Central Axis

2012-02-04T10:26:00.001-08:00

Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/AshCRogers

2012-02-02T15:18:00.001-08:00

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength” -Spurgeon

Encouragement To Singles

2012-01-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

A friend posted this article on facebook this morning and I found that it shared quite well what some single people wish married people knew: What Single People Wish Married People Knew

I am so thankful that the Lord knows His children's desires, hopes, and needs. So much more than we understand ourselves, He understands fully. And on top of that, He loves us and will bring out the best for us. What a hope we have in Christ!

One of many things I am learning as a single turning 25 in a few days, is that when the desire to be married to the man the Lord has for me weighs on my heart and mind, it causes me to cling to Christ. The desire to be married is not a sin. But, when it distracts us from our First Love, then we have turned it into an idol... and that is sin. We must repent and turn from that idol, and surrender to our Father. We may feel vulnerable submitting our deep desire to the Lord for His will, but be encouraged! Our heart in His hands is the most secure, safe, dependable place we could ever possibly be. Praise the Lord! In my experience, surrendering this desire has never been a one time "I'm content for life as a single" event. It is a continual surrender and dependency of trust declaration to the Lord. And then I go to the Word and remind myself of who God is. He is faithful, He loves me, He is good and His will for me is the best, He understands me more deeply than any other person on this earth, His will is perfect, He will accomplish what He wills, He is trust worthy, He is loyal, His grace sustains me, etc.

When we meditate on who He is and see ourselves for who we really are, and what He's done and doing in and for us, we can't help but thank and praise Him. And this is a tool the Lord uses to bring joy to our hearts.

If you're single, be encouraged and challenged! Our season of singleness is a gift given by God to us not to be wasted or regretted. Use this season for God's glory, keeping Him on the throne of your heart, walking each day... each moment in His light and truth.

Press on! Press in! Redeem the time!

Shahla Rahmati, free after 287 days in prison

2011-12-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

Shahla Rahmati, free after 287 days in prison

Shahla Rahmati

After more than nine months in prison, Shahla Rahmati, a devout Christian for nearly thirty years, is now free and at home. She was released on December 20^th 2011.

Shahla Rahmati was arrested on March 9^th 2011 and after several days of questioning moved to Section 209 of Tehran's Evin Prison for interrogation. She was kept here for three months; this included six weeks in solitary confinement. She was then moved to an overcrowded cell which she shared with about 80 hardened criminals and drug addicts. Here her health deteriorated. Her blood pressure dropped to very low levels. On November 17^th 2011 Shahla Rahmati, a director of a successful electronics company, was given a three-year custodial sentence. Her lawyer appealed, but she stayed behind bars.

Shahla Rahmati has been acquitted of all charges. Her family thanks all Christians for their faithful intercession for her release. Shahla Rahmati needs immediate medical attention as her blood pressure is still dangerously low.

Farshid

Fathi-Malayeri

While Shahla Rhamati has been freed, a number of other Christians are still in prision. Farshid Fathi-Malayeri, an enthusiastic church leader and father of two young children was arrested on December 26^th 2011 and still has to appear in court. He has been mainly kept in solitary confinement.

Youcef Nadarkhani, whose case has received international media attention, is also still in prison. The latest news is that he is to be kept behind bars for one more year in the hope he will deny his faith in Christ.

As well as those actually in prison, there are three Christians who have been sentenced to three years imprisonment for 'sacrilege'. They have paid bail to

Youcef Nadarkhani

be out of prison while their appeal is heard. There are over twenty other Christians who are also out on bail while they wait for their first court appearance. There are many other Christians undergoing severe persecution.

While Christians rejoice at the release of Shahla Rahmati, fervent

intercession is needed for the others to also join their families for Christmas this year.

Prayer should go on till there is complete freedom for the church in Iran.

Pray for

Comfort and physical healing for Shahla Rahmati, and her family
Release of Farshid Fathi-Malayeri, Yousef Nadarkhani, and others
Charges to be dropped against all other Christians facing trial.
Softening of the hearts of those in authority.

Thank you for praying

Elam Ministries

Part 1. The Power of Communication

2011-12-13T14:16:00.000-08:00

Words are a gift. To speak is a privilege. To listen is an honor.

How do we impact those around us with our words, the way we communicate, and the way we listen?

Part 3. Taking Time To Dwell

2011-12-02T10:08:00.000-08:00

I just finished studying the Gospel of Mark and found that the Lord was showing me in nearly every chapter that Jesus took time to rest and pray. Even when multitudes flocked about Him, stalked Him, towns wanted healing, religious leaders challenging Him... He made it a priority to go to a deserted place to rest and pray.

This challenged me and inspired me.

If Jesus took time to rest and pray, then I should be able to make time to rest and pray.

When we rest in the Lord's presence and commune with Him, the tasks in our day, our ministries, jobs, etc, are done with the right mindset, in the strength of the Lord, trusting Him with the outcome, doing our utmost for His highest. And, honestly, it seems that our days go so much better!

Thank you, Lord for calling me to rest and dwell in your presence. Help me to take the time to dwell in your presence away from my to-do lists, tasks, and schedule - to take time to be just with You. Thank you for setting the example for me. May no thing take priority over You in my life.

The Refreshing Seriousness of Tim Tebow

2011-11-28T19:34:00.000-08:00

It is always inspiring to me to hear about Christians who are shining the light of Christ no matter the opposition. Great article about Tim Tebow! Be praying for this brother as He represents Christ on and off the football field! To view the article: The Refreshing Seriousness of Tim Tebow

Part 2. Setting Aside Time to Dwell

2011-11-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

I have often heard it said to mothers, "It's ok if you don't have time to read your Bible or pray. You're just not in that season". You may be thinking, "I'm not a mother" or "I'm not married, so how does this post have anything to do with me?". I'm not either, but we all have seasons in our lives, whether our work, ministry, family, spouse, community, etc, that cause our schedules to be packed full to the point where even eating our meal is on the run. So whether we're a parent, spouse, single, daughter, son, employee, minister, etc, we can all be challenged to spend time with the Lord in our crazy schedules.

The Lord is so good so as to bless us with technology at our finger tips. We can download a Bible app on our phones so we can read or listen to it on the bus to school, drive to work, on break, listen to it while we exercise, take care of our families, wash the dishes, etc. We have computers, stereos, ipods we can listen to the Bible or sermons. We can wash ourselves in the word even when it seems there's no time.

"But when do I have time to pray?" The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing. Wow, that's a lot of prayer! Think about it... you can pray while you wash dishes, do housework, drive to work or school, pray when you go to sleep, pray while you work out, pray while you're at work, etc... Nehemiah sent up an arrow prayer when the King asked him a question and needed wisdom in how to respond. This takes practice, but it is such a blessing to know that the Lord hears our prayers and is not limited by our arrow prayers or set aside times of prayer.

Mothers, quick shout out! I so admire my Mom. During those midnight, early morning, daytime nursings with 5 children, she listened to the Bible, prayed, and memorized Scripture. You can do it too! :)

The Bible says we cannot live on bread alone. We must live on the bread of the Word. Prayer is our communication line with God. Just as it is crucial for soldier to be in contact with his officer on the battle field, so it is crucial for a Christian to be in communication with their Lord.

Be encouraged! The Lord always provides away!

The Rogers Clan Takes The Beach: Photos!

2011-11-22T21:45:00.000-08:00

Photos are up! Check them out: Focal Clarity

The Rogers Clan Takes To The Beach

2011-11-19T11:55:00.000-08:00

My family and I arrived home last night after 4 days at the beach. You can always depend on Oregon beach weather to be undependable. We arrived on Tuesday with the sun shining, so we promptly unloaded the car and took to the sands… my camera in hand. I love walking on the beach when the sun sets on a sunny day, especially when a storm is coming and you can see it intimidate the horizon. For the remainder of our time, we made wild dashes onto the beach during sun breaks and power walked in the rain. Yes, we are hard core! Nothing like racing the storm, being soaked, and welcomed by a warm fire, hot chocolate, and family games. We had a lovely time… Praising the Lord for beach vacations!

Photos coming soon to my photography site: www.focalclarity.wordpress.com!

Now On Twitter!

2011-11-14T15:44:00.000-08:00

I have joined the world of Twitter! Follow me at: http://twitter.com/#!/AshCRogers

Part 1. Setting Aside Time To Dwell

2011-11-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

In our long to-do lists, technology at our finger tips, and fast paced world, it takes discipline to set aside focused time with the Lord. For some, the idea of blocking out the never ending to-do list is just added stress and distraction while we commune with the Lord. Or maybe our schedules are so completely booked that time with the Lord and surrendering to our Savior is a burden. And that little, convenient communications device called our phones, seems to alert us to something as soon as we sit down with the Bible in hand.

What do we do?

This is not a formula or an added checklist item to apply daily, but rather things that have helped me.
a.) Write down your to-do list & schedule at the beginning of your day. If you have to, plan it on a time management schedule. When I'm in the midst of coordinating or promoting an event, and usually there are several going on at the same time, I assign to-do items by time and I'm realistic with what is a healthy amount of items. When it's scheduled out, which doesn't take that long, then you see it and have it mapped out so it's not whirling in your head. Don't stress about it! Now rest in your time with the Lord.

b.) Get up early and have your time with the Lord before you leave your room. Don't look at your phone, don't write your to-do list, don't turn on the computer, nothing that could distract. This one is my goal. :) I'm not a morning person, but I find that if I have my time with the Lord before I look at the day ahead, I'm better able to accomplish what the Lord wants me to accomplish without stressing out.

