Operation Christmas Child

Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Hello everyone. I hope this post finds you all blessed and well! It's that time of year again. The time when we look outside of ourselves more, and look upon those afflicted, worn, and unnoticed by the world. In scripture, over and over, we see Jesus talk about little children. Allow them to come unto me, have faith like a little child, dont offend a little one that believes in me. Children are a heritage from the Lord, and so very many of them are hurting. They lack basic clothing, food, and shelter, the things most of us take for granted. Wouldn't it make you feel nice to know someone from around the world, cared enough to care for you. Jesus also said, if you give a cup of water to a little one in my name, no doubt you shall have your reward too! He cares and so should we.

I want to talk a bit today about a WONDERFUL charity, that brings love and smiles in to a countless number of little lives. It's called, Operation Christmas Child. This charity is run by Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham. It is part of the Samaritian's Purse family of charities. To read more information on this, visit, http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1

Operation Christmas Child collects shoe boxes, filled with items such as toys, hygiene items, and candy, each year, from regular people like you and me. Collection is coming up SOON! Listed below are some items that are recommended and some that are not, to help you decide.

(Great Gift Ideas)
-Bibles, small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
-pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
-toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
-Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

(DO NOT INCLUDE)
-Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

These shoeboxes are collected by local churches. So please ask your local church of find a local church that is involved, and help bless a child with God's unconditional love!

Happy Easter

I just wanted to wish you all a happy Easter this year. Remember to focus on Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us all. He is worthy. It's easy to get caught up in all the secular festivities, but make sure to make time to highlight the reason we celebrate this time of year, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is Risen! Along with this, we have the same power living in us that raised Jesus from the grave, the Holy Spirit. We can do ALL THINGS through Christ who died and gave himself for us. While he was on the cross, we were on his mind. So the next time we are weak and frail, in body or in spirit, let us remember him at our greatest point of suffering, as he remembered us. In Jesus Name, BE BLESSED!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Merry Christmas From Jcrocks.org!

We just wanted to take time to wish you and yours a blessed Christmas this year, along with a happy New Year. I know that during this holiday season, we tend to rush and get anxious, but I think we need to take the time to reflect on our blessings, offered to us from our Lord and Keeper Jesus Christ. With so many problems in the world today, we often get unsettled and upset. I pray that the peace of God surrounds you and your family this year, not just peace as we know it, but an inner peace , that God is in control, and will take care of you and your situation. I pray for blessing upon you and all your family, and for the Spirit of God to comfort you at all times. May you fulfill God's will for your life, and fulfill your part of the Great Commission, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. When you go, speak love and mercy, forgiveness and peace, and it will be given unto you pressed down, and running over. God Bless You and Merry CHRISTmas!


Yours In Christ,

Jcrocks.org

It's Never Over

Recently in the news, you may have seen or heard about the fall of evangelical leader Ted Haggard. He was the pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and President of the National Association of Evangelicals. It came to light that he was involved in sins of sexual immorality and drug use. Now, I know a lot of people would say that he was probably never saved, but instead, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is possible however, that he was a born again believer who fell into sin. John the Apostle said, If we say we have no sin, then we are liars! We all have some misgivings, faults, or failures. My point is, that being a born again believer, we will mess up, sin, and fall flat on our faces sometimes, doing or saying things that we shouldn’t. In this comes our greatest asset as a believer, the ability to receive forgiveness for those sins, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know I have fallen so many times, but still yet, HE is there to reach down and pick me up. He never grows tired of us, and HIS love for us is unchanging, and unconditional. IT IS NEVER OVER! Once you become his child, he latches onto you, for all good and bad, and continually strives to bring you closer to him. He will NEVER GIVE UP ON US! When we fall, or a brother or sister in Christ falls, we don’t need to condemn them or ourselves. We need to get back up and come to the throne or GRACE, where the love and mercy of God flows abundantly like a river. IT’S NEVER OVER! GOD has a plan for your life, as a matter of fact he has a PLAN A, B, C, D, E, whatever it takes to get you next to him. HE loves you and will never leave you no matter how you sin, or how many times. In reference to Mr. Haggard's sin being made public, it was probably God using this to bring Mr. Haggard back near to Him. When we see a fellow believer in Christ fall, let us not crucify them, Jesus already did that for us all when he was crucified for our sin, let us not kick them down farther, let the love of God flow through us to them, and that may show them ITS NEVER OVER and allow them to believe that God isn’t through with them. Pray for MR. Haggard, and all those you know who have sinned and may think it’s over. Lord, we ask in Jesus name, that you reveal your love to Mr. Haggard and any others who are hurting, that they may know, what is the breadth, height, width , and depth of your love and forgiveness for them. Shadow them with your presence, and let it be made known, that it is NEVER OVER in Jesus Name, Amen.

