We just returned from the funeral home, and while sad I was struck with the most beautiful thought. The Holy Ghost reminded me of a promise Jesus made to all those that followed Him. He was explaining to them that He had to go away. They were sad and He also promised them a Comforter. He told them two different things: 1. Rejoice that I go away because if I go, then the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) will come, and 2. "Do not be sad that I am leaving you. For if I leave, I go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am you may come also".
We can hold to that promise to know beyond a doubt that we will see Jesus, but also that we will see those that go on before us that know Him as their Savior. How?
Quiet simple. If our loved ones know Him, meaning they are washed in His blood and therefore "saved", they are going to where Jesus is. And if we know Him, we will go there also when we die.
Its hard to see through our grief and sadness this mighty promise, but we know Jesus told us that for our own comfort. And we know that God knows what we are going through.
Do you know where God was when your __________ died? Maybe your son, daughter, mother, or friend. Know where He was? The same place He was when His Son died- right there where He has always been...just a prayer away.
What a promise! What an Awesome and All Knowing God! And He can be all yours, friend. You can know where you will be after your death. You can also help ensure that those you love are there too. Wanna know how? Just e-mail or write us, and I will be blessed to share this wonderful promise with you!
A ministers teachings and explanations of just about anything related to Christianity, Psychology, Counseling, or anything elso that may come up. Everyone is welcome, as is any questions or comments. As long as they are not vulger in nature, feel free to speak your mind.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Update? Blessed in tradegy??
Its been a little while, and man have we been busy. We are at the heart of the huge ice storm, and everything has kind of taken a backseat to that. So for those looking at the website for the updates and things, we will get to those as soon as possible. We have been extremely busy here trying to help as many people as possible stay warm and fed. We have had quiet a few lose their jobs and were about to get their electric, water, or phone shut off (yes, they will even do that right before an ice storm...even the day of), so we were running through hoops trying to get enough money together to at least keep the lights on and the heaters running. THEN, almost everyone lost their power any way, so it was another marathon seeing that as many as possible had propane, kerosene, or another place to go. Also spent time getting hay out to some elderly folks cows and horses, and even rounded some up to keep them away from the trees during the worst of it.
I say all of that not to brag, for that is what being a Christian is all about, serving others. I say all of that so you will know that we are not slacking off or getting lazy in the drug ministry, but we have been serving the Lord.
And then to top all of that off, a dear, dear saint and friend of ours went home to be with the Lord. When we came to Kentucky, we literally sold everything we had and came here on a promise from God that there was a work here, and we were called to do it. We began to be attacked by the devil the minute we arrived. The house we were buying did not have any water, Roxann totally lost it seeing how far away from civilization (as we knew it anyway) we were, and we hadn't been here 10 minutes before a car pulled in the drive way and two saints, Junior and Mable Smith pulled up. They gave us water to drink, and over the next three years became family. As a matter of fact, my kids call Junior PawPaw and Mable Granny and just loved them to death. Being in the military, they never got to be around their grandparents, and took up with the two of them like they had known them their whole lives.
Junior was always available for a laugh, a cry, or just plain ole wisdom any time you needed it. Just go over and sit by the fire, and things just didn't seem too bad any more. He always believed in the Lord, but only within the last year had he gave his life to him. I remember the day clearly; I went to visit him, and he was sitting at the table reading the bible. I had just come back to the Lord myself after a brief respite in the woes of pain medicine and Jack Daniels. As soon as I walked in the door, he looked up at me and I saw tears running down his face. He said, "Jesse, it has all been in their the whole time...right there under my nose and I missed it. Just think at the difference it would have made to my sons if I had seen this forty years ago." And I sat down, and he asked me at least a 100 questions, just to make sure it was right. He told me he could have asked Mable, or his new Pastor (hers for years, but "his" only then), but he said he just felt I would actually listen to him and level with him. He asked, "Jesse, that should have been me on that cross, shouldn't it?" I told him yes. And then comforted him by telling him how we should rejoice in that cross, not feel sad or shame!
Any way, my heart is now buried in sorrow...and tears now are falling on the keyboard. Man, I loved him so much...but I know he is with his Jesus. He told me not long ago that he was getting ready to go, but I told him to quit talking like that. And recently because of a disagreement with his son I stopped visiting. We talked on the phone, but I did not want to start trouble and get them upset, so I stayed away. I was a fool to do so, but I can't go back and revisit.
