Nicole's 17th Birthday Photo Shoot

Forever Young

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when you’re far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you’d have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you’ll always stay
Forever young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
With a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
And in my heart you will remain
Forever young

And when you finally fly away
I’ll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell


But whatever road you choose
I’m right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young

 

How can you know you're saved?



A two-year-old boy was once staring at a heater, fascinated by its bright orange glow.  His father saw him and warned, "Don't touch that heater, son.  It may look pretty, but it's hot."  The little boy believed him, and moved away from the heater. 


Some time later, after his father had left the room, the boy thought, "I wonder if it really is hot?"  He then reached out to touch it to see for himself.  The second his flesh burned, he stopped BELIEVING it was hot, he now KNEW it was hot!  He had moved out of the realm of BELIEF into the realm of EXPERIENCE.


Most Christians believed in God's existence before their conversion.  However, when they obeyed the Word of God, turned from their sins, and placed their trust in Jesus, they stopped merely believing.  The moment they reached out and touched the heater bar of God's mercy, they moved out of BELIEF into the realm of EXPERIENCE.  This change is so radical, Jesus referred to it as being "born again" (See John 3:1-5).


The Bible says that those who don't know God are spiritually dead (see Ephesians 2:1; 4:18).  We are born with physical life, but not spiritual life.  The apostle Paul said if you are "in Christ," you are a brand knew creation (See 2 Corinthians 5:17).


Becoming a Christian isn't a change of mind.  It's not an adherence to religious belief or dogma.  It's a complete rebirth.  It's not a wax and polish, a tune-up, or a new paint job.  It's a brand new car.  That's what astounds me about Christianity.  A true convert experiences the power of the invisible God giving him a brand new heart with new desires. 


Those who now have God's Spirit living in them will love what He loves and desire to do His will; they will have a hunger for His Word, a love for other believers, and a burden for the lost.  The Holy Spirit also confirms in their spirit that they are now children of God (see Romans 8:16).  Those who believe on the name of the Son of God can KNOW that they have eternal life (see 1 John 5:12, 13).  A Christian is not someone who has a "belief," but someone who has a relationship with the living God.  They come to know the God of the universe experientially. 


At the risk of being redundant, I don't "believe" the He exists.  I know Him.  Personally, I have a living relationship with the Creator.  I talk to Him through prayer, and He guides me through His Word and by His Holy Spirit.  I have known the Lord since Easter 2006,


I not only know Him, but I love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  He is my life, He's my joy, my Creator, my Savior, my Lord and my God.


Suppose two experts - a heater manufacturer and a skin specialist - walked into the room just after that child had burned his hand on the heater.  Both assured the boy that he couldn't possibly have been burned.  But all the experts, theories, and arguments in the world will not dissuade that boy, because of his experience.  Those who have been transformed by God's power need never fear scientific or other arguments, because the man or woman with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument.  "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance..."(I Thessalonians 1:5).


My earnest hope and prayer would be that those of you who don't have a personal relationship with God would soften your sinful heart, and repent and trust Jesus Christ, so that you too can testify to this unchanging truth:  "This is eternal life: that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and the One You have sent - Jesus Christ" (John 17:3).







(WOTM)

KaylaJo & Michael

Their story began just over 6 months ago.,,,they just happened to be at the same place, at the same time.

Stolen glances...bashful smiles...

Friendly conversations...

...and suddenly..... romance blooms

you are the cheese to my macaroni you are the horizon to my sky

you are the bacon to my eggs you are the laces to my sneakers

you are the jelly to my peanut butter you are the smile to my face

you are the gravy to my mashed potatoes you are the bubbles to my bath

you are the milk to my cookie you are the ketchup to my french fries

you are the water to my ocean you are the icing to my cupcake

"...excited to document where our love has blossomed, and to look forward to what's ahead as we contine to grow."  ~Kayla Jo

 

My Love

I've been lookin' seekin' searchin'
For somebody like you
Then my prayers were answered
Baby heaven sent me you

I've waited for you so long
Love will never forsake you
It's like heaven on earth love
With my darlin' so near

I'm yearnin' for your sweet kisses
And your lovin' embrace
And that cute little smile
Glows on your angel face