This may look differently for others. A majority, if not all of the events I work on, are Gospel outreaches or for equipping the Saints. I have found that those who are in ministry, tend to be attacked the hardest by Satan. So, when I'm in the midst of an event season, I try to make it a priority to set aside multiple times with the Lord - in the morning before I do anything else, a break in the mid-afternoon, and the last thing before I close my eyes in sleep. Yes, it can be very difficult when you're booked to the second, but... our priority should be Christ. And when we are focused on Him.... and re-focused on Him, we will be more aware of the enemy's attacks, we'll be more effective, we will glorify the Lord because we will be dependent on His strength and not our own, and we'll be refreshed in the midst of the craziness around us.

c.) Ask the Lord if you have too much on your to-do list & schedule. He may want you to say no to somethings or re-prioritize. It's hard to say no... But, surrendering your schedule to the Lord is best. Believe me, He will have His way in your life one way or the other. :)

How can I just block out my to-do list & schedule during my time with the Lord? It's at the front of my mind!

I struggle with this sometimes too. So, I separate myself from what is distracting by going on a prayer walk. Or, if my phone is distracting me, put it in a different room. If computer, turn it off. I love walks, so usually this is my first choice when I'm feeling distracted. :) I usually bring my Bible or the verses I'm memorizing with me. If I go on a longer walk, I bring my ipod to listen to a sermon or wash myself in praise music.

The Lord knows our anxieties, our needs and desires, our priorities and distractions. Thank you Lord for Your grace and mercy, Your strength and goodness towards us! Help us to take the time to be with You; to dwell and rest in your presence, to be washed in the Word, to pour out our hearts before You, to seek Your face and listen, and to worship You and delight in You. We praise You for granting us free access into Your presence as Believers, and the grace, mercy, and love You pour out upon us as we dwell at Your feet!

A Taste of Heaven

2011-11-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my church, Gresham Household of Faith joined the Mt. Hood Household of Faith for their service and my family was asked to lead worship. It was an a.m.a.z.i.n.g time! Hearing so many voices joined together in worship of our Savior, I felt like I was in the throne room of the Lord. Then we sang the last chorus acapella... it was like all the burdens of this world were washed away...

Who has held the oceans in His hand?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice.
All creation rises to rejoice.

Behold our God
Seated on His throne
Come Let Us Adore Him
Behold our King, nothing can compare.
Come let us adore Him!

Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the one who know all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Who has felt the nails upon His hands?
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal, humbled to the grave.
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign.

You will reign forever! Let Your glory fill the earth.

Behold our God seated on His throne.
Come let us adore Him.
Behold our King, nothing can compare.
Come let us adore Him!

We worship an awesome God who is worthy of all our praise and who deserves all the glory!

Thank you, Lord for declaring your goodness to me in giving me a taste of heaven...

A Day Like Today...

2011-11-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

Days like today are my favorite fall days…

Hot apple cider simmering on the stove filling the house with spicy aromas.

Fire roaring in the big stone fireplace.

Homemade chocolate.

Booking shoots.

Reading the Bible and Systematic Theology.

Playing Backgamon with my sister.

Detail painting in our backroom without getting paint all over myself. Yes, I’m very proud of myself.

A walk in the sun talking to the Lord. Here’s a glimpse!

Redeeming Halloween

2011-10-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

Many Christians don't know the meaning behind Halloween so below is a very brief history of Halloween and then an encouragement to redeem it for Christ. But first a quick note; some Christians may be offended by this post, so for those who are offended, please read the full post and ask the Lord how you should respond. This post is not meant to judge a Christian for dressing up or wanting candy, but rather to make Christians aware and know how to redeem this Halloween.

Halloween at its roots is a pagan holiday which began 2,000 years ago by the Celts. In an article, of many online, it gives a brief background.

"They believed the night before the New Year (Nov. 1 when the harvest season ended and the cruel winter began) that the wall between the living and the dead was open, allowing spirits of the dead, both good and bad, to mingle among the living. Some of these spirits were thought to possess living people, cause trouble, ruin crops, or to search for passage to the afterlife.

Samhain (Halloween it was later named) was considered a magical holiday, and there are many stories about what the Celtics practiced and believed during this festival. Some say the spirits that were unleashed were those that had died in that year, and offerings of food and drink (sometimes child sacrifices) were left to aid the spirits, or to ward them away . Other versions say the Celts dressed up in outlandish costumes and roamed the neighborhoods making noise to scare the spirits away. Many thought they could predict the future and communicate with spirits as well during this time."

What can we do as Christians to turn a day that is centered on Satan into a day for Christ?

When "trick-or-treaters" come to your door looking for candy, use that opportunity to share Christ! My family likes to give a Gospel tract with a piece of candy to every person who knocks on our door. When we plan ahead, we've set up a "booth" by a supporting business (with their permission), when our city does a business-wide trick-or-treat event for the community. As people come by us, we give them candy and a Gospel tract.

What a great opportunity to share the Gospel! And... the Lord is bringing them to OUR door! Take advantage of Halloween by taking ground for Christ.

In His Image

2011-10-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

In my quiet time with the Lord today, the Lord was reminding me how awe-some His is in that He created us in His image. I was reading a few chapters in Psalms and this verse jumped off the page...

"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness." - Psalm 17:15

We will see His face.

Be completely satisfied.

We will be in His likeness when we see Him face to face.

"And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man." - 1 Cor. 15:49

What an incredible, mind blowing hope! Not a hope that is unfounded... but a hope that is founded on the Creator of the world - our Savior.

Not only did He remind me of this truth through His word, but when I started reading today's portion of Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology, it was on the Image of God... I love how the Lord plans the details!

Grudems says it well, "The amazing promise of the New Testament is that just as we have been like Adam (subject to death and sin), we shall also be like Christ (morally pure, never subject to death again): The full measure of our creation in the image of God is not seen in the life of Adam who sinned, nor is it seen in our lives now, for we are imperfect. But the New Testament emphasizes that God's purpose in creating man in His image was completely realized in the person of Jesus Christ. He Himself 'is the image of God' (2 Cor. 4:4); 'He is the image of the invisible God' (Col. 1:15). In Jesus we see human likeness to God as it was intended to be, and it should cause us to rejoice that God has predestined us 'to be conformed to the image of His Son' (Rom. 8:29): 'When He appears we shall be like Him' (1 John 3:2)."

"Finish, then Thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be; let us see Thy great salvation perfectly restored in Thee: changed from glory into glory, till in heav'n we take our place, till we cast our crowns before t\Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise." - Charles Wesley

My Family

2011-10-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Introducing my family! Two things about us... we love Jesus and each other.

Between our goofy photos, dodging horses, and managing a tripod and reflector in our neighbors field, we managed to get some “more serious” photos. We have too much fun together. :)

Why Should We Give God Glory?

2011-10-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

This week I'm studying Chapter 21: The Creation of Man, written by Wayne Grudem in his book, Systematic Theology. The first few pages of this chapter have been packed full. I and have found them to be a good reminder. As creatures created by God in His image, we are to glorify Him in all areas and aspects of life. Some Christians may say, "wow, that's a bit radical and demanding", but when we read God's word, and we learn more of who God is and who we are, our response should be a desire to glorify Him.

Let's break it down...

1. Why Was Man (Humankind) Created?

Isaiah 43:7, "Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

1 Cor. 10:31, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to the glory of God."

Grudem states, "When we first realize that God did not need to create us and does not need us for anything, we could conclude that our lives have no importance at all. But Scripture tells us that we were created to glorify God, indicating that we are important to God Himself. This is the final definition of genuine importance or significance to our lives: If we are truly important to God for all eternity, then what greater measure of importance or significance could we want?"

What an honor and privilege it is to have this as our life purpose!

We cannot glorify God in and of ourselves, we must be saved by God's grace. We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In this, we will enjoy God and take joy and abundant delight in Him. Our relationship with Him will deepen, we will be more effective in our callings, we will be blessed and our love and delight in Him will deepen when we seek to glorify God in the grace and strength He provides. When we delight ourselves in Him, He rejoices over us.

Isaiah 62:5, "...and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."

Zeph. 3:17, "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will rejoice over you with singing."

God’s delight in our delight in Him glorifies Him.

When we live in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord, it glorifies Him; whether it's at home, at work, in ministry, the church, our relationships, the world, etc - in word, thought, and action. Our mindset should be in all things, does this bring God glory? Does this please Him?

Col. 3:1-4, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

We could dive in so much more deeply, but this post would be too long if I were to write it all down. If you would like more information on this topic, check out Grudem's Systematic Theology, Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris, and Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper.

In closing, Grudem sums it up well, "But when God takes glory to Himself, from whom is He robbing glory? Is there anyone who deserves glory more than He does? Certainly not! He is the Creator, He made all things, and He deserves all glory. He is worthy of receiving glory. Man may not seek glory for himself, but in this case what is wrong for man is right for God, because He is the Creator. It is right, not wrong, the He be glorified - in fact, if He did not receive glory from all creatures in the universe, that would be horribly wrong!"

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created." - Rev. 4:11

Mary & Martha

2011-10-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

I just finished listening to a very convicting sermon by Mark Driscoll called "Mary & Martha". A must listen to!