But I am rejoicing as well. He was in constant pain, but not no more. He was saddened because of the choices and the lives three of his children were living...even blamed himself for it, but not no more! He will never cry or be sad again. Ever. Thats a long time.
But he is in our future. After I get over the awe of King Jesus and get settled in my mansion, I'm gonna look ole Junior up. It may be a couple thousand years, but I will find him. I know he will have a fire built (he loved a good fire in the fireplace, and heaven is all of our joy, so he will have one, and I know there will be a seat there for me.
See you on the other side ole friend!
I say all of that not to brag, for that is what being a Christian is all about, serving others. I say all of that so you will know that we are not slacking off or getting lazy in the drug ministry, but we have been serving the Lord.
And then to top all of that off, a dear, dear saint and friend of ours went home to be with the Lord. When we came to Kentucky, we literally sold everything we had and came here on a promise from God that there was a work here, and we were called to do it. We began to be attacked by the devil the minute we arrived. The house we were buying did not have any water, Roxann totally lost it seeing how far away from civilization (as we knew it anyway) we were, and we hadn't been here 10 minutes before a car pulled in the drive way and two saints, Junior and Mable Smith pulled up. They gave us water to drink, and over the next three years became family. As a matter of fact, my kids call Junior PawPaw and Mable Granny and just loved them to death. Being in the military, they never got to be around their grandparents, and took up with the two of them like they had known them their whole lives.
Junior was always available for a laugh, a cry, or just plain ole wisdom any time you needed it. Just go over and sit by the fire, and things just didn't seem too bad any more. He always believed in the Lord, but only within the last year had he gave his life to him. I remember the day clearly; I went to visit him, and he was sitting at the table reading the bible. I had just come back to the Lord myself after a brief respite in the woes of pain medicine and Jack Daniels. As soon as I walked in the door, he looked up at me and I saw tears running down his face. He said, "Jesse, it has all been in their the whole time...right there under my nose and I missed it. Just think at the difference it would have made to my sons if I had seen this forty years ago." And I sat down, and he asked me at least a 100 questions, just to make sure it was right. He told me he could have asked Mable, or his new Pastor (hers for years, but "his" only then), but he said he just felt I would actually listen to him and level with him. He asked, "Jesse, that should have been me on that cross, shouldn't it?" I told him yes. And then comforted him by telling him how we should rejoice in that cross, not feel sad or shame!
Any way, my heart is now buried in sorrow...and tears now are falling on the keyboard. Man, I loved him so much...but I know he is with his Jesus. He told me not long ago that he was getting ready to go, but I told him to quit talking like that. And recently because of a disagreement with his son I stopped visiting. We talked on the phone, but I did not want to start trouble and get them upset, so I stayed away. I was a fool to do so, but I can't go back and revisit.
But I am rejoicing as well. He was in constant pain, but not no more. He was saddened because of the choices and the lives three of his children were living...even blamed himself for it, but not no more! He will never cry or be sad again. Ever. Thats a long time.
But he is in our future. After I get over the awe of King Jesus and get settled in my mansion, I'm gonna look ole Junior up. It may be a couple thousand years, but I will find him. I know he will have a fire built (he loved a good fire in the fireplace, and heaven is all of our joy, so he will have one, and I know there will be a seat there for me.
See you on the other side ole friend!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tithing
Ok, here is the post on tithing, but only a week late. First of all, what is tithing? For those that don't know, tithing is giving a portion of your possessions to God. In the US, this usually means money, but when we worked in Germany, it was not uncommon to get portions of a farmer's harvest, clothes, food, etc. Some Churches take tithing to the extreme by even tithing your time, gas in your car, etc. Some of the more liberal Churches don't teach tithing at all, but most Evangelical's agree that a "tithe" is 10% of your income. And there is even debate here between gross or net pay.
Confused yet? Lets see if we can get this sorted out.
