tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15199280173587125252024-03-19T06:35:45.933-04:00Focused on Hima daily endeavor in becoming ChristlikeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-77946923624346983652017-08-17T15:06:00.002-04:002017-08-17T15:06:25.550-04:00The Value of Unanswered PrayerMoses said to the LORD, "Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,' to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-33049768133424793752017-08-05T09:40:00.001-04:002017-08-05T09:40:44.773-04:00Why Do We Suffer?"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-44023959445046895282017-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:002017-01-07T06:00:15.160-05:00The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards #61-70This is our final day reflecting on Jonathan Edwards 70 resolutions. Here are the last 10:
"61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness
which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on
religion, whatever excuse I may have for it–that what my listlessness inclines
me to do, is best to be done, etc.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty;Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-68264259406648900742017-01-06T06:00:00.000-05:002017-01-06T06:00:07.626-05:00The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards #51-60Have you made any resolutions for 2017 yet? Consider the next ten resolutions Jonathan Edwards made for himself:
"51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I
think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would
live, if they were to live their lives over again: resolved, that I will live
just so as I can thinkAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-34493657049916838892017-01-05T05:09:00.000-05:002017-01-05T05:09:43.018-05:00The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards #41-50This is the fifth day considering Jonathan Edwards' 70 resolutions. Here are the next ten for your consideration and reflection:
"41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week,
month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself
to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-49191103309428336002017-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:002017-01-04T06:00:00.151-05:00The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards #31-40
In an attempt to begin 2017 by committing ourselves to godliness in our lives, we have been considering the resolutions that Jonathan Edwards made to himself in his own personal quest for godliness. This is Day 4. Here are the next 10 resolutions:
"31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody,
but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor,
and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-90416479990143374492017-01-03T06:49:00.000-05:002017-01-03T06:49:44.977-05:00The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards #21-30We are trying to begin 2017 by committing ourselves to pursuing godliness in our lives. This is our third day of considering the resolutions that Jonathan Edwards made to himself in his own personal quest for godliness. Here are the next 10:
"21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in
another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way
the more Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-51230364234544862002017-01-02T05:29:00.000-05:002017-01-02T05:29:23.282-05:00The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards #11-20We are trying to begin 2017 by committing ourselves to pursuing godliness in our lives. This is our second day of considering the resolutions Jonathan Edwards made within his own heart in his own personal quest for godliness. Here are the next 10:
"11. Resolved, when I think of any1 theorem
in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if
circumstances don't Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-20659349897790672342017-01-01T05:56:00.000-05:002017-01-01T05:56:18.529-05:00The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards #1-10As we begin the new year of 2017, it is fitting for us to consider the 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. Most of us make resolutions that involve losing weight, exercising more, and eating healthier, yet few of us consider making resolutions to pursue godliness in our lives as Jonathan Edwards did. Over the course of the next week, we'll consider 10 of Jonathan Edwards' resolutions each day. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-6794420188235971602016-12-31T07:00:00.003-05:002016-12-31T07:00:40.452-05:00Bringing Glory to God
"And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me." - Galatians 1:22-24
The Apostle Paul had an amazing conversion experience. The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul (who was named Saul at the time) on the road to Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-9965644920065568662016-12-30T06:44:00.002-05:002016-12-30T12:12:33.518-05:00Be An Example
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us." -Titus 2:7-8
Being an example is a daunting, yet necessary task. The Lord wants to put on display what He is doing in your life, namely changing you into a person Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-36427390770101485602016-12-29T07:52:00.001-05:002016-12-29T07:52:48.665-05:00Past, Present, and Future
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:" -Colossians 1:21-22
Remember your past. There was a time when you were God's enemy. There was a time when you were estranged from the life of God. But then there was a change. By Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-3378537874182323242016-07-18T11:47:00.000-04:002016-07-18T11:47:03.276-04:00Reclaiming A Vision of God's Majesty
