Recently, as many of you know, my laptop was destroyed - run over by a semi. People have been curious about how it happened, but the question in my head wasn't how, but why? Why did it happen? The Lord warned me months before that there was going to be an attack against my laptop. I know, it sounds odd, but that is the truth. So, I was very careful to backup and copy everything of any importance.>> Read More ... >>>

However, the question "why" still harassed me for weeks after it happened and heavy sadness settled on me. I sought the Lord about it

by Francis Frangipane www.frangipane.org

  I have discovered that, as we seek the Lord, our most difficult periods can be transformed into wonderful breakthroughs into God's love. For me, one such season occurred during the years 1979 to 1981. The association of churches with which I was aligned had fallen under spiritual deception. Not only were its core doctrines increasingly seeded with New Age influences, but immorality crept in, and key leaders began leaving their wives for other women. I could no longer remain silent. As a result, in 1979 I left my congregation in Detroit, Michigan, where I had served as pastor, and traveled to the organization's regional headquarters in Iowa. I came to plead for repentance. However, after meeting with the senior leaders, I was asked to leave the group.

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So here we were—we had left our church, we had no money, and we had four little children and couldn't afford even basic housing.

It is evident there are many people in the Body of Christ who attempt to integrate their Christian faith with the pursuit of happiness. Some have even gone so far as to have a theology of happiness in which they obey or disobey Scripture based on what gives them the most happiness.Several years ago a prominent pastor in New York City divorced his wife and married someone else in his church because, he said, "God wants me happy!">> Read More ... >>>

In examining this subject I believe the reason for this belief is most likely a confusion of the concepts of joy and happiness. Joy is an inward sense of peace, contentment, and even ecstasy due to our righteous standing in Christ and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. This state of joy should be present in all believers in spite of the circumstances or challenges one might be facing. Joy is a supernatural experience that cannot be explained outside of a supernatural act of God. As the song writer said, "The world didn't give us joy so the world can't take it away!"

By Dudley Hall www.sclm.org

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, do you wash my feet?' Jesus answered him, 'What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.' Peter said to him, 'You shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered him, 'If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.' Simon Peter said to him, 'Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!' Jesus said to him, 'The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet. But is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.' John 13:6-10 >> Read More ... >>>

It was not unusual for Peter to over react. We are glad, because we can all identify with him and learn from what Jesus said to him. Remember that this is the occasion of Jesus giving his last instructions to the disciples before his death. He is giving them a picture of what service in the kingdom of God looks like by washing their feet.

*Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old.*

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.>> Read More ... >>>

"My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving" >> Read More ... >>>

I read the article on the crossconnections front page last week called,  The Missing Ingredient  and enjoyed it very much so decided to look further to see what else this brother has written on his site, the School of Christ. I came across one of the most wonderful writings I have ever read on the cross of Jesus outside of Oswald Chambers and I decided to share it with you here. >> Read More ... >>>

2 Quotes to give us something to think about >> Read More ... >>>

My Journey of sharing the Lord with others >> Read More ... >>>

When I was a young teenager and used to go to Church youth camps and school Christian camps we were often given talks by various adults about sharing our faith. I remember at the time being handed a booklet with the "4 Spiritual Laws" and "How to share your faith" and so on. I used to page through these booklets with such fear and sweaty palms at the mere thought of having to go and speak to anyone, using these books as a guide.

THE FRUITFULNESS OF FRIENDSHIP

"I have called you friends." John 15:15 >> Read More ... >>>

We never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we abandon in every particular. Self-surrender is the most difficult thing - I will if . . . !  Oh, well, I suppose I must devote my life to God. There is none of the joy of self-sacrifice in that.

"The man who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual
inner experience will not find many who understand him. A certain
amount of social fellowship will of course be his as he mingles
with religious persons in the regular activities of the church, but
true spiritual fellowship will be hard to find." >> Read More ... >>>

Do you ever feel like you don't quite fit in? You should not expect to fit in this world in any way