The word itself means "tenth" in Hebrew
First off, tithing was commanded in the Law of Moses and was quiet complicated and depended on where you stood in society, and even what Tribe you were from (Levite's were exempted), and 10% is commanded for most people. But the concept has been around longer than that; look at Genesis 14:20 and find Abram giving tithes to Melchizedek, King of Salem (who was also a Priest of "the most High God" wh the book of Hebrews states Jesus was descended from).
The Promise from God is that if you give, He will bless you 10 times over. Look in the Old Testament book of Malachi 3:6-15, and you will find that God considered it robbery for the Israelites not to tithe (vs 8-9) and then see the blessing in verses 10-12.
That brings us into the New Testament, and the debate in some Churches today. Should we tithe?; Who do we tithe too?; What does Jesus say about it.
You will hear the arguement that Jesus never commanded us to tithe. And that is correct, BUT He did teach on tithing! He taught in Matthew 6:1-4 (Almsgiving in the KJV) on how and who to tithe. How was in secret so you could not brag or be embarrassed, and to God who knows what you gave. He also taught a parable about a widow who gave a penny, and He said she had given "more than all the rich people combined" because she gave all that she owned, while others only gave a portion in Luke 24:1-4.
So now what? I think we confuse tithes with giving sometimes, but I was alway taught that a tithe was the first 10%, and a gift was anything above that. The best New Testament teaching I can point you too is 2 Corinthians Chapters 8 and 9. Go ahead and read it, I'll wait....
Finished? OK, now here is my spill on the entire thing. I think that at a minimum a Christian should give 10% of his or her incomes to God. I am not going to get into the debate about where it goes, but it is usually easier to give this to the Church. As for me personally, I give to my Church as well as to a few other ministries, and I try to outgive myself every year. Why? The blessings of God in my life has been ten fold. I believe part of that is that I am a cheerful giver.
For those that are worried that your Church is not spending money the way you think it should, I will tell you this. Give any way. If your church is misusing its resources, then the people that oversee that are accountable to God. I repeat, you will NOT be accountable for what organizations do with your gift. If you know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would be looking for a different place to worship.
Over all, I would be scared to death to stand before God's throne, and Him call me a thief! I will promise you this, you will not EVER be able to out give God. As His Word States, He will give us "vinyards we did not plant, wells we did not dig, and houses we did not build."
And above all else, this is between you and God. pray, and seek His will; He will show you where your gift is needed most. Some will tell you that your tithe belongs to the Church, and that is final. I am not arguing against them, but I have it on good Authority that my gift giving is blessed!
Giving goes back to our main theme here, love. If you give God a gift begrudgenly and with a heart that is not clear, if you grumble about haveing to give, your gift is worthless (Remember 2 Corinthians?) But if you are living a life of Love as Jesus taught, you will love giving. Give to your Church (after all, their bills have to be paid too), give to those less fortunate...JUST GIVE, and GIVE OFTEN, and you will see blessings of the Most High God rain down from heaven. Friends, that is not Jesse speaking, thats the Word of God.
But if you are still struggling with Love and Forgiveness...keep knocking, keep seeking, and God will use the Holy Ghost to pierce your heart and show you the "better way" (1 COR 13).
Until next time friends, I love you all, and thanks for listening in. Keep those e-mails coming.
Note: I know most of you receive this blog by e-mail, but I want to encourage you to visit the site here and offer your comments or questions. While I welcome the e-mails, and answer most of them, their is lots I would like to share here with our other readers. And this is not to improve our counter, as it only counts you once (it copies your IP Address...even the anonnymous ones) on your first visit. We also have a FAQ up at the ministry site, which is still a work in progress. BTW, we just had our first person officialy clear the "6 month Clean" mark, which scientifically says they are "cured" from their addiction (now all of us ex addicts know that is not true), but it is a milestone that is not easy to reach, so lets Praise the Lord together. He is in the process of writing his testimony for the website, and I hope to have it posted soon. January has been a busy month for us, as we settle into a new church, get the online ministry going, and also enrolled a "record" number of people to receive help for The Only One (JESUS) who can heal their brokenness. Thanks again!! God bless you all!!
Confused yet? Lets see if we can get this sorted out.
The word itself means "tenth" in Hebrew
First off, tithing was commanded in the Law of Moses and was quiet complicated and depended on where you stood in society, and even what Tribe you were from (Levite's were exempted), and 10% is commanded for most people. But the concept has been around longer than that; look at Genesis 14:20 and find Abram giving tithes to Melchizedek, King of Salem (who was also a Priest of "the most High God" wh the book of Hebrews states Jesus was descended from).
