Monday, July 31, 2006
Today I received a phone call from the chairman of a very, very small church in another community who had become aware of the $40,000 critical need Home and Away Ministries, Inc. has this week. He asked to meet with me and when we met he presented me with a check for $100. I was deeply touched by their sacrifice because this gift would be like $1500 to many other churches. Sometimes when our needs are great it is easy to forget to be grateful for the little things. We are still $39,900 short but if we do not receive another penny and financial disaster strikes, I will never forget the sacrifice by this little church, which is obviously very big in God’s eyes, that cared enough about us to make a reach out and make a difference.
-Lyn Sahr
-Mark 12:41-44 NIV
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.”
Sunday, July 30, 2006
When a pastor is constantly using other people’s sermons he has not had the opportunity to live the sermon in life or in preparation. It is like dipping water out of a well with your hands and filling a bucket or just taking someone else’s bucket already full of water to give to people to drink. Somehow, it just isn’t the same whether it is well water or living water. You have to feel it to real it
-Lyn Sahr
-John 7:37-38 NIV
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Saturday July 29, 2006
We’ve spent several days this week putting brick on the front of our house in 100-degree temperatures. And what we though would be a “quick” project is turning into something that will take more time than we thought.
As with any stone project, the key is your lead line of bricks. This is making sure the foundation, or first row of bricks is evenly spaced, the same height, and they bond together solid. Once your lead line is in place, it’s easier to place the other rows of brick on your wall. If your lead line is solid and well placed, the project will be easier to finish. But if your lead line isn’t solid, you will have problems and need to spend more time getting your bricks laid.
As a Christian, our lead line (or foundation) should be Jesus Christ. With Him as our anchor, even though rough times will come, we will have Him to stand on. If you don’t have a firm foundation and relationship with Him, you’re building your wall on a shaky foundation!
-Garrett Novak
-Hebrews 11:1-2
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
-Proverbs 24:3
It takes wisdom to build a house,
and understanding to set it on a firm foundation
Thursday, July 27, 2006
A special reading for you today…
The Touch Of The Masters Hand
‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?”
“Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three…” But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
And going and gone,” said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply:
“The touch of the Master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
A game — and he travels on.
He is “going” once, and “going” twice,
He’s “going” and almost “gone.”
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.
-Myra Brooks Welch
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
As you know, we have a very active ministry, Home and Away Ministries, Inc. which is a non-profit 501 C 3 corporation that has two distinct ministries. The Great Commission Alliance which works away from home to minister in Mexico and to set up sister church relationships between churches in the United State and Mexico. And Ruby’s Pantry who distributes food out of our 11,000 square foot distribution center to churches, food shelves and other organizations to rural communities in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. You are also aware of the fact that we have had a very difficult time funding this ministry and it is experiencing severe cash flow problems.
We face a real critical deadline on August 5th where we have to pay $40,000, $26,000 of it is for the roof replacement on the distribution center that was installed in April. This is an absolute. We need a miracle! Trust me, it has to be paid by then or our entire ministry is at risk. This has been a lot of pressure for Lonna and myself to endure the needs of the ministry and our own personal needs as well. Ironically, the past thirty days we have had the largest financial month in the history of our ministry and we have new suppliers of food for Ruby’s Pantry that causes us to praise the Lord. But the reality of losing $3,000 to $4,000 a month the past year and borrowing money to keep Ruby’s Pantry going has a tendency to out weigh these praises. I have said all of that to say this;
Today as I was driving my van on the way to a meeting with a large food organization I was talking to myself and I said something very uncharacteristic of me, using language not considered acceptable in evangelical Christian circles. Obviously my frustrations were speaking out and I silently said; “How in the hell are we going to get the money to pay this?!?!?” To my surprise a quite, assuring voice spoke to me and said, “It isn’t going to come from hell!”
