Conference yukon::christian_v7

    Upon looking back in my life, I am amazed I am now a Christian. 
    Really.  
    
    Was that too generic?  8^)

	I'm a two year old.  The first year God held me in His arm
and fought a major battle for me(for my marriage problem).  Last year God put
me down on the floor and I found myself could not walk well.  I often tumbled
when I wanted to run. There was no strength in me when I wanted to help and I
constantly felt hungry because I did not eat when I was supposed to.  This year
I promise myself that I will do my best to give up a lot junk food and eat real
food so that I can gain some real weight to help out to nail some nails or pick
up newspapers for my heavenly Father(Hm.. do you think that is too
much for a 3 year old? May be I should learn how to pick up my toys and clean
up my rooms first)?

Wally

Why is it that some people put empty cereal boxes in the refrigerator?

And why is it that when I finally get a hankering for a bowl, we're 
either out of milk or out of the cereal for which I have the hankering?

It has happened often enough to nearly be called deja vu experiences.

And speaking of experiences...  ah another note perhaps, but later.

Mark

    1993 was a very jam packed year for me.... some highlights were many of
    you.  PDM's fall and near death... but God's grace.  A man's divorce
    ripping him apart, but continued faith..  Greta's near TSFO and God's
    provision for her... Mark's leaving the conference as a moderator.. but
    his Spirit ever renewed as he pours himself out in his notes... Jimbo's
    growth in Christ as evidenced by his heart's words in here... the
    Australian's humor which leaves me in stitches... and Markel's ever
    loving words both online and offline... Leslie's sweet contributions of
    poetry and words of wisdom... the loss of so many dear friends to
    Digital's business failures and so many others that I'm sure I've not
    mentioned.
    
    Personally, I've had trials and victories... I keep getting more
    trials, so I know my faith isn't where it should be. :-)  My children
    have both brought me heartache and joy... they're certainly growing
    their Mommy.. there fertilizatio of rivalry, illnesses, and love have
    got a small but strong sprout shooting upwards.
    
    This past Sunday marked a blow for me as a teacher... God is growing me
    there too.  My church has changed their Sunday services to encompass 3
    services with two of the three being teaching hours; the middle service
    remaining as the preaching hour.  I lost 12 of my girls to the 3rd
    service.  It was an emotional Sunday, as I had to let go and let God
    care for them.  It was the *last* time I'd teach them and I prayed and
    asked God to show me what I should say... there was *so* much I wanted
    them to learn about God and faith and trials and disappointment and
    faithfulness and standards/convictions, encouragement... you know the
    same things we want our own children to have... As I prayed with them
    before they left I told God that I know that as much as I love them, He
    loves them more.  We cried, we hugged and then we said goodbye.
    
    It was somewhat befitting as I was saying goodbye to 1993 as well. 
    
    In His Love,
    Nancy
    
    
      

    Praise the Lord !!!!
    
    He saved me in 1993.
    I found the father in Jesus.
    Jesus is alive.!!!!!!! Alleluja !!!! Praise the Lord !
    He rescued me !
    I can say,that I'm brother of Jesus.Praise the Lord.
    
    Jesus saved me.The best thing,ever hapend in my life,isn't it ?
    
    			In Jesus love, J�rg

Amen J�rg!

It's a blessing to hear you say it too! ;-)

I've been overawed recently by the utter incredibility of salvation.  That
God, so Holy, so complete, so righteous, should become a weak person, and
suffer total humiliation - so that rebellious sinners like me can have 
the joy of knowing guilt lifted from us; dealt with completely....

He doesn't become tainted, but He gently and tenderly works in us
throughout our lives so that we can be presented faultless before Him on
that day...  Too soon, and we'd be burned up by the impact of His glory - 
like Isaiah in chapter 6.  But that's where He's bringing us...

He *** loves *** us, folks!  Even (especially) when we feel nobody else does! 

What a God we have! - Praise His Name...

								Andrew

 AMEN!!

>    Personally, I've had trials and victories... I keep getting more
>    trials, so I know my faith isn't where it should be. :-) 

I see the smiley, but I've been "reflecting" quite a bit on this myself,
lately and want to comment on it (without suggesting that Nancy actually
feels this way herslf).