For the audio version: Mary & Martha
For Video version: Mary & Martha

Are you Mary or Martha? Mary’s contemplative; Martha’s active. Mary’s about being; Martha’s about doing. Martha thought she was going to serve Jesus the good portion, but Mary chose the good portion. Jesus is our good portion that will never be taken away. A meal is temporary, but time with Jesus is a gift that lasts forever.
We live in a Martha world; we’re troubled, we’re anxious, and we’re distracted. But God built this world to be a Mary world with Martha moments. When sin entered the world, it turned into a Martha world in which we have to fight for Mary moments. The rhythm of our day is supposed to be Mary first, then Martha. Spend time with Jesus, then get stuff done. Worship like Mary, then work like Martha. Worship God before you work so that you can worship God in your work. We want Mary’s heart and Martha’s hands.

The Final Rebelution Conference... Baton Rouge, LA

2011-10-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

Wow. That pretty much is the final Rebelution Conference summed up. I've been working/serving with the Rebelution for about 3 yrs and have known it's founders for 6. They're family. It was an amazing experience to be able to serve with them and share the Final Rebelution Conference with them in Baton Rouge, LA this past weekend.
The Rebelution has been touring the United States since 2006 challenging teenagers to rebel against the low expectations of our culture by doing hard things for the glory of God. The Lord has used this ministry to change lives and it was an honor to see 190 people stand and declare "Jesus Christ is Lord" at the Final Conference.

It was a bitter sweet time. Saying goodbye to new friends and old is so hard, but I pray that we'll meet again on this earth.

Thank you Lord for the honor to serve with such amazing people in so many locations across the United States. To make new friends and dig deeper with old friends. To be able to see hundreds... thousand of people over the years join Your family. To be able to pray with a new brothers and sister and hug and cry together. To be able to worship with so many people in one place and hear your Gospel spoken. To see young people rebel against low expectations and step up to the plate. To see families reunited. To see pastors inspired and equipped. To see lives changed.

Lord, I am overwhelmed by your goodness and blessing. Thank you. I can't wait to be reunited with all the new Believers in Heaven and worship You together for eternity.

For He Is With Me

2011-10-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

"The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You, they were afraid; the depths also trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out a sound; Your arrows also flashed about. The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not know. You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." - Psalm 77:16-20

In our family devotions yesterday morning, Mom shared how, to her, this passage applied to our lives as Christians. Walking the straight and narrow path is hard. The sanctification process is painful. This world is filled with temptations and fearful things. The enemy takes every opportunity to get a foothold. But, in the midst of all this... God goes before us and prepares your path. Though there is pain and trail, the Lord leads us like a shepherd His flock. He holds us, helps us, and comforts us. He never leaves or forsakes us. What a beautiful image to meditate on! What great peace it brings!

"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you." - Is. 41:13

"But now, thus says the Lord who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel:
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior'." - Is. 43:1-3

The guarantee....

"Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised.
There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses." - 1 Kings 8:56

Wow! What unfathomable grace, mercy, and love He pours out on His people! This is something... even in the valley of the shadow of death, we have cause to rejoice and be thankful for -- therefore, I fear no evil, for He is with me.

How Does God’s Grace Meet You In Your Sufferings?

2011-10-07T11:15:00.001-07:00

“We can make the right answer sound old hat, but I guarantee this: God will surprise you. He will make you stop. You will struggle. He will bring you up short. You will hurt. He will take his time. You will grow in faith and in love. He will deeply delight you. You will find the process harder than you ever imagined – and better. Goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life. No matter how many times you’ve heard it, no matter how long you’ve known it, no matter how well you can say it, God’s answer will come to mean something better than you could ever imagine.”

Please Pray for Pastor Youcef: Urgent!

2011-10-04T21:01:00.000-07:00

Youcef is the pastor of a house church in Rasht, Iran, and was arrested in October 2009 for opposing the education practice that forces non-Muslim students to read the Quran in school. Youcef had argued that the Iranian constitution permits children to be raised in their parents' faith; however, for defying Iranian authorities, Youcef was charged with apostasy.

Iranian officials used pressure tactics during Youcef's imprisonment as an attempt to coerce him to renounce his Christian beliefs, which included arresting his wife and threatening to seize his children. Still, Youcef remained firm in his faith, refusing to deny the name of his Savior Jesus Christ.

On September 22, 2010, Youcef was issued the death sentence for his conversion to Christianity and for encouraging the conversions of other Muslims. Youcef appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Iran, claiming he had never been a Muslim and therefore could not be found guilty of apostasy. However, a written verdict upholding the death penalty and ordering an investigation was handed down on June 12. A reexamination of the case to determine whether Nadarkhani will live or die began on Sunday and has continued for the past two days. Early this morning, Youcef refused to deny his faith for the fourth time in court. Technically, he must only be granted three opportunities to return to Islam before he can be executed for apostasy.

Throughout his imprisonment, Youcef has trusted in the Lord and has been a bold witness of the redeeming work of Christ in his life.

“The United States condemns the conviction of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. Pastor Nadarkhani has done nothing more than maintain his devout faith, which is a universal right for all people.

That the Iranian authorities would try to force him to renounce that faith violates the religious values they claim to defend, crosses all bounds of decency, and breaches Iran's own international obligations.
A decision to impose the death penalty would further demonstrate the Iranian authorities' utter disregard for religious freedom, and highlight Iran's continuing violation of the universal rights of its citizens.

We call upon the Iranian authorities to release Pastor Nadarkhani, and demonstrate a commitment to basic, universal human rights, including freedom of religion”, states White House spokesman Jay Carney.

Please pray for Pastor Youcef! Pray for our government’s continued support of Pastor Youcef and that Iran will release him.

A Special Announcement!

2011-09-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well... It's been a while since I last posted... I'm sorry. I've been c-razy busy and life seems to whirl bye! Sometimes I feel I might blow away... or be one of those people you see on the tele who are suspended in the air and desperately holding onto a lamp post! Oh my!

"What could make you SO busy?", you may ask.

I'll tell you in main events and happenings in the briefest way... No, that won't do. How 'bout I tell you a very special announcement. It's something I've had a heart for since September 2010... and I have fallen in love with it.

Today I am launching my photography studio called Focal Clarity!

I am so incredibly excited! After a year of practice and attending a special photography school, the Lord said "it's time". So, to see what all the excitement is about, visit my website 'Focal Clarity', make the Focal Clarity Blog apart of your regular reading habits and join in the fun! I've also set up a page on facebook, so please stop by and "like" it: Focal Clarity Facebook Page

The Lord has astounded my with His favor on this and even in the little things. For example... I have a love/hate relationship with technology. Simple things like making a header an image, creating an image with text in Lightroom, creating pages and sub pages... ::brain melting:: But, in spite of these struggles the Lord made away. He helped me make it happen! Thank you, Lord!

Urgent: Asia Bibi

2011-09-05T17:35:00.001-07:00

Asia Bibi is a Christian wife and mother awaiting execution in a Pakistani prison. She was accused by Muslim coworkers of blasphemy. More than 150,000 Christians in Pakistan signed a petition protesting the injustice against Asia and other Christians in their nation. Now there's a way for people around the world to add their voices to those Pakistani voices, through an online petition at www.CallForMercy.com.

I just signed the petition, and I hope that you'll click on the link and sign as well. As of today, 236,368 people have signed. The goal is to have one million signatures to deliver to the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC.

Please add your name and speak out on behalf of Asia Bibi.

2011-09-01T09:39:00.001-07:00

To all my friends who wonder where all the good men are and if it's worth trying to be a good woman. Here's what Cory has to say. It's beautiful. So read it! The Good Girls

2011-08-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Great blog post! I found this to be a great encouragement and reminder: Far Ahead

The Cross

2011-08-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

"He [God] laid aside His immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in the light of His. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we boldly stamp another mark, the cross that symbolizes divine suffering." - John Stott

Thank you Lord for suffering in my place... taking my deserved punishment upon Yourself, dying that I may live, and rising from the grave with power over sin and death. Thank you for saving me. Glory alone to God.

Final Rebelution Tour: Portland, OR - Altar Call Recap In Photo

2011-08-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

The Rebelution is a Christian movement for young adults around the world. It is a call to teenagers to rebel against the low expectations of our culture and Do Hard Things for the glory of God. The teen years don’t mean kicking back and being a child forever!

110+ teens and parents declared "Jesus is Lord" at the Portland Rebelution Conference. Praise the Lord! Below is a recap of the altar call in photo.

You Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets

2011-07-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

I love this song! The love of Christ for a sinner such as I, brings me to my face before Him. Thank you, Lord, for loving me anyway.

Unfortunately, the embedding code isn't available, so click on the link to view the video (probably the best Christian music/worship video I've seen): You Love Me Anyway

Lyrics are below:

The question was raised
As my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn’t mean much
But it lingers still
In the corners of my mind

Still you call me to walk
On the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future’s so far
My heart is so frail
I think I’d rather stay inside

But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me

It took more than my strength
To simply be still
To seek but never find
All the reasons we change
The reasons I doubt
And why do loved ones have to die?

But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me

I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas’ kiss
But You love me anyway

See now, I am the man that called out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground
Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life

But You love me anyway
Oh, God… how you love me

You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me

You love me, You love me
You love me, You love me
How You love me
How You love me
How You love me

2011-07-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

"And his faith upholds him under all trials, by assuring him that every dispensation is under the direction of his Lord; that chastisements are a token of his love; that the season, measure, and continuance of his sufferings, are appointed by Infinite Wisdom, and designed to work for his everlasting good; and that grace and strength shall be afforded him, according to his day." - John Newton

Singled Out For Him - In Light Of Eternity

2011-07-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

"Henrietta Mears was a single woman of the past generation whose life and ministry challenged literally thousands of college students to devote 'the whole of their lives' to Jesus Christ....

