By headinxlouds65

Thanksgiving (and the month of November) is a time when so many people tell us on a daily basis what they are thankful for. I have never been one to jump on a bandwagon and I don’t plan to start now, but I do want to discuss with you, my readers, what I am thankful for.

I took the time to pray and reflect upon these things. I came up with a list of things that I am thankful for and I have presented that list below for you to read.

1. I am thankful for my children.
2. I am thankful for all the great friends in my life.
3. I am thankful for certain special people in my life.
4. I am thankful that I have been able to pick up the pieces of my life and move forward.
5. I am thankful that God has provided for me financially.
6. I am thankful for the relationships that have flourished.
7. I am thankful for the relationships that ended because they had to.
8. I am thankful for love.
9. I am thankful for happiness.
10. I am thankful my church

I am thankful for so many things. I could go on and on, but I think that top 10 list is more important to focus on so that’s where I shall leave it.

Thankfulness comes from God. This I know for certain.

What are you thankful for?

…read more

Source: My Growing Faith

    

By headinxlouds65

As we move into chapter 2 of The Story we see that God has called Abraham out of the darkness of pagan idolatry into the light and true fellowship. The way this all unfolds is so exemplary of God’s grace. Let’s take a look at how God Builds a Nation via chapter 2 of The Story.

How God Accomplishes His Purposes

God doesn’t always choose the easiest way to accomplish his purposes. Some of the time he chooses the most difficult way possible to accomplish his purposes. God does this to remind us who is in charge.

The story of Abraham is the perfect example of God being in charge and nothing and nobody can get in his way. God determined to build a nation, give them a promised land and bless other nations through this one. God’s plan is to deliver his word through this nation, reveal himself to them and bring his son to earth through them.

God could have done this with anyone, but he chose two people, a man and a woman, who were already past normal childbearing age.

Abraham Called Into God’s Promise

Joshua 24:2-3 tells us Abraham came from a pagan family:

2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. – Joshua 24:2-3

Abraham wound up looking to one God to meet his needs and that was counterintuitive to where he grew up. Where he grew up there were many gods that were worshipped.

Abraham Takes Things Into His Own Hands

The culture during Abraham’s time …read more

Source: My Growing Faith

    

By headinxlouds65

The Story begins with the story of creation. It reveals God, the main character of The Story, as the sovereign of creation, distinct from but intimately involved with all that He created. It reveals that nature is a carefully planned revelation of God’s love.

The first 9 chapters of the Bible raise some very serious questions. What kind of literature are these passages? How do the events described correspond with scientific theories? Are the days described actual 24 hour periods or ages of time? Was the flood local or global?

If we are serious about our study of the Bible we must seriously consider these questions. The answers give us insight into why the world is the way it is.

This first chapter describes the
Fall of Adam and Eve and the ramifications thereof. The Fall shows that while we often think our decisions don’t effect anyone else, when decisions are made in disobedience to God they can result in the death of a large group of people.

This chapter also reveals God as the supreme story teller.

The Great Flood shoes God being frustrated with His evil creation. This reminds me of what Paul said in Romans.

” For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)

God, who had just filled the world with living things, responds to a sinful people by sending them to their death. However, even in His wrath God finds the righteous and provides a safety net for them.

This first chapter of The Story gives us a great look at the main character and what He is all about. It also shows us our own limitations.

It is my prayer that I be taught humility from these stories. I wish to learn how to be more humble. I …read more

Source: My Growing Faith

    

By headinxlouds65

I sit here alone and wonder. Am I really alone? I got to thinking about the wonders of God.

“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!” (1 Chronicles 16:12, 13 ESV)

The reminder to remember the awesome works of God made me think. Why did God so these wondrous works for a selfish bunch of people?

“They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.” (Psalm 78:11 ESV)

How can people ever forget the wonders God shows them?

“therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”” (Isaiah 29:14 ESV)

God is ever faithful to do “wonder upon wonder” with the people.

“In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.” (Psalm 78:32 ESV)

The people experienced the wonders of God yet they still did not believe. This amazes me. Having struggled with my own belief I understand why people wouldn’t believe, but my own disbelief was due to a distinct lack of God’s presence in my life. I completely lost all sense of God being a part of my life. These people have seen His wonders yet they don’t believe and that boggles the mind.

“to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;” (Psalm 136:4 ESV)

Remember that God has a love that endures forever. Even if you turn your back on Him the love He has for you will not ever stop.

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Source: My Growing Faith

    

By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT

Source: Fitness Expose

    

By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT

Source: Fitness Expose

    

By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT

Source: Fitness Expose

    

By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT

Source: Fitness Expose

    

By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT

Source: Fitness Expose

    

By headinxlouds65

My church, Eastside Christian Church, is going through a book called The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story. It is somewhat controversial amongst Christians.

The Story takes the Bible and puts it in chronological order. It then goes straight through, but inserts counts and some summaries along the way. This is where some Christians seem to have am issue. They claim The Story changes the Bible. I say it makes it easier to understand. It gives people some motivation to read the entire Bible and to me that’s a good thing.

The actual text is not changed. They use the NIV and stay true to it. The notes help to clarify the points being made in the text. I highly recommend the companion book Exploring the Story: A Reference Companion as it explains everything and even provides discussion questions.

I am considering blogging about each chapter, but I am undecided as of now. Please come back and read this blog. I pray that God’s grace shines on you continuously.

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Source: My Growing Faith