The person of living faith will have trials, and have them often the more
alive the faith is within them.  Victory over trials are also part of the
continuum, to be sure, but another task, another opposition, another
trial awaits.  Who of us has "arrived" where we have no trials and yet
are alive in Christ?

I chatted with Dan yesterday, and we discussed where some of the 
"faith movement" reasoning breaks down.  The idea that one's "faith"
prevents trials and illness reduces God to a circus performer.  It 
says that I can harness God's power for personal purposes, which 
is too often confused as God's will and purpose.  God's power, when
implemented through human vessels, is for God's glory only, as Simon
the Magician found out, as did the sons of Sceva.  The men of God
knew this - that faith in God did not harness God's power - it simply
made them available to God to use His power through them.  This is
an extremely important distinction because God does what He chooses.

Back to trials: God's people always are beset by them: Job, Moses (!),
Elijah (!), Noah, Peter, Paul, you name them!  But in these trials
we know that the opposition is the enemy of the Lord, and like Elijah's
servant, if our eyes are opened, we can see that the host of angels 
has surrounded the foe that surrounds us.  And Paul especially speaks
to trials that buffet us on every account in 2 Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 4

 6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined
in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.
  7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the
power may be of God, and not of us.
  8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair;
  9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
 10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the
life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
 .
 .
 .
 15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through
the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
 16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the
inward man is renewed day by day.
 17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
 18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which
are not seen are eternal.

When you know that your relationship with the Lord is up to date, then trials
are an indicator that you've become a menace to the enemies of God.  On
the contrary, except for periods of rest, if no conflict exists, perhaps the
enemies of God don't find you a threat to their advancement of evil in the
world.  (God save me from being passive.)  

So be encouraged when the pressure is on; you may be doing something worth
being troubled by His enemies.  When I am fortunate to realize this, I smile
and thank the Lord, ask Him to help me through this battle, and forge ahead
with God in the lead.  The battles are His; the victory is His; we're along
for the strengthening, doncha know?  :-)

Mark

    
    1993 was the worst year of my life so far.  My daughter Caroline died
    January 25th.  I love her more than my own life.  God provided to me
    the power to endure the grief.  God still provides the power for me to
    endure the grief.  My son Austin was born in 1993 only three months
    after Caroline's death.  He is a joy and God has enabled me to enjoy
    him even under the circumstances.  My son Graham is five and my special
    son he too having endured the grief of losing his sister.  My wife and
    I are closer than ever of course.  We finally found a new church very
    recently which we will be quite happy in.
    
    But Caroline's death overshadows it all.  Grief is a thorn in the
    flesh.  It is always there.  Sometimes it is subdued other times it
    consumes.  But it is *always* there.  And it is unpleasant.  But it is
    also a good teacher.  Is God's grace sufficient?  Yes, absolutely.  Is
    life cheery?  No. Should it be?  No, not most of the time.  Life is
    serious business.  It is a proving ground for eternal life.  There are
    lessons to be learned and sins to be shed.  There is a Saviour to be
    known and a Spirit with which to be filled.
    
    My motto for 1994 is, do all to the glory of God.  I've got to go.
    
    jeff

    Amen -.8
    
    1993, we are victorious in Christ, through all things, rejoice!
    
    My God shall provide all my needs, according to His riches in Christ
    Jesus!
    
    My faith is built on nothing less, than Jesus, blood, and
    righteousness.
    
    Jesus says that trials will come our way but, those who endure to the
    end shall be saved!
    
    My trials, tribulations are nothing compared to what Jesus, and the
    disciples suffered!
    
    Financial woes, Digital Job security, job boredom, people conflicts,
    wars and rumours of wars, world conflict, etc., Nothing can separate me
    from the love of Christ,
    
    
    Gary Pinkerton 
    

    
    .-1 ---> AMEN!
    
    1993 for me has been rather exciting. Learning to walk with the Lord.
    It has also been a time of consolidation for me when He moved me from
    an area which I liked to work in and place me in a workplace which is
    rather boring. However, Praise the Lord, I found time to read HIS WORD.
    
    I have been praying for the Lord to open a door to allow me to move
    to another place where I could be more useful. About a month ago,
    through a prophesy by the pastor at a Outreach Meeting, the Lord told
    me to stay in this place for a little longer before He moves me to
    another place.
    
