Which Austen Character are you?

What Church Do You Go To?

Have you heard the question? Have you been asked, " What church do you go to? How do you answer that question?

My answer would be, " I belong to Jesus Christ, therefore, His Church is anyone who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and therefore, I go to WORSHIP, with the Church of our Savoir, Jesus Christ. I don't go to church, I go to worship with the church."

My parents are ex Church of Christers, and they have been brought up strong in it. I have seen them spiritually grow, and become stronger, and not need to have a church to go to. They "fell away from the church" as my grandfather so aptly put it, and found Christ! Amen!

The Church of Christ is a spiritually dead church, where there is not fire, or life, in the worship service. There is the second service, where any of the members, who have missed the first, have to attend the second, in order to take the Lord's supper. It is like a guilty thing, if you don't go to church, you are damned to Hell. I have sat in the services, and seen most of the members, nod absentmindedly, and then afterwards, ask if anyone had seen the ballgame the night before. What a sad thing, if it has to come to this. I admit, I have done the same thing, but if all we think about it, is if I don't go to church, I will be damned forever. I have not once heard someone say, " The sermon today, was really speaking to me, and thank the Pastor for his inspiring word!"We should go to church, because we want to, to be in the Presence of the Lord. I am not bashing Church of Christers, just the one experience I have had, was not very uplifting, and spirtually minded! They believe that works alone can save you, when it is your faith in Jesus Christ that saves you, and the works are the outpouring of your soul, your belief in the Savoir! Am I right?They don't allow instrumental accompanyment to the singing, and there is no kitchen to help serve the community, and no mission contributions. I cannot understand this, but I am not very good at understanding the ways of the world!

I have heard, " What is your religion?" And the answer would be, " I don't have a religion, I have Christ!" They would say, "No, no, no, what denomination are you a part of?" And person would say, " I don't know, 144,000?" They would look at him, and say, " What church are you a part of, Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist, Church of Christ, Baptist." He'd say, " None." They say, " So, you are not a christian?" And he would say, " I didn't say that." They would look really confused, and he would say, " I am part of the body of Christ, and fellowship with anyone who follows His Steps. I am no respecter of persons!" They walk off, thinking he was weird! They wanted to put him in a spiritual box, and he will not let them! I hate boxes! There is no room to grow, no Sonlight!Hallelujah!

I don't care what church you came from, as long as you confess with your mouth, Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart, that God raised Him from the Dead, you shall be saved! That is enough for me!

Thoughts for the day-

Laura

Perennial Pioneer

A True Bundle of Joy!

Just wanted to let my readers know, my sister Sarah had her baby. Gabriel John Saffer was born, this morning at 1:30 am. The midwife arrived 20 minutes after he was born. The catching and cleaning was done by my Aunt Paulette, and Linda Saffer, Clay's Mom. They report to us that the cord was short, and therefore, the boy was not strangled in his cord. Gabriel John weighed out to be, 8 lbs. 10oz. a big strapping boy. He will grow up to be like his papa. He has blue eyes and blonde hair, a good crop of it. He would look like Esau, if I didn't know better.:)
To see pictures of this precious bundle of joy that has entered our lives, look on Hines Family Homestead, under Gabriel John Saffer. He is handsome, if I do say so myself!
http://hinesfamilyhomestead.blogspot.com

I look forward to spending time with my nephew, when I go to visit them. May you grow up to be as strong and as wise as your grandfathers, uncles, great uncles, and father. And may you learn the true joy of knowing the Heavenly Father, and His forgiveness of Sins. I love you, Gabriel John.
Aunty Laura

Laura Perennial Pioneer

Your Shadow!

Lo, Children are a heritage of the Lord!

