Nikki Griffin singing "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin

Doom, Gloom, and Hope

It's so easy to see the doom and gloom in hardships.  When life gets rough and the storms seem to keep rolling in with no foreseeable relief, hope may seem all but lost.  

As I look back in the storms I have faced I remember countless times thinking Hope is lost.  Now I am at this point in life where I can look back.  Hindsight is always 20/20.  I can now see how God used the storms to direct my path, build my strengths and even developed my dependence on Him to bring me where I am today.  Today I can proclaim how blessed I was, am and will continue to be, because of the storms.

The book of Acts speaks of Paul's storms in life.  It talks about the persecutions, beatings, imprisonments, hurricanes, ship wreck, and poisonous snake bite.  The book of acts concludes with a surprising ending.  

Acts 28:30-31 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep the faith, the storms will end. 

#god #godsword #jesus #jesuschrist #christ #christian #bible #bibleverse #scripture #salvation #trustinthelord #faith #hope #love #gospel #godsnotdead

HOPE

I don't care if you are a christian, Muslim, charismatic, politician, Jew, parent, teenager, successful business man, college student, hamburger flipper, or even the president of the USA.  Everyone is looking for a better tomorrow.  A tomorrow that offers hope, peace, pleasure, purpose, satisfaction, joy, gladness, and even prosperity.  I honestly don't know anyone who is hoping for a worser tomorrow.

What I do find sad, is there is an answer to a better future.  The answer was established at the beginning of time.  There is a book that describes this opportunity and way in such great detail it will blow your mind away.  Many have disputes it's truths, governments have tried to abolish it, and unfold multitudes have completely rejected it.  In spite of all the adversity, the Holy Bible, God's inspired and written word remains the top seller for the last several hundreds of years.

It's funny the answers to a better tomorrow, exactly what ever one is looking for, is found in Gods word.  Yet so many reject it, neglect it, and fewer and fewer continue to protect it.

The apostle Paul was imprisoned and threatened to be put to death for proclaiming exactly what everyone was hoping for.  I as well have even been threatened and rejected for proclaiming what people are looking for.  Crazy huh?  

Adversity is a given.  Hope is a choice that can only be found when your humility to answer Gods call is greater than your pride to reject Him.  

Acts 26:6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.

#god #godsword #jesus #jesuschrist #christ #christian #bible #bibleverse #scripture #salvation #trustinthelord #faith #hope #love #gospel #godsnotdead

The Insanity of God

I have been reading the book "the Insanity of God" as recommended by my pastor Stephen Martin.  It's hard for me to read for long periods of time.  I get distracted easily and lose focus often.   

But I must say wow!  I read half the book yesterday and just couldn't put it down.  Quite frankly I realized what a coward I am in proclaiming my faith compared to the men and women I have been reading about.  

As American Christians we are perfectly comfortable and even bold, but only when the circumstances are safe and permissible.  I have come to realize that a good measure of faith is what it takes to silence you in proclaiming truth.  

The men an women I have read about so far considered hate and violent persecution just as common as the rising of the sun.

the Insanity of God is a must read.  The author is Nik Ripken

Word of God

When Christians allow science to affirm the word of God, the word of God becomes fallible.  It is fact that science in itself has proven to be faliable.  What was once thought true simply became a fallacy as science evolved and disproved it's earlier theories.  

You can read scientific articles, medical researches,  earth science, astrology science, geological and even philosophical science articles.  Repeatedly you can find a common theme related to the phrase; "what was once believed... has now been proven, shown or discovered..."

The word of God is infallibly and irrefutably the soundest words ever written.  As science has repeatedly discovered it's own faults, it has increasingly affirmed the words of God.  

We must not allow science to qualify the very words of God.  In doing so we are attempting to establish absolute truth with the fallible thoughts an wisdom of man.  

When God said He created everything in a literal six days He meant it! His written word declares it and He defined it by clearly stating after each day; "there was evening and there was morning."  At the very onset God established the twenty four hour day "Yom" by light and darkness, day and night, evening and morning.  

Martin Luther said "for of this we must be certain: no clearer speech has been heard on earth than what God has spoken."  We are arrogant if we believe we can tell God what His words really mean.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

#god #godsword #jesus #jesuschrist #christ #christian #bible #bibleverse #scripture #salvation #trustinthelord #faith #hope #love #gospel #godