Talk Tuesday-The Illusion of the Past

Have you ever sat around reminiscing with your friends about your 'wild and adventurous' days before you became a committed Christian? Let me be the first one to admit to that! I remember laughing with others as I proudly reminisced of my days of partying that somehow seemed carefree, exciting and youthfully foolish. Naturally, what I conveniently forgot to remember was the pain of emptiness, the void that I tried to fill with a myriad of endless activities only to face an unfulfillment of soul that I could not understand. I was chasing after the wind, and we all know that you can't catch the wind-so futile were my efforts to find happiness.

Soon after the victory of the Red Sea, the Israelites found themselves grumbling against the Lord. They encamped in Elim where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. When they left, they came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. The desert was arid and difficult, unlike Elim. "In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death" Exodus 16:3. It is interesting how the people forgot the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt, only remembering the illusion of the 'good times' that were really not that great. The truth is, they were crying out to the Lord because of the pain of their slavery and He delivered them. The journey of Exodus is really a story about revelation. It is here that God begins to make Himself known to the Israelites, and ultimately to us. Not to be outdone by their complaints, God rains down manna and quail from heaven, giving the people an overabundance of food because He is GOD ALMIGHTY.

 When we are tempted to hold on to the illusion of the past for comfort in the present, we will find ourselves in danger of wanting to go back. Let us not be deceived but hold on to the goodness of the LORD and keep marching forward, into the Promised Land. As the Apostle Paul emphatically says, "but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

Movie Monday - October Baby

October Baby: Official Trailer from providentfilms on GodTube.

Talk Tuesday- Everything Under the Sun

Last week as my dad was driving me to school, we began to reminisce about the past. We were laughing as warmhearted memories shaped our conversation when my father began to ponder the meaning behind the fleeting years that once seemed as though they would last forever. He paused, then quietly said, “The years pass so quickly. I wonder what GOD is trying to tell us.” I began to ponder the meaning of this statement.

The Psalmist says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

“As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” Psalm 103:15-16

As I cycle back to my father's question, I think about how I was once young, and now I am older. I take stock of the things that I have done and I wonder, what are their worth? I realize now that whatever is done for the LORD, in the LORD and through the LORD is worth more than gold. If we are parents, let us raise our children to love the LORD wholeheartedly-it will carry an everlasting blessing from generation to generation. If we are married, let us endeavour to love our spouses as Christ loves the church. If we are single, let us use our time wisely to bring Him glory. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the LORD and not to men, knowing that from the LORD you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the LORD CHRIST” Colossians 3:23-24.

Solomon the wealthiest and wisest king in all of Israel embarked upon a quest to discover the meaning of life. “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labour; and this was my reward from all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on all the labour in which I had toiled; and indeed it was all vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11. He concluded that the meaning of all life could be found in the following words; "Fear GOD and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil," Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

And so I remember the words of our King Jesus: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” Matthew 24:44.  “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing,” Matthew 24:45-46.

Let us give everything under the sun to the LORD, who will redeem our years for His honour and glory.

And the WINNER is....Stacey!!!!

Congratulations Stacey you have won our first ever writing contest!  It was a hard fight to the finish.  Our runner up is Raevae.  We want to thank everyone for participating.  It was fun.  Hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.  We will be doing another contest in the future so stay tuned.  Also....

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ONLINE PRAYER MEETING COMING SOON!!!


With the power of Google + we are now able to have up to 10 people join us in an online prayer meeting.    If you are on Google + add me to your circle and when we decide on the best date we will contact you.   If you are interested in doing this  Google Hangout Prayer Meeting leave us a comment below with your ideas or the best day and time for you.

VOTING BEGINS NOW!!!!!