Yes, I am talking about shadows! Not just that patch of shade that causes a little bit of giggles, when ever you see it. But I am also talking about the shadows we are not conscious about. I have five little shadows, that follow me, and it causes me to stop and think, I know that all that I do, is watched, and every decision I make, is considered by my siblings. I have three little sisters, who are growing up in my shade, and have I been a good example? Have I kept my cool, and shown them what a christian woman should be? I knew that staying at home, was not just for my benefit, but for theirs as well. I knew that they would follow my lead, and see that, " See, sissy Laura is staying at home, and is able to get on with her life. I want to do that too." I don't think I could be cross with them now. I am not promising that I won't but it gives me a sobering thought to think about.

So, I know now, that no matter how many people think it is not logical for me to stay home, I think of my little sisters, who admire, and love me, and who knows how much longer I will have them as little sisters, and pupils. God please forgive me for my blindness and selfishness!

In Christ Alone!

Perennial Pioneer

THe Christian's Declaration of Independance!

The Christian's Declaration Of Independence

I am free from failure for "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil.4:13

I am free from want for "my God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Phil:4:19

I am free from fear for "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2Tim1:7

I am free from doubt for "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Rom. 12:3

I am free from weakness, "the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Ps.27:1

I am free from the power of Satan "because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1Jn.4:4

I am free from defeat "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." 2Cor.2:14

I am free from ignorance, "for Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God." 1Cor.1:30

I am free from sin "for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me from all sin." 1Jn.1:7

I am free from worry "for I am to cast all my cares upon Him." 1Pet.5:7

I am free from bondage "for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2Cor.3:17

I am free from condemnation, "for there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1

~ My Heavenly Father Wrote This ~ Just for Me and You

Seeking the Truth

Here is a question that came up, recently, and I was wanting to share it with you, to get some insight. My answer is below!

“I believe God can and does speak to His children today. As I've faced several big decisions and confusing situations lately, I've been seeking His guidance as I only desire to do His will. Several times during prayer I have heard what can only be described as a 'still, small voice'—but I'm not sure how much weight to give these 'messages.' How can I know that it is truly God speaking to me, and not just my own desires (or fears), or a deception of Satan? I'd like to hear about your own experiences along these lines, as well as any Scriptures that apply. Thanks!"—Seeking the truth
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Here is my answer!
Seeking the truth,
I have struggled with this very same issue. I have often been praying, or just going about my day, and hear this little voice inside me saying do this or don’t do this. I get puzzled as to where or what it came from. I asked my Dad about it, and he said, “ If you are not sure, then cross examine the voice, by checking the scriptures. If you are not sure of the decision, find out what God says about it, in the scriptures. The Berians examined the scriptures daily, to see if the things Paul said were so.” If the voice has asked you to do something, not in accordance with the will of God, and the person he has placed in authority over you, then it is a deceiving voice, and should not be listened to. It takes common sense, and wisdom, to identify the voice. And if it is valid, act on it. Even if it is not, you can learn from the mistake you make. God puts these lessons here for us to grow, and to Him, there are no mistakes, just opportunities to learn! And you don’t fail Him, just sometimes we slip, because we are human! Surprising! The only time we fail, is if we deny His salvation! Do not let the cares and wiles of the world, bog you down, so that you are confused with the voice. Don’t let books, TV, friends and family distract you from hearing that still small voice! When you hear the voice, you will know!
Laura Hines, Sequim, Washington
What is your opinion?

Please Share!

Perennial Pioneer

Knight's Code of Chivalry!

I found this on the Internet. I thought it was interesting that this was the code of Knights back in the middle ages, and Medival times. I was thinking that this could apply to the Ladies in this life too.
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To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenceless
To give succour to widows and orphans
To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
To live by honour and for glory
To despise pecuniary reward
To fight for the welfare of all
To obey those placed in authority
To guard the honour of fellow knights
To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
To keep faith
At all times to speak the truth
To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
To respect the honour of women
Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
Never to turn the back upon a foe
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Well, that is enlightening! Why don't we follow that now? Because there is no honor left, no thought of others. Sad isn't it?

God Bless!

Perennial Pioneer