OBEYING GOD'S CALL

Well today we had one of our boys surrender to preach. We are very excited for him and pray that he will be exactly what God wants him to be. He is an amazing kid with great potential. I see God doing great things through him.

We also had one of the boys get baptized today. I pray that he is able to stay away from temptation and let God work in his life as well. God is doing awesome things at ABC Homes and I'm glad he has allowed us to be part of his work. Please pray for these boys as they seek God's direction in their lives. God Bless you for doing your part and praying for these kids. Without prayer, this ministry would be even harder.........if not impossible.

Today the boys played soccer ball and then went out back and hit golf balls. They just goofed off and had a good time. It was a beautiful day and I was glad that we were able to enjoy it with the boys. We met the new relief house parents for the girls. They have 2 boys around Ethan's age so he has someone to play with now. I'm really excited about that. The new relief seem really nice. I think they will fit in just fine with the girls. I am sad to see Mr. Floyd and Mrs. Jane leave. I will miss them very much and I'm sure the girls will also. Ethan and another house parents kid were out in the field riding 4-wheelers and the other boy wrecked. He is at the hospital now being checked out. Please pray for him. He's going to be fine but I'm sure he will be sore for a while. Ethan really likes him and feels horrible about him wrecking. Ethan just started crying because he was worried about him. Not such a good ending for such a gorgeous day. Boys will be boys though. They play rough. I think that's just their nature. Ethan has been stitched up 3 times and I fear there are many more to come with as rough as he plays. I hope you all enjoyed your day and I pray that when you go to church tomorrow, God speaks directly to you. God bless you and we love you!

Good news. The little man who wrecked the 4-wheeler is doing well. Nothing broken. They are gluing his chin and sending him home. Thank you Lord for taking care of him.

We are back with the guys today. Guess what? One of our guys is going before the church on Sunday to announce that God is calling him to preach!! Exciting right! He is 17 years old and knows that God is calling him. I am so excited for him. We also have one being baptized on Sunday. God is really working at ABC Homes. Please PRAY for these guys and the rest of the kids, because we know that the Devil is not happy and he will be fighting to get them back. Thank you and God Bless you!

ETHAN IS DOING GR8!

Those of you who have been praying for Ethan.....Thank you!

Ethan is doing great. We are spending more one on one time with him and he is doing better. I feel like we have our old Ethan back. I took this picture of him this past weekend. I seen him at the pond watching the water. I wished I knew what he was thinking. I went over and took a picture of him and then we skipped rocks. He has been smiling a lot lately and that makes a mommy happy! Thank you for your continued prayers and concern. We love you all very much!!

I hope you all are having a great day. We are off today. We just came off duty with the big guys. One of them is leaving today at 11:00 am. Please pray for him. He has a hard time not being with his mom. He is the type that thinks the grass is going to be greener on the other side. It's hard doing this ministry. Who would have thought that? Kids come and kids go. It's hard to see them leave when you have become so attached to them. But on the other side, it's nice to see them come and you see them slowly starting to trust you. I can definitely say that I came into this ministry disillusioned. I suppose I expected only God to be here. But the Devil is everywhere, right. We have days where things go smooth, but as soon as everything is looking pretty, the Devil shows up. Man I can't stand him! We are here and plan to battle the Devil all the way. He has no strength when it comes to our God does he? I can say though that I know God put us here for a reason. We love these kids so much. We have built bonds with them that I think they will always remember. They are great kids in need of someone to show them love. I think we have one that is going to be a preacher. He was saved 3 months ago and the difference in him is amazing. God is really working in him. He has said that he wants to be a preacher. He did a devotion one night for our cottage and he did a great job! It's a wonderful feeling knowing that we are able to play a part in his spiritual maturing. I am so glad that God is able to use us here. We are here as long as God wants us here, and we will love these kids for a lifetime.
God Bless you!

BUT BE SURE TO FEAR THE LORD AND SERVE HIM FAITHFULLY WITH ALL YOUR HEART; CONSIDER WHAT GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE FOR YOU.
                                                            I SAMUEL 12:24

                       Always have faith. God will take care of the rest!