'I have come back from Europe and South America with an overwhelming sense of the crisis hour in which we live. The needs of the world are appalling. I believe that you are a young man of destiny, for who knows but that 'you have come into the kingdom for just such a time as this'. I believe God has made no mistake and that He has a plan for you in this hour. As never before God is calling for expendables. He is watching for men to match the mountains of opportunity; He is looking for youth who will say, 'I will face this hour and find my place in it, and if I perish, I perish'. We need men who will put God first.

... I would that we had young men driven along by a mighty vision of what God could do if only He possessed them. I believe young men of today are going to do things that will stagger this generation, but all this will pass. We must have young men to deal with things not of time, but of eternity.' - Henrietta Mears

Miss Mears had grasped the heart of the Apostle Paul's message to the Corinthians. She understood that we have not been put here on earth to be happy or to fulfill ourselves, but to love and serve the Lord Jesus with all our heart, strength, mind, and soul. To be possessed by Him, to live our lives in the light of eternity, to be His willing bondservants - that is to fulfill the purpose for which we were created and to know the greatest possible joy in this life and the next. " - Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Singled Out For Him

Though Miss Mears addresses young men in her above letter, I believe it can be applicable for young ladies as well. As God's people, we must live in light of eternity - having 'eternity' stamped upon our eyes.

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." - Colossians 3: 1-4

Fully Surrendered

2011-07-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be fully surrendered?

It means giving all... our needs, our hopes, our desires... everything to the Lordship and care of Jesus Christ.

Nothing held back.

"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours!" - David Livingstone

It reminds me of Matthew 10:37-39, "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. he who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."

For many years, I struggled with this passage. I felt it harsh and didn't understand its meaning.

This past year, the Lord opened my eyes to see its deeper meaning.

Our love for Christ should be so grand, so radical, so fully surrendered, that our love for our parents, children, husband, wife... those things on this earth we love most, should look like hate in comparison. That is a love not of this world and a love the demands full surrender. I struggle in this. There are people and things in this world I love, desire, and hope for, BUT... because of Christ's love for me and the unearthly love I have for Him (given to me by Him), I must fully surrender ALL.

It is hard to fully surrender, but what a faithful, loving, gracious, merciful, patient Lord we have, who knows our every desire, hope, and need.

Spurgeon says it well:

“Jesus, spotless Lamb of God,
You have bought me with Your blood.
I would value nothing beside Jesus—
Jesus crucified!

I am Yours and Yours alone.
This I gladly, fully own.
And, in all my works and ways,
Only now would seek Your praise.”

Next, this Truth of God should create in us a longing after the greatest holiness, for we should say, “Did sin kill my Savior? Then I will kill sin! Could I not be saved from sin except by His precious blood? Then, O sin, I will be revenged upon you! I will drive you out by the help of God’s Spirit! I will not endure you, nor harbor you. I will make no provision for the flesh. As sin was the death of Christ for me, so Christ shall be the death of sin in me.” Does not this inspire you with great love for the Lord Jesus? Can you look at His dear wounds and not be wounded with love for Him? Are not His wounds as mouths which plead with you to yield Him all your hearts? Can you gaze upon His face, wet with bloody sweat, and then go away and be ensnared with the world’s painted beauties? Heard you ever of a ruler dressed in such robes of love as those which Jesus wore? Did ever Love use such sacred means to win the beloved heart as Christ has done? What can any one of us do but answer Him thus ---

“Here, Lord, I give myself away,
‘Tis all that I can do".

2011-07-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." - Psalm 62:8

"I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me." - Psalm 57:2

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass... Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." - Psalm 37:4-5, 7a

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked Him." - 1 John 5:14-15

"Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You." - Jeremiah 32:17

Holding Loosely

2011-07-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

I found this article to be convicting and encouraging. Enjoy!
-----

"When you think you've found something, give it to God. If it was meant to be yours, He'll give it back to you at the right time."

I heard this quote over a year ago. It can apply to so many things in life. Hopes, dreams, relationships, friendships.

We got news today that was very hard and disappointing. It was something I'd talked of, written about, hoped for, and dreamed of that now won't be able to happen. Disappointment really isn't a strong enough word. There's an ache. And while I still know the truth that God has a great and loving plan, it still hurts. And I'm reminded to hold loosely to everything, letting God move me.

There are so many things in life we hold on to. Maybe they're things like possessions, money, a house. Maybe it's our friends. Or family. Maybe it's simply a future hope, a dream. But no matter what it is, it is never the right thing to hold. Possessions will fall away. Money will be gone in a blink. Even our friends and family will never be able to support us every single time. God wants us to hold loosely to everything and everyone so that we can instead hold tightly to Him...

To read the rest of this article, please visit: Holding Loosely

2011-07-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

"Beware of hurry. Beholding glory begs for lingering." - John Piper

The Definition of Love

2011-06-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, Mr. Harris was preaching on "The Definition of Love" based on 1 Cor. 13:4-8a. He shared that sometimes when we read certain passages all the time, we think we've learned what there is to learn about it. He said that 1 Corinthians 13, the "Love Chapter" is usually one of those passages. We read it like a poem. I've done that...

So, Mr. Harris broke it down and the Lord opened my eyes to new facets of that chapter. (I love it when He does that!)

Love is patient and kind;
Love does not envy or boast;
Love is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way;
Love is not irritable or resentful;
Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but instead, love rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

What does this look like in my life; in my relationship with my family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church family, etc?

"The characteristics of love are spelled out by Paul in first Corinthians 13. Love is shown in patience and kindness-not in jealousy, pride, arrogance, rudeness, insistence, irritability, resentment, or a sense of getting even. In other words, real love is not self-centered, but is willing to sacrifice its own desires for the good of others. It is this sense of self sacrifice for others-modeled by Christ's sacrifice for us-that lies at the heart of Paul's understanding of what real love is." - Dictionary of Paul and His Letters by Inter Varsity Press

God. Is. Love.

Love is the more excellent way. But Paul defines love in ways that expose and rebuke our sinful flesh. It is for the sin that Jesus died and rose from the dead.

1 John 4:8, "anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

This kind of love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

1 John 4:16, "So we have come to know and to believe the love that Gos had for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

"We can't produce this kind of love in ourselves.

We must be born again from above." - Gregg Harris

He Is Enough

2011-06-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

There are seasons in my life when it seems that life can't get any crazier... There are days when I feel my cup is less than half full and like God's grace is barely making it through the whole day. These are times when I have to remind myself of the basics...

God. Is. Sufficient.
God's. Grace. Is. Enough.
When life feels out of control, God is always in control.
God. Is. Good.
God's. Grace. Is. Sufficient.
God. Is. Sovereign.
He knows my every need.
He sees every tear.
He Provides.
He's my solid rock.
My hope is in Christ alone.
God is faithful.
God loves me.
His mercies are new every morning.
His compassions fail not.
He can move mountains.
He is mighty to save.
He is my peace.
He will never let me down.
He understands my thought afar off.
He knows me.
He knows my sitting down and my rising up.

And it goes on...

God gives me the exact amount of grace I need each day... each moment. It's like Manna... You can't store it and save it for another day. He gives me grace for today.

When the days are uncertain and the future is unknown, God always knows. And I can trust Him.

Lord, help me set my eyes like flint and gaze upon You. When things in life... in this world, are shaken, You hold me. I cast my burdens on you for I know you will sustain me. Your word says, You shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Help me not to be like Peter and be distracted by the storm and waves, but rather be focused on You. Help me be still in Your presence, delight in You, and surrender all into Your care. Gird me up according to the power of Your might and give me grace to live this life You've given me for your glory and pleasure. So that, when I see you face to face, I may hear "Well done, good and faithful servant".

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2

2011-06-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

This morning as part of my devotional time with the Lord, He brought the below songs to mind. I'm thankful the Lord doesn't mind my piano playing. :) It is such a blessing and gift that the Lord grants us access into His throne room to worship Him. Thank you, Lord!

Water you turned into wine

Opened the eyes of the blind

There’s no one like you

None like you

Into the darkness you shine

Out of the ashes we rise

There is no one like you

None like you

Our God is greater

Our God is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our God is Healer

Awesome in power

Our God, Our God

And if our God is for us

Then who could ever stop us

And if our God is with us

Then what could stand against

Beholding Your beauty is all that I long for

To worship You Jesus is my sole desire

For this very heart You have shaped for Your pleasure

Purposed to lift Your Name higher

Here is surrender in pure adoration

I enter Your courts with an offering of praise

I am Your servant come to bring You glory

As is fit for the works of Your hands

Now unto the Lamb who sits on the throne

Be glory and honor and praise

All of creation resounds with the song

Worship and praise Him the Lord of lords

Spirit now living and dwelling within me

Keep my eyes fixed ever on Jesus' face

Let not the things of this world ever sway me

I'll fun 'til I finish the race

Holy Lord, You are holy

Jesus Christ is the Lord

Lord of lords

Cello Coolness

2011-06-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

Focusing On Christ

2011-06-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

"It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day?... Dare to have it out with God... and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His glory...

How do we bring things to a focus in the world of optics? Not by looking at the things to be dropped, but by looking at the one point that is to be brought out. Turn your soul's vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him." - Lilias Trotter

Life's Dashboard... Overcoming Anxiety

2011-06-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

I was challenged by this past Sunday's sermon on how to overcome anxiety.

