Ready To Die!

While reading a devotional book called “Follow” (Learning To Follow Jesus) written by Daniel McNaughton and Bryan Koch, I came to an amazing journal entry. 

Maralyn, Daniel's sister wrote the following seventy-two hours before she passed away.

"Water is essential to life, and even though food will no longer propel down my throat, I’m still drinking. Amazingly, I don’t feel hungry ... but I am thirsty, and I’m drinking as much as I possibly can. Without divine intervention, I will get to heaven some time within the month.

These 18 months since my ALS diagnosis have been the worst and best of my life. Worst because of my deteriorating body ... best because of my relationship with Christ.

And I’m beginning to see my friendship with Jesus like water when I’m thirsty ... so essential to life. He is the real “living water” referred to in John 4:1-26.

I have many lovely friends, but I’ve never before known a Friend SO close. Everyday we have smiled, laughed, and cried together. And He has comforted me. I’ve asked His opinion, and He has nodded one way or the other. His close friendship has given me many new perspectives on this earthly life that I had never considered before. He’s been closer than my skin...

The only thing that makes me sad is realizing that this intimate friendship with Him has been available to me all throughout my life, and I never chose it until now. I missed it ... big-time! I guess I was always so busy with my lists, projects, plans and events that I was too occupied to be open to such an idea. Oh, I did my devotions, but so often because I knew I “should.” That’s a different thing. Now I long to be with Him, to feel His hug, to hear His voice, to see His smile. It’s so different.

Here’s a piece of motherly advice: Don’t wait until you have a terminal illness to seek a true friendship with Jesus. He’s ready! It takes setting aside some less important things. It takes listening. It takes openness. But it’s so worth it! I hop you become literally thirsty for Jesus.

Soon I’ll be in heaven, and it will be great to see the scenery, gardens and mansions. It will be great to hear the singing and see what’s on the banquet tables. BUT! I can tell you, the thing I’m most looking forward to is meeting my Best Friend face-to-face for the very first time. I’m trying to imagine the thrill..."  

Maralyn passed away on January 4, 2009. She had Lou Gehrig’s disease. Her journal entry is full of HOPE because she knew what awaited her on the other side of this life. My heart was challenged as I read that day. For it’s easy to busy one’s self with list, projects, plans and events and miss it big-time.

I pray for you today and leave you with Maralyn’s motherly advice: “Don’t wait until you have a terminal illness to seek a true friendship with Jesus. He’s ready! It takes setting aside some less important things. It takes listening. It takes openness. But it’s so worth it! I hop you become literally thirsty for Jesus.”
  
This blog will explain how you too can have this HOPE Maralyn spoke of:  http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/easy-as-abc.html

 
Check out some of my other blogs:
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/2013/01/pigs-in-river.html 

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

Feel free to e-mail me at: 
Mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Cupid Crunch

Cupid Crunch

1 (24 oz) package vanilla Almond Bark
2 bags of lightly salted microwave popcorn, popped (approximately 16-20 cups popped popcorn)
1 1/2 cups Valentine candy corn
1 cup dry roasted, salted peanuts
1 1/2 cups M&Ms (Valentine colors)
Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl. The largest you have. Pour peanuts, candy corn, and M&Ms on top.

Break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. Pour over popcorn mixture. Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps.

This recipe came from the following site:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539327919433974&set=a.327566197276815.82235.325891627444272&type=1&theater

Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." ~ John 15:12-14

Check out some of my other blogs:

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

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2013/01/pigs-in-river.html 

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

Feel free to e-mail me at: 
Mckinleyclm@gmail.com

If you live in the Pottstown, PA area,

I invite you to join us on Sunday mornings at 10am.

Enjoy Life!

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”  1 Peter 3:10-12

I don't know a single person who doesn't want to enjoy life and have their days filled with happiness. However, for many this is far from reality.

God's Word, the Holy Bible, tells us exactly what we need to do to have that type of life here on earth. 

Peter, who was one of the twelve disciples, not only learned this valuable lesson but he passed the formula on to us. He gave us four steps to enjoying life. Let's take a closer look at each step.

Step One ~ Keep your tongue from speaking evil...
James, who was also one of Jesus twelve disciples, gives some great insight concerning our tongue. In his book, from the Holy Bible, chapter three, He says, "We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." He goes on to talk about how a large horse is controlled by a small bit in its mouth. and how a small rudder can make a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go. He says, "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches." And listen to this...."People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth." (James 3:2-10)

No wonder our world is in such a mess.