WHEN CHRIST CALLS US HOME

I HEARD THE TRUMPET SOUNDING AND THE CLOUDS STARTED TO FORM,
I SEEN MY SAVIOR STEP OUT...OH FOLKS YOU WERE FOR WARNED.
HE SPOKE AND SAID; MY CHILDREN RISE, FOR YOU ARE COMING HOME.
OH JESUS, I'M SO EXCITED! I'VE WAITED FOR SO LONG.
I HEAR MY SAVIOR CALLING....THIS IS THE HOUR!
YOU NO LONGER SHALL FEEL WEARY, TAKE SHELTER IN MY POWER.
I SEE THE DEAD ARISING, OH GLORY...GLORY! WE HAVE BEEN CALLED!
OUR SAVIOR HAS COME FOR US.... BUT NOT TO TAKE US ALL.
WERE SITTING AT GOD'S TABLE, A FEAST SET FOR A KING.
GOD SAID, I NEED ONLY YOU, NO NEED TO BRING A THING.
EATING WITH MY SAVIOR, WALKING IN BEULAH LAND.
OH HALLELUJAH FOR CHRIST HAS COME, TO PERSONALLY HOLD MY HAND!
HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU LORD GOD ON HIGH,
BECAUSE FOR ME TO LIVE...... MY SAVIOR CHOSE TO DIE.
                             Denise Rochester

SING TO JESUS TODAY

GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY TODAY. LET US GET OUT AND ENJOY HIS BEAUTIFUL CREATION, FEEL THE SUN ON OUR FACE AND PRAISE HIS GLORIOUS NAME! IF YOU CAN'T FEEL JESUS' PRESENCE TODAY...DO YOU REALLY KNOW HIM?  GOD BLESS YOU!!

True Surround Sound

Thursday, February 17, 2011

True Surround Sound

Every true Christian cringes at the thought of how they fall short of living a life worthy of the gospel to which they were called.  Paul said, and God says, in Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”.  Like real surgery, many of us would rather be sedated and knocked out right about now rather than facing the living and active word of God awake!

The gospel not only reveals to us our inadequacy before God in that we come up short of the righteousness He demands, it also humbles the proud.  It not only humbles the proud but exalts the repentant.  It not only exalts the repentant to new life in Jesus Christ, it declares the guilty to be blameless and righteous.  The gospel not only transforms us positionally in our relationship to God, but it transforms us from the inside out that it may accomplish the same in others.  He wills trials and circumstances in life to accomplish the will of His word to shape us and conform us into the image of Christ.  Not so that we can stand in the mirror all day and marvel at the extreme makeover, but so that we can reflect Him to the world.  Sanctification, this process that God has ordained to accomplish the glorious reflection of His Son upon our soul and into the world, is something that we must ask more and more for if we are to know Him more and make Him known.

Just as the holiness of God is reflected in His character and His visible manifestations, He is transforming His people to reflect His holiness in their character and visibly in their humble service through word and deed.  The apostle Paul is such a great human example of a man transformed from a bold blasphemer to a bold preacher.  We can see how God shaped his life and the world around him to further the message of Christ through him so that the gospel would move.  Not only did the gospel have an impact on the world but upon the church as well.  Paul says,

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14)

Let us lie upon the examination table of God and allow the scalpel of His Word to do open heart surgery. 

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (v.12)

Ask myself:  Do trials and circumstances in my life serve to advance the gospel?

As a servant of Christ Jesus I must examine my life to see whether I am willfully bending to the Potter’s tool.  He’s going to accomplish His purposes; they never fail.  But are we prayerfully and submissively demonstrating our faith in our actions and reactions to trials, victories and failures.  It’s easy to praise Him in the victories of the gospel and the blessings of life, but what about when the Lord takes away?  Is His name still blessed to us?  When we fail do we turn inward or upward?  How do we react to surprising news or events?  Do we come unglued or do we cling tight to Him?  In every trial and circumstance in life we have the unique privilege of being partakers of grace and advancing the gospel.  In Paul’s case, he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel, but the divine word of God cannot be imprisoned (2 Timothy 2:9).  Paul recognized that his sufferings did not serve as a wet rag on top of his fire, but as diesel-soaked kindling.

“so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” (v.13)

Ask myself:  Do my words make my gospel obvious to the world around me?