The Promise from God is that if you give, He will bless you 10 times over. Look in the Old Testament book of Malachi 3:6-15, and you will find that God considered it robbery for the Israelites not to tithe (vs 8-9) and then see the blessing in verses 10-12.
That brings us into the New Testament, and the debate in some Churches today. Should we tithe?; Who do we tithe too?; What does Jesus say about it.
You will hear the arguement that Jesus never commanded us to tithe. And that is correct, BUT He did teach on tithing! He taught in Matthew 6:1-4 (Almsgiving in the KJV) on how and who to tithe. How was in secret so you could not brag or be embarrassed, and to God who knows what you gave. He also taught a parable about a widow who gave a penny, and He said she had given "more than all the rich people combined" because she gave all that she owned, while others only gave a portion in Luke 24:1-4.
So now what? I think we confuse tithes with giving sometimes, but I was alway taught that a tithe was the first 10%, and a gift was anything above that. The best New Testament teaching I can point you too is 2 Corinthians Chapters 8 and 9. Go ahead and read it, I'll wait....
Finished? OK, now here is my spill on the entire thing. I think that at a minimum a Christian should give 10% of his or her incomes to God. I am not going to get into the debate about where it goes, but it is usually easier to give this to the Church. As for me personally, I give to my Church as well as to a few other ministries, and I try to outgive myself every year. Why? The blessings of God in my life has been ten fold. I believe part of that is that I am a cheerful giver.
For those that are worried that your Church is not spending money the way you think it should, I will tell you this. Give any way. If your church is misusing its resources, then the people that oversee that are accountable to God. I repeat, you will NOT be accountable for what organizations do with your gift. If you know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would be looking for a different place to worship.
Over all, I would be scared to death to stand before God's throne, and Him call me a thief! I will promise you this, you will not EVER be able to out give God. As His Word States, He will give us "vinyards we did not plant, wells we did not dig, and houses we did not build."
And above all else, this is between you and God. pray, and seek His will; He will show you where your gift is needed most. Some will tell you that your tithe belongs to the Church, and that is final. I am not arguing against them, but I have it on good Authority that my gift giving is blessed!
Giving goes back to our main theme here, love. If you give God a gift begrudgenly and with a heart that is not clear, if you grumble about haveing to give, your gift is worthless (Remember 2 Corinthians?) But if you are living a life of Love as Jesus taught, you will love giving. Give to your Church (after all, their bills have to be paid too), give to those less fortunate...JUST GIVE, and GIVE OFTEN, and you will see blessings of the Most High God rain down from heaven. Friends, that is not Jesse speaking, thats the Word of God.
But if you are still struggling with Love and Forgiveness...keep knocking, keep seeking, and God will use the Holy Ghost to pierce your heart and show you the "better way" (1 COR 13).
Until next time friends, I love you all, and thanks for listening in. Keep those e-mails coming.
Note: I know most of you receive this blog by e-mail, but I want to encourage you to visit the site here and offer your comments or questions. While I welcome the e-mails, and answer most of them, their is lots I would like to share here with our other readers. And this is not to improve our counter, as it only counts you once (it copies your IP Address...even the anonnymous ones) on your first visit. We also have a FAQ up at the ministry site, which is still a work in progress. BTW, we just had our first person officialy clear the "6 month Clean" mark, which scientifically says they are "cured" from their addiction (now all of us ex addicts know that is not true), but it is a milestone that is not easy to reach, so lets Praise the Lord together. He is in the process of writing his testimony for the website, and I hope to have it posted soon. January has been a busy month for us, as we settle into a new church, get the online ministry going, and also enrolled a "record" number of people to receive help for The Only One (JESUS) who can heal their brokenness. Thanks again!! God bless you all!!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Who do you Love?
OK, I am behind on my post's and thanks for all of the reminders. I know I said I would next post about tithing, but God has led me in a different direction tonight. More Love talk!!
Read Revelation 2:1-7. Go ahead, I'll wait....
