“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Today was another historical day of taking a stand for the WFJ GLOBAL MOVEMENT. Team destiny hosted their final of three WFJ (Words From Jesus) webinars in December 2009 called “The Miracle of Christmas.”

Dr. Joseph Peck served as the global connector and host of this webinar. The guest panelists were: Deb Smith, Richard Mayhan, Bertha Hinson, and me, Abigail Slocum. Clearly the Holy Spirit took control of the webinar before it ever started and never let go!

He began by waking me up at 3:22 AM to give me this prophetic word – WFJ: THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST! It was His way of orchestrating the whole focus for the discussion. These are the questions we covered:

1. What is the Miracle of Christmas?
2. What is the significance of Isaiah 9:1-7?
3. How does someone come into the LIGHT of Jesus?
4. What can people do to experience their most special Christmas ever?
5. Prayer for an UNCOMMON Christmas blessing.

WFJ: THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST!

Take the tour of the Word and be free in Christ. CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON FOR MIRACLES BUT EVERY DAY IS A MIRACLE IN CHRIST! TO BE IN CHRIST IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL.

SALVATION IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL. It is God’s free gift to all mankind. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved (have eternal life).(John 3:16).

What is so miraculous is that SALVATION IS THE “GREAT EXCHANGE!” MAN GIVES GOD HIS IMPERFECT, BROKEN, SINFUL LIFE IN EXCHANGE FOR A PERFECT (COMPLETE) LIFE IN CHRIST. JESUS GIVES HIS ALL FOR OUR ALL!

When you receive Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, the LIGHT OF THE WORLD – THE CANDLE OF MAN, comes into your heart to show you the most excellent way of all to live. IT IS THE WAY OF LOVE BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE.

In this “GREAT EXCHANGE,” your old sinful man dies and the new man comes alive in Christ. CHRIST LIVES THROUGH YOU to live the perfect will of God which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17).

Unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is your inheritance as a born again child of God. IT IS A LIFE OF VICTORY AND TOTAL PROVISION. To be one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is to be free from every bondage of sin and to be free to experience the fullness and abundance of life in Christ Jesus. JESUS IS THE DOOR TO FREEDOM AND TOTAL FULFILLMENT.

Jesus’ arms are open wide and ALL THAT BELONGS TO THE FATHER OF LIGHTS IS YOURS WHEN YOU SAY “YES” TO JESUS who is the express image and likeness of God, and His Kingdom of Love becomes yours!

IT IS A SUPERNATURAL GIFT OF DIVINE INFUSION AND PROPORTION AND IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL! Become one with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. ALLOW THE PRINCE OF PEACE TO RULE IN YOUR HEART FOREVERMORE, for God set eternity in the heart of man. He loves YOU so much and nothing will ever separate YOU from His love.

LET THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD LIGHT YOUR PATH AND BE A BEACON OF HOPE TO ALL MANKIND. THE KING OF GLORY HAS CHOSEN AND MADE A WAY TO TAKE UP RESIDENCE IN YOUR HEART AND BE YOUR KING AND PRINCE OF PEACE. SAY YES TO HIM AND THE KINGDOM IS YOURS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. The Redeemer wants to take all of you in your imperfection and transform you into the likeness of Christ. RECEIVE THE GREATEST GIFT KNOWN TO MANKIND AND LIVE “THE GREAT ADVENTURE” IN CHRIST. NOTHING CAN COMPARE TO THIS INDECSRIBABLE GIFT OF PURE AND PERFECT LOVE. It is greater than anything you ever wanted for Christmas for it is the desire of your heart. RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT AND SPEND THE REST OF YOUR NATURAL LIFE AND ETERNITY UNWRAPPING JESUS, GOD’S GIFT OF HIMSELF WHO IS PERFECT LOVE. THERE IS NO END TO LOVE. REJOICE AND BE AT PEACE. IMMANUEL HAS COME!

RECEIVE ALL OF THE GREATEST MIRACLE WHO EVER WAS OR IS TO COME! Let Christ have free reign in your heart and become His walking talking miracle and witness to all mankind. Your light has come. BE GLORIFIED IN HIS ETERNAL PRESENCE.

I LOVE YOU, MY CHILD. BE MADE WHOLE. ENTER THE JOY OF THE LORD. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE PERFECT LOVER OF YOUR SOUL! BE SATISFIED IN ME. I AM YOUR FULFILLMENT AND HEART’S DESIRE. SHALOM.

Love in Jesus,

Abigail Slocum
“A pen in God’s hand giving LOVE a voice”
The Bellows of God
www.Abigail777.com

Prayer Power

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please say this prayer out loud from your heart and you shall be saved and come into God’s Kingdom of Love.