To say I was startled would be an extreme understatement. Today I was reminded that if our funding doesn’t come from God’s people it certainly isn’t coming from the devil’s people! Please pray that God’s people, the church, responds in obedience if God asks them to help in this way. Your prayers are also cherished for the Lonna, myself, our board and volunteers as this is a stressful time.
P.S. One time I told a car dealer that if I were him I would find it difficult to sell cars to my family and friends and make money off them. He responded, “Well then who am I going to make money off, my enemies? They aren’t going to buy from me!”
The same could be said about supporting this ministry.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 28:6-9 NIV
Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
How do you get on the good side of God? Stay on the bad side of the devil!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 89:14-18 NIV
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.
16 They rejoice in your name all day long;
they exult in your righteousness.
17 For you are their glory and strength,
and by your favor you exalt our horn.
18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Monday, July 24, 2006
There is an old chorus in the church that says;
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
Give me oil in my lamp I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning, burning, burning.
Keep me burning till the break of day.
We all have days that we could use a refill of the oil that it takes to keep us burning. That filling only comes from the God, not from human hands or invention. And the best news, it is less than a penny a gallon. Actually, it is free!!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rev 22:17 NIV
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Sometimes a Christian prays and it appears that God has gone on vacation. Sometimes, He might be silent because we pray for things that are against His will. Sometimes, God is testing us to see if we will remain faithful when there is no apparent answer to the prayers. But I believe that there are times when we hinder the work of God. How can that be? By having unconfessed sin in our lives.
The Bible talks about the need to confess all sin to God. So when I sense that God is silent, it is a good time to seek Him and ask Him to reveal any unconfessed sin in my life. It may not be pleasant, but I believe that God wants to cleanse us of all sin and make us pure vessels. He wants to purify us because He knows that unconfessed sin can eventually separate us from Him. And He is more concerned about our being holy than our being comfortable.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 24:3,4
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Yesterday we picked up a load of food that filled our 24’ straight truck from top to bottom for Ruby’s Pantry. We brought it to our distribution center where people came, picked up food and brought it directly to the homes of people in their communities that had needs. One volunteer brought food to fourteen different homes yesterday!
Giving is a wonderful way to express ones love and concern for others. Unfortunately, it is fast becoming a thing of the past in this “Get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can” mentality today. Self satisfaction and self denial are concepts from two totally different philosophies of life. But one thing I know, I have never seen the sparkle in the eyes of a greedy, self centered person as I saw in the volunteer who delivered food to fourteen homes yesterday!
Greed dims and blinds the eyes of an otherwise good person preventing them from seeing others the way God sees them.
-Lyn Sahr
-Acts 20:32-38 NIV
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
36 When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Friday, July 21, 2006
When God begins to move, He does it against a multitude of voices. He doesn’t listen to His critics.
Wait, does God have critics? Does God have critics! Where have you been?
We see God’s critics all around us from the government, the schools, media and churches. Churches? Yes churches!
God’s people are some of His biggest critics. They always want things done their way on their time table. Sometimes we call this prayer!
P.S. God doesn’t always ignore His critics.
-Lyn Sahr
-Num 16:16-17:1 NIV
Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow–you and they and Aaron. 17 Each man is to take his censer and put incense in it–250 censers in all–and present it before the LORD. You and Aaron are to present your censers also.” 18 So each man took his censer, put fire and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 19 When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly. 20 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 21 “Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.”
22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and cried out, “O God, God of the spirits of all mankind, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?”
23 Then the LORD said to Moses, 24 “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.'”
25 Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 He warned the assembly, “Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.” 27 So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children and little ones at the entrances to their tents.
28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and experience only what usually happens to men, then the LORD has not sent me. 30 But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.”
31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah’s men and all their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”
35 And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.
36 The LORD said to Moses, 37 “Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to take the censers out of the smoldering remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy– 38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the LORD and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites.”
39 So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40 as the LORD directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD, or he would become like Korah and his followers.
