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!

New Church Website (by Carolyn Marshall)

On March 13 of this year, I added two new contributors to His Healing Word blog, Pastor Mark Parsons and Associate Pastor Linda Pugsley. Today, it is with great excitement that we announce the publishing of our new website for Great Hope Christian Fellowship Church! We hope that the Sermons, Articles, Spiritual Snacks and “Holy Purple Cow!” will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord and enter into an abundant life in Him. Dive in, take a peek, and check it out at http://www.myghcf.com/.

Pastor Mark and Associate Pastor Linda will continue to contribute here on His Healing Word, too. We are looking forward to this new journey the Lord has set our feet upon. What a blessing it is to share His truths by stepping beyond the boundaries of our local church and community and into the world through this wonderful "over-the-fence" ministry.

How Do We Maintain A Walk With God? (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

Last week, we shared on what it means to walk with God. This week, the emphasis is on how to maintain a walk of faith with God.

1.  Search the Scriptures. Jesus said the scriptures testify of Him. (John 5:39) The Holy Spirit will give us revelation, but we must search for this heavenly treasure.

2.  Pray to Him. We are to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), and we must be devoted to prayer (Romans 12:12). If there is no prayer, there is no communion. If no communion, then there is no walk.

3.  Meditate and Reflect. David said, "How blessed is the man who meditates in God's laws day and night." (Psalm 1:1,2)

4.  Remain Faithful To God Alone. God said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3)

5.  Receive Constructive Criticism. "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:5,6)  Remember, He's the potter, we're the clay.

Determine to practice these principles and maintain a steadfast walk with God through Christ Jesus.

NOW GO LIVE IT!

Walking With God - What Does This Mean For Us? (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

 

Wonderful and lasting results take place when we engage in a faithful, sincere and steadfast walk with God through Jesus Christ.

1.  There is no more enmity (hostility, hatred, antagonism) between God and man because it was put to death on the cross. (Eph. 2:11-22)

2.  We are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. What Adam lost (life with God) has been restored through Jesus. We have been brought back into fellowship with God and received the atonement. (Rom. 5:1-11)

3.  We now have an intimate and meaningful fellowship with Him. Christ has been confirmed (established) in our hearts, and we are not lacking in any gift; we are blameless. (1 Cor. 1:4-9)

4.  Progress and growth in our Christian lives. Peter exclaimed, "Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that you may grow in respect to salvation." (1 Peter 2:2; Eph. 4:11-16)

This is not a walk of carnality or religion, but a relationship with the Living God! Therefore, be determined to set your feet on a course of obedience and walk with Him into everlasting life.

NOW GO LIVE IT!