by Sue Forde | Jun 22, 2011 | General
A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife i n Gatlinburg , TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, ‘I hope he doesn’t come over here.’ But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.
‘Where are you folks from?’ he asked in a friendly voice.
‘Oklahoma ,’ they answered.
‘Great to have you here in T ennessee ,’ the stranger said.. ‘What do you do for a living?’
‘I teach at a seminary,’ he replied.
‘Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I’ve got a really great story for you.’ And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.
The professor groaned and thought to himself, ‘Great .. Just what I need ….another preacher story!’
The man started, ‘See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, ‘Hey boy, Who’s your daddy?’ Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’
He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so badly. ‘When he was about 12 years old, a new preache r came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’
But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.
Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, ‘Son, who’s your daddy?’
The whole church got deathly q uiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’
‘This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. ‘Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God.’
With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, ‘Boy, you’ve got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.’
‘With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, ‘Who’s your Daddy?’ he’d just tell them , ‘I’m a Child of God..”
The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, ‘Isn’t that a great story?’
The professor responded that it really was a great story!
As the man turned to leave, he said, ‘You know, if that new preacher hadn’t told me that I was one of God’s children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!’ And he walked away..
The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over & asked her, ‘Do you know who that man was — the one who just left that was sitting at our table?’
The waitress grinned and said, ‘Of course. Everybody here knows him. That’s Ben Hooper. He’s governor of Tennessee!
‘ Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they’re one of God’s children!
‘The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.’ ~~Isaiah
YOU’RE ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN!!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY
by Sue Forde | Jun 1, 2011 | General
I installed the “app” Bible on my smartphone – and it’s been great! It’s available on the iphone and the Droid X – perhaps others. If you have a smart phone, be sure to check this out. Just search for “Bible” – it’s a tan icon with Bible on the front.
One of the features is the Plans aspect – including through the Bible in one year. I’ve tried to get through the Bible in one year many times in the past, and for one reason or another, haven’t been able to get all the way through. This app has made it easy for me to do it – you can read, listen or both. You can bookmark passages. You can also read various devotionals. The Bible includes a variety of versions. There’s much more – check it out!
by Sue Forde | Aug 11, 2010 | General, Lord Hear Our Prayer
What is our job as Christians? Such wisdom comes from the Bible: Ephesians 6 offers great insight, especially in the times we live in:
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
| Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. |
 
   |
 Eph 6:12 |
|
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. |
|
Eph 6:13 |
|
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. |
 |
Eph 6:14 |
|
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; |
|
Eph 6:15 |
|
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; |
|
Eph 6:16 |
|
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. |
|
Eph 6:17 |
|
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: |
|
Eph 6:18 |
|
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; |
|
Eph 6:19 |
|
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, |
by Sue Forde | Jun 9, 2010 | General
The only commandment with a promise is “Honor your father and your mother” – so that your days will be long upon the earth. We have the opportunity to honor our parents in so many ways – from the time of our childhood all the way through our adult years. One guide to “honoring our parents” was written by Gayle Jackson – it shares stories of relationships, encouragement and suggestions for helping aging parents. If you sometimes wonder about the best way to help your parents who have loved each of us for so many years as I have, this may be the book for you!
by Sue Forde | May 27, 2010 | General
Most folks today believe that George Washington did not believe in God – or at best, was a “deist”. Nothing could be further from the truth!
“George Washington’s Sacred Fire” is a book that tells the truth about Washington’s life and how his beliefs framed his destiny that was to change the world.
What sets “George Washington’s Sacred Fire” apart from all previous works on this man for the ages, is the exhaustive fifteen years of Dr. Peter Lillback’s research, revealing a unique icon driven by the highest of ideals.
Only do George Washington’s own writings, journals, letters, manuscripts, and those of his closest family and confidants reveal the truth of this awe-inspiring role model for all generations.
Dr. Lillback paints a picture of a man, who, faced with unprecedented challenges and circumstances, ultimately drew upon his persistent qualities of character – honesty, justice, equity, perseverence, piety, forgiveness, humility, and servant leadership, to become one of the most revered figures in world history.
George Washington set the cornerstone for what would become one of the most prosperous, free nations in the history of civilization. Through this book, Dr. Lillback, assisted by Jerry Newcombe, will reveal to the reader a newly inspirational image of General and President George Washington.
Whether you’re homeschooling, or want to know history for yourself – this book is a “must-read”!.
by Shauna Millar | May 20, 2010 | General
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try or how hard you may pray, you may find yourself sick; whether its with the flu or just a cold. These times in our lives, we feel physically miserable. When you mention you aren’t feeling well, most people will respond with drink plenty of tea and/or liquids and get some rest.
When we are physically down, and we need something to help lift our spirits, this is a good time to take advantage of catching up on our reading, listening to music or simply relaxing.
So here are a few options: Have you ever heard of ‘scripture tea’. It is a tea bag with a scripture on it. I recommend the Green Tea, but there are different types to choose from. You can pour yourself a warm cup and meditate on God’s word.
If you have never read any of Jack Canfield’s Chicken Soup for the Soul. (There are several subject matters out there.) These are books filled with small, uplifting stories of everyday people. They are very inspiring and I have enjoyed several of them. Whether you just need a ‘bite’ to uplift you by reading one random story or you want the whole ‘bowl’; these stories are sure to lift your spirit.
As a final recommendation when you are allowing your body to heal from a physical sickness is praise and worship music. I love Praise and Worship; Ron Kenoly, Hillsongs, Matt Redman, Jeremy Camp. I could go on as there is a lot of really good praise and worship music out there. It is very uplifting to the soul.
So no matter what you do while you are sick, there are always ways to praise Him, to meditate on His Word and to Glorify Him through your actions.
Father God,
We come before you thanking and praising you for giving us another day. We ask a special blessing upon those who are sick today. No matter the degree of their pain, Lord, we ask that you wrap your arms of love around them, heal them. Lord we thank you that you have given us an opportunity to minister and pray for those who are sick and lonely. For those who are not feeling well, who are struggling with physical or mental pain or both Lord.
You know the needs of your people. We thank you for your healing power. We ask that you bless each and every person today. Let them know your light, your love and your power.
Thank you Father for all of these things and more.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
