John Holmgren (21)

Have you heard about the trucker who has painted his cab and trailer with the names of all those who lost their lives in 9/11?

The trucker's name is John Holmgren from Shafer, Minn. He has been 'pulled over' numerous times just so the troopers can get their picture taken with the truck.

As you look at these pictures and remember 9/11, remember what Jesus did for you as well.

Annonymous (9)

Have you ever just wanted confirmation of something that would cause there to be no doubt left in your mind? Perhaps a sign that is so unmistakable that there would be no question, you would know the answer as clearly as if it were tattooed on your forehead.

Let me back up for a moment and fill you in. I have been a believer all my life. I have never doubted God's existence, his love, or his plan for my salvation. I accepted Christ at a young age and even though I strayed for a little while I came back to him, recommitted my life, was baptized and strive daily to live a life in accordance with his will. Now that you are caught up with me, allow me to explain my dilemma and God's amazing answer to my prayer.

When I was very young my mother took me to see a film about the Rapture. It scared me to death! I was convinced that I would wake up and find my family gone and be all alone. This terror stayed with me well into my teenage years. After that I didn't really like to speak of the Rapture or the end of our days. I knew I was saved but there was always this fear that if I had missed something I would be left behind.

Recently my husband became very interested in the book of Revelations and in Bible Prophesy. He really peaked my curiosity so I began to read the ^Left Behind^ series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. This stirred up all the old feelings of doubt that I had carried through much of my life. I began to pray for God to open my eyes if I had missed something or to show me how to have faith that I was truly saved and not let the devil put doubts in my mind that my salvation was not real. That maybe I was doing something that would cause me to miss the big party in the sky.

One morning I awakened before I really needed to (and I try to sleep as long as my children will let me) and began to pray. Once again I asked God to help me see clearly and shared my fear with him. When I finished praying I opened the Bible and it opened to Isaiah 56. As I read the passages I began to truly feel like God had given me an immediate answer to my prayers. To summarize, it basically said if you have bound yourself to the Lord and hold fast to him he will give you an everlasting name that will not be cut off. It goes on to say that those who serve him, worship him and love his name will be given joy in his house of prayer. Wow, I was amazed! I thanked God for his answer to my prayer and marveled at his majesty all day. Then the doubt crept back in. What if I had misunderstood, what if I was interpreting his message wrong?

Fast-forward 3 days. Our church was hosting a wonderful evening of worship & praise on Sunday night. Our family attended and I was blessed beyond measure. During the time we were given an opportunity for silent prayer. I went to my knees and asked God yet again to either open my eyes to any areas I have been blind in or to somehow assure me of my place in his kingdom. I begged for the faith I needed! At the close of prayer I rose to sing another song of praise. To my jubilation, God did it again! We began to sing ^Till I See You^ by Hillsong United. Check out the words of this beautiful song below and you will understand why I stood weeping at the amazing love that my Master poured out upon me. I believe he gave me my answer, healed my doubt and caught every tear!

Till I See You

The greatest love that anyone could ever know
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And till I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You

With all I am I'll live to see Your kingdom come
And in my heart I pray You'd let Your will be done
And till I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You

I will live to love You
I will live to bring You praise
I will live a child in awe of You

You are a voice that called the universe to be
You are the whisper in my heart that speaks to me
And till I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you

You alone are God of all
You alone are worthy Lord
And with all I am my soul will bless Your name

KIDS Inc (7)

By Kevin Schott, KIDS Inc volunteer/board member

In 1998 my good friend Jerry Barnaby invited me to come to KIDS Inc for a Tuesday Boys Night just to see what it was all about. God had other ideas.....I was hooked! I started out playing basketball with some of the guys week after week, then something happened that I never expected. Some of the guys actually started talking to me about their problems and situations at home. This opened up an awesome opportunity to present Biblical principals and why Jesus came to this earth.