Father God, I believe in my heart that you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. I believe Jesus paid my sin debt in full. It was a debt I could not repay and it was a debt Jesus did not owe. Thank You, Jesus. I accept your perfect gift and sacrifice. Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Baptize me in the power of your Holy Spirit and I will serve you all the days of my life! I am saved! I am free! Thank you, in Jesus name. Amen.

May you allow the God of all hope and the Prince of Peace to rule in your heart this day and forevermore. May this truly be your most significant Christmas ever as the FULLNESS of the gift of God’s LOVE FOR YOU, becomes an everyday reality in your life!

I BLESS YOU with the joy, laughter, and peace of God! I BLESS YOU with God’s amazing grace! I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

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Come experience the excitement of our vibrant, online, world-wide community (TRIBE) that is changing lives to disciple nations.

Webinar Details

• Title: The Miracle of Christmas
• Series: Words From Jesus: How to hear God’s voice
• Date/Time: Saturday December 19, 2009, 8 am EST
• Facilitator: Holy Spirit
• Host: Dr. Joseph Peck
• Panelists:
  1) Abigail Slocum – founder of God Whispers
  2) Bertha Hinson – founder of Beauty From Ashes TV and His Gateway
  3) Deb Smith – founder of Connect 7 Coaching
  4) Lynne Lee – founder of Christian LIFE Coaching
  5) Richard Mayhan – founder of Prodigan Returns; leader with Worldprayr

Here is what we covered …

1. What is the Miracle of Christmas?
2. What is the significance of Isaiah 9:1-7 ?
3. How do YOU come into the LIGHT of Jesus?
4. What can YOU do to experience your most special Christmas ever?
5. Prayer for a UNCOMMON Christmas blessing

Watch Team Destiny’s complete webinar “The Miracle of Christmas!”
Click on the image below to watch this 116 minute Camtasia video

RIGHT CLICK HERE and choose “Save Target As” to download the 116 minute MP3 recording of this webinar.

BREAKTHROUGH RESOURCES

• #WFJ: THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST! (Dec 19, 2009)
• #WFJ: The $14,400 Miracles (Dec 12, 2009)
• #WFJ: The Spiritual Triangle Between Virginia, the U.K., and Italy (Dec 5, 2009)
• Opportunities to invest in yourself and the Kingdom of God (Nov 4, 2009)
• The Angel Breakthrough and the $14,400 Miracle (Sep 14, 2009)

For those of you who can afford it, we encourage you to SOW A $144 SEED (= 12 x 12 = 1% of $14,400) to bless someone in need – the poor, the hungry, widows, orphans, prisoners, or the persecuted. Thank you!

Blessings to TAKE ACTION to make this your most special Christmas season ever!

R. Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations
Community Transformation Specialist
www.empower2000.com

TEAM DESTINY

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;” (John 15:8a)

P.S. At the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders in the U.K. earlier this year, the primary word received was “no more business as usual.”

P.S.S. We want your feedback. We encouarge each of you to share your thoughts below.

P.S.S.S. Please help us share this wealth – “The Miracle of Christmas!” – with the world! THE TIME IS NOW! Here are Sample Tweets

• What is the Miracle of Christmas? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the significance of Isaiah 9:1-7? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• How do YOU come into the LIGHT of Jesus? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What can YOU do to experience your most special Christmas ever? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Prayer for a UNCOMMON Christmas blessing http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What do you want for Christmas more than anything else? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is your greatest heart’s desire? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the greatest miracle of all? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the GREAT EXCHANGE? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Where is the door to freedom and total fulfillment? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• What is the way of LOVE? http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Allow the Prince of Peace to rule in your heart forever http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Let the Light of the world light your path http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• BE a beacon of hope to all mankind http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Merry Christmas to all http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Receive the greatest gift know to mankind http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Live “THE GREAT ADVENTURE” in CHRIST http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer
• Enter the joy of the LORD this Christmas season http://bit.ly/65eCQk #worldprayer

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

What are YOUR most valuable relationships?
What simple step can you take TODAY to be better steward of those?

On Friday Feb 13, the Holy Spirit prompted me to spend several hours doing an inventory of my relationships. During that process, the LORD revealed to me how to use The Journal software to take my stewardship of relationships to a whole new level. That is the topic of today’s 8 pm EST webinar. I invite you to join Jerry and me for that.

Under the category JIREH Marketing, I created a new category called Joint Ventures and under that I created 3 tiers of people I know and correspond with regularly – Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Under Level 1, I created categories using names of people who have had a dramatic impact on my life and sorted those people in chronological order – the order God brought them into my life.