This message to the Church at Ephesus could very well have been written to some of us personally today. We have left our First Love. Now this was a message to a Church that was working for God. Jesus listed quiet a few things they were doing right, but He had one thing against them. In spite of all the works they were doing, they had "left your first love."
Have you? This post today is for the Christians out there. Who is your first love? So many people I see "working" for God are running around with a frown on their face, and you ask them how they are doing, and you'll here: " I'm Making it." "I am keeping on." "I am wore out." And they look just pitiful and miserable. Now this is a minority of the Church any way, as most members of our churches don't do anything. But when you see them on Sunday, you will hear the same thing. But we are not talking about them today. But this message is for all Christians, I was just using that as an example because I witnessed it today.
What is your first love? Is it your job? It might be. Will you get up at 5am, stand in the snow, scrape ice off your windows, and drive for an hour in bad weather to go to Church? Visit the hospital or nursing home? Take food to a widow or elderly couple? Most don't, but they would for $10 an hour.
Is it your car? Would you spend $100 on cleaning supplies and spend three hour cleaning your church? Or someone you know who has been sick or having a hard time; would you do that to their house?
Is it your television? Would you stay up late to be with someone who is lonely? Would you go visiting on Tuesdays with your Church during American Idol? How many hours do you spend watching TV? How many hours do you spend reading your Bible?
So what is it? Sports? Women? Men? Pets?
Here is a quick test. If you love something, you will spend time caring for, nurturing, and showing it off. The thing you spend the most of your time doing is probably your first love.
Now you know where this is going.
Know who your First Love should be?
Is He?
Verse five tells us how to remedy this, and it comes from the mouth of Jesus Himself. And He also tells you in the same verse what will happen if you don't repent and re-find your first love.
And Verse seven tells you what reward you will receive.
So I ask you again; who is your First love?
(And there is a hidden message here for all of you Pharisees that are wrapped up in legalism and works. Without love, it is all for nothing. Stop judging, and start working for your First-Love with love.)
Read Revelation 2:1-7. Go ahead, I'll wait....
This message to the Church at Ephesus could very well have been written to some of us personally today. We have left our First Love. Now this was a message to a Church that was working for God. Jesus listed quiet a few things they were doing right, but He had one thing against them. In spite of all the works they were doing, they had "left your first love."
Have you? This post today is for the Christians out there. Who is your first love? So many people I see "working" for God are running around with a frown on their face, and you ask them how they are doing, and you'll here: " I'm Making it." "I am keeping on." "I am wore out." And they look just pitiful and miserable. Now this is a minority of the Church any way, as most members of our churches don't do anything. But when you see them on Sunday, you will hear the same thing. But we are not talking about them today. But this message is for all Christians, I was just using that as an example because I witnessed it today.
What is your first love? Is it your job? It might be. Will you get up at 5am, stand in the snow, scrape ice off your windows, and drive for an hour in bad weather to go to Church? Visit the hospital or nursing home? Take food to a widow or elderly couple? Most don't, but they would for $10 an hour.
Is it your car? Would you spend $100 on cleaning supplies and spend three hour cleaning your church? Or someone you know who has been sick or having a hard time; would you do that to their house?
Is it your television? Would you stay up late to be with someone who is lonely? Would you go visiting on Tuesdays with your Church during American Idol? How many hours do you spend watching TV? How many hours do you spend reading your Bible?
So what is it? Sports? Women? Men? Pets?
Here is a quick test. If you love something, you will spend time caring for, nurturing, and showing it off. The thing you spend the most of your time doing is probably your first love.
Now you know where this is going.
Know who your First Love should be?
Is He?
Verse five tells us how to remedy this, and it comes from the mouth of Jesus Himself. And He also tells you in the same verse what will happen if you don't repent and re-find your first love.
And Verse seven tells you what reward you will receive.
So I ask you again; who is your First love?
(And there is a hidden message here for all of you Pharisees that are wrapped up in legalism and works. Without love, it is all for nothing. Stop judging, and start working for your First-Love with love.)
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Ministry Update
It is 5:30 in the morning, and I have literally worked all night working on something that I am really proud to announce to all of you. I have finally, by the Grace of Almighty God, got our ministry website up and running. It is far from being where I want it, but hey, it is up and running. This is a dream that I have had for a really long time, and is what I believe is part of my calling from God.
