Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Pigs In The River

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.  “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. 
Matthew 8:28-34
NIV Translation
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  This morning I sit quietly imagining myself arriving with Jesus and his disciples as they made land in the region of the Gadarenes.

As we stepped out of the boat I saw two wild men running from the tombs toward us. I must confess my heart began to beat a little faster as the disciples and I looked at each other wondering what in the world was going on. It didn’t take long to realize they were not running toward us with excitement, but with great violence, and with the look of hatred shooting from their entire countenance.

They came right to Jesus and with a tone I have never heard come from any human they shouted out to Jesus, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

Jesus knowing exactly what was going on, He spoke to the demons that had total control over these two men. Before we knew, Jesus had commanded them to leave and we all stood in amazement as the large herd of pigs ran like crazy down a steep bank right into the water, where they died. The sight was so amazing we all stood there in shocked and speechless.

Then we saw the men tending the pigs run away so fast we kinda laughed, thinking, “We’ll never see them again.”

We all sat down with Jesus and the two men. I hung on every word as Jesus talked of the Kingdom of God with our newly found brothers in Christ.  When all of a sudden we heard the voices of many people coming our direction. Jesus stood up, just as the large crowd crested the top of the hill. The entire town had come out to meet Jesus. It didn’t take long to realize they were not happy with the loss of their pigs.

They we heard something that sent daggers into my heart as all the towns people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. They wanted noting to do with him or his teaching. I could not believe my eyes and ears as I watched these grown men and women pleading and begging Jesus, the Son of the Living God, to leave them. With each plea they came closer and closer to us.  In total shock the disciples and I were the first to get back into the boat. Jesus boarded last.

In silence and with broken hearts, we pushed away from the bank and left the area.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
  
There is a song that has been in my mind a lot over the past few weeks. The words says, "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I'd rather have him than riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than man's applause. I'd rather be faithful to his dear cause. I'd rather be true to his holy name. I’d rather have Jesus that anything this world affords today."

Another song that comes to mind..."Take this old world but give me Jesus. No turning back...no turning back!" 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jesus, today I want you to know you mean more to me than anything this world has to offer. How thankful I am that you have come to me and I will never send you away!

Check out some of my other blogs and let me know what you think...
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html  
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/09/gods-living-hope.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/03/choose-your-battles_14.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/easy-as-abc.html


426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480

Feel free to e-mail me at:
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, January 28, 2013

What's Good To Eat?

Over the past several years many have turned their attention toward eating more healthier foods. Are you aware that God wants us to Eat What Is Good? Check it out!



 Isaiah 55:1,2,4,6  "Come all you who are thirsty...Listen, listen to me and eat what is good...See I have made him a witness to the peoples...Seek the Lord while He may be found.”

God, who created the universe, wants you to spend time with him because He has something to say to you.

 Come ~ For those who are truly thirsty and hungry for more of God, He has given us an open invitation to come into His presence. And once we come He says, “Listen, listen to Me eat what is good.”

Listen ~ Not once, but twice God says, “Listen, listen to Me”. He has given us His Word, the Bible, which is full of instructions of how to like and walk this journey on earth.

Eat what is good ~ King David said, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

 Have you ever found a food that you really like and you don’t think twice about going back for seconds maybe even thirds.  How many times have you said, “This is so good, I just can’t get enough.”?

 This is what God is calling us to. Come if you are thirsty and drink in My Word. Come and eat up my Word. You’ll find something that tastes so good. Something that will give us hope and a future and it is all found in His Word!

 See ~ He wants you to take a look into His Word and see His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our witness of what is to come and since He has enter eternity. Jesus said in John 18:37 ... “I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” One who testifies is a witness.

 Seek ~ We are all told to ... “Seek the Lord while He may be found.” There is a day coming when the presence of God will no longer be upon this earth. Many will cry out to God only to find He is no longer there. It is vital that we all seek Him while He may be found. We can’t give up. We must keep on seeking, every day. Not once in awhile but continually.

 The prophet Hosea tells us, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

 Every day I choose to Come to God. I choose to Listen to what He has to say and Eat what is good for my soul through reading the Bible. I choose to search out the testimony of Jesus for He is an eye-witness from the beginning till the end. I choose to Seek the Lord while He may be found.

 Oh, there have been many times I have had to break up the unplowed ground of my heart, areas that have become hard because of circumstances in my life. 

I leave you with this verse from Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

 Father God in Heaven, there may be some who have tried to come to You in the past and for some reason have not felt Your presence. You have promised that those who seek You will find You, if they seek You with all their heart. Be with each one who reads this blog. Let them feel Your presence in a personal way and find LASTING HOPE that can only come from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

A good place in the Holy Bible to read and learn about Jesus is the gospels, which are the first four books of the New Testament ...Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Before you start reading ask God to open your mind to understand the scripture and to reveal His Son, Jesus Christ to you. He will answer your prayer!