What is anxiety? In one word... Unbelief. Yes, unbelief in God. That one was a hard hitting reminder for me. But, it's true. When we are anxious about a circumstance we're going through or what the future holds, we are, in essence, doubting God's sovereignty and sufficiency in our lives.

Pictures this....

You're siting in the car of life.

In front of you is your life's dashboard.

On that dashboard is a blaring red, lite up, warning light.

You look closely at that blaring warning light and it says in black bold letters... ANXIETY.

What do you do???

Well, what would you do if a warning light goes on in your real car? You find the problem and fix it.

So it is with our life car. When that anxiety warning light goes on, we have to address it. By God's grace and power, we fix it.

A few points from the sermon:

- Understand that anxiety is an attack on your faith.
- Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."
- 1 Peter 5:7, "... casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."
- It is not a matter of never being anxious, but how to handle anxiety when it comes.

How do I get rid of the anxiety?

- Ask yourself: What is making me anxious? Why? Be honest with yourself.
- Confess it to the Lord and repent. Surrender it to Him.
- Affirm the lordship of Jesus Christ in your situation.
- Remind yourself of the promises in God's word.
- Pray and rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Follow up action plan...

Have memorized scripture in your arsenal. When you start to feel anxious; submit to the Lord, resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7). The word of the Lord is a double edged sword (Heb. 4:12). Arm yourself with the armor of God (Eph. 6). And stand (Eph 6:13).

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Phil. 4:6-7

2011 Pictures In The Park Outreach

2011-05-31T16:52:00.000-07:00

Pictures in the Park presents: A free family-friendly movie night in Gresham Center for the Arts Plaza (401 NE Second St. Gresham, OR) every Friday in August (5, 12, 19, 26) beginning at 7PM. Bring a picnic and come join us for live music, refreshments, and a family-friendly movie! Live music begins at 7PM and the movie begins at dusk. During the event, we present the Good News of Salvation and forgiveness of sins. This is a great opportunity to bring friends and family!

Our vision with this event is to give you an easy way to evangelize Gresham. There will be a Gospel presentation during the show. We organize this event so that you will have an opportunity to tell people about Jesus. Last year around 2400 people heard the Good News about Jesus through this outreach. Praise the Lord!

To make this event a success, we need your help! Areas of need are: Passing out fliers to your unsaved friends and neighbors, help with setup, serve drinks and popcorn, help with tear-down and cleanup, pass out tracts, be on the prayer team, strike up conversations with people that come and share the Good News!

If you would like to volunteer, sponsor, or have any questions, please contact Ashley Rogers: ashley.events@tngevents.org or #971-678-6768

Below are a few photos from last year's Pictures in the Park Outreach. Enjoy!

Amazing volunteer peeps

Sharing the Gospel

Family-Friendly Movie

A new brother to the Kingdom; praise the Lord!

Popcorn & Soda

Live music by local musicians

If Christ Is Real...

2011-05-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Lecrae says it well, "While I’m here livin' man I gotta ask why,
What am I here for I gotta figure out,
Waste my life, no I gotta make it count,
If Christ is real then what am I gonna do about?"

Ask yourself, "if Christ is real when what are you going to do?

Answer: If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God Makes a Way Out of No Way - VOM

2011-05-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

In the 1980's, most churches in Algeria were abandoned relics left over from French colonialism, which lasted from 1830 to 1962. Those who did attend church were generally foreign-born Catholics, allowed by law to practice their religion but forbidden to share it with the nation's overwhelmingly Muslin population. A region once home to one of the most influential Christian scholars in history - Aurelkus Augustinus (also know as St. Augustin of Hippo) - Algeria had become a land devoid of the gospel. To be Algerian was to be Muslim.

But in 1983, a group of young Algerians in Tizi Ouzou province noticed a group of tourists setting up tents.

"It was a windy place and they set up the tent the wrong way; the wind blew everything over, inlcudig their tent and all their belongings," says "Hassan." "We laughed at them and then went over to help them."

Hassan and his 12 friends began talking with the foreigners, and before long the visitors challenged the Algerians to a soccer match. But the Algerians told the tourists that their best soccer player couldn't play. He was sick in bed with fever.

"They said to us, 'Well, can we see him? We'd like to pray for his healing," Hassan says. "We'd never heard of that, but we thought that was fine. It couldn't hurt anything."

That night, the tourists prayed, and Hassan's friend was healed. He played in the soccer match the next day, and after the game the group questioned the tourists about the prayer.

"We wanted to know, who was the father who healed instantly?" Hassan says. Eventually, the tourists told the group about the grace and salvation offered through faith in Jesus. Then the tourists left.

"I felt the stories they told were not just stories, but real," Hassan says. "It made me want to leave everything and follow Jesus." Hassan is quick to point out that the tourists were not missionaries. He describes the encounter with the tourists as a miracle, and the soccer episode is widely credited with the spread of the gospel in modern Algeria. "We cannot count the number of people that am to Christ - a lot of conversion stories, a lot of miracles," Hassan says. "We don't know how it happened, just that people came to faith and came to God."

In a country with no Christian bookstores, no functioning indigenous churches and virtually no access to Bibles, God made way out of no way. Christianity quickly began to flourish, making it the fastest growing religion in Algeria. Then the Algerian government, pressured by hard-line Islamic nations such as Iran, decided the growth of Christianity in Algeria had to be stopped. Hassan and his friends were arrested and jailed many times.

In 2006, the Algerian parliament tightened restrictions on non-Islamic organizations by passing Ordinance 06-03 This law limited Christian worship to buildings that were registered with the government, placed restrictions on non-Islamic literature and set criminal penalties for anyone who "incites, constrains or utilizes means of seduction tending to convert a Muslim to another religion" or who produces literature or videos that are designed to "shake the faith of Muslims."

In February 2008, authorities closed 26 churches in the Kabylie region, both church buildings and house churches, claiming they were not registered under the ordinance. Although no churches have been closed since then, no churches or Christian groups have received governmental approval to operate despite efforts to comply with the ordinance.

To see special reports on Christians in Algeria, visit: www.persecution.com/newsletter.

May 2011 Voice of the Martyrs

Steps for Life

2011-05-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

Support Women & Babies by joining us for the Steps for Life 2mi. Walkathon!

Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, OR on May 14th from 8:30-10:30AM.

For more info, please visit: http://www.stepsforlife.info/

How Should Christians Respond?

2011-05-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

I found this to be interesting and appreciate the biblical perspective it gives. I am thankful that justice has been done, but I am also saddened that Bin Laden died without Christ. Lord, shine your light into the spiritually dark places in the world.

"What are we as Christians to make of the killing of Osama Bin Laden? Many in the Christian culture are working overtime to tell Christians to settle down, reevaluate themselves and consider the doctrines of love and forgiveness. After all, they say, doesn’t the Bible tell us there really are no “good guys” and “bad guys” – aren’t we all sinners?

This sentimentalized “Christian reaction” to Bin Laden’s death, which is all too commonly found in the Christian blogosphere, reveals a gaping hole in modern Christianity’s understanding of God, his character and the ability to rightly handle his word.

To quote verses about God’s prohibition on personal revenge, or to reference God’s displeasure with our rejoicing over a disaster which befalls our personal enemies, will only serve to assail and impugn heaven’s choruses of celebration over the expression of justice in Christ’s forthcoming defeat of the wicked (Rev.19). The Bible always maintains a clear distinction between personal payback and “the sword” of just governmental causes (see Rom.12:14 – 13:7).

Yes, we all deserve to die, those are the wages of sin, but to point to our universal participation in falling short of the glory of God, for the purpose of restraining our feelings of relief and satisfaction over our government’s just response to powerful men seeking to destroy us (and that, in large part, because we do not share in their anti-Christian theology), is illogical, unbiblical and unchristian.

As the Old Testament Israelites rejoiced in their hard-fought victories over those who defied the Lord and oppressed his people, and as the New Testament saints will rejoice at the consummation of the battle of Armageddon, it is appropriate to be thankful when one of God’s described “servants for good” in the world (i.e., human government) has fulfilled its role in administering “God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rom.13:4)." - By: Pastor Mike Fabarez, Bin Laden: May 2, 2011 via facebook

More Than The Sand

2011-04-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

My family and I went to the beach for a couple days earlier this month to be refreshed and energized for the upcoming conference season and for our spring puppy litters. I love the beach... listening to the ocean roar and watching the waves wash along the sand. I could sit on the beach all day long enjoying the Lord's magnificent creation.

As I was reading the Lord's word, He impressed upon me Psalm 139. What an amazing passage!

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off.
You comprehend my path and are acquainted with ALL my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand...."

How infinitely AWEsome is our God! As I walked the beach with my family, the Lord continually reminded me of this passage and His infinite goodness and love toward me.

" For I [God] know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13

Now whenever I see sand, I remember, "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand..."

What a Wonderful and Glorious Savior!

2011-04-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

"He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked-- but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."- Isaiah 53:3-12

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:5-11

"But the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.' So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, 'Rejoice!' So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him." - Matthew 28:5-9

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." - Ephesians 2:13-16

"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians 2:13-15

What a wonderful and glorious Savior! To God alone be all the power, honor, and glory. Amen!