We have worked for 2 years trying to build a Christian Counseling Ministry and Drug Addiction Center here on the ground, and have met road block after roadblock, and obstacle after obstacle. Most of those hurdles were from the Churches in the area believe it or not. They all want to talk and preach about working for God on Sunday, but when it comes to supporting something or actually working, other than the Pastors (and only a few of them) you are on your own.
But through this blog God has allowed us to help and counsel so many people, I decided to make a full time, online ministry out of it. And Praise His Holy Name, a big step in that direction has happened today. An online, Christian Counseling site, where any one can come for help for where they hurt, and get an unbiased, Bible based, Christ focused plan of action for their situation. This can range from drug addiction, to marital problems, or just plain ole Bible questions no one will answer them in English with. And it won't cost them a dime. I am not some snake-oil salesman offering a cure for money...just plain Bible advice.
Now, of course this cost's money, and if I am not going to charge what most counselor's would charge $50-75 per hour for, how are we going to pay for it? Well, as you will see, on the website, we have actually set up two different Amazon Stores. One, we sell the things ourselves, and that consists of items (mostly books and antique things) that have been donated to us, or that Roxann has found out at the flea markets and yard sales. And the other one is where third party vendors sell their stuff through our site. This is all Christian oriented stuff like Bibles and Gospel Cd's and other Christian items, which we get a small percentage of the proceeds. And finally, we sell advertising on our site through Google and Bravenet, which should be Christian tiered as well. (or at least, PG rated...no XXX sites or violent video games). Of course, noone has to buy anything, and we will not actively "sell" either, but if you are going to be shopping anyway, Amazon has just about anything you need. So instead of going to Amazon's site directly, you can use our site, and support the ministry at the same time. We will eventually have a way to offer donations (people always ask how to donate), but as of yet we haven't figured out that part yet. we want it to be transparent enough that you can easily tell we are not pulling a Benny Hinn on you and becoming millionares. I assure you, that after administrative cost's, 100% of the proceeds will go right back into the ministry...after all, we want to build our 2 million dollar treatment facilty debt free. And we will do it to.
SO here are the sites. Check them out when you have time, and remember they are still a "work in progress", and we will get it right after the inevitable hiccups.
Our main site is: http://rmbooksandcollectibles.com. We are working on changing the domain name, but we already owned that one, so we are using it until we get the money to buy another one. Don't worry, this blog will stay the same, and will not change. You can access it directly from the site as well.
The link to both stores are on the site as well, but you can also go to our personal store at http://gracecounselingstore.com. Everything is safe and secure in both, as they are both managed by Amazon.
So please check them out and tell me what you think. And please, please, interact on the site. Use the forums, Q&A's, and all the other resources on there. And I could use all the feedback you could offer and will treat all with respect and consideration. Thanks alot, and God Bless!
We have worked for 2 years trying to build a Christian Counseling Ministry and Drug Addiction Center here on the ground, and have met road block after roadblock, and obstacle after obstacle. Most of those hurdles were from the Churches in the area believe it or not. They all want to talk and preach about working for God on Sunday, but when it comes to supporting something or actually working, other than the Pastors (and only a few of them) you are on your own.
But through this blog God has allowed us to help and counsel so many people, I decided to make a full time, online ministry out of it. And Praise His Holy Name, a big step in that direction has happened today. An online, Christian Counseling site, where any one can come for help for where they hurt, and get an unbiased, Bible based, Christ focused plan of action for their situation. This can range from drug addiction, to marital problems, or just plain ole Bible questions no one will answer them in English with. And it won't cost them a dime. I am not some snake-oil salesman offering a cure for money...just plain Bible advice.