My parents were first. They modeled the love of God throughout my life. They instilled in me the habit of going to church every week. They taught me countless values which have not only impacted me, but ten of thousands of people I have come across during my lifetime.

After my parents, came Rev. Mark Jarvis. Not only did he lead me to a personal relationship with Jesus and disciple me spiritually, but he opened the door for a long-term relationship with Rev. Matt Gregory, my current pastor, and Michael Stay. The four of us met weekly in a coaching group for 4 years. Through this support network, my faith grew exponentially and many Kingdom doors of opportunity were opened.

Following them, other people I listed included Erick Kalenga, Virginia Morton, Rick Heeren, Jack Serra, Jeff Bernstein, Joseph Umidi, Bowie Curry, Jack Stagman, Jerry Graham, Ben Stewart, Mark Virkler, Karla Meachem, and Lynne Lee.

Today I want to give a special thanks to Karla and Lynne. Both of these ladies I met through Twitter. They both chose to become JIREH Marketing members. And in just a few months, they have had a profound impact on me. Both are extremely humble. They are avid users of Relationship Marketing (Web 2.0). And both keep their eyes focused on Jesus and daily seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. Through their close relationships with Jesus, they supernaturally manifest the “go-giver” philosophy.

This morning I visited Karla’s site Empowering Christian Women, which is my favorite site ever for Christian resources. I was particularly touched by the Father’s Love Letter” YouTube vido. See Blessings of the Day to learn more.

Karla also has a personal blog titled “More of Him: Less of Me.” This morning when I visited that, I noticed Karla wrote, “I’ve been asked to do another interview on internet radio. Once again, I am stepping out in faith. :) This will be my 3rd interview this month ~ one last Tuesday, one last Wednesday and another one soon – please stay tuned for the details.”

What’s amazing is that Karla’s breakthroughs and some of my new breakthroughs came as a result of her choice to sow a financial seed to be JIREH Marketing Member. As a result, she joined TEAM DESTINY, God’s team to change lives and disciple nations. As a result of that, Dr. Jerry Graham and I hosted Karla as our guest expert for the “JIREH Marketing: Empowering Christian Women” webinar on Feb 3.

That was Karla’s very first interview and now the gates of heaven are open for her to have explosive Kingdom impact. PTL. You go girl.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the precious gift of relationships, which are the currency of the Kingdom of God. I thank You for each and every person who has sown good seeds into my life. I thank You for the recent relationships you helped me establish with Karla Meachem and Lynne Lee. Thank You for the new and big doors of opportunity You are opening for both of them. Bless their marriages, their families, and their ministries (businesses). May both of them accomplish more for Your Kingdom in 2009 than they did previously in their entire lives. Thank You Jesus. With You all things are possible. Amen and Hallelujah!

Blessings of the Day
1) ““JIREH Marketing: Blogi360 – The Website That Works For You” FREE webinar at 11 am EST today (Feb 17)

2) “Experiencing God Through Journaling: Stewarding Your Relationships” FREE webinar at 8 pm EST today (Feb 17)

3) Father’s Love Letter YouTube video at Empowering Christian Women

4) More of Him: Less of Me personal blog by Karla Meachem

5) Christian Life Coaching – by Lynne Lee

Blessings to be a great steward of your relationships!

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The Holy Spirit is inviting YOU to become part of TEAM DESTINY. If you want more favor in your life, then join our team. Favor is always proportional to God’s assignment. That’s because the greater the assignment, the greater the adversity.

Journaling is the key to unlock your dreams!
Journaling is the key to unlock your DESTINY!

Is journaling biblical? Absolutely! Father God is the greatest Journaler of all times. The Bible is His journal – the most profound one of all times. And throughout time, the Holy Spirit has inspired millions of people to write to inspire others to greatness.

Blessings for divine provision and breakthroughs!

Dr. Randy Peck
“Blessed to be a blessing”
The Connector – connecting people, ideas, and resources in Christ through the POWER of the Holy Spirit

P.S. If you’re a small thinker and don’t want your faith to soar, this book is definitely not for you. But if you believe in a BIG God who has destined you for greatness, then you’ve come to the right place.

“I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:2-3)

What are your expectations for the remainder of 2008?

In my message on October 20, I shared that I’m doing a series for the remainder of 2008 titled “Going to the Next Level!” I expect a lot to happen for the remainder of 2008 because this year has been prophesied to be a year of supernatural convergence and also the year of the gate.