All Scripture used in my blogs comes fromthe Word of God which is the Holy Bible

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480
www.calvarychristian.info

Feel free to e-mail me:
Cindy Mckinley at:
mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Check out some of my other blogs:
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, January 17, 2013

PCTV

Every Monday evening at 8:30 you can now view an encouraging message from Pastor Robin McKinley
Sr. Pastor of:

 
 Located at:
426 Laurelwood Road ~ Pottstown, PA 19465
By Going to:

Click: Channel 22  ~ Live Stream




If you are blessed by the program, or if you have questions concerning something you heard during the program, please feel free to us at:
 610-323-0480

We invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00
Posted by at No comments:

Quilting Made Easy?


This year, the days leading up to Christmas were a bit stressful for me. It's probable because a week and a half before the big day I decided I would make my grandson the red and black quilt he has asked for many times.

 Hours went into this assuring this gift would be finished, wrapped, and under the tree by Christmas evening ... which was the time we would be with him. One day I worked from 4:30am till 6:30pm, with an half hour break for lunch. My husband was so patient with me as I put all my efforts into making sure this project was done on time.

My list of 'Must Do Now' was becoming a challenge as so many other things were demanding my attention. Things like: decorating and cleaning our home, planning and preparation for open house for family and friends, shopping, wrapping and church events, just to name a few. Needless to say I was starting to feel the pressure of it all. 

Four days before Christmas I was talking to God and I heard myself saying, "Father, Just take me to the stable. I don't want the tree with pretty light, the stockings and bows. I don't want the phone calls and shopping list. I just want to go to the stable, sit in the hay and spend time with Jesus!"

It's so easy to get caught up in all the hussle and bustle of Christmas and loose sight of what it's all about. Christmas is not the lighted trees, the stocking filled with special things, or the gifts under the tree. 

Christmas is celebrating the greatest gift ever given...Jesus Christ! It's about the Love of a Heavenly Father who gave His very best for man kind. It's about Family, Love and Forgiveness.

After these past two weeks I have been reminded that Christmas is all about taking time to just sit in the stable and spend time with the one we are celebrating ... Jesus!

Christmas ... Christ Has Redeemed all Infirmities So That Mankind is Assured of Salvation.

The quilt...I finished it on Christmas day and wrapped it two hours before it was given to my grandson. He Loved It!



You can view Part One of "Journey To the Stable" by going to:
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/12/journey-to-stable-part-one.html  


426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480

Feel free to contact me
Cindy McKinley at:
   
Posted by at No comments:

A Dead Man's Hand


         It’s All About The Wild Card

Growing up I was never a big card player. In fact the only two card games I can ever remember playing was Rook and Old Maid. 

However, from time to time my parents would get together with my aunts and uncles to play poker. I would watch but knew nothing about the game other than it was bad luck to count your money. There was one phrase I would hear several times during the game, “Who dealt this mess? I’ve been dealt a bad hand.”

Life can be a great deal like a poker game. When the cards are passed out some will have it all while others are left asking, “Who dealt this mess?”

While checking Face Book one afternoon I came across this clip. It is only 10 minutes long and I assure you it will be worth your time to watch it.

The clip comes from Operh's Lifeclass Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZPW3EB5U0bo

I pray for my readers. No matter what you are facing in this life, you can take the cards you were dealt and be a winner. No matter what cards you were dealt, there is always H.O.P.E.

I would love to hear what you think of the clip. E-mail at:



426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, Pa 19465
610-323-0480

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, January 11, 2013

What's Good To Eat?

Over the past several years many have turned their attention toward eating more healthier foods. Are you aware that God wants us to Eat What Is Good? Check it out!

 Isaiah 55:1,2,4,6  "Come all you who are thirsty...Listen, listen to me and eat what is good...See I have made him a witness to the peoples...Seek the Lord while He may be found.”

God, who created the universe, wants you to spend time with him because He has something to say to you.

 Come ~ For those who are truly thirsty and hungry for more of God, He has given us an open invitation to come into His presence. And once we come He says, “Listen, listen to Me eat what is good.”

Listen ~ Not once, but twice God says, “Listen, listen to Me”. He has given us His Word, the Bible, which is full of instructions of how to like and walk this journey on earth.

Eat what is good ~ King David said, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

 Have you ever found a food that you really like and you don’t think twice about going back for seconds maybe even thirds.  How many times have you said, “This is so good, I just can’t get enough.”?

 This is what God is calling us to. Come if you are thirsty and drink in My Word. Come and eat up my Word. You’ll find something that tastes so good. Something that will give us hope and a future and it is all found in His Word!

 See ~ He wants you to take a look into His Word and see His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our witness of what is to come and since He has enter eternity. Jesus said in John 18:37 ... “I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” One who testifies is a witness.

 Seek ~ We are all told to ... “Seek the Lord while He may be found.” There is a day coming when the presence of God will no longer be upon this earth. Many will cry out to God only to find He is no longer there. It is vital that we all seek Him while He may be found. We can’t give up. We must keep on seeking, every day. Not once in awhile but continually.