Step Two ~  Keep your lips from telling lies
We have all heard it said, "A little 'white lie' never hurt anyone." Well the Holy Bible has a lot to say about lies and liars. 
 
King David wrote: “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Psalm 5:9, 10:7)

Jesus himself made it clear where lies come from when talking to the religious leaders of His day. He said to them, "You are unable to hear what I say because, you belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!"

Revelation 21:8 tells us: "The fate of all liars is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."

Step Three ~ Turn away from evil and do good
Could it be that Peter is letting us know that if we were to change our ways this world would be a better place to live? To turn away from evil means we must go toward righteousness, which is a far better direction to be going in. 

Let's face it, since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden humanity has been walking in the direction of evil and things have only gotten worse and they will continue to do so until there is repentance. 

Repentance is a big thing to God. Jesus said, "There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."


Step Four ~ Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
Too often we see peace as merely the absence of conflict, and we think of peacemaking as a passive role. An effective peacemaker actively pursues peace to building good relationships, knowing  that peace is a by-product of commitment. The peacemaker sees a potential problem and deals with it before it occurs. When conflicts come, and they will, they are brought into the open and dwelt with before they get out of control. 

Making and keeping the peace is hard work. Every day is filled with ample opportunities to bring peace. We only need to search for it and and work to maintain it.

Father God, Search me today, see if there is any wicked way in me. Forgive me of the times I have spoken evil against another person. Forgive me for the times I have stretched the truth in order that others might be impressed. Each day I make the choice to turn from evil and do what is good, right and pleasing in your sight. I search the way of peace and work at being a peacemaker in every situation. I know you watch over those who do right and you hear our prayers. Bless my bloger friends today. In Jesus name, Amen!

~ ~ ~ ~ 

Check out some of my other blogs:

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

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2013/01/pigs-in-river.html 

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

Feel free to e-mail me at: 
Mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Enjoy Life!

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”  1 Peter 3:10-12

I don't know a single person who doesn't want to enjoy life and have their days filled with happiness. However, for many this is far from reality.

God's Word, the Holy Bible, tells us exactly what we need to do to have that type of life here on earth. 

Peter, who was one of the twelve disciples, not only learned this valuable lesson but he passed the formula on to us. He gave us four steps to enjoying life. Let's take a closer look at each step.

Step One ~ Keep your tongue from speaking evil...
James, who was also one of Jesus twelve disciples, gives some great insight concerning our tongue. In his book, from the Holy Bible, chapter three, He says, "We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." He goes on to talk about how a large horse is controlled by a small bit in its mouth. and how a small rudder can make a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go. He says, "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches." And listen to this...."People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth." (James 3:2-10)

No wonder our world is in such a mess.

Step Two ~  Keep your lips from telling lies
We have all heard it said, "A little 'white lie' never hurt anyone." Well the Holy Bible has a lot to say about lies and liars. 
 
King David wrote: “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Psalm 5:9, 10:7)

Jesus himself made it clear where lies come from when talking to the religious leaders of His day. He said to them, "You are unable to hear what I say because, you belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!"

Revelation 21:8 tells us: "The fate of all liars is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."

Step Three ~ Turn away from evil and do good
Could it be that Peter is letting us know that if we were to change our ways this world would be a better place to live? To turn away from evil means we must go toward righteousness, which is a far better direction to be going in. 

Let's face it, since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden humanity has been walking in the direction of evil and things have only gotten worse and they will continue to do so until there is repentance. 

Repentance is a big thing to God. Jesus said, "There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."


Step Four ~ Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
Too often we see peace as merely the absence of conflict, and we think of peacemaking as a passive role. An effective peacemaker actively pursues peace to building good relationships, knowing  that peace is a by-product of commitment. The peacemaker sees a potential problem and deals with it before it occurs. When conflicts come, and they will, they are brought into the open and dwelt with before they get out of control. 

Making and keeping the peace is hard work. Every day is filled with ample opportunities to bring peace. We only need to search for it and and work to maintain it.

Father God, Search me today, see if there is any wicked way in me. Forgive me of the times I have spoken evil against another person. Forgive me for the times I have stretched the truth in order that others might be impressed. Each day I make the choice to turn from evil and do what is good, right and pleasing in your sight. I search the way of peace and work at being a peacemaker in every situation. I know you watch over those who do right and you hear our prayers. Bless my bloger friends today. In Jesus name, Amen!

~ ~ ~ ~ 

Check out some of my other blogs:

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

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2013/01/pigs-in-river.html 

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

Feel free to e-mail me at: 
Mckinleyclm@gmail.com