Shift Our Focus - Our God Is Greater

2011-04-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Lord has been teaching me so much through His word and He confirms it by either a song, a blog post, a family member, a friend... I love it when He does that! Over the past few weeks the Lord has been repeatedly reminding of three passages and what I should do with them:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

"Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, 'O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!' So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, 'Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." - Daniel 10:18-19

The Lord impressed the below passage into my heart and mind through a very dear friend of mine, Sono Harris. She encouraged me using this passage a few months before she died from stage four cancer. This is a precious passage to me...

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." - Lamentations 3:22-26

When our focus on the Lord is distracted by the cares of this world, we must be diligent to remind ourselves of who God is, what He has done on our behalf, and surrender all to Him. What a dramatic shift takes place!

"Be anxious for NOTHING, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made know to God; ...."

What is the outcome when we surrender all to the Lord?

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

I love this song. Crank it up on the car stereo and sing with all my heart. Yes, my drives are a blast! Just the Lord and me. :)

How I Long For That Day

2011-03-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

In a world in turmoil and chaos. In a time of uncertainty. When security and safety is shakeable. When life can end in an instant. When control is undependable. When health is stripped away. When what we love fades.... What does the world have? Nothing that will last.

While I am in this world, I stand secure on the Rock of My Salvation. In darkness, the Lord is my Light. He is unshakeable, unchangeable, secure. His love is unending. He is always faithful. He is just. He is good. He is my Shepherd. He is the foundation and reason for my life. If I have Christ, I have everything I ever needed, need, or will need. And, you know what?

Soon I will see Him face to face... Oh, how I long for that day!

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but whole lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."

"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." - 1 John 3:2

Not Just Some Ordinary Book

2011-03-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

The Lord continually amazes me through His word!

Think about the best "normal" book you've ever read... How many times would you read it before you are sick and tired of that book? The plot becomes old and boring; you probably have the good parts memorized. Next book please! Right?

When I read the Bible, I could read the same verse over and over again and then, "BOOM!" Where did that come from?! God is so good! Now, there are some days when I "feel" like I've read it all. This is an indication that I need to seek harder after the Lord, sit in His presence and listen, pray, invest the time, search my heart, confess any sin I am harboring, dwell in His Word, and so on. Usually, when we are not "feeling" feed, it's because of the condition of our heart. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

Before you open God's word each day, be encouraged to ask the Lord to show you new things... Ask Him to feed you.

The apostle Paul writes in Hebrews 4:12:

"For the word of the God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing eve to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

And in 2 Timothy 3:16:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

What is the Lord showing you through His word today?

The Light Has Dawned

2011-03-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." - Matthew 4:16

2011-02-28T19:09:00.001-08:00

‎ "These trials are simultaneously burdens God gives to keep [His servants] utterly dependent; and thorns which pin back the veil that hides His face. In a fallen world, they are gifts." – Sono Harris

Imprisoned Afghan Christian Released from Prison

2011-02-24T10:19:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord! Brother Said Musa, an Afghan Christian was released last week!

To read the article, please click the link below:

http://www.persecution.org/2011/02/24/imprisoned-afghan-christian-released-from-prison/?ref=dsky%3Fref%3Ddsky

Please pray for Brother Shoaib Assadullah, an Afghan Christian who was arrested for giving a Bible to a man who later reported him to authorities. Assadullah still remains behind bars.

I'm Not Missing Out

2011-02-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

People try to change me,
Try to fit me into their mold.
To them, I look like an alien speaking a strange language.
They understand what I say, but don't.
They hear, but don't comprehend.
I'm different.
I am a foreigner.
I am upside down in their world, but right side up in the world that matters.
To them, I'm captive.
To me, I'm free.
To them, I'm missing out.
To me, I'm living the real life.
To them I should be or could be.
To me, I am because He is.

I'm not missing out.

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:12-14

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." - Colossians 3:1-4

I'm not missing out.

Praise the Lord!

Captured Moments: Psalm 65 Behind the Lens

2011-02-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

"Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; and to You the vow shall be performed. O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them.

Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.

By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far-off seas; who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power;

You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples.

They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.

You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it.

You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth.

You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered with grain;

they shout for joy, they also sing." - Psalm 65

I Refuse - Josh Wilson

2011-02-17T13:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

When I know they're not

This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch

I could pray a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong

But I Refuse

I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

I could choose not to move

But I refuse

I can hear the least of these, crying out so desperately

And I know we are the hands and feet of You, oh God

So if You say move, it's time for me to follow through

And do what I was made to do

And show them who You are

I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

I could choose not to move

But I refuse

I refuse to stand and watch the weary and lost cry out for help

I refuse to turn my back and try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged, to wait another day to die to myself

I refuse to make one more excuse

I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

I could choose not to move

But I refuse

Valentines Day For Singles

2011-02-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

For most people who are not yet married, shall we say the often hated word, "single", weddings and Valentines Day are AWKWARD and yes, sometimes sad. They feel like they have a neon, lite up, flashing sign suspended over their heads that scream "SINGLE!".

Today is Valentines Day... No doubt you knew that. Yes, the day you may hope never took place in history. Valentines Day.

But...

There's another way to look at Valentines Day. Praise the Lord!

Let me give you some background on my 2011 "Singleness" Valentines Day.

I woke up this morning knowing it was Valentines Day. No, I didn't feel instantly depressed. Why? I opened up my Bible to Ephesians 3 and was awestruck at who God is, what He's done for me, and how much He LOVES me.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." - Eph. 3:14-19

Yes, the love of Christ which passes knowledge. Wow!

If you are a born-again Christian, your Valentine... the ultimate Valentine is Christ. He demonstrated and proclaimed to the world from the foundations of the universe for all eternity, that He loves us.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" - Eph. 2:4-7

God the Father loves us and He is to be our first love always. Period. He is glorified in us when we love Him first, above all things - with all our being.

Christ is our ultimate valentine. How can we but praise Him and rejoice?!

When we think about Valentines Day in this way, we feel differently then we ever did before.

To further testify of God's love toward me this morning, my Dad and little brother bought my sisters and me valentines day candy. Yes, there's more... When I checked my emails this morning, I received an email from a dear sister-in-Christ. It said, "Happy Valentines Day! Isn't it amazing we get to worship the Creator of roses and dark chocolate?!?!?!" What a blessing the Lord has made this Valentines Day for me. Thank you, Lord!

Sermon: Prayer As A Way Of Walking In Love: Francis Chan

2011-02-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

My Dad attended the 2011 Desiring God Conference for Pastors and he was so blessed, inspired, and encouraged by the different sessions topics and speakers. When he arrived home, he shared with my family and me what the Lord showed him. We are in the process of listening to Francis Chan's session called, 'Prayer As A Way Of Walking In Love'. At the dinner table we listened to the first half of the session and were greatly inspired and blessed. We are looking forward to listening to the rest!

One of the many things Francis Chan shares is regarding his prayer journal.

"One thing I have done is writing in prayer journals. I write my prayers on one side and then go back and write on the other side of the page when God has answered that prayer. It is so good to go back and remember how God has answered prayer. We so easily forget what God has done. This is a serious power that we have here in prayer."

Application: If you have a Prayer Journal, try writing your prayer requests on one side and then on the other side write when and how God answered your prayer. If you don't have a Prayer Journal, now is a great time to start!

Please listen/watch Francis Chan's session and share with us what the Lord shows you. Feel free to download the audio and/or video and share it with your family and friends. Click link below.

Desiring God Conference: Francis Chan - Prayer As A Way Of Walking In Love, A Personal Journey

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/prayer-as-a-way-of-walking-in-love-a-personal-journey

Captured Moments: Dew

2011-02-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

"Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?..." - Job 38:29-29

The Lord's creativity astounds my mind. Praise the Lord!

What's Going On

2011-02-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

I have been terribly slack in posting and I'm planning on rectifying that. Really... truly... hopefully...

The goal of this blog is to encourage Christians in their walk and pursuit of the Lord; to encourage them to be radical for the Lord, keeping Him as their first love and foundation. Over the last couple months, the Lord has given me a desire to pursue photography. I am very much a beginner, but I love it. The best thing about photography is I going on walks with my camera in hand and talking to the Lord as I take pictures of His creation. Without fail, the Lord amazes me by what I see through the lens. I can't help but praise Him on these walks.

I have also been encouraged by several people that I should post my pictures for people to see.

Reading my friends blogs is an inspiring and entertaining past time. :) I love reading about how the Lord is moving in their lives and what makes their lives fun and a joy.

So, with all that said, I will, along with my usual posts, start including picture posts entitled, 'Captured Moments', and life's tid-bits. The hope is that you will be inspired to praise the Lord, glorify Him, and see Him at work in all areas of your life; in your quiet times with Him, in your past time, work, family, friends, school, life experience, in the times of blessing and times of sorrow, ministry, evangelism, etc.

To God be all the glory!

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." - Mark 12:30

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Kimyal New Testament Launch In Indonesia

2011-01-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

Kimyal New Testament launch in Indonesia from United Bible Societies on Vimeo.

Background - Lecrae Ft. C-Lite

2011-01-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

Hook:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Verse 1:
It's evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs (Aye)
I don't need my name in lights, (Aye) I don't need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going lose my soul?
And my ways ain't purified, I don't live according to Your Word
I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word to every dancer for a pop star
'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I'll be staged right
Praying the whole world would start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessin'
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact
I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar

Hook:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Verse 2:
Yo, I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All these folks who follow me, goin' end up in the wrong place
So just let me shadow you, just let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in You, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothin'
You pulled my card, I'm bluffin', You know what's in my hand
Me, I just roll and trust you, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control of nothing, follow You at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
And man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I'll play the background, like it's an instrument

Hook:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Bridge:
I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name?
And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for You, yeah
Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and glean from You
It seems like You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of this

Trip Lee - "The Invasion (Hero)" feat. Jai - Reach Records

2011-01-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

Jesus is my hero. Is He yours?