    The time has come for me to move for He has open the door. On
    retrospect, I marvelled at the Lord's infinite Wisdom in my life to
    prepare me for this place He is moving me to.
    
    I have still lots to learn about Him as I learn to walk in Faith and
    Trust in Him.
    
    
    In Christ,
    
    Mike 
    
    
    
    

	Ray, 
	continuing to hold you in my prayers...

	Jeff,

	I've been thinking about you and your wife quite a bit lately.
	Still lifting you and your family up in prayer.

	Karen

 I was thinking about 1993 this morning as I was reading my Bible..I began
 my new walk with the Lord right around Christmas 1992, so 1993 began with
 me getting back on my feet with the Lord.  A lot of things happened in
 1993, some good, some not so good.  I've met some wonderful people in here,
 and made some good friends, and left a destructive life behind.


 As I reflected this morning, I think the best thing that happened in 1993
 was finding the church I am presently in, Victory Baptist Church.  And, had
 I not met Nancy Morales (through whom my relationship to the Lord was restored)
 I would not have set foot in a Baptist Church.  But all the growth I have
 achieved in the Lord in 1993, I believe began at Victory Baptist, and I thank
 God frequently for leading me there.




 Jim

    .14
    
    Jimbo, you know how much you mean to me...  can't help but Praise God
    for being in the wrong place at the right time. :-) :-) :-)
    
    Smiling with a few tears amixed,
    Nancy

 He is *so* good...





Jim

    
    
    I don't know if this is the correct place to put this - feel free to
    move it.
    
    This past Sunday at church there was a girl (about age 16) who was
    present as a guest of her friend.  When the time came to greet each
    other, I went over and shook her hand, said Hello - you know, all
    the "things" you are supposed to do.  Now, I don't have an easy time
    reaching out to people, especially strangers - even a simple "Hi"
    can be difficult at times.  I'm worried how I'm coming across (first
    impressions, ya know), etc.  Well, I had the feeling that my greeting 
    wasn't well received.  I kind of brushed it off, and said "Oh well" 
    to myself. 
    
    A couple days ago, driving home from work, I began to think of this
    situation again.  As people we tend to "judge" people (first
    impressions) on how they look or come across to us (now, I'm not saying
    that's right!)  Anyhow, I came to see that that's what I did with the
    girl at church.  Somehow, in my eyes, expression, something came 
    across to her that said I was not unconditionally welcoming her.
    When God revealed this to me, it was like I was struck by a bolt
    of lightning!  I thought, "I'm going to have to watch that"
    (meaning - cover my tracks better)  Immediately after that thought,
    it was like God took hold of my spirit and said "NO!  I don't want
    you to cover your tracks better - I want to RID you of this 
    judgmental attitude!"
    
    Well He caught my attention.  Just wanted to give an example 
    of how actions speak louder than words.  I wonder how many 
    others I've put off or have not seen Jesus in me because of 
    this attitude. 
    
    And why is it that we "rate" sins?  I think if you talk to most
    anybody, they will agree that murder is worse than lying or swearing.
    And adultery is worse than pride.  But to God, sin is sin, one isn't
    worse than another.  I think more Christians do damage to their
    witness through pride and judgmental attitudes.  People are far more
    willing to hear the murder say how Jesus changed their life than listen
    to the proud Christian tell them they have all the answers. 
    
    And it's only January......!  What does 1994 have in store!?
    
    Karen
    

 As an usher at my church I frequently encounter visitors and will greet them
 and stick my hand out to shake their's. Sometimes I wonder what they feel
 when they are greeted, and most of the time I think the most important thing 
 to them is a smile.  I haven't the slightest recollection of what people said
 to me the first couple times I attended this church.  But I definitely remember
 the warmth I felt from all who introduced themselves, and that is what endeared
 me to the church.




Jim

    Amen Karen!!!
    
    What a great testimony to the tenderness and surrender of your own
    heart to the Lord.  It always amazes me how powerful the Holy Spirit
    can move within.
    
    Would that I had the same tenderness... I'm a rather tough piece of
    meat which kneads lots of pounding. :-)
    
    Nancy

    I thought perhaps we could use this note to reflect on 1994.
    