In today’s business world you account for every dollar spent and try to do everything that you can to squeeze every penny out of that dollar. This is obviously done to maximize the profit margin and if done right can contribute to a successful “business plan.” As a member of the board of directors at KIDS Inc, we have a different business plan. Are we continuing to lead kids to Christ? Is Jesus being lifted up in every program that we have throughout the week? Are we being good stewards of every penny that comes into God’s ministry? He has entrusted us with His children. He has a plan for His children. We must continue to teach, preach, guide, pray with, and listen to his children. This is God’s “business plan” for KIDS Inc!

The following is a copy of a letter from a young man named Nick that I received from the staff of KIDS Inc a few years ago.

“Before God came into my life this is what it was like: My parents got divorced when I was nine and I didn’t have a father figure in the house so I didn’t respect authority. My mom got a boyfriend that was a main thing that messed me up. He yelled at my mom and he came home drunk. That made me not have respect for women because I thought that was what being a man was about. My friends- they were Goth and didn’t believe in God. I tried to be cool and not believe in God. This lead to me quitting school because I didn’t see the point in going. When I skipped school, we would run around and vandalize stuff and do drugs. I ended up in juvenile for a month and on house arrest. I was diagnosed with depression and felt that I had no reason to live. My lowest and scariest point was when I thought I was going to fail my drug screen and get sent to Boy’s School for 6 months. Nothing made me feel valuable then, but I tried to make myself feel valuable by getting girls. I now feel ashamed for how I was using them to make myself feel better.
After I got off house arrest, I started going to KIDS Inc. every chance I had and I don’t know why. I just felt the need to be there. Even though I had gone to KIDS Inc. before and gotten kicked out, when I went back this time I kept thinking about God and how He had to be real. I knew if I didn’t change my life, I would be like my dad and be lazy and smoke pot all day and have no reason for life except getting high and getting money to get high. I had to change if I wanted to get closer to God... so I changed. But I still knew I wasn’t exactly where I needed to be.
Then one day, Shalin, my friend that works at KIDS Inc., called and told me that In Pursuit had an opening in an Alpha trip. I was reluctant to go because I didn’t want to leave my mom alone dealing with my troubled brother. Everybody at KIDS Inc. kept bugging me about going because it was an amazing opportunity. I finally gave in and said yes. I am glad I went on the Alpha trip because everybody was kind to me and I felt free to be a Christian. My counselor, Chad, was cool and I looked up to him. The day that we were leaving In Pursuit, I asked Shalin if there was any way I could come back. She begged Rich to let me come back and he found a scholarship to put me in a 3 week TST. I love TST! Being in TST meant I had responsibility which made me feel relieved to be doing something important. Working didn’t just have to be for money, it could be for God. TST helped me to respect other peoples’ feelings and helped my relationship with God. My relationship with Jesus started during TST. I felt loved by Jesus and by the people around me. I finally felt valuable and loved, and felt like I had a reason for living. My favorite part was learning more about Christ and making Christian friends. I could share a lot of my feelings with my new friends because they believed in God. My counselor, Bill, was great because he understood me. At the end of 3 weeks, I didn’t want to leave.
Now I am in a better understanding of God and Jesus. I pray for my family, my friends, and for my relationship with God. I seek Him by reading the Bible daily and praying. In the future, I want to work at In Pursuit so I can help people to see that God is real by showing them the same Christ-like love that I received. I feel that God also wants me to work for Him in my neighborhood by showing them that I was the same way and that if Jesus can save me, He can save them too.”

I could’ve written an entire article on how God has blessed my life since He brought me to KIDS Inc ten years ago, but nothing says it better that this testimony. If you would like to volunteer or support KIDS Inc in any way please call or email Paul Velazquez at (317) 917-0451. This is what it’s all about. THIS IS MY MOTIVATION!

Rick Warren (7)

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal.

God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.

And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, ^which is my problem, my issues, my pain.^

But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal my wife or make it easy for her.

It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better ...