 The prophet Hosea tells us, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

 Every day I choose to Come to God. I choose to Listen to what He has to say and Eat what is good for my soul through reading the Bible. I choose to search out the testimony of Jesus for He is an eye-witness from the beginning till the end. I choose to Seek the Lord while He may be found.

 Oh, there have been many times I have had to break up the unplowed ground of my heart, areas that have become hard because of circumstances in my life. 

I leave you with this verse from Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

 Father God in Heaven, there may be some who have tried to come to You in the past and for some reason have not felt Your presence. You have promised that those who seek You will find You, if they seek You with all their heart. Be with each one who reads this blog. Let them feel Your presence in a personal way and find LASTING HOPE that can only come from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

A good place in the Holy Bible to read and learn about Jesus is the gospels, which are the first four books of the New Testament ...Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Before you start reading ask God to open your mind to understand the scripture and to reveal His Son, Jesus Christ to you. He will answer your prayer!

All Scripture used in my blogs comes fromthe Word of God which is the Holy Bible

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480
www.calvarychristian.info

Feel free to e-mail me:
Cindy Mckinley at:
mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Check out some of my other blogs:
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

80 Miles On A Donkey

Just Take Me To The Stable
Part One
  
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ~ Luke 2:1-5

Not a year goes by that I don’t think of Mary and the journey she and Joseph had to make to Bethlehem. I can just see it now as Joseph begins the conversation; “Mary, Caesar Augustus has issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. We have to travel to Bethlehem as soon as possible.”

Now we don’t know for sure how Mary responded to this news. But I know how most women ... myself included ... would respond to something like this today.

"Modern" Mary’s would take one look at the condition of her body turn to Joseph and says, “You have got to be joking, right?”  Then a flood of questions would fill her mind as she thought about what could happen on this trip and what it meant for her and the child who would soon to born.

You see, it is 80 miles between Nazareth and Bethlehem, a trip that would be nothing if traveling by car.  But by donkey, with a woman only days away from giving birth, this journey was no easy task. It took them at least a week to make this trip.
 
Think about that...No car...No paved roads...No hotels...No restaurants not even a McDonalds...No comfortable rest stops along the way...No protection from the hot sun by day or the cool at nights...and riding on the back of a donkey, just days before giving birth. I don’t know about you but that is not a trip I would be looking forward to!

 Do you know that nothing takes God by surprise? Often times in our lives we face challenging situations that we wonder who in the world are things going to work out. Situations flood our minds with questions, worries and even fear. Let's face it, the uncertainties of life can be stressful at times. 

God knew that Mary and Joseph would have to make the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. He also knew it would be challenging but He was going to be with them every step of the way. 

 What are you facing today? Does the road ahead of you seem filled with impossibilities. Are you fearful of what lies ahead, with uncertainties of things to come? Know this, God is always here for you, waiting for you to ask Him for help.

It's easy to talk to Him. Talk to Him like you would your best friend. You can tell him anything!

I pray for you today.

Father God in heaven, I ask that You will be with those reading this blog today. Help them to know that You care about every area of their lives and that You are there to help them through any situation, all they need to do is ask. In Jesus name, Amen



You can read part two of Journey To The Stable by going to:
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/12/journey-to-stable-part-two.html 



426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480
Feel free to contact me
Cindy McKinley at:

Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2013 A New Year

It's A New Year 

The year was 1990. The day was May 27. The day I celebrated a New Year. Our youngest son turned three!
The celebration started with the arrival of family and friends followed by the usual children’s games, cake, ice cream and presents. Our son, being full of life and exuberant energy made the day all the more exciting.
 As evening came and he was safely tucked into bed with his new toys, I turned to my husband and said, “I’m so happy, he is finally three. The terrible twos are over!” My husband held me close and replied, “Cindy, he was just two yesterday, turning three doesn’t mean he has changed overnight.” At that moment the reality of what my husband had just said hit me. He was right. In a moment the air leaked out of my party balloons as the celebration atmosphere ended and reality set back in.
 
Many people around the world start each January first with the same excitement I had for my son’s third birthday, great celebration and hopes that in some sort of strange way everything will change over night. Unfortunately, as much as we would like for it to, life doesn’t work like that.
One thing I have come to realize, over the years, is for everything there is a season. Thank God for the seasons of our lives, because seasons come and seasons go. They never last forever.
One of my favorite verses in God’s Word is, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

No matter what you are facing in your life today, there is always hope.

I pray that as you begin 2013 you will come to know the hope that is available to you by coming to know the God of the Bible in a personal way.
Father God, behind every door of every home people are facing things their not quite sure they can deal with. Many are hurting because of loved ones they have lost. Many are fearful because they have either lost their job or could loose their job and they aren’t sure what will happen next. Father, there are even those who have come to the point they have lost all hope. I’m asking You today to touch their hearts and lives. Will You meet each and everyone right at their point of need and let them know there is healing for the hurting, peace and comfort for those who are living in fear and hope for their future. In Jesus Name, Amen! 

I you would like special prayer please feel free to contact me at:
mckinleyclm@gmail.com 

I invite you to visit us at:
426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480
 
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)