    Those who feel led, please share how this past year has been for you,
    your family and friends.  Looking forward to seeing lots of testimonies
    out there... the good with the bad... :-)
    
    Your Sis,
    Nancy

    Well, lets see...
    
    o  Found out I have a "mild case of Multiple Schlrosis on April fools
       day.
    o  My husbands great Aunt just had a heart attack and died on Christmas
       Eve.
    o  My sister-in-law will probably divorce her husband for beating the
       kids.  Thats up in the air right now.
    
    
    Lots of depressing stuff.  But I've got to say that I've turned
    everything over to God like never before.  I am constantly learning
    about God's grace and love.  And not beating myself up for all my
    failures.  (its the ones I repeat that really lay guilt trips on me)
    
    
    Anyhoo, God keeps me at peace when there is no peace to be found.
    
    
Donna

    .21
    
    Well I can understand the "repeat" offender self-inflicted charge! :-)
    
    Praise God, He's a God of redemption, not of condemnation.

Repeat offenses:  Sometimes, like certain habits, it is too difficult to
go cold turkey.  If this is the case with some "repeat offenses" you can
start a program of continuous improvement.  Yes, entreat upon the Lord 
when you fail, but determine to do better each time with the intent of
killing the offense, once and for all.  

MM

    Dear Family,
    
    As I reflect on the many opportunities to share the Lord this past 
    year, I am reminded of "perspective".  You see these last few months 
    have been in a state of unrest.  Cancer has been all around me in 
    various forms attacking people that are close and dear to me.  I've 
    learned more about immortality than I'd hoped before facing my own. 
    As well, my own weaknesses have resurfaced and struggles that I 
    thought had long gone returned to haunt me.  But these struggles did 
    not leave me wounded and bleeding.  These struggles [and some are 
    currently in process] have once again brought "perspective" in my 
    life allowing me set priorities and value that which is eternal.
    
    Matthew
    
    Matthew has brought me much in the way of perspective.. the sorta 
    kinda like, "remember when" kind.  He turned 12 and his body is 
    changing and we've had quite a few of *those* conversations.   It's 
    humbling and wonderful all at the same time.  It has certainly 
    caused me to relive my own puberty.  My own feeling of why is this 
    happening to me, I liked me just the way I was!  
    
    With this also has been Matthew's artistic ability being refined.  
    He began oil painting this summer and has quite the talent for it.  
    I've enrolled him in an art class for young people.  This art class 
    if for oil and water based painting.  
    
    Clayton
    
    This boy challenges me every single day of my life.  He is strong 
    willed, stubborn, kindhearted, loving and very sensitive.  He's got 
    wisdom beyond his years and he's very logical minded.  He's a GREAT 
    athlete.  He played Little League this past year and was MVP of his 
    team.  He was awarded two "team balls" during the season.  Yet his 
    most proud accomplishment was being able to outrun all of his team 
    members.  At the end of each game, Clayton would challenge them to a 
    race.  Clayton is an A student who thinks he's failed if he gets an 
    A-, because an A- is really a B!
    
    As a Mom, I realize that my time is more than half over with Matthew 
    with Clayton following close behind that.  I'm looking at 1995 as a 
    year to set familial goals.  
    
    

    MOM
    
    The most significant things in my life this past year has been the 
    relationships I've enjoyed and some I've not enjoyed.  As most of 
    you know, I was sexually molested by my father as a young girl and 
    my familial relationships have been very strained.  I've forgiven my 
    family members but my family members have struggled with forgiving 
    me.  Somehow as I blamed myself for years, my mother blamed me as 
    well.
    
    I was able to once and for all set my relationship with my mother 
    straight.  It's in another note in here...she finally acquiesced and 
    affirmed her love for me.  Something for which I had only dreamed.
    
    My father's mother is 91 years old.  I had determined to never tell 
    my grandmother about her son.  However, in emotional pain I asked my 
    Aunt about my father and explained what he'd done to me.  I didn't 
    know that this past year my aunt would use this information to spite 
    her own mother due to sibling rivalry that goes back 50 years.
    
    My grandmother angry at me, phoned me and basically told me I was 
    liar and then tried to dismiss as even being my father's daughter.  
    She called my mother a whore and said she thought I must be one of 
    her boyfriend's child.  I was devastated, but began to calmly 
    explain why I never told her and how old I was when he began his 
    bedtime visits.  She began to cry and ask me for forgiveness.  And 
    she thanked me for loving her more than even her own daughter.
    