Now, of course this cost's money, and if I am not going to charge what most counselor's would charge $50-75 per hour for, how are we going to pay for it? Well, as you will see, on the website, we have actually set up two different Amazon Stores. One, we sell the things ourselves, and that consists of items (mostly books and antique things) that have been donated to us, or that Roxann has found out at the flea markets and yard sales. And the other one is where third party vendors sell their stuff through our site. This is all Christian oriented stuff like Bibles and Gospel Cd's and other Christian items, which we get a small percentage of the proceeds. And finally, we sell advertising on our site through Google and Bravenet, which should be Christian tiered as well. (or at least, PG rated...no XXX sites or violent video games). Of course, noone has to buy anything, and we will not actively "sell" either, but if you are going to be shopping anyway, Amazon has just about anything you need. So instead of going to Amazon's site directly, you can use our site, and support the ministry at the same time. We will eventually have a way to offer donations (people always ask how to donate), but as of yet we haven't figured out that part yet. we want it to be transparent enough that you can easily tell we are not pulling a Benny Hinn on you and becoming millionares. I assure you, that after administrative cost's, 100% of the proceeds will go right back into the ministry...after all, we want to build our 2 million dollar treatment facilty debt free. And we will do it to.
SO here are the sites. Check them out when you have time, and remember they are still a "work in progress", and we will get it right after the inevitable hiccups.
Our main site is: http://rmbooksandcollectibles.com. We are working on changing the domain name, but we already owned that one, so we are using it until we get the money to buy another one. Don't worry, this blog will stay the same, and will not change. You can access it directly from the site as well.
The link to both stores are on the site as well, but you can also go to our personal store at http://gracecounselingstore.com. Everything is safe and secure in both, as they are both managed by Amazon.
So please check them out and tell me what you think. And please, please, interact on the site. Use the forums, Q&A's, and all the other resources on there. And I could use all the feedback you could offer and will treat all with respect and consideration. Thanks alot, and God Bless!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A Story
OK, most of us have pretty good imaginations, so I would like you to use them in this little story. This is a TRUE story at its base, but I have changed the circumstances for reasons you will see shortly.
Imagine for a minute that you decided to take a trip to an exotic location. It doesn't matter which one, just make one up, like one you have always wanted to go. So you are in this place, and aside from the strange customs and people, you are enjoying yourself.
You meet some friends and decide to go out one night to a local spot off in the woods, or wild, to a nice little park. While there you hear a commotion, and see that a crowd of people are approaching you. Come to find out, they are all policemen. They tell you you are under arrest. You are flabbergasted, but have no choice but to go with them.
They bring you before the Judge, and without even telling you the charges, the judge declares you guilty and then immediately sentences you to death. And not just any execution, but a special one for thieves and rapists. No matter how much you beg and plead and tell them you are not guilty, it does no good. The mode of death is that they nail you to a wood pole and let you slowly die over several days.
So they drag you to the pole, and it takes quiet a few of them, but they finally stretch your first hand out. The guard places the nail against your wrist...you can feel the point digging into your flesh. Another guard has a large hammer, and he rears it back, preparing to strike. But then all of a sudden a voice rings out..."Wait, wait, " it yells. This gentleman deserves to die, but instead I would like to take his place.
The guards were surprised and talked among themselves and then told the newcomer, " We must clear this through the Judge, for someone must die today for those crimes." It just so happens that the Judge was in the crowd that had gathered. The Judge slowly walks to the man and says to the guard, this man is my Son. "But He insists," the guard said. And the Judge declared, "As long as it is of His own free will, I will allow my Son to take the place of this criminal."
And that is just what happened.
Sound unbelievable? But something very similar happened. You see, the human race had become so corrupt and vile that the Lord God was going to condemn every living soul to death.
That was, unless a worthy sacrifice could be found. And after looking all through the Heavens and earth, a Worthy Sacrifice was found.
Revelations Chapter 5, verse 12 states: " Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain."
You see, that Lamb was Jesus, and He died a horrible, horrible death...in your place.
No matter how good a person you are, or how many good things you have done, you will never be worthy enough to stand before God. For even the best among us has sin. It was imparted to us at our birth.
So those 39 stripes...three nails...1 spear...and countless beatings- God plainly says that should have been you. But Jesus chose to take your place. And if you are washed in His blood, then you become worthy to stand before God. You know, God could have asked one of the angels to go...maybe Michael, or Gabriel, and they would have obeyed. But instead He came Himself.
Every man, woman, and child will one day stand before Gods throne, and bow upon our knees. But Jesse, you say, I don't believe in all that. Well that's ok, you will still bow.
And God will see one of two things: He will either see you for what you really are (a sinful human being), or He will see the Blood of Jesus Christ, which covers you at Salvation.