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-9124483350347698512015-05-14T13:41:00.000-04:002015-05-14T13:41:12.840-04:00Perseverance and Prayer
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek,
and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” –Luke
11:9-10
Perseverance is a quality that we must develop in prayer. When
a need arises, the natural tendency in prayer is to pray once or even to
neglect prayer altogether. In theAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-49413360904523712492015-05-12T05:00:00.000-04:002015-05-12T05:00:08.337-04:00Perseverance and Persecution
What does it mean to persevere? The word itself means to
“continue in a course of action in spite of difficulty or with little or no
indication of success.” Perseverance is an action word that describes the way a
person lives. It is the action of the one who has the qualities of endurance
and patience. It communicates to us that the one who perseveres has endured a
task or trial for a period of Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-59329708915182599822015-05-11T07:17:00.000-04:002015-05-11T07:17:01.155-04:00The Legacy of Spiritual Growth"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." -Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of the nations. He commanded baptism, and teaching with the goal Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-48720855302696115932015-05-09T09:57:00.001-04:002015-05-09T09:57:17.480-04:00The Context of Spiritual Growth"Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity...for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore." -Psalm 133:1, 3
Spiritual life is not meant to be lived alone. Christians are not supposed to live in monasteries and seclude themselves from other Christians. Neither are Christians supposed to stick to themselves and try to 'go it alone' without Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-72676467291341241002015-05-08T08:31:00.000-04:002015-05-08T08:31:20.573-04:00The Lifestyle of Spiritual Growth
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” -Romans 12:1-2
We’ve considered where spiritual growth Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-31124092758010108652015-05-07T06:00:00.000-04:002015-05-07T06:00:23.580-04:00The Foundations of Growth"The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple." - Psalm 119:130
Yesterday we looked at the beginnings of spiritual growth. Undoubtedly, spiritual growth begins with that desire for God to search us, to know us, and to lead us in the way everlasting. Now lets consider the foundations of spiritual growth.
God's Word, the Bible, is the foundation for our Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-18714749370300694012015-05-06T07:21:00.001-04:002015-05-06T07:23:12.326-04:00The Beginnings of Growth"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." -Psalm 139:23-24
Spiritual growth is an interesting concept. Most Christians would agree that they need spiritual growth. And most of us acknowledge that we are not fully mature spiritually. In fact, when we take a look deep inside our hearts, we have Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-38345365008321572052014-07-16T21:30:00.001-04:002014-07-16T21:30:09.126-04:00We're headed to Nova Scotia!This week Alicia and I accepted a call to pastor a church in Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia. We will be moving in late August. We are thankful, and excited about the Lord's leading in our lives. Please pray for our house in Belgrade to sell in time for our move, and for us to be able to get everything ready! Pray for all of us to have the strength needed for all the tasks before us and for the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-44508652943088446332014-01-13T08:16:00.001-05:002014-01-13T08:16:15.093-05:00Answered PrayersGod answered all of our prayers for our Mikayla Jean. First, we asked him to heal the cystic hygroma problem that was detected early on. God answered by taking that away. Secondly, we prayed that Alicia would be able to carry Mikayla and that she would be born alive even though there was an extremely high risk of miscarriage. I remember sitting in front of the ultrasound specialist and the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-13044554631129107202013-12-30T16:59:00.002-05:002013-12-31T14:07:33.433-05:00Prayer for Alicia Please keep Alicia in your prayers. On top of all that has transpired with Mikayla, we just found out that Alicia has a blood clot in her leg. Right now it is just a superficial clot, but we are concerned because she is already on blood thinners.
The Lord has carried us through this difficult day by his grace and we trust he will continue to carry us. We appreciate your prayers and all the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-22058444690819852792013-12-28T22:22:00.001-05:002013-12-30T09:47:44.504-05:00Mikayla Jean McKeen Born today (Saturday) at 31.5 weeks. She weighs 2 lbs and 1 ounce. Please pray for her development. We are so thankful for the chance to hold her hand and touch her hair. These are precious moments. There are going to be challenges ahead for all of us.
Thanks be to God for this great gift to us.
Mikayla means 'who is like God' and Jean means 'gift from God'. We are learning those Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519928017358712525.post-50598941125496513622013-10-10T19:20:00.002-04:002013-10-10T19:20:46.104-04:00A Very Jodie ChristmasAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16761746709355266165noreply@blogger.com0