In my devotional two days later titled “Explore The World Of Coaching,” I said I’d expound on Tony Stoltzfus’ outstanding, 12 minute, audio message titled “What is coaching?”

Tony Stoltzfus says, “A coach can be an incredible resource to help you change, achieve a goal or discover and reach your destiny… First and foremost, coaching is a relationship between a coach and a client. It’s a relationship designed to empower healthy people to take initiative in their own lives to grow and change. That growth and change is future-oriented. Coaching is oriented toward dreams and goals and where you want to go. It takes you from where you are to where you want to be.”

During this week, I’ll be sharing a series of connected stories to show how life coaching is opening the door to connect Virginia and Liberia intimately. Several months ago, Ben Stewart told me, “Randy, you are destined as a connector of nations!”

Back in the Fall of 2007, I began weekly coaching sessions with my son Robbie. I remember clearly one Monday morning as I was coaching Robbie, he mentioned he was considering joining the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the University of Virginia. As I probed more deeply with progressive questions, Robbie became convinced this was something he definitley wanted to do.

Honestly, as a parent, I had concerns when Robbie first mentioned the word “fraternity,” but I remained disciplined to stay in coaching mode, asking questions and not judging. One tenet of Christian coaching is that God is the one who initiates change. I was delighted to discover that Beta’s slogan is “Men of Principle!”

At the end of our coaching call, Robbie’s action step that he chose was to call the gentleman in charge of meeting with potential Beta candidates that afternoon. As it turned out, if Robbie hadn’t done this, he might not have gotten into Beta Theta Pi and almost certainly would not have ended up living in the frat house this year. You’ll learn the significance of this as this God story unfolds during the week.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, it’s so beautiful to be able to see how You are working all around us. It’s so neat how You connect the different pieces of the puzzle together. Thank You for Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the University of Virginia. Thank You for opening the door for my son to live in the Beta frat house this year among so many young men of principle. May the 2008-2009 school year be the best ever for Beta Theta Pi and UVA. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Beta Theta Pi’s Men of Principle Initiative

Blessings to be men and women of principle!

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

How can you empower your life story?
Will you commit to meet with Jesus daily?
When and where are you going to start?
How long are you going to meet with Jesus each day?
What resources do you need to meet with Jesus?

I’ve had a Wow! morning. God is so good! I’ll share part of the story this morning and more tomorrow. If you need encouragement today, read on.

Yesterday at Soul Purpose Church, Pastor Matt preached a message titled “My Life Story Empowered.” He shared that you’ll never know you’re soul purpose until you meet Jesus and then meet with Jesus daily. Key scriptures were Psalm 119:105 and Exodus 33:7-17.

Matt first addressed the question “How do I meet with God?” and then laid out these 4 simple steps

1) Opening prayer – preparation (confess sin) and permission (“Whatever You tell me to do, I’ll do.”)

2) Read (or listen to) Bible. According to Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is living and active (if you let it be). According to Henry Blackaby, “The Bible is not something that leads to a connection with God; It is the connection with God.” Matt pointed out that while the U.S. Constitution is often referred to a living, breathing document, it’s not really. But contrast this with the Bible.

Matt answered the question “Where do I start in reading through the Bible?” by recommending John, 1 John, Luke, Acts, Romans, then Genesis in that order. What a great suggestion.

Matt’s answer to the question “What am I looking for as I read?” was SPACE PETS = Sin to confess, Promise to claim, Attitude to change, Command to obey, Example to follow, Prayer to pray, Error to avoid, Truth to be believed, Something to thank God for.

3) Journal – meditate and record answers to these questions:
a) What did God say to me? (Which of the SPACE PETS really got my attention today)
b) Why did God say that to me today?
c) What am I going to do today because of what God said to me? (What needs to change?)
d) With whom can I share what God said to me today?

4) Record your response prayer. Commit to follow what He has shown you today. Praise Him for who He is. Thank him for what He has done.

Then Matt did something that every preacher would benefit from. He gave each person 10 minutes to actually practice what he taught using Psalm 1. As I read that Psalm, I underlined “meditates on it (the Word of God) day and night” as my one Command to obey. I made the commitment to spend an hour each morning and night in My Secret Place reading the Bible and praying for specific people on a written list starting that evening.

So yesterday evening before I went to bed, I read all of 1 John out loud in our home. That resulted in a rocket launch this morning. Be sure to catch tomorrow’s message and opportunity.

Prayer Power
Jesus, thank You that every day each of us has the opportunity to meet with You by reading your Word with an open mind and an open heart. Thank You for helping me write today’s message. May those who read it be doers of Your Word, not just hearers. We bless You. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Everyone should have a blog. Here’s why

Blessings to empower your life story through a daily meeting with Jesus!