God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD

Kitchen (7)

So, sometimes I feel like a brick in the wall. It seems no one really cares at all about me. Family, friends....... anyone. I feel so alone...... It hurts. I get made fun of all the time at my school. And for what? A cheap laugh? With all this pressing me down, it can be hard to stay optimistic. I can't even think what I would do without god though. He's always there. I ask him for the strength, he gives me it. I ask for protection. He gives it. I ask for forgiveness for the sinful things I do. He gives me it. He's always there, and always caring.

Anonymous (6)

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.

After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.
He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this...I got an old barn out back.
It's been there a long time, it's withstood a lot of weather, it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years.

It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit.
So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.

Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.
I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times,
and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the
Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning, at times.

Sometime we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning
toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't. So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on
our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.

If you stare at this barn for a second you will see who will help us stand straight and tall again.

Shayne Hammond (5)

Approximately 10 years ago, on a freezing July night, the cold, hard, truth hit me like a freight train.

NO ONE WAS COMING TO MY RESCUE.

On our bedroom floor, my wife was giving birth to our son, he’d come so quickly that we had just called the hospital to tell them we were on our way. But we never made it out of the house.

The complication was he was breech, and when he had come out to his shoulders, the contractions stopped and he stopped coming. My wife and I stayed calm, but for all my trying I just could not get his head out.

While this was happening my sister had called an ambulance, but we were stuck in this position for about 15 minutes before they arrived and were able to fully deliver him.

What I didn’t realise was that the umbilical cord was obstructed and our baby was suffering asphyxiation. When he was finally born our boy was blue, and his heart rate was 40 beats per minute when it should have been 140 beats per minute.

As the paramedics worked on our son, pumping oxygen into his lungs, with a hand pump, I went outside to talk to God.

I'd been studying faith at a local church for a while, and had achieved some small successes. One of the scriptures that has always impressed on me the most was Mark 11:24 “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be though removed and be though cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass. He shall have whatsoever he says.”

This scripture told me I had to take responsibility in the situation, and not wait for something to happen, but make something happen.

I felt strength flow through me as I reminded God what this scripture said. I told God that I was not going to ask for anything but that I was going to take control of the situation.

I had a strong belief that parents are supposed to protect their children, not just naturally but spiritually as well.

I also could not accept the idea that a child would be born just to die ten minutes later.

After my conversation with God I felt fearless and determined. When I went back into the house the main paramedic pulled me aside and asked me if he could have a word with me. With a grim look on his face and a professional tone in his voice he told me, “I don’t think the little blokes gonna make it.”

This was a defining moment, I refused to become afraid and accept his opinion!

Looking directly into his eyes I replied “No he is going to be fine.” I know I must have had a look that said I meant business, because the paramedic backed off immediately with a quick reply “Yer Okay”.

It’s amazing how quickly people will change their mind and come into agreement with you when you are clear and absolute about something.

Upon entering the hospital I repeated with conviction “No he’s going to make it, He’s gonna be just fine,” to any one that spoke to me.

As I stood back and watched Doctors and Nurses buzzing around my son in a hive of activity, things became surreal.

A smiling woman in a white coat approached, “You know when they called in, I thought they’d be bringing in a dead baby, but it’s a miracle, they’ve done a great job, he’s looking good.”

Of course our baby did survive.

But the next day he was placed in intensive care. At a meeting with the head of intensive care, the Doctor explained to us that our baby was “fitting” and this was most likely because he would have suffered brain damage and organ damage due to the lack of oxygen he received during birth. At this point, once again I reassured the Doctor, “No, don’t worry, he’s going to be just fine.” Because of what we had just been through, I thought there’s no way I’m going to start backing off now.

About this time we were interviewed by the hospital psychologist, to see how we were handling the fact our baby would be severely handicapped. After the meeting my wife sneaked a peek at the psychologist’s clipboard and notes. Amoung other things, my wife noticed the statement “This couple is not prepared for failure.” It was not written as a positive statement, but I found it incredibly empowering.

