the case with many of those early game shows,
the panel had to guess the name of the person whom the guest would like to be. We all remember Mickey Mantle appearing on television shows over the years … I even remember an episode of “Bewitched,” in which the telephone rang, and it was Mickey Mantle, calling to ask if he could bat .600 … It made such an impression, it is evident I remember it to this day. Enjoy this rare video clip, featured on the Game Show Network (honestly, I have never watched the network, nor even remember the
show-way before my time) … but, I wanted to include this for its rarity, and a “remember when” … Enjoy, as Mickey Mantle, from 1953, shares, “Who’d I like to be:”

Hope you enjoyed the videos!
How times have changed … The money won from the “Name’s the Same” show went to the guest’s favorite charity … Did you see Mickey Mantle walking over at the end of the show to collect the checks … for 25.00 each …
To encourage you … Mickey Mantle was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974. It received 88.2% of the vote. Somehow, that encourages me to do my best, and we won’t please everyone, will we? By the way, no one has ever been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with a unanimous vote. Which I think is the most unbelievable of any baseball stat.

I do watch one baseball game a year, the All-Star game. Have a blessed day!
Ted