Jesus and Me ... and the Cats

\ What does a thriving life look like?  What do you need to change in order to  thrive rather than just survive?

Isaiah 2:1-5 Matthew 24:36-44 What gives you hope? What inspires you and gives you the strength to continue on through the darkest of nights? The passage from Isaiah comes from a very dark time in the history of the people of God. After the death of King Solomon, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. There were conflicts between the two kingdoms, and each had their share of kings who led their people away from God and into idol worship and oppression of their people. Also, more powerful nations like Egypt, Assyria and Persia fought to take over the kingdoms in order to expand the borders of their own empires. The weapons of war are always spears and swords, guns and bombs. In an embattled, broken and dark world, there are those who are armed with hate, divisiveness, greed, prejudice, opportunism, self-gratification and need for power. Hate-filled words and fear tactics can become more destructive than any weapon of mass destruction. We often count...

Think about hope.  What is the source of your hope?  What keeps you going when times get dark and may even feel hopeless?

Take a some time to list all the things you are grateful for.  How will you respond in gratitude for those things in ways that will make a difference? Share your answer -- leave a comment.

ROMANS 13:11-14 MATTHEW 5:43-48 So, what do you have in your wallet? Any of those important pieces of plastic we carry around, like our health insurance cards, our ID or Driver licenses or our credit cards? American Express believes that their credit card is so important that we shouldn't leave home without it. However, when it comes to living out our faith through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and especially our witness, more than a piece of plastic is needed. That's why, for those times when you need it most, there's … THE MASTER CARD! Jesus – Don't leave home without him! What does it mean to belong to the Body of Christ through a local church? If you have an American Express Card, you automatically become a member of American Express. And American Express entices us to join because, “Membership has its privileges.” Membership privileges and benefits are big motivators for bel...

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV) In the divisive atmosphere of the presidential elections, it is far too easy to either gloat or sulk, depending on who you voted for. What follows is not about the outcome the election but rather what our response as Christians and the church, the Body of Christ, is and always should be no matter who is elected. There is no such thing as a perfect human government or presidential administration. No matter who is elected or what political party is in power, there will be some who will benefit from it, and some who will be negatively impacted by it. No matter what promises are made, we will never reach that “land of milk and honey” where no one goes hungry, no one falls between the cracks, everyone has adequate housing, educational opportunities, ful...