Hey Everyone,

 It was great to read all the entries! We all had a different person for the third spot so we are posting the top 4- Stacy, Betty, Farah, and Raevae. Now it's your turn. Out of the four contestants you get to vote for the winner. All you have to do is make a short comment on the one you like, it can be as short as "I love it", it's that simple.  Voting starts February 14th and ends February 29th 2012. Get all your friends to vote. One vote per person please. Have fun

God bless
Andrew and Tash

PLEASE NOTE: 
If you are not sure how to make a vote/comment click on this link to see a video demonstration.

Stacey - A Tribute

Of all the things I am thankful for since Jesus transformed my life nine years ago, there is one that ranks pretty high on the list. It’s the radical way in which He’s changed and reshaped my view of the opposite sex.

Secular culture did little to help me understand how men think and what they experience or need as they face life—except perhaps that physical intimacy was a high priority, and that for them, being in a relationship—whether a casual or committed one—was important. My own father’s faithful presence in my life was somehow not enough to stop me from believing the lies of the world, the flesh and the devil that were influencing my thinking and attitude towards the opposite sex … and cheapening my expectations of what I should expect from them in relationships and in life.

 But God has been so faithful! He has given me an increased understanding and appreciation for what motivates and discourages them, and how we women can make a difference in how they see themselves—we are in fact uniquely designed to do just that. 

So this is a short tribute and encouragement to you—my brothers in Christ—and to those still finding their way into His light and His love. In spite of what the world communicates to you … you are needed … and valuable … and appreciated!!!

•  Each of you are made in God’s image—unique, precious in His sight, and incomparable to any other (Genesis 1:27, 31, Psalm 8:3-5). 
• Your leadership and provision are a needed dimension in our lives and families (Ephesians 5:23, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Peter 3:7). 
• Your physical strength—though admirable—is most awe-inspiring when used for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 1:25, Psalm 84:5-7). 
• Your spiritual strength comes from your humility and inspires us to follow your lead (Proverbs 11:2, 15:33). 
• Far from being unemotional, your hearts can be vulnerable to the women you love … so guard it wisely (Judges 16:4-19). 
• But trust God to bless you with a woman with whom your heart can be trusted (Proverbs 18:22).
• Your courage in the face of insecurities, setbacks, disappointments, and struggles will be rewarded as you trust God (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:6-8, 2 Chronicles 32:7-8, Psalm 31:23-24, 1 Corinthians 16:13). 

 May God strengthen and prosper you as you honour Him!

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Betty - A Godly Women

Would I be called a godly woman if God looked down on me today? Would there be any evidence of holiness throughout my day? A godly woman is held as something valuable; one who brings good to the world, not harm. She is free from anxiety, worry and strife. Her life is not bound by alarm. A woman of honor provides for her family. She works hard to make ends meet. She gives of herself, unconditionally and she'll be fair to all, until her heart no longer beats.

 A noble woman is kind to the poor. She reaches out a loving hand to those in need. She encompasses strength and dignity; joyfully serving all, never showing a sign of greed. A woman of God shows good judgement and possess' wisdom beyond her years. She offers good counsel to those in pain and shows compassion in her tears. A beloved daughter of the Most High King fears the Lord, and follows Him where He leads. She humbly praises the One who made her and lives to scatter the gospel seeds.

 Would God see all these traits in me or have to search hard to find just one? Would I have to seek His forgiveness for my sins when day is done? I want to live a godly life; a woman after God's own heart. I may not see these qualities in me but today gives me a chance to start. I'll start by whispering a simple prayer for God to make me pure. Then I'll continue to seek Him day by day. I want to be spiritually mature.

 I want to be seen as a woman whose integrity does not cast a doubt. A woman who knows who I am in Christ, not dying away from spiritual drought. Would I be called a godly woman when God looks down on me today. I know He's preparing me for this role but I must let Him lead the way. I humbly come to sit at Jesus' feet, my tears pour forth with joy and sorrows. Sorrow and regret for the way I lived in the past and joy for what God will do with all my tomorrows.

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Click on the comments link below to vote for Betty.