41 The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the LORD’s people,” they said.
42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the Tent of Meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the Tent of Meeting, 44 and the LORD said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” And they fell facedown.
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with fire from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, for the plague had stopped.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
In the summer of 1966 I purchased gas for 29.9 cents a gallon in Minnesota. In 1967 or so I purchased gas in South Dakota for fewer than 20 cents a gallon. Yesterday I paid $2.99 per gallon. To put that in perspective, in 1966 it cost me the same for ten gallons of gas as it cost me today for one gallon!
The good news is that the price of salvation has not went up or down in over 2000 years since it was paid in full at Calvary.
-Lyn Sahr
-Titus 2:11-14 NIV
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Today I received an email from a person who has cancer. The other day I was told of someone I know who has a brain tumor. Most of you reading this today know of someone who is suffering some kind of serious illness in their lives. What role does each of us play in helping those with life-threatening conditions?
First and foremost, we must pray. God is still in the business of answering prayer and prayer changes things.
Second, we should check our physical, financial, emotional, network and spiritual resources and see if we are able to provide further help.
And finally, we give until it helps!
But we also must let God be God. The hard reality is that each of our lives are terminal, we are going to die someday, and each breath we take is by the will of God. Make each day precious for you and those around you.
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 25:34-26:1 NIV
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
If you could bring one thing into eternity with you, what would it be? That is quite a question considering that there is nothing you can take with you to eternity. Or is there?
The only thing you can take with you to eternity is other people! And eternity is either heaven or hell. Our faith or the lack thereof has a major impact on family, friends and others around us which result in eternal consequences. In other words, each of our lives are important and impacting on others.
The most important question a little boy or little girl ever asks their parents is, “Daddy (Mommy), will you be in heaven? If not, I don’t want to go!”
-Lyn Sahr
-Ex 20:4-6 NIV
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand [ generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Monday, July 17, 2006
When people seek God first in their lives, they avoid a lot of other things that cause them needless pain and suffering. We have a tendency to focus on things that we are seeking and often those things become reality. In other words, if we seek evil we get evil. Sin is not something to be taken lightly. Its heavy burden has brought a lot giant Christians to their knees.
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Small children have such an honest approach to life free from prejudices and then they get around ignorant adults who call people of different races by numerous derogatory names. Some people are actually so ignorant as to believe that God, who created people of all color in His image, loves one shade of skin better than another. The key word here is ignorance!
-Lyn Sahr
-Gen 1:26-28 NIV
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Saturday, July 15, 2006
We are experiencing one of those rare heat waves in Minnesota and the temperature today will likely hit 100 degrees. In some parts of the world that would seem like no big deal but remember that in Minnesota we experience winters with -20, -30, -40 or more degrees below zero. We don’t do well with this much heat and humidity. Of course this affects the water levels of wells, lakes and rivers as well as scorching the crops useless right in the fields. And there is nothing anyone can do about it. God still controls nature and it is beyond the hand of man.
And to think we know so much!
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 40:25-26 NIV
“To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Change is almost humanly impossible. We can’t buy, trade or inherit it! That is why we need God’s help to make needed changes in our lives. Reflections of the past are usually predictions of the future unless a person makes changes in their lives.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 55:19 NIV
…men who never change their ways
and have no fear of God.
-Prov 15:33 NIV
The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Giving hope to others is part of the Christian life. Never has anyone improved the life of another by being harshly critical or gossiping. When people behave in this manner they are not caring or concerned but rather ungodly. As Christians we must control our tongues to be used for the betterment others and the kingdom of God.
I appreciate those who criticize, malign, slander and gossip about me. They help me remember what I don’t want to be like!
-Lyn Sahr
-James 1:26 NIV
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
We are all responsible for our own relationship with Jesus Christ. Too often people blame others for their shattered faith. Ones spirituality is not a blame game but a responsibility game!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Cor 7:23-24 NIV
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
To walk by faith requires something more than a short trip to church, it requires the journey of a lifetime. We are not created to be short-term which is what many people think today. We were created to be eternal and, although it may seem lengthy at times, this life’s journey is short. God created this life and we should enjoy it. If you’re not enjoying this journey, I am not sure you will enjoy the next one!