COMPANY CORE VALUES

By choosing to partner with us you will work with a company that values:

INTEGRITY
The most important characteristic of leadership is integrity!
Integrity is more important than intellect, intensity, or insight. Integrity and Honesty guarantee our future and YOUR future. Confidence is generated doing the right thing. Our goal is long term stability and prosperity, not short term gains.

EXCELLENCE
Jesus’ expectation for His disciples is excellence, nothing more, nothing less!
Nowadays, QUALITY is frequently sacrificed for the sake of time or money. Our goal is to exceed your expectations.

SIMPLICITY
The simplest answer is almost always the best!

COMMITMENT
Maximum LEVERAGE requires alignment with your assignment! Until you get fully committed to something, you will never come close to achieving your maximum potential.

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PERSONAL CORE VALUES

By choosing to partner with us you will work with a company whose founder values:

FAITH
The Bible teaches "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Since prayer is the most powerful tool God has given us, our team goal is to bless our clients through the power of prayer! 

FAMILY
A businessman recently said "All my life I strived to get to the top of the corporate ladder, and when I got there I realized it was leaning against the wrong wall!" So often families are foolishly sacrificed in exchange for success in the marketplace. But, now that God is showing believers how much He wants to use them in the marketplace, we need to learn how to bridge the gap between the family and the workplace. 

FREEDOM
As human beings, freedom is one of our deepest needs. Our team goal is to bless you to experience a life of abundance – to have money freedom, time freedom, relationship freedom, and spiritual freedom.

Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (John 6:10)

Whose game plan are you following in your life?
What would God think about the direction you are heading?

Yesterday evening I walked 4 miles fast on our home treadmill. When I came back to the main living area of our home,  I decided to sit down in our family room, drink lots of water, and watch part of the Republican National Convention on TV. I’m not a big TV fan. In fact, I typically watch for  less than 2 hours per week.

Boy was I inspired – by every one of the speeches I heard. The first speaker I heard at 8:50 pm was Bryan Clay. He was introduced as an athlete who exemplified the strength rigor and humility of the American spirit. He recently won the gold medal in the decathlon at the Beijing Olympics.

Bryan greeted the crowd with an “aloha.” He went on to say, “I can tell you that without faith in God and my support of my family and friends and my strong work ethic I would not be standing before you today wearing this gold medal around my neck.”

The next speaker was Joe Gibbs, former head coach for the Washington Redskins and NASCAR race car owner. He said John McCain and Sarah Palin’s election “would be a return to God’s word” and bring the U.S. “back to a spiritual revival.” In the most religious-themed primetime speech of the four-day convention, Gibbs, a grandfather of eight, compared a spiritual life to football. To win in football, he said, one must have a game plan, and God’s game plan is the Bible.

“If you follow God’s plan, his Bible, his word, it leads to success. When I followed that game plan, I was able to have some of the greatest experiences in the world. Bad game plan leads to disaster. I can attest to that.”

Gibbs closed his remarks with one piece of advice: When tackling the big issues, “Wouldn’t it be great for someone to say, ‘I wonder how God would think about this?”

Next I listened to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina share many of the success stories and progress in Iraq. This was followed by an outstanding video about Gov. Sarah Palin. Next, former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge spoke. Mrs. Cindy McCain then gave a rousing speech after that. After his wife spoke, Sen. John McCain shared his heart – passion, dedication, and love for America and Americans. And finally, the convention was officially closed with a wonderful prayer by a pastor.

I was so thankful for the overall positive spiritual tone of the evening, the frequent mention of God, and the values shared that are consistent with my own personal conservative Christian world view.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the leaders who publically acknowledged You and exalted Your name at yesterday’s final night of the Republican National Convention. We praise You as the Master Coach with the Master plan and humbly submit our will to Yours. On behalf of our children and grandchildren, we pray for an abundance of godly leaders at all levels of government who will choose to follow Your game plan – the Bible. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Links of the Day
Historic speech by Governor Sarah Palin at RNC on September 3 – YouTube video [scroll down to the bottom]

McCain Tops Obama in Speeches’ TV Ratings
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/05/mccain-tops-obama-in-speeches-tv-ratings/

Blessings to follow God’s game plan for your life!

How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Proverbs 16:16)

Are you rearing your kids in a home or a hotel?
How do I get my kid to help around the home more?