Dealing With Death

Hello everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I would like to talk a bit about death today. It's so sad to see someone we know and love go on to the next level. It brings feelings of anger, grief, resentment, and guilt among other things. My family has lost 2 members in 5 months. My grandmother, and my 2nd cousin, who was more like an uncle or dad to me. Both knew Jesus and are no doubt with him now. I can just see Mamaw up there, working in the most glorious flower garden, flowers more beautiful than the ones we see down here. See, heaven, I believe, is the most glorious place. The bible says ears have not heard, and eyes have not seen, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the good things God has in store for those that love him. My cousin, who was an avid outdoorsman, is probably fishing in the lushest water, and reeling in some major keepers! All in the presence of God! Whew, sounds like a wonderful place. If you have lost a loved one, know that they loved you and wouldn’t hold anything against you. You may have not been as nice to them or treated them as good as you wished you would have, but they love you and so does God. He forgives you and you need to forgive yourself. We have tendencies to look back on what we could have, or should have done different, but no matter how much we want to, we can’t change the past. Get on past that and enjoy the memories you had with them. Their not hurting, their having a ball, and want you to do the same. Anger can be so destructive! I was ok with Mamaw dying, she was the Lord's and to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord. But my with my cousin I kind of got angry at God for a few moments. I said, God, that is 2 in 5 months, it’s not right! This man had a family, was getting ready to announce his call to preach the gospel, been saved for 5 years and on fire for you! What are you thinking! He gently let me know that his ways are above mine and his understanding greater than mine, and that he left a witness. That maybe someone, some family member may have only have been saved by his death. And Danny would have wanted that. Rather than live and see none of them saved, he would rather have given his life that one may be saved. I’m not saying that’s the reason, but we just don’t know. All I know is God knows more than I do and I trust him. God was finished with him here. I don’t pretend to know any of these answers, I only poke at the possibilities, but I do know one thing, CHERISH THOSE ALIVE AS THOUGH THIS IS YOUR LAST DAY WITH THEM. Give the kids an extra hug and kiss, spend some extra play time with them. Tell your wife you love her, and hug her. Call your mom and dad and go visit for a while. Be a blessing to people while we can! Friends, family, brothers and sisters in Christ, all of them. The stranger on the street, say a kind hello. And if you know someone who doesn’t know Jesus, say an extra prayer for them. Find places and opportunities to sow a seed of Gods word and love to them, for tomorrow they may be gone. Remember this; this is not the end, only a passing through place, to a far better home. These bodies are temporal, but when we see Jesus face to face, we will be likened unto him, resurrected in his glory, and we will see our loved ones again, and rejoice, that we are home together forever. Lord I pray for the hurting right now who have lost loved ones. I pray you send the Holy Spirit to comfort them. You said you would not leave us comfortless, but you would send another comforter, even now Lord, send him. We thank you that one day we can see them again, but even more we thank you for the time we have left, for one, it means we have more work to do for you, and secondly, we have more chances to show those who mean most to us, how we love them. Help us lead the lost to you, draw them unto you Lord, so that not one would perish, but be brought into you love. Give us boldness to speak when we need to, and wisdom to be quiet when we don’t. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Merry CHRISTmas!

I just wanted to wish you all a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May God richly bless you and your family, your endeavors, and your spirit as we move toward fulfilling His will for our lives. This has been a year of ups and downs for me, but I have grown in the Lord, or rather in the knowledge of his unending love. I ask that you take a moment and reflect on this past year, and see the progress you have made. Jesus is soooo proud of you and so am I. We are none perfect, but we are maturing, in Him, even if we don’t see. So, God Bless you and yours, and May God provide for your every need in Him. May your days be long, and may your life reflect his. God Bless. In His Name.

The Move

Hey everyone! I'm sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I pray you are all blessed. Do you ever wonder if there is something more to this Christian Walk? Things can get so mundane sometimes. We get up, we go to work, we come home, we go to bed, we get up, we go to work, we go to church we go to bed. Do you ever feel as if something is missing? As if you are lacking something? The church (body of Christ) has been so entangled with every day church life that we are missing the true glory of the Lord. I am so tired of waiting for the big "revival"! The truth of the matter is, as long as we keep on our current path as a body, we are missing out on all the things God offers and is going to do in the end times, with or with out us. Think about it, we go to church, have an opening prayer, couple of special songs, offering, and have some stale bread (the Word) and hope..........HOPE someone gets changed! We stay put in the four walls of the church HOPING people will come to church. Jesus told us to go into the highways and byways and compel them to come in. How do you compel someone to come in? If they’re hungry, FEED THEM. Thirsty? Give them drink. Homeless? Feed them. We can’t stop there either; we must look for every opportunity to meet their needs. If they are sick, heal them. We must go outside the four walls of a church and compel them to come in. Now the question is what we are compelling them to come into. A stagnant pond? Or rather a river of fresh water where thirst is quenched. Leaders, aren’t you tired of going through you Christian life without having God's glory in it? I am! We must go on a journey to seek and find what God is doing in OUR TIME, for SUCH A TIME AS THIS. I want what God has for me and my family. I want what God wants to use me for to help others. I don’t want Christianity as usual, I want more!