-Lyn Sahr
-Eccl 8:15 NIV
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Many years ago there was a country song sung by Tom T. Hall that hit the charts and one of the lines in the song has stuck with me all these years;
“Aint but three things in this world that’s worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine.”
Today I sat in McDonalds reviewing a reference form I filled out for someone and I noticed I was sitting next to this elderly black couple whom I have often seen there. I remembered some of the words to the old song and I decided to take a few minutes and learn some old spun wisdom from the elderly black gentleman.
He told me he was 82 and married since 1946. I was someone what surprised at his age because he is in very good shape physically and mentally. He grew up in Louisiana and couldn’t figure out why the people didn’t leave the city when the mayor told them they were going to get flooded out if the levy’s broke. He also said, “Why do they want to rebuild that city. It is the dirtiest city in America full of prostitutes, drug pushers and con men.”
In visiting with him it became apparent that New Orleans did not get that way over night and then he be begun to talk about the Twin Cities and the violence there today. It didn’t get like that over night either. We don’t have Bourbon Street in the Twin Cities but anything that can be found on Bourbon Street in New Orleans can certainly be found in the Twin Cities or any major city in America. And we live in a day when speaking out against immorality is not politically correct!
Hmmm, since when did politics dictate morality? I thought that was the churches job!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 73:26-28 NIV
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
-Prov 14:32 NIV
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
Sunday, July 9, 2006
God has given each of us special abilities and talents. He gives them to us for one purpose: to build up and edify the body of Christ. Too many times we use those gifts and abilities to build up our own kingdom. We use them in furthering a career, in forging “good” relationships–relationships that will help us achieve success. And sometimes we just don’t use them at all.
In many churches today it is hard to find workers. The excuses are “I can’t do that” or “I just don’t have time”, or some other excuse. And the work of God suffers. What we forget is that God expects us to work together, using the gifts and abilities He has given to further His kingdom. We get so caught up in things that have no eternal significance that we are forgetting the most important thing.
Some people work to amass more things. God doesn’t disagree with that unless that is your sole purpose in life. We have seen how in a matter of minutes, a family can lose their home and everything in it when a storm hits. But if we are anchored in Christ, and His Kingdom is our priority, no matter what this world throws at us, we won’t be shaken.
I think it is time for Christians to step up and say, “What can I do?” If we would start using our abilities to further Christ’s kingdom, we could be soon seeing a revival in our land. We need to understand that this life isn’t about our being comfortable, it is about proclaiming His love each and every day. And when we do that, we will find more contentment than we could ever find in the things of this world.
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Saturday July 8, 2006
Instead of asking “why?” when God brings something your way, how about asking “why not?”
-Garrett Novak
-Luke 1:37 (NIV)
“For nothing is impossible with God.”
Friday, July 7, 2006
The secret to finding happiness in marriage is….
Rule #8 – Become familiar with forgiveness.
Rule #8 is not a cure all but unlike losing weight; you can shed these pounds by a simple heart exercise!
-Prov 19:11 NIV
A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Thursday, July 6, 2006
The secret to finding happiness in marriage is….
Rule #7 – Consistency is not an option, it is a requirement.
Rule # 7 is not a cure all but, like baseball, an every day single hitter is much more valuable than the player who hits a rare home run but regularly strikes out.
-Matt 7:7-8 NIV
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
The secret to finding happiness in marriage is….
Rule #6 – Stand in awe of God!
Rule # 6 is not a cure all but when you see God big you see yourself small, not meaningless, but in a humbling perspective that He has answers to the questions in your life and marriage.
-Ps 65:5-8 NIV
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.