My devotional on April 8 mentioned how Jerry  Graham’s Daily Gram titled “The Big Mo” led me to the outstanding video message by Darcy & Tim Kimmel titled “Godly Advice to Get the Romance Back in Your Marriage.” Tim is President of Family Matters [www.familymatters.net]. The tail end of the Kimmel’s GodTube video mentioned www.iquestions.com.

Yesterday morning I was pasting notes from the past two weeks into my spiritual journal. While doing that, I came across the link to www.iquestions.com and decided to visit that website. I was impressed immediately and decided to click on “10 Terrific Tips for Raising Great Kids.” There I discovered 10 short, outstanding videos about raising great kids.

In the first video titled “Foster Good Work Ethics,” Kevin Leman shares some profound life lessons for raising responsible kids. He begins, “Here’s the question of the day: Are you rearing your kids in a home or a hotel? You know, most people rear their kids in hotels. What do I mean by that? They give them room service, food service, and very little is expected of them. Kids need to contribute to the home. They need to give back to the home. Every child from the time they are 3 and up can contribute to the family.

Kevin goes on to ask, “What can a 3 year old do?” Then he gives some concrete examples. Later, Kevin explains “As kids get older, they need to have bigger and bigger responsibilities. The idea is make sure the kids understand this principle that no member of the family is more important than the family. Everyone pitches in.”

Be blessed and bless your children and grandchildren by watching the video at today’s Link of the Day and sharing that with others.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the iquestions.com website and the 10 outstanding videos teaching simple principles to raising great kids. Help parents and grandparents who read this message and watch the video to apply these principles in raising and mentoring their own children and grandchildren. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
10 Terrific Tips for Raising Great Kids – click on “Foster Good Work Ethics”

Blessings to apply Kevin’s principles to raise responsible kids!

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. (Psalm 143:5)

How will YOU choose to end your year to start your new year off on a great note?

Every week or so I receive the Vision Forum email newsletter. Doug Phillips is the President of Vision Forum Ministries, dedicated to “rebuilding the Christian family, one household at a time.” On December 28, I received an outstanding email message by Doug titled “How to End the Year.” Here is part of that message:

Life moves fast. If we don’t take the time to chronicle the providences of God, we forget them. If we don’t take the time to say thank you to those who have invested in our lives, we actually cultivate a spirit of ingratitude in our own hearts. If we don’t stop and make sure that we have a spirit of forgiveness toward others, we grow bitter, we lose the capacity to move victoriously into the future, and our prayers are hindered.

Here is a little practice that Doug Phillips, founder of Vision Forum, was taught and would like to share with you. Each year, during the last week of December, do the following three things:

1) Outline and chronicle the many providences of God! First, using simple bullet points, outline the key events for every week of every month of the year. Take the time to do the research which will help jog your memory and allow you to make an accurate record… Also, by making this a family project, you will not only build your list with greater speed and precision, but … Read more …  [see below]

Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (Habukkak 2:2)

2) Say ‘Thank you’ to those who have invested in your life! Whatever happened to the man who first opened to you the words of life from the Scripture? Where is the comrade, coach, or instructor who believed in you and helped you to accomplish a great goal? Read more … [see below]

“cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16)

3) Forgive those who have wronged you! In the course of a year, it is possible to build up many offenses and personal grievances at others. Left unaddressed, these grievances fester and grow. They turn the heart black and the body weak. They foster a spirit of vengeance and misguided self-righteousness. The short of it is this: Unforgiveness leads to bitterness. Bitterness curdles the mind and the spirit. Fresh starts and new years should begin with forgiveness for others. Read more … [see below]

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19-21)

Prayer Power
Father, as 2006 comes to a close, may we take the time to remember and to say “thank you.” May we examine ourselves for bitterness and forgive anyone and everyone who has offended us. Thank You for Doug Phillips and his brother Brad (from Culpeper) who have both blessed me. Thank you for their parents, Howard and Peggy, who invested their lives raising godly children who now serve millions of people for Jesus. Bless the entire  Phillips family and their ministries with uncommon favor. May 2007 be the brightest year ever for all of them. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
How to End the Year – complete message by Doug Phillips

Blessings to end the year well!

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Wednesday, December 27, 2006
How To End 2006
Source: www.visionforum.com/hottopics/blogs/dwp/2006/12/1994.aspx

Special Note: The following article is updated and reviewed each year as the Lord teaches our family new and important principles for beginning a new year. I hope it will be an encouragement to you as it is to our own family.

Three of the Most Important Things You Can Do At This Time of Year

Life moves fast. If we don’t take the time to chronicle the providences of God, we forget them. If we don’t take the time to say thank you to those who have invested in our lives, we actually cultivate a spirit of ingratitude in our own hearts. If we don’t stop and make sure that we have a spirit of forgiveness towards others we grow bitter, we lose the capacity to move victoriously into the future, and our prayers are hindered.