Anthony and Brittany

When a man loves a woman
Can't keep his mind on nothing else
He'll trade the world
For the good thing he's found
If she's bad he can't see it
She can do no wrong
Turn his back on his best friend
If he put her down

When a man loves a woman
Spend his very last dime
Tryin' to hold on to what he needs
He'd give up all his comfort
Sleep out in the rain
If she said that's the way it ought to be

Well, this man loves a woman
I gave you everything I had
Tryin' to hold on to your precious love
Baby, please don't treat me bad

When a man loves a woman
Down deep in his soul
She can bring him such misery
If she plays him for a fool
He's the last one to know
Lovin' eyes can't ever see

When a man loves a woman
He can do no wrong
He can never own some other girl
Yes when a man loves a woman
I know exactly how he feels
'Cause baby, baby, baby, you're my world

When a man loves a woman.....



How confusing is a BLOG????

Ok...I've had people ask me how do you "follow" a blog...and how can I be notified when there are new posts.  You would think that would be easy...I was under the assumption you just clicked "FOLLOW" and then followed (no pun intended) the directions.  Obviously it's not that simple.  I've done a little research....and if you're interested in following this blog, I've ATTEMPTED to make it easier. 

• At the top of each post their a "POSTS" icon with a little arrow.  Click on it.
• A drop down box will appear. Click on the last choice: ATOM
• Follow Directions
• Updates should be able to be viewed when you click on your "Favorites" star located on your internet tool bar.  It's normally at the top of the page on the bottom left of the tool bar...it's a YELLOW single star.
• Eternal Focus Should be listed.

I don't think there's a way to be notified...but if there is and you're a BLOG pro....please enlighten me, lol...b/c I am completely new to this.  Feel free to comment.

If you REALLY care...you'll talk about that earthquake!

The title sounds crazy, I know....but, let me explain. 

When talking to strangers, co-workers, or the lost in general, "it may be a relief to know that you shouldn't walk up to someone and begin a converstation by talking about Jesus.  They'll most likely think you're strange.  Bright lights in the eyes is always offensive.  Instead, start in the natural realm (talking about everyday things) & then swing the conversaton toward the spiritual realm (talking about spriritual things).  That's the way Jesus did it in John 4:7-26.  When He met the woman at the well, he began talking about natural things (a drink of water).  He then swung the conversation to sprititual things ("living water").

You may start talking about football or the weather, and then perhaps use something in the news to swing to the subject of spiritual things"...LIKE THAT HUGE EARTHQUAKE IN NEW ZEALAND.  After you bring up something like that you can then say something like "What do you think happens when a person dies?  Where do they go?  You haven't mentioned God, sin, Judgement Day, or Hell.  You are just asking they what they think.  SO you won't feel uncomfortable.  Most people are pleased to give their opinion on anything."  If you aren't comfortalbe sharing the gospel yet (because you need more practice) then bring tracts.  Tracts to me sound "old school" and boring...but there are some really cool ones out there that aren't a bore to read at all and will actually cause people to ask for more...it happens to me all the time...in fact they ALWAYS bring a smile to people's faces.  Go to http://www.wayofthemaster.com/ and hit the store tab and their are TONS of different ones to choose from.

"It doesn't matter how you do it (swing from the natural to the spiritual), only that you do it.  Again start in the natual realm so they don't think you're a religious nut, and then make the trasition any way you want. that will lead you directly into a conversation about the things of God.  Remember, most people are not offended when the subject of God comes up, despite what our over ripe, fear-filled imaginations tell us."

To read more concerning this...check out the only other Book, besides the Bible that changed my life.  Click on the following link and the entire book is found on line. 

 http://books.google.com/books?id=heslYqAfdGcC&pg=PA189&lpg=PA189&dq=start+in+the+natural+and+swing+to+the+spiritual&source=bl&ots=DEpdlGB8r6&sig=03ELREpHgaJHbF8Ld_Y8-NFAZ3E&hl=en&ei=R-JjTZyxB5Catwe2nbncCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=start%20in%20the%20natural%20and%20swing%20to%20the%20spiritual&f=false

Once again...thanks for taking the time o read this.

There goes another minute.  Gone forever.  Go share your faith while you still have time.