1 Peter 4:11 says that we are to speak as if we are speaking the very words of God…so that in all things God may be glorified.  The way I respond to trials and circumstances will be heard by the words I speak and whether or not my hope is in Christ alone.  Have you ever heard a Christian speak about God, His word, or something in general in life in such a way that would be repelling to the world around them?  Not that the gospel was a stumbling for the world around them but that they were a stumbling for the world around them.  We must not unnecessarily become a stumbling for the world.  Let it be said of the gospel but not us!  In the context of what Paul is telling us is that people know he is suffering on behalf of Christ because his witness is obvious.  He didn’t just fall upon hard times and told people about Jesus along the way (although that is good).  Paul’s suffering for the sake of the gospel was the very catalyst that propelled the gospel further throughout the area.  The whole imperial guard was exposed to the truth of Christ because Paul kept witnessing to his guards every time a new one showed up!

“And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (v.14)

Ask myself:  Do I display a confidence in Christ that presses the church toward greater confidence in Christ?

The idea of spreading our influence for Christ is often limited in our thinking to the lost world.  But we must remember that the church is greatly affected by our faithfulness, or lack thereof, to Christ and His gospel.  Paul’s confidence in Christ throughout his suffering, displayed in his boldness to preserve and proclaim the gospel, was a shot of adrenaline throughout the church.  When we witness people who are radical about their faith in Christ, who strive to follow Christ like an Old Testament prophet and early church disciple, we want to know Jesus like they do.  We want to experience the word of God like they do.  We want to build treasures in heaven like they do.  Hebrews 11 faithfulness inspires Hebrews 12 endurance!  The body of Christ-the church, not the individual believer, is the tool the gospel uses in advancing the kingdom of God.  So we return to our first verse mentioned in this blog, Philippians 1:27, which says, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”. 

So let us strive side by side for the faith of the gospel, church.  Amen and amen!  Come, Lord Jesus. Come.  Find Your church ready, radical, and on the move.

INTERESTING CHURCH SIGNS

A friend of mine sent me an email with some church signs sayings on them. I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

WE ALL KNOW HOW TRUE THIS IS. THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS WAITING TO GET HOLD OF US!

SO TRUE. GOD IS THE SAME TODAY AS HE ALWAYS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE!

I STRIVE TO WORK FOR THE LORD. LIFE IS SO SHORT! I WANT JESUS TO SAY; "WELL DONE MY CHILD." WHEN I FINALLY MEET HIM IN HEAVEN!

THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE. WILL YOU BE SITTING IN HEAVEN HAVING SUPPER WITH JESUS.......OR WILL YOU BE IN THE HOT SEAT?

SECOND CHANCE GOD

I think I came into this ministry not thinking that there would be kids leave here that we weren't able to help. I think that I thought, with the help of God, we can help them all and they will all be better people as they grow older. There is a kid that is leaving here by his choice. He feels like he has done "the best he can," and it has not been good enough, in his eyes. I know there is a place deep in him that is crying out for help. I don't think he really wants to leave, I just think he's tired of trying to impress people. He's tired of trying to be someone he's not. Have you ever pretended to be someone you weren't just to impress them? Then when you finally left their presence you thought, Wow, I'm exhausted and glad that's over. Now I can just be myself! Trying to be someone your not can become exhausting after a while. This kid has messed up doing that. He has dug a hole so deep he can't see a way out. I just keep thinking Lord, he just needs one more chance. I know we can help him. He just needs one more chance. God is a second chance God. And a third, fourth.....a forever chance God. I can't help but thinking if it wasn't for all the chances God gave me, I wouldn't be here. This kid needs one more chance God. He said something today that really struck my heart. He said; 'If you could just see me with my mom, you would like me. He said, Me and my mom are just alike. I can be myself around her and everyone likes us'. It just kind of let me know that he didn't feel normal or himself without his mom.  My prayer is that wherever God takes him, it's a place that will love him and give him that second chance. A place where he can be himself....and love himself as God loves us. A place where he will realize that he is a good person and God is always willing to give him that second chance.


AND HE TOOK THE CHILDREN IN HIS ARMS, PUT HIS HANDS ON THEM AND BLESSED THEM.   MARK 10:16

I hope you get to get out and enjoy the beautiful day God made. Gary and I are working in the prayer garden today. I weed a little and then stop and read a verse on the sidewalk. It's such a gorgeous day and I am rejoicing in it. God created an awesome earth and beautiful scenery. Hope you get a chance to just stop what your doing today and look at it in a different way. God bless you an!d I hope you have a great day

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Human definition: LOVE-strong affection for another.

God's definition: LOVE.......

For God so LOVED the world,

(God loved us before we were born)

that he gave his only begotten son

(God sent his son to die for us)

that whosoever believeth in him

(anyone who calls on his name in faith)

should not perish but have everlasting life.