But He will not pass judgment yet. He will look over at His Son, who is sitting at His right hand and ask, "My Son, do you know this person?" And if Jesus says Yes, then you will hear these beautiful words: Well done My good and faithful servant; come in and share the bounty of your Lord." Or if He says no, you will hear: "Depart from me forever more and you will be thrown into the darkness (hell) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Note: You can find a parable where Jesus explains this very thing in Matthew 25:14-30)
So see, why wait? The penalty has already been paid, so why not accept His free gift to you?
Which answer will you hear when God asks His son "Do you know this person?"
I know the answer for me...but do you. If you would like to know how to receive this free gift, shoot me an e-mail and I will get in touch with you!
PS- I hope to have a Plan of Salvation posted here soon for those of you that have suggested it. I just have learned how to post these, so please be patient!!
Jesse
Imagine for a minute that you decided to take a trip to an exotic location. It doesn't matter which one, just make one up, like one you have always wanted to go. So you are in this place, and aside from the strange customs and people, you are enjoying yourself.
You meet some friends and decide to go out one night to a local spot off in the woods, or wild, to a nice little park. While there you hear a commotion, and see that a crowd of people are approaching you. Come to find out, they are all policemen. They tell you you are under arrest. You are flabbergasted, but have no choice but to go with them.
They bring you before the Judge, and without even telling you the charges, the judge declares you guilty and then immediately sentences you to death. And not just any execution, but a special one for thieves and rapists. No matter how much you beg and plead and tell them you are not guilty, it does no good. The mode of death is that they nail you to a wood pole and let you slowly die over several days.
So they drag you to the pole, and it takes quiet a few of them, but they finally stretch your first hand out. The guard places the nail against your wrist...you can feel the point digging into your flesh. Another guard has a large hammer, and he rears it back, preparing to strike. But then all of a sudden a voice rings out..."Wait, wait, " it yells. This gentleman deserves to die, but instead I would like to take his place.
The guards were surprised and talked among themselves and then told the newcomer, " We must clear this through the Judge, for someone must die today for those crimes." It just so happens that the Judge was in the crowd that had gathered. The Judge slowly walks to the man and says to the guard, this man is my Son. "But He insists," the guard said. And the Judge declared, "As long as it is of His own free will, I will allow my Son to take the place of this criminal."
And that is just what happened.
Sound unbelievable? But something very similar happened. You see, the human race had become so corrupt and vile that the Lord God was going to condemn every living soul to death.
That was, unless a worthy sacrifice could be found. And after looking all through the Heavens and earth, a Worthy Sacrifice was found.
Revelations Chapter 5, verse 12 states: " Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain."
You see, that Lamb was Jesus, and He died a horrible, horrible death...in your place.
No matter how good a person you are, or how many good things you have done, you will never be worthy enough to stand before God. For even the best among us has sin. It was imparted to us at our birth.
So those 39 stripes...three nails...1 spear...and countless beatings- God plainly says that should have been you. But Jesus chose to take your place. And if you are washed in His blood, then you become worthy to stand before God. You know, God could have asked one of the angels to go...maybe Michael, or Gabriel, and they would have obeyed. But instead He came Himself.
Every man, woman, and child will one day stand before Gods throne, and bow upon our knees. But Jesse, you say, I don't believe in all that. Well that's ok, you will still bow.
And God will see one of two things: He will either see you for what you really are (a sinful human being), or He will see the Blood of Jesus Christ, which covers you at Salvation.
But He will not pass judgment yet. He will look over at His Son, who is sitting at His right hand and ask, "My Son, do you know this person?" And if Jesus says Yes, then you will hear these beautiful words: Well done My good and faithful servant; come in and share the bounty of your Lord." Or if He says no, you will hear: "Depart from me forever more and you will be thrown into the darkness (hell) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Note: You can find a parable where Jesus explains this very thing in Matthew 25:14-30)
So see, why wait? The penalty has already been paid, so why not accept His free gift to you?
Which answer will you hear when God asks His son "Do you know this person?"
I know the answer for me...but do you. If you would like to know how to receive this free gift, shoot me an e-mail and I will get in touch with you!
PS- I hope to have a Plan of Salvation posted here soon for those of you that have suggested it. I just have learned how to post these, so please be patient!!
Jesse
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