StRaNgErS

Strangers are not always considered invited guests, whether it be into your home, your personal conversation or your physical and spiritual life. A stranger in a physical form may become your best friend within that year; or they may become your feared foe. You never know who God will send to help you make it that extra step in life. Strangers present themselves in many shapes, sizes and color. Ugly, pretty, rebelious and clean. An uninvited guest will leave when you simple ask it to excuse itself, right? In most cases, the answer is NO! Once seated at your table they begin to execute their purpose. That stranger may come in physical form, or he may come in a spiritual form. Loneliness, depression, pain and even fear. They enter our homes, lives, dominating our minds and holding us as victims on their playing field. At that moment we have but two decisions to make. I can let this stranger frighten me and control me or I can accept it and learn from its intended games. C. Myles Young, a well known psalmist and minister once said that "When adversity comes, you know you are in the purpose and will of God" So when the devil, adversity, depression and fear knock at your door, do not dwell in its grasp, but instead turn and grasp it, give it to God, let that opportunity of loneliness create in you a relationship with the Heavenly Father that you never would have other wise been able reach. Learn to stand on His word, fight back when the spirit of fear enlarges itself. Your stranger of evil will never be your friend, but when he sneaks in the window or through the door remember he left it open. Open for The Peace, The Healer and The Way maker to come in and take control.

"Strangers are simply opportunities for a miracle called friendship" a.rose 2006


*inspired by Sis Vonnie Lopez

A daily thought:

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A HOUSE,
BUT NOT A HOME

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A CLOCK,
BUT NOT TIME

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A BED,
BUT NOT SLEEP

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A BOOK,
BUT NOT KNOWLEDGE

WITH MONEY YOU CAN SEE A DOCTOR,
BUT NOT GOOD HEALTH

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A POSITION,
BUT NOT RESPECT

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY BLOOD,
BUT NOT LIFE

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A MOMENT OF PLEASURE
BUT NOT TRUE LOVE

BUT GOD:
~THE KEEPER OF THE FAMILY
~THE CREATOR OF TIME
~THE REST IN A WEARY WORLD
~THE CREATOR OF KNOWLEDGE
~THE GREAT PHYSICIAN
~THE HIGH AND LIFTED UP
GAVE HIS LIFE, HIS BLOOD, EXPRESSED THE ULTIMATE LOVE, TO PURCHASE OUR SALVATION!

How do you see it?

Have you ever been standing right next to someone and still are looking frantically for them? Maybe you even bumped into them, apologized and kept moving, in desperate attempts to find them! Comic, but still a fact that is true. This morning I was reading in Matthew on the birth of Jesus...I came upon Matt. 2:2 where the wise men ask Herod, king of Jerusalem, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Herod in total shock calls in his scribes, who read from the Holy Scriptures of the birth of a child that will be the savior of the world. A troubled, prideful man that Herod was sends these wise men to find the child so he too can worship him(sarcastic). Then upon hearing that the men totally dis him, he sends his army out to kill every male child under the age of 2. Now think about it for a moment. The star, scriptures, signs, a big HELLO! Right?! This is how I see it....Herod, like a average human was so caught up in himself and the things that concerned him that he missed the biggest happening right outside his city. Yet three men, total strangers, who probably met each other on the way, see a star from the East and set out on a journey to find out what the star was all about. When you are in the darkness of this world and have no purpose other than to please yourself, you miss the light that shines right before you. Just as the person you actively seek, the greatest miracle is right in front of you. God is shining and sending willing souls to break that darkness and allow you to reach out and receive it for yourself. It is a light that gives you purpose, hope and unconditional joy...So evaluate yourself and consider the outcome...Now how do you see it?

2007!!

Happy New Year to all!
What a time we had this holiday! Christmas was amazing and December 31st, 2006 was the best ever! After years of preparing we the saints of The Rock Church have moved into the new facility at the corner of Bradshaw and Neiman! We had an incredible service and we filled the bottom section and even spread out into the risers, over 1600 people gathered for our first official service! =) I am so excited to see what the future of 2007 has to bring!
God Bless you and yours this holiday season!

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