(we will not be sent to a Devil's hell. We will spend eternity with our father in heaven)

John 3:16

I am so thankful that I have the Love of my Savior. The kind of Love that's unconditional and never fails. The kind of Love that God would give his son to die for us. Wow! Would you give one of your children to die so that someone could go to Heaven? To be honest, I would have to say no. It would be impossible for me to say; Here's my son. You can take him and crucify him so that the guy who lives next door can go to Heaven. God has that kind of Love for us. A great and awesome Love. Thank you Lord for Loving me so much!

You won't be disappointed. His Love will never die. He will be there whenever you need him! A promise from God!

To all my friends and family. I Love you very much! (But Jesus Love's you more.) God Bless you!

JESUS SAVES!

We had a boy in the cottage ask to be saved. Thank you Jesus. You are to be glorified!

MR. ROMEO

Well my husband, Mr. Romeo, tried to surprise me for Valentines. The boys have a hard time keeping secrets though. Gary planned dinner and invited several couples to attend. He cooked the food with the help of some of the boys and decorated the room beautifully. He worked so hard and did a great job. The food was awesome. Baked Chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls and desserts. Everything was perfect. We put the Russell's and the Looper's on the stage to play the "Not so newly wed" game. It was a lot of fun. It's amazing how much you think you know about your spouse until your put on the spot. Some of the questions almost caused a divorce. LOL Just kidding. It was a lot of fun and they were great participants. We had a really good time and the boys were so proud of themselves for putting together the banquet. Hats off to them. They all did a great job and I love each and every one of them and appreciate everything they did so we could have a special night.

The boy's helping out. 

                                      

(Ethan) Now why are we here again?? 

                                      

Leonard and Joyce Russell

House Parent's at SB Cottage 

THANK YOU GARY! I LOVE MY MR. ROMEO

                                     

The Looper sister's 

                                     

SUCCESS! 

Cindy Russell (R) (House Parent at IB Cottage)

& Cindy Looper (L)

Gary and Ethan trying to pull off a surprise...I caught them :) 

Playing the "Not so Newly Wed game."

If they could just remember.....anything about their wife. LOL

Decorated beautifully 

After it was all said and done, the boys dog piled Gary!

What a great night. I LOVE YOU Mr. Romeo!

LORD TEACH ME TO PRAY

Dear Lord I come to you today not knowing how to pray,
I know to bow my head but I'm not sure exactly what to say.
I hope your awake as I go down my list today,
Dear God I hope you have a while and if not, it's ok.
I made a big mistake and I can't fix it alone,
I became a little weary trying to do it on my own.
I thought that I could handle it because I am so strong,
but now I realize that I was so very wrong.
When I fall and then can't seem to stand,
you've always reached down and given me your hand.
When I've felt alone and needed just one friend,
you were always there from the beginning to the end.
I come to you today to ask if you could please forgive me,
I can't do this on my own and that's clear as can be.
I'm trying hard to let you have ALL control,
and to let myself and my selfish pride go.
So Lord I hope you get this and I hope you understand,
I know I'm no one important but will gladly accept your hand.
I'll try harder to depend on you and not do this on my own,
for I am the weak one and you alone are strong.
Lord, I'll let you go now for I know it's getting late,
I know you must be tired from watching over me all day,
I'd like to say thank you for keeping me safe from harm,
and thank you that when I fall, youe there to hold me your arms.
I hope I spoke loud enough so that you could hear,
just how much I love you and how much I hold you dear.
Thank you for listening to what I had to say,
and Lord thank you for teaching me how to pray.
                                       Denise Rochester

THANK YOU LORD!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. We will be with the senior boys this week. We have a new boy in the cottage and we are praying he will do well. Ethan went to the doctor 2 weeks ago. We knew he was losing weight but we found out he had lost 13 lbs in one month. The doctor put him on an antidepressant. I was very hesitant to give it to him but I did go ahead and give it to him one morning. I felt burdened about it and did not give him anymore after the first dose. I quit giving it to him, put it in God's hands and prayed that God would make him better. I requested my online friends to pray. Well I am happy to say that Ethan is doing so much better. He has been himself the last 3 days. He ate a good dinner last night and then asked for a P & J sandwich. I would have went and got him a steak if that was what he wanted. I think we are on our way to seeing the old Ethan back. Thank you for praying for him and please continue to pray. God bless you all.
Love, Denise

.....I LOVE YOU FATHER!