Here is a little practice that I was taught, and would like to share with you. Each year, during the last week of December, do three things:

I. Outline and Chronicle the Many Providences of God

“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” (Hab. 2:2)

First, using simple bullet points, outline the key events for every week of every month of the year. Take the time to do the research which will help jog your memory and allow you to make an accurate record. I find that reviewing bills, blogs, journals, newspaper headlines, letters, and even organizing my photographs chronologically are enormously helpful tools. Those individuals who were faithful to journal or keep a diary will have little problem reconstructing key events. Give yourself a good week to reconstruct your own outline of the year. Also, by making this a family project, you will not only build your list with greater speed and precision, but (in the hands of a loving patriarch) the very act of chronicling the providences of God in your life is a blessed tool for family discipleship.

Every family will have a different set of priorities directing what they should record. In addition to recording the key events and providences of the year chronologically, I try to take the time with my family to record some of the following information on separate bullet lists:

• Where did I/we travel?
• What were the titles and key texts of sermons I preached?
• What books/articles did I write?
• What significant household projects did we accomplish in 2006?
• What were the most important meetings of the year?
• What special friendships were made this year?
• Which children lost teeth, and how many?
• Who grew in physical stature and how much did they grow?
• Who learned to read this year?
• What diet and physical exercise regimen did I maintain to honor “my temple”?
• What books did I read? Did we read as a family? Did my children read?
• What Scriptures did my family memorize?
• What loved ones died this year?
• What were the great personal/ministry/national tragedies and losses of the year?
• What were the great personal/ministry/national blessings of the year?
• What were my most significant failures/sins for the year 2006?
• What unresolved conflicts/issues am I bringing into 2007?
• What significant spiritual and practical victories did I experience?
• In what tangible ways did I communicate gratitude to those who have blessed me and invested in my life?
• What are the top ten themes of 2006 for my family?

II. Say ‘Thank You’ to Those Who Have Invested in Your Life

[I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:16)

Whatever happened to the man who first opened to you the words of life from the Scripture? Where is the comrade, coach, or instructor who believed in you and helped you to accomplish a great goal? What about the Bible teacher whose careful handling of the Word opened up new vistas of understanding? Where is the friend who stood with you through thick and thin? Most importantly, what have you communicated to the mother who carried you in her womb, loved and nurtured you, or the father who labored to provide for and shepherd you?

When was the last time you responded to their investment in your life with gratitude, blessings, and even money? Jesus reminds us of those ungrateful recipients of blessing who simply went their way without demonstrating gratitude (Luke 17).

Before the year ends, make a list of two types of people: The first list are the names of people whose life, ministry, or personal investment in you have deeply touched you and changed your life. (In my case, the list includes parents, pastors, and even some teachers from the early years of my Christian walk that I did not meet until much later in my life, but whose books and tapes were crucial to my personal discipleship as a young Christian.) The second list should include those people who played the most significant role in your life in 2006.

Write a brief, meaningful letter to each of them. Be specific in your gratitude. Explain what they did for you and why it was important to you. Show them how they were God’s instrument of blessing in your own life. Pray over each letter, asking God to grant you rich insights on the character qualities of each individual and on the way those qualities changed your own life. Where appropriate, include a check or special token of appreciation that reflects your desire to show them, tangibly, that you recognize that you are in their debt. You cannot imagine the joy this will give to someone from your past who may think you have forgotten them. Give generously and without concern for getting a tax deduction. I strongly recommend sending money to your parents. Keep in mind that you will never be able to return their personal and financial investment in your life, except through your testimony of faithfulness, covenant keeping, and honor to the Lord.

Also, your children need to know the people who have blessed their parents. They need to see that Mom and Dad are grateful and generous. Share your letters with them. In our household, we ask our children to write to some of the people who have blessed Mommy and Daddy, because our children are the indirect recipients of these blessings on their parents.

This will take a day or two to complete. You may have twenty letters to write, but you will never regret saying “thank you.”

One last thought: One reason why Christians are often limited in vision, energy, and blessings is that, contrary to the Lord’s command, we are ungrateful, unforgiving, and bitter. Far too many who profess the name of Christ spend more time obsessing on those who have wronged them, than rejoicing in those who have blessed them. Letters and tangible expressions of gratitude are not only pleasing to Christ, but an antidote to heart-sickness.

