Serious Changes In This Country

I have a question for you. Has anyone noticed some serious changes in this country? Do you wonder if there’s anything that can be done to turn us around before we go over the moral cliff?

The Associate Pastor at my church in Tampa (Great Hope Christian Fellowship) has written an intriguing fiction that during the course of the story asks and answers some of these questions. But it is not the information in the book that is as important as the personal transformation you will experience through the truths presented and the interactions and adventures of the main characters. Here are some of the comments made on the Amazon site.

• Zelnbo said: "A very enjoyable, informative book. Love the way Linda got the message across...no preaching yet the message came through loud and clear! Should be in the hands of 'everyone'! The last few chapters were so shocking, surprising and encouraging! Didn't know I would be needing tissues for my tears. Started re-reading when I finished. Great work, Linda! Glad "The Chaplain" is still alive!!"
• Judy said: "This is such a moving and uplifting book. It gives hope for our young people today. It offers so much for young people as well as ideas for pastors and youth leaders to use as a basis for bringing the youth back in line with the values intended by our founding fathers and enjoyed by previous generations growing up in this great country."
• Margaret said: "I have already spread the word and will continue for it is truly an overflow of God, speaking through you, you are so blessed to be used of God in such a mighty way and I am only about half way through. I pray that God will pour out blessings on you and the book will reach millions."

DMR-5, The Next Generation is now available at Xulon Press, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble in paperback, Nook or Kindle format. View the awesome trailer below. God bless. Go on now…go get this awesome book. You won’t be able to put it down once you start!

Enter by the Narrow Gate (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

We live in a secular culture, a "wide-gate" culture. Without the redemption in Jesus, the world is on a path of destruction and chaos.

Remember, knowing what you stand for limits what you fall for.

Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate: For the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." (Matthew 7:13,14)

NOW GO LIVE IT!

Arise and Stand On Your Feet (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

Before Paul was converted, he had an amazing experience on his way to Damascus to persecute faithful and devoted followers of Christ.

At midday, while the sun was at its brightest, suddenly a light from heaven brighter than the sun could ever shine was shining all around him and those who were with him. Everyone fell to the ground; and Paul heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads."   (...useless to go against God's will–New Living Translation) Paul said, "Who are you, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But arise, and stand on your feet, for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness..."

Today, we also as believers, having the light of the gospel of Christ appear to us, are to "arise and stand on our feet" for such a time as this. We are to be unashamed, giving witness and testimony as able ministers of a new covenant sealed with the blood of Jesus.

Isaiah declares, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." (See Acts 26:12-16, Isaiah 60:1, NIV)

NOW GO LIVE IT!

The Day We Lost The Heavens (by Ted Marshall)

[Today's post is made by my husband, Ted Marshall. Those who know him know that he loves anything that has to do with our space program, astronauts or anything that flies. The landing of our last space shuttle today prompted Ted to write from his heart how he feels about the ending of our space exploration, and I'd like to share it with you. The photo was taken this morning by our friend who works at Kennedy Space Center, and is used with his permission.]

© 2011 Robert Smith Jr, KSC Electrical Engineer

As a boy, my heroes were the astronauts, rocket scientists and technicians who worked at the space centers at Cape Canaveral (now Kennedy Space Center) and Houston …

I lived in Melbourne, Florida, and my dad worked at Patrick AFB supporting the space program. This was during the time of our first American astronauts of the Mercury program, followed by the Gemini and then the Apollo Moon Shot. This was such an inspiring time in our nation. The leadership and vision of our President John F. Kennedy was to set a goal to take the American dream and “can-do” spirit to the moon. The nation was exploring and rekindling the pioneer heritage of our forefathers. Even after John Kennedy was assassinated, we pulled together to reach the stars. I was a witness to American greatness.

In 1965, my dad showed me a NASA program proposal of the plan that was to follow the Apollo moon program. NASA was thinking and planning way ahead! (Project Nova was to put men on Mars.) The goal was to be accomplished by 1980. What an incredible plan and long-range vision for the future.

What happened? This is 2011 and the end of the American ability to put our astronauts in space. Today, the space shuttle came back from the heavens for the last time. You see, when we stop looking up and just look down, we lose the ability to dream; we lose the spirit to reach out; we lose the direction and guidance of faith.

The first time the Apollo astronauts looked back at the earth from orbiting the moon, they radioed back to earth reading from the book of Genesis in the Bible. On the first launch of an American into earth orbit (John Glenn), Astronaut Scott Carpenter radioed to him on lift-off “God’s speed, John Glenn”. The time that we knew the extent of the danger that Apollo 13 was in and that it might not make it home from its moon mission, the nation and world collectively prayed for intervention. The nation prayed for the souls of the crews on the Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

America needs to start looking up. We need to reach for guidance from the heavens and put new leadership in place that has real vision and faith and those who will lead from the front with the can-do spirit. Without setting and working on the difficult goals, we settle for mediocrity – we are doomed to achieve the mundane.

Today, I pray “Lord lift our nation’s eyes to You and give us the direction we must go. Help us to work together to come closer to You. Help our country focus on a clear vision of the future. Lord, let us once again reach for the stars so we may find a piece of heaven.”

Almost - Victorious or Defeated? (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

Almost is a powerful adverb meaning slightly short of; not quite, or nearly. How many times have you almost had an accident, and how many times have you had an accident and almost escaped the experience?

Almost made the difference in having an accident or not. Likewise, multitudes (a very great number) will miss out on entering the kingdom of God because they almost gave their heart to Jesus but just didn't get around to it. They were too busy with so much to do and no time to do it.

In 2 Corinthians 6:2, we read, "At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you; behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation." "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." (Hebrews 4:7)

God has given us this moment, this acceptable time, to trust Him completely. Remember, to procrastinate will leave you an "almost-er", and you will be left behind and left out.

NOW GO LIVE IT!

God's Love Begins At Home (by Margaret C. Duran)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12-14)

The Apostles Paul and Timothy were speaking to the brothers in Christ in Colosse. But, as I was reading that chapter, my thoughts were centered around the family. What a different world it would be if we would practice these virtues within our own homes. As our lives were changed by this love from our family members, it would overflow to how we treated others whom we came in contact with outside our homes, creating a viral affect throughout the world. Imagine that!

You know, that is the example Jesus left with us. But few practice this congeniality - just plain common courtesy. You may say, "Well, I want to relax and be myself at home." But home is where it all starts. Unless we show true love to our family, they may never feel the wonderful joy of the virtues of compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience. These are the ingredients of real love ... real Christian love. The very best place to show it is with our family, then it will go out into the world as a light in the darkness.

Is your lamp under a bushel basket? Let the goodness of God shine through you as you go about your daily life. It will be seen and felt by others.

To God be all glory!

Against The Crowd (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

This week we continue to reflect on Numbers 13 and 14.

Joshua and Caleb had just returned from Canaan and couldn't believe what they were hearing from the other ten fearful, doubting, and disobedient spies.

These men incited the crowd and blindsided them to believe that the giants and fortified cities were too great for God to conquer.

Even though they had evidence of the bounty of the land and God's promise to succeed, the people chose to believe a lie and basically said, "This conquest God has planned ain't gonna happen."

Thank God for Joshua and Caleb who stood against the unbelieving crowd and confidently declared that God was able to perform what he had promised.

Today, we also who believe can stand against the crowd of doubters and declare that God is able! Someone has said, "Any dead fish can float downstream - it takes a live one to swim upstream."

NOW GO LIVE IT!