    What healing God gave to me... restoration and love.  Thank you 
    Lord.
    
    I've also had the opportunity to witness to others about the saving 
    knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I've seen two roommates, my boss, a man 
    in Australia and a co-worker saved this past year!  Amen!  God is 
    good.  
    
    I've also felt grief so deep that it created a struggle within my 
    own core belief system.  My dear friend, Ed Guinan, 34 years of age 
    passed away November 20th, 1994.  He had malignant malinoma. I won't 
    go into much detail as all of you know this situation.  However, 
    what you don't know is how it effected me personally.
    
    What I found for me was that I began to get angry at God and take 
    Ed's death personally.  Now this is all very subtle, working its way 
    into my ethics.  I've only recently discovered how easily I become 
    self centered as a result of this.  You see I began believing once 
    again that God must not like me very much... because I didn't even 
    deserve the love and friendship of this man.  My bottom lip got so 
    big that you could pour Lake Erie into it and not spill a drop.  You 
    see I rationalized to myself, God doesn't care about you personally. 
    I began struggling with the "why" did my dad molest *me*... "why" 
    did my mom abandon me, "why" would God not allow Ed to continue 
    being there for me, loving me the way he did and of course I 
    answered the question myself!  Because I was something so bad, so 
    hideous that God himself found me repulsive.
    
    This of course tossed my faith and my belief system up in the air 
    for grabs.  And Satan knew just what my weakest spot is.. and began 
    poking and prodding me there.  I bent over in pain several times 
    giving in to his gestures and feeling sorry for myself.
    
    Then I looked up and standing before me was my boss, my friend and a 
    new Christian.  She was looking at *me*.  She needed my prayers.  
    And it was then I realized the spiritual implications of what was 
    happening to me.  If Satan could wound me in the battle for her 
    soul, he would be victorious.  The sin in my life, the doubt and 
    anger impaired my ability to pray the fervent prayer of a righteous 
    woman.  I begged God to forgive me of my sin and to have grace and 
    mercy on my manager during  her time of need.  To allow me to be all 
    that I am in Him and to realize I am victorious in Christ.  As Mark 
    had said, "Jesus may *seem* slow, but He's never late."  
    
    God not only answered my prayer but he poured oil into my vessel so 
    that I may anoint my friend, my manager with oil and pour it into 
    her vessel.
    
    God is good... 1994 will end with this soldier restored, revived and 
    victorious in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
    
    Looking to 1995,
    Nancy 
    

    
    
    	Praising God and crying tears of joy right now.
    
    	Nancy, thank you for baring your inner struggles and fears
    	with us, so that we may all see the wonderous work of the Holy
    	Spirit within you.  Your sharing has given great glory to God.
    
    	We shall overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of
    	our testimonies... (reference anyone ?)
    
    	love you,
    	Karen

�    	We shall overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of
�    	our testimonies... (reference anyone ?)
    
							Revelation 12:11 

When I think over 1994, it is dominated by change.  At our church, there
have been significant opportunities opening up - the LORD has given us new
fellowships to reach out and share in, to help and build up.  Several of 
our most committed members have moved on to take their commitment to two of 
these in particular.  We miss them, though still seeing them from time to 
time, it leaves a gap to be filled, and we're looking for the people God 
will add to us next, to fulfil the many other opportunities He has
entrusted us with.  We have a new - extra - building, a training program,
but before that and beside it, we have a relationship with the LORD to grow
into, right into His presence.

We have many blessings to thank the LORD for.  For Peter, whom He called
home at age 30, when he had just completed his missionary training, leaving
his wife Jane and daughter Ceridwen (8 months) to complete the course
without him.  But with Him.  That was a difficult blessing.

For Hugh and Sue and their children, who were preserved through that
head-on accident - thanks again for your prayers there!  Last Sunday - New
Year's day - it was so thrilling to see them back at church for the first
time again, Hugh on crutches, but each of them clearly showing that inner
peace from the LORD alone. 

For Rhys, born about a month back, who has a weak heart, and is also 
suffering from severe bronchial trouble (as are many premature babies this 
winter, apparently).  He is due to have an operation this week, if he's 
strong enough.