III. Forgive Those Who Have Wronged You

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12: 19-21)

In the course of a year, it is possible to build up many offenses and personal grievances at others. Left unaddressed, these grievances fester and grow. They turn the heart black and the body weak. They foster a spirit of vengeance and misguided self-righteousness. The short of it is this: Unforgiveness leads to bitterness. Bitterness curdles the mind and the spirit.

Fresh starts and new years should begin with forgiveness for others. Having a genuine spirit of forgiveness towards those who have wronged us is a mark of biblical Christianity. It is an evidence that we have been redeemed, and that we are praying lawfully: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

Successful Christians are men and women who are free from bitterness. They have learned the principle modeled by our Lord Jesus Christ who, while suffering death at the hands of people he had never wronged was able to say, “Lord forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”

I have a dear preacher friend with a sterling reputation who was once grievously slandered. When asked about the wicked actions of the slanderers he replied something to this effect:

“Oh you don’t understand — I am far, far worse than my detractors realize. They may have gotten a lot of the specific facts wrong, but I am just thankful they don’t know how bad my heart truly is. God have mercy on me a sinner.”

This man had victory over bitterness.

My father is another man who always appeared to have victory over bitterness. In fact, from my earliest days to the present I have watched lesser men “twist the truths [he’s] spoken to make a trap for fools.” [i]

Early in my life when I was still in government schools, I would listen to my own teachers criticize before my class, the work my father was doing for the President dismantling a government agency which was at war with the family. I read untruthful articles and saw derogatory comics on the pages of the Washington Post picturing him as a cave man for his “prehistoric” views. When my father was a leader in the Republican Party in Massachusetts, a gangster repeatedly threatened the life of his family. I remember being a boy and having my father shield me from homosexual picketers and protesters that would follow him and our family around at public locations.

Most painful and difficult for many to forgive are betrayal and dishonor. But that is a mistake. Betrayal and dishonor probably exist in the lives of most men. And why should any Christian be denied in their lives what past generations of Christians — and of course our Lord and Savior himself — patiently endured? To our shame, most of us have been on both sides of that coin. From a son’s perspective, however, it is highly instructive to watch a father act honorably in the midst of such conflict. It has been a great blessing in my own life to observe my father nobly respond even in the face of barbs from former allies and friends, once loved and nurtured by him.

Eternally optimistic, Dad would always say: “Never be bitter. Life is too short. Thank God for your blessings. Press on!”

Bitterness comes from being unwilling to forgive. Bitter people are small people. They are unsuccessful people. They are people who cannot move forward. They are people who believe that the personal wrongs against them are so great that they — the offended — are entitled to do to their offenders what they pray the Lord Jesus Christ will never do to them — refuse to forgive.

Here is my recommendation: Think through every grief, minor and major, caused by others to you in the year 2006. Now add to the list any other personal offenses that continue to linger from past years. Write these down as bullets on a sheet of paper.

The first thing you will likely realize is just how many offenses are polluting your thought life, and, probably, your spirit. This is a sign of latent bitterness. Bitterness will kill you. It renders you completely ineffective.

Now prayerfully walk through the list — bullet, by bullet. With each offense remind yourself that the most despicable action taken against you by another, utterly (and infinitely) pales in comparison to the least of your offenses against the Lord Jesus Christ.

And yet He has forgiven you.

Before 2007 begins, adopt a spirit of forgiveness towards your insensitive friends as well as your hateful enemies. Forgive your imperfect father for whatever it is you need to forgive him for (and pray to the Lord that your own children someday forgive you for your failures). Quit devoting untold precious hours to commiseration, mental replay of the wrongs done, and thoughts about just how badly you were wronged. Stop blaming everybody but you for your problems. Look to yourself. Once you start chronicling your own sinful attitudes and crimes against God and man, you simply won’t have time to worry about the wrongs done to you. You will stop being bitter and you will start being thankful.

Wipe the slate clean. “Press on.” Forgive.

Conclusion

As 2006 comes to a close, take time to remember and to say “thank you.” Take time to examine yourself for bitterness. Forgive others. It is appropriate that we do so on the birth of a new year.

Remember that God gave man the stars on Day Four, in part so that he could order and structure his days based on a clock/calendar system of days, seasons, and years (Genesis 1). He tells us to “remember” acts and to “number” our days. In Scripture, the formal act of remembering providences of God in our life is linked to hope, honor, and generational success (e.g., Psalms 44, 78, etc.). By February 2007, the year 2006 will be a distant memory. Strike now while the iron is hot. The opportunity to remember and to say “thank you” may never come again. And can you afford even one more day in which your prayers are hindered — because you were holding on to offenses and refusing to forgive?

Posted by Doug Phillips on December 27, 2006 | Permalink