Verse 1: Look,creation's groaning, lost their hope and feel they always closed in. Lots to cope with, on the ropes, wish they was in the open. This broken world is so dim, our souls are searching, gropin'. For one with hope to hold us close, and set goodness in motion. I remember growing up in Dallas, I thought me and my close kin was more than straight, our folks was great, not broke that paper flowed in. Not boasting man, just saying in my brain I didn't know then. That all went wrong, and it just can't go right like a broke pen. My mind was blind and cloaked in, but then that foolishness departed I saw this thing's an ocean, and we just tryna swim real far but can't nobody float when we ain't got boats or no fins. We need a hero to go in, cause our solutions don't win. Education can't fix it, more dough just leads to more sin, medicine is temporary, government seems so thin. With all these weighty problems, that ain't shrinking they just growing. Who's adequate to save us, how about He who knew no sin?

Chorus:

Like a G5 yeah you rushed to rescue me. Took a cross in exchange for a crown to save me. You began the work and I know you'll finish. And make all things right when you come back. Cause you're my hero, you already saved the day. Cause you're my hero, and I know you're coming back for me.

Verse 2:

Yeah. God is not pleased man, it's clear that His standards missed cause the world is rampant with sin. It's an abandonment man is feeling stranded, feeling hopeless since his banishment. God is angry at the distortion and the mismanagement. Evil is at work, but don't be thinking He can't handle it. He promised He would do away with all of it, dismantle it. He's put up with this damage in His world, but He's promised us That He'll destroy all His enemies and then He'll walk with us. New Heaven, new Earth that's where all His sheep dwell. Jesus succeeded in every part of life that we failed. Died the death we couldn't die, paid our price with 3 nails. Began the work He promised, in the end we all will be well. Already beat his enemies and when His Kingdom's realized, all those who oppose Him will see Jesus with through some real eyes. Deliverance is offered us, the hero He is urging us Salvation is exclusive to His people who have turned to trust

Jai:

I give my gratitude(Jesus). You died to make all things new- yeah. My knight in armour when our world is fallen. Your love's never failing. I find safety in your arms

Quotes

2010-12-28T20:31:00.000-08:00

"When your hope is in God, holiness is not a burdensome list of rules. It's an expression of trust, dependence, and hope in the living God." - Joshua Harris, Living Hope

Christmas; The Reason for the Season

2010-12-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

The Candy Cane Story

A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, and the firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker then shaped his cane into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray.

The candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” - John 14:6

Resource: Radical by David Platt

2010-12-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

Radical, written by David Platt, is on my reading list. I would strongly recommend every Christian to read this book. Below is the Radical promo video. Enjoy!

God's Handiwork - The Most Colorful River In The World

2010-12-14T11:55:00.000-08:00

The river shown in the photographs below is the Caristales, which is located near the town of La Macarena in Colombia, South America .

The river, world famous for its colorful display, has been called:

"the river that ran away to paradise",

"the most beautiful river in the world"

and "the river of five colors".

During Colombia's wet season, the water flows fast and deep, obscuring the bottom of the river and denying the mosses and algae that call the river home the sun that they need. During the dry season there is not enough water to support the dazzling array of life in the river. But during a brief span between the wet and dry seasons, when the water level is just right, the many varieties of algae and moss bloom in a dazzling display of colors. Blotches of amarillo , blue, green, black and red - and a thousand shades in between - coat the river.

The part of the river where the colorful blooms occur is quite isolated and is not accessible by road. Adventurous tourists can now fly into La Macarena and then make their way to to the river site on foot as part of guided tours. The site was effectively closed to tourists for several years because of guerrilla activity in the region along with concerns about the impact of unregulated tourist traffic. However, the site was re-opened to visitors in 2009."

Praise the Lord for His incredible handiwork!

URGENT: Pakistani Christian, Asia Bibi Sentenced to Death

2010-11-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

At GodChicks 2010, over 1300 GodChicks wrote letters to free Asia Bibi. This week she was sentenced to death. She is one of thousands of Christians around the world that have been persecuted and wrongly imprisoned for their faith.

Asia Bibi is a 37-year-old Pakistani woman from the village of Ittanwali. She was arrested by police on Friday, June 19, 2009 on charges of blasphemy. Asia is the wife of 50-year-old Ashiq Masih, and their family is one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families.

GodChicks we have to go to work and be a voice for Asia. Asia only has 7 days for an appeal!

Proverbs 31 8-9 says,

⁸ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Here is what we need to do!

1. PRAY for Asia and for her family. Pray that God would sustain them through this difficult time. Pray for justice for her, and for the attorneys who even now are working on an appeal.

2. WRITE. Asia is one of the prisoners on www.PrisonerAlert.com, which gives several ways to respond. People can write letters of encouragement to Asia at the prison where she is being held.

3. BE AN ADVOCATE! One of the crucial things to do RIGHT AWAY is to be an advocate and email the President of Pakistan, the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC and the Pakistan delegation to the UN. Ask for Asia Bibi's life to be spared, for her release & let them know the world is watching.

Email the Pakistan Embassy in DC: ambassador@embassyofpakistanusa.org
Email the President of Pakistan: publicmail@president.gov.pk
Email the Pakistan delegation to the UN: pakistan@un.int

It is CRITICAL to fill up these email boxes with letters on behalf of Asia. We must make the Pakistani government see that carrying out this execution will be noticed by the world, and will be seen as a black mark on Pakistan.

4. SPEAK OUT. Blogs, Twitter and Facebook are great ways to help spread the word. Time is of the essence in this case, she only has 6 days to file an appeal. The more people we can get to send emails and raise the issue, the better.

Please let me know what you are going to do and spread the word!

Informed by: GodChick

Don't Waste Your Life - Lecrae

2010-11-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Let’s Go
Don't waste your life, man

Verse 1 (Lecrae):
I know a lot of people that are scared they gon' die,
Couple of 'em thinkin' they'll be livin' in the sky
While I’m here livin' man I gotta ask why,
What am I here for I gotta figure out,
Waste my life, no I gotta make it count,
If Christ is real then what am I gonna do about,
Everything in Luke 12:15 down to 21 ya really gotta go and check it out,
Paul said if Christ aint resurrected we wasted our lives,
Would that imply that our lives drift around Jesus being alive,
Everyday I live I try to show the world why,
Christ is more than anything I'd ever try,
Better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any woman and men that you admire
It aint no lie!
We created for Him,
Out of the dust he made us for Him,
Elects us and he saved us for Him,
Jesus comes and he raised us for Him,
Magnify the Father, why bother with something lesser?
He made us so we could bless Him, (Bless Him)
Tell the world we confess Him,
Resurrects Him,
So I know I got life,
Matter fact better man I know I got Christ,
If you don’t see His ways in my days in my nights,
You can hit my breaks you can stop my life,
Man I lost my rights, lost my life,
Forget the money, cars and toss that ice,
The cost is Christ,
And they can never offer me anything any better that would cost that price

Don’t wanna waste my life, life, life,
Don’t wanna waste my life, life, life,
Don’t wanna waste my life, life, life,
Don’t wanna waste my,
Don’t wanna waste my,
Don’t wanna waste my life

Verse 2 (Dwayne Tryumf):
Armed and dangerous
So the devil just can't hang with us
Christian youth they must stand wid us
Livin' n driven, given a vision, fullfillin the commission he handed us
London to Los Angeles
The rap evangelist
Ma daddy wouldn't abandon us
"I gotta back pack fulla tracts and I getta Johnny Mac"
So are you ready to jam with us,s o lets go
Gimme the word and lets go
Persecution lets go
Tribulation lets go
Across the nation let's go
Procrastination let's go
Hung on the cross in the cold
Died for da young and the old
Can't say you never know
Heaven knows
How many souls are going to hell or to heaven so we gotta go in and get em

Verse 3 (Lecrae):
Suffer, yeah, do it for Christ,
If you're trying to figure out what to do with ya life,
If you make a lot of money hope your doin' it right,
Because the money is God’s, you better steward it right,
You stay focused, you ain't got no ride,
Your life ain't wrapped up in what you drive,
The clothes you wear, the job you work,
The color your skin, nah you're Christian first,
People get it living for a job,
Make a little money start living for a car,
Get em a wife, a house, kids and a dog,
Then they retire, they living high on the hog,
But guess what? They didn’t ever really live at all,
To live is Christ, and that’s Paul I recall,
To die is gain and for Christ we give it all,
He's the treasure you’ll never find in a mall,
See your money, your singleness, marriage, talents, your time,
They were loaned you to show the world that Christ is divine,
That’s why its Christ in my rhymes,
That’s why its Christ all the time,
See my whole world is built around Him,
He’s the life in my lines,
I refuse to waste my life,
He’s too true to chase that ice,
Here’s my gift and time,
'cause I'm constantly tryna ta be used to praise the Christ,
If He’s truly raised to life,
Then this news should change your life ,
And by His grace you can put your faith in the place that rules your days and nights,
YES!

Gotta give you,
One hundred, Lord
Even when the
Day's done, Lord
Gotta live for,
For somethin' Lord
That something is you
Don't wanna waste my life

Dance In The Rain

2010-11-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to DANCE in the rain."