For Roger and his family.  An elder in our church - though he's only about 
my age, and his children are aged from about 4 to 14 years.  In the summer 
he found he got unusually breathless on their hill walking holiday, and was 
diagnosed as having a critical cancer of the lung lining.  There is no
treatment for this particular cancer, and the family have watched him grow
steadily weaker, and more in pain...  The LORD has upheld them - their
witness is strong - but the poignant awareness that this is Roger's last
autumn, last Christmas, last 'New Year' is with us.  He will be stepping
into glory, as he at last is releaased from the pain-racked body.  His dear 
family have to continue...

In my family, two of my lads [well ... aged 22 and 24] completed their
studies, and are still looking for work.  They've had temporary and
part-time positions, but nothing permanent as yet.  The LORD has been
teaching them different things.  The other two have had their situations to 
face and battles to win as well...  Ros and I have been been kept through 
all 1994 had to offer also...

Yes, God has sustained us throughout the year we call 1994.  He has been 
faithful.  My anticipation for 1995 is that He will again be faithful, 
though I don't know what it will contain, or what I will say, looking back 
from the far end of it.  Apart from remembering Jesus' words in
Matthew 28:20 :

 "...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  
  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

					God bless you each one.
								Andrew

I've struggled about entering this note, but I need to.

1994 was the hardest year of my life.  I struggled through a personal
situation that went from bad to worse over the course of the year.  For most
of the year, God seemed far away, the skies seemed to have a steel ceiling
which prayers could not penetrate.

Yet I learned more about trusting God in 1994 than ever before.  By kicking
out my crutches and letting me fall flat on my face, God has shown me more
conclusively than ever before that I am utterly dependent on Him for
everything, from the breath that I breathe to the circumstances of my life. 
The renouncing of self that has never really made sense to me has become the
focal point of my life.  "I must decrease, and He must increase."

I face 1995 with absolutely no assurance that this situation will have a
happy conclusion.  I can see clearly that if it DOES have a happy conclusion,
that this time of testing and trial will have greatly positive effects, yet I
know that the God who will not intervene to force us to spend eternity with
Him, will not forcefully intervene here either.  Much that I hold dear in
this life hangs in the balance, and I don't know whether it will be restored
to greater health than ever before, or lost forever.  Yet I have come to the
point where my prayers are: I want YOU Jesus, and YOU alone.  All else pales,
even those things most cherished cannot compare with Jesus.  If He restores,
I will praise Him.  If He does not, He will give me strength, and I will
still praise Him.

My verse for this year has been Habbakkuk 3:17-19a.  Though verse 19 goes on
to assure us that God leads us to the heights, yet when I read it for myself
I stop before that.  Whether God leads me to the heights or not, still He is
my strength and salvation.

	Though the fig tree should not blossom,
	  and there be no fruit on the vines,
	Though the yield of the olive should fail,
	  and the fields produce no food,
	Though the flock should be cut off from the fold,
	  and there be no cattle in the stalls,
	Yet I will exult in the Lord,
	  I will rejoice in the God of my Salvation
	The Lord God is my strength.

Paul

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I'd rather have Him than riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than *anything*
This old world affords today.

(Thanks, Paul.  (.28))

I sang this song in church yesterday at the organization service of the
Faith Community Church of the Nazarene in Windham, NH.  I asked the
congregation what it would take to buy them out of their Christianity.
Too often we have traded it in for trinkets and baubles; passing pleasures.
But I also challenged them as to how well they protect their Christianity.

Let's say you owned a precious heirloom; oh, how about a violin. (Yes, I'm
intentionally mixing some other analogies.)  For years, someone has admired
your violin and has offered you money, services, and trade for it, but 
the violin meant so much to you that although some of the offers were
tempting, no way would you give up your violin.  But Christians suffer a
second danger; that of neglect.  Suppose that same violin was left out
where dust, dirt, and grime could mar it.  Suppose that you haven't practiced
it in a long while.  Neglect is a theif and a robber and will steal from
you what the Barterer could not buy from you.  How well do we protect
our precious Christianity from temptation?  How well do we protect our
precious Christianity from neglect?

How much is your Christianity (your relationship with God) worth to you?
If so, how do you act on it?

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame
I'd rather be true to his holy name

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out of the comb
He's all that my hungering spirit needs
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than ANYTHING
This old world affords today.

I saw a sign once that says "He who sings, prays twice."  I've repeated this
song more than any other.  It is my heart's declaration.

Mark