Tuesday, July 4, 2007
Like many of you today in America, we celebrated the fourth of July with a picnic with family. We went to the in-laws who are 85 and 82, just getting started in life. As I carried out my food to the picnic table on the deck I suddenly felt this sharp pain in my leg. When Looked down there a hornet (bee) had stung me and boy did it hurt! Oh well, I thought and sat down and ate.
After I finished eating I noticed that my back was itching a little. Some dry skin from the sun I thought. Then I noticed my hands were itching and I found some welts on the thigh of my leg. Suddenly I realized that I was having an allergic reaction most likely from the bee sting. Now my hands were starting to swell and welts were breaking out all over my body. I went home, took some Benedryl and bathed in baking soda. I called the hospital and they thought I should come in but I felt like I was improving and it had now been almost two hours since I had been stung and I did not have any breathing problems often associated with an allergic reaction to a bee sting. If that happens, you can see Jesus quickly!
Once again I am reminded of the uncertainty of life. I have never had a reaction to a bee sting before and it was unnerving. I didn’t ask for a bee sting but I got one anyway. It never made my prayer request list but I got it anyway. There are a lot of things that happen in life that come unannounced or unplanned. Death may be one of them! We should live our lives accordingly, prepared to meet the Lord. Remember, the statistic on death are quite impressive, one out of one people die!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 23:4 NIV
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
Monday, July 3, 2006
It has been said, “The road to hell is pave with good intentions.” Unfortunately, so is the road many people travel to church!
Good intentions, when it comes to the work of the church, paralyze the church when they are not acted on and like many diseases eventually leads to death. The “closure epidemic” that is sweeping through the churches in America today is a direct result of good intentions not acted upon by God’s people. I should of, could of, would of but didn’t!
Church is not a spectators sport!
-Lyn Sahr
-James 2:17 NIV
…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Sunday, July 2, 2006
I have been adopted. I am not talking about my adoption into God’s family which happened many years ago. I am referring to something that just recently happened. A dog decided that my home is her home and I was “adopted”. At first, every little movement of mine caused her to jump but soon she settled down and evidently decided I could be trusted to not mistreat her. But there is one thing that scares her and sends her running and that is when I turn on the water faucet. I have noticed that she is getting over it but it has taken a long time. I guess she is starting to realize that here there is safety. But it has taken some work on my part.
I have been told that many people throw water (even boiling water) on dogs to make them leave. So I can understand that the sound water is not pleasant to her, and yet when I go to get water for her to drink, a necessity in these hot days, she just runs away.
Seeing this made me think of something that happens in churches. Someone shows up and gets saved and everything is going great. The new convert is learning to trust his new “family”. Then all of a sudden, for apparently no reason, the new person reacts in a strange way over something we would consider minor. But if we knew the history of that person, his or her reaction maybe wouldn’t seem so strange.
So, if someday, someone reacts in a strange way over something pretty minor (to your point of view), be patient. Keep loving that person. Keep showing him or her that there is safety in God’s house. And someday, that person will overcome the memories of his or her past and know where there is safety.
-Ardis Rivera
-Romans 12:9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Saturday, July 1, 2006
The sun rises on Seekers Bay and it is the beginning of a new month and is also a holiday weekend. I am reminded of the challenges we face this month. I have grown weary of funding struggles, seeking new supplies of food to keep hungry people fed through Ruby’s Pantry, the need for staff and funding in the Great Commission Alliance in Mexico and try to develop person income streams to meet our household needs. Finances can be a great drain on people today and it is one of the major causes of dissension not only in marriages but friendships and the workplace. Money is not the root of all evil but it is the root of much stress! Yes, even in ministry.
The lack of money in corporate ministries results in the lack of ministry and a lot of stress. Please continue to pray for the needs of Home and Away Ministries and their outreaches of Ruby’s Pantry here at home and the Great Commission Alliance away from home in Mexico.
-Lyn Sahr
-1 John 3:16-20 NIV
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