The Earth's Magnetic Field

2010-10-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

The decay of earth's magnetic field has been one of the strongest evidences for the Bible's recent creation doctrine. This concept, developed originally by Dr. Thomas Barnes in 1971, was updated and revised by Dr. Russell Humphreys in 1983. Here are the details.

Earth is surrounded by a powerful magnetic field, generated by well-understood and well-documented electric currents in its metallic core. Incoming solar and stellar radiation continually bombards earth and does great damage to life, causing harmful mutations and likely contributing to the aging and death of living things. Indeed, if these rays were not impeded and filtered by earth's magnetic field, life here would be impossible.

The strength of the magnetic field has been reliably and continually measured since 1835. From these measurements, we can see that the field's strength has declined by about seven percent since then, giving a half-life of about 1,400 years. This means that in 1,400 years it will be one-half as strong, in 2,800 years it will be one-fourth as strong, and so on. There will be a time not many thousands of years distant when the field will be too small to perform as a viable shield for earth.

Calculating back into the past, the present measurements indicate that 1,400 years ago the field was twice as strong. It continues doubling each 1,400 years back, until about 10,000 years ago it would have been so strong the planet would have disintegrated--its metallic core would have separated from its mantle. The inescapable conclusion we can draw is that the earth must be fewer than 10,000 years old.

For the rest of this article by John D. Morris: Earth's Magnetic Field

How to Become a Lady

2010-10-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

She walked – or maybe swaggered – into the room, one hand in her pocket, the other holding the strap of her purse. Her dark-wash jeans were just a little tight and cut a crisp line across the toe of her stiletto, hovering just above the ground behind the heel. Her shirt, a clingy jersey knit, accentuated her culturally-chic look. She was standing next to a bar stool talking to an acquaintance, guffawing in overt delight at her partner’s humor. She waved her hands wildly in the air as she talked, tilting dangerously in the stilettos. Her voice, harshly low and loud, echoed across the restaurant. She turned to me at the hostess station and I looked into two heavily-lined eyes...

Read the rest at Cross-Eyed Webzine : Cross-Eyed Webzine: How to Become a Lady

No Common Act

2010-10-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

The “layman” need never think of his humbler task as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is ‘why’ he does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart and he can thereafter do no common act. – A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

A Perspective On Perspective - Guest Writer: Sarah Rogers

2010-10-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Say you paint your room your favorite color. It looks great. Then someone takes a sharpie and carefully makes a single dot in the middle of your wall. From the door, you can’t even see it. But as you get closer, it becomes quite obvious. [This is not a lesson in anger, by the way. It is a perspective on perspective]

Life is that Dot.
The Wall is Eternity.
And the Wall next to it. And all the walls in the room….and, well, in the house.
And all the walls in the neighborhood, the city, the state, the country…. and continuing on to all the surfaces in the world… and yet STILL continuing on. In fact, there aren’t even enough surfaces, because Eternity goes on FOREVER.

Life is the Dot. So small. So short.

In perspective, life is so important because every little or big thing we do during the Dot will affect the Forever. Every small moment brings potential for great impact. Prayer, encouragement, a hug, serving, learning, training, mentoring, listening, giving, leading, following, LOVING –all in the strength of Him who gives to each a measure of faith & equips us for every good work.

In perspective, our troubles are small, so insignificant. They seem insurmountable in the present. Our trials pound us into the ground, scraping gravel over our faces. It hurts so badly; searing pain shoots through our bodies & hearts. We are in anguish.

But life is just the dot. Eternity is coming.

“We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.” (Ps. 66:12) “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Ps. 126:5-6)

God molds us, directs us, equips us, and strengthens us for the tasks ahead of us.

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6) “Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” (Ps. 108:13)

“Why worry about what you will eat or what you will wear?” Or about what people think of you? Why do you grumble? Is the issue at hand really that important, worthy of anger or unforgiveness? Why can’t you just let go? It seems so much easier said than done. But is your bitterness justified when it so distracts from our short time on earth? So often it is said, but more often left unheeded: Don’t Waste Your Life.

I’ve come to find that it should be nearly impossible to be bored. Not that you should fill your life with activities (“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”-Ecc. 3:1), but never should life have a boring moment. If you find yourself without something to “do,” PRAY. Find someone to serve, to love, to share with. “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the Time is… lest, coming suddenly, He[Christ] find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"(Mark 13:33, 36)

Life is just a dot. Eternity is coming soon.

“‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:30)

Thank you, Sarah, my lovely sister!

Others May, You Cannot

2010-10-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)

"If God has called you to be really like Jesus, He will draw you to a life of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience, that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it; and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their success, of their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence on Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day out of an unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden in obscurity, because He wants you to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him and get the credit of it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious, He may let others get the credit for the work which you have done, and thus make your reward ten times greater when Jesus comes. The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign, and has a right to do as He pleases with His own.

He may not explain to you a thousand things which puzzle your reason in His dealings with you. But if you absolutely sell yourself to be His...slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the inner circle.

Settle it forever, then, that you are to deal directly with Holy Spirit, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that He does not seem to use with others. Now when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven." - George Douglas Watson, 1845-1924

(public domain)

Query #2

2010-10-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

What do you think?

"A society is not an entity in itself - with a collective mind - it is simply a reflection of the individuals that comprise it. Societies, therefore, do not fall - the individuals in them do. Consequently, the problem and its cure go back to the individuals in a society. To solve a society's moral problems, the individuals who comprise it must be cured. The simple truth is that the individuals who contribute to America's present moral decadence are lacking a specific virtue. They are deficit a certain character quality necessary to maintain a civilized society.

What has happened to the individuals in America is that they are by and large deficit the key ingredient of maturity - self control. Any society that is out of control is comprised of individuals who lack self-control. We as a nation have moral problems today primarily because our individual members do not have the ability to adequately restrain themselves." - Reb Bradley, Born Liberal Raised Right

Central Axis

Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/AshCRogers

Encouragement To Singles

Shahla Rahmati, free after 287 days in prison

Part 1. The Power of Communication

Part 3. Taking Time To Dwell

The Refreshing Seriousness of Tim Tebow

Part 2. Setting Aside Time to Dwell

The Rogers Clan Takes The Beach: Photos!

The Rogers Clan Takes To The Beach

Now On Twitter!

Part 1. Setting Aside Time To Dwell

A Taste of Heaven

A Day Like Today...

Redeeming Halloween

In His Image

My Family

Why Should We Give God Glory?

Mary & Martha

The Final Rebelution Conference... Baton Rouge, LA

For He Is With Me

How Does God’s Grace Meet You In Your Sufferings?

Please Pray for Pastor Youcef: Urgent!

A Special Announcement!

Urgent: Asia Bibi

The Cross

Final Rebelution Tour: Portland, OR - Altar Call Recap In Photo

The Rebelution is a Christian movement for young adults around the world. It is a call to teenagers to rebel against the low expectations of our culture and Do Hard Things for the glory of God. The teen years don’t mean kicking back and being a child forever!

110+ teens and parents declared "Jesus is Lord" at the Portland Rebelution Conference. Praise the Lord! Below is a recap of the altar call in photo.

You Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets

Singled Out For Him - In Light Of Eternity

Fully Surrendered

Holding Loosely

"Beware of hurry. Beholding glory begs for lingering." - John Piper

The Definition of Love

He Is Enough

Cello Coolness

Focusing On Christ

Life's Dashboard... Overcoming Anxiety

2011 Pictures In The Park Outreach

If Christ Is Real...

Lecrae says it well, "While I’m here livin' man I gotta ask why, What am I here for I gotta figure out, Waste my life, no I gotta make it count,If Christ is real then what am I gonna do about?"Ask yourself, "if Christ is real when what are you going to do?

Answer: If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God Makes a Way Out of No Way - VOM

Steps for Life

How Should Christians Respond?

More Than The Sand

What a Wonderful and Glorious Savior!

Shift Our Focus - Our God Is Greater

How I Long For That Day

In a world in turmoil and chaos. In a time of uncertainty. When security and safety is shakeable. When life can end in an instant. When control is undependable. When health is stripped away. When what we love fades.... What does the world have? Nothing that will last.

Soon I will see Him face to face... Oh, how I long for that day!

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but whole lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."

"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." - 1 John 3:2

Not Just Some Ordinary Book

The Light Has Dawned

Imprisoned Afghan Christian Released from Prison

I'm Not Missing Out

Captured Moments: Psalm 65 Behind the Lens

I Refuse - Josh Wilson

Valentines Day For Singles

Sermon: Prayer As A Way Of Walking In Love: Francis Chan

Captured Moments: Dew

What's Going On

Kimyal New Testament Launch In Indonesia

Background - Lecrae Ft. C-Lite

Trip Lee - "The Invasion (Hero)" feat. Jai - Reach Records

Quotes

Christmas; The Reason for the Season

Resource: Radical by David Platt

God's Handiwork - The Most Colorful River In The World

URGENT: Pakistani Christian, Asia Bibi Sentenced to Death

Don't Waste Your Life - Lecrae

Dance In The Rain

The Earth's Magnetic Field

How to Become a Lady

No Common Act

A Perspective On Perspective - Guest Writer: Sarah Rogers

Others May, You Cannot

Query #2

Lecrae says it well, "While I’m here livin' man I gotta ask why,
What am I here for I gotta figure out,
Waste my life, no I gotta make it count,
If Christ is real then what am I gonna do about?"

Ask yourself, "if Christ is real when what are you going to do?