The ward is divided into ten sections. Section one for the sickest babies and our son was in this section. Some babies are in section one for months and some never get well. However, within two days our son was in section three and in three days he was in section nine. Within another three days we were taking him home in absolutely perfect condition.

Since that time I have pushed myself to learn as much as possible about this incredible power that saved my son’s life.

What I have learnt I have applied to many different areas of my life, I have used this power to transform my near bankrupt, failing business into a thriving prosperous company that has allowed me an income that has totally changed my lifestyle.

I have seen this power make cancer and arthritis completely disappear from people’s bodies.

I have seen it transform children with learning difficulties and sleeping problems into peaceful intelligent, happy kids.

I have seen it do many incredible, wonderful things in relationships, and every area of life. I believe this power controls the world, and I believe it exists for the benefit of mankind.

I truly believe it’s the answer to every obstacle we face.

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32

To find out more about Shayne Hammond please visit www.shaynehammond.com

Get Excited! It's Time to Overcome

Helga van Niekerk (5)

My name is Helga van Niekerk. I live in Cape Town, South Africa and present the Rise and Shine show on 107.5 CCFm, a local community radio station. I love to make Friday's fun-filled. On Friday 30th September 2011, I woke early - around 3am and found myself worried and anxious and anything but ready for fun-filled, fabulous Friday. Finally, 3-45am arrived and it was time for me to get up. As I got dressed, I really felt I needed a touch from the Lord, especially as I had three hours in the studio ahead of me. I felt BLUGH; I felt inadequate, emotional, insecure, unloved, unable, ill-equipped, miserable, hormonal, unhappy, tearful AND IT WAS ^FUN-FILLED FRIDAY!!!^ What was I to do? How could I pull off three hours of fun-filled on air time? I had a time of prayer which calmed me down some.. Then I picked up my Bible. I felt the Lord saying 'Go to the Psalm of your age.^ At the end of September I was still 46, turning 47 in early November. I started turning to Psalm 47, when I felt a small still voice say 'no, Psalm 46'. I started reading the beautiful words of this wonderful psalm, but when I got to verse 5, that was when I really KNEW it was God who had spoken & He was with me. Psalm 46:5 says ^God is within her, she will not fall. God will help her at the break of day.^
There was not much more I could do except burst into tears and thank Him for His amazing grace and love!
Whatever you are facing, GOD IS ABLE. He can turn a BLUGH day into a BEAUTIFUL day. I can say with certainty that after I read that verse, the day absolutely changed. I went to fun-filled Friday with a spring in my step, a smile on my face and joy in my heart. Regardless of your circumstances, you can have peace and joy in your life.

Anonymous (4)

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
_____________________________________________________

Objective
My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
____________________________________________________________
Qualifications
· I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
· I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
· I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
· I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
· The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background
· I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49)
· I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
· My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)

Skills Work Experiences
· Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18)
· I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33)
· Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background
· I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6)
· In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3)
· My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105)
· I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21)

Major Accomplishments
· I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 )
· I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15)
· I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15)
· I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
· There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance

In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15 ).

This is an awesome witnessing tool. Send this resume to everyone you know, you never know who may have an opening!

Have you sent this resume to anyone? What was the outcome? How did your friend respond? Please post your comments below for others to read.

Alexandra (4)

It never seems to fail when all you have left is God. Everytime I seem like I'm loosing my faith ; all I need is just a few words from a friend or for me to get into the bible. He is God All MIghty and he will always be with you no matter what. I know I was put here on earth for a purpose, but somtimes I get to the point where I think I was just an accident. Then I think about it more and more HE would not want me to feel this way, because he put me on this earth for a reason. He has somthing very special in my life he is wanting to do I can feel it, I may not know what it is yet but he will let me know when he knows that I am ready for it. I'vc been through so much for the past 5 years, and I am surprised with myself that I have made it this far especailly for what I have been through. I know that God will always be with me no matter What And I am Thankful for that.

I pray for everyone that your dreams may come true, I pray for your lifes be as happy as mine is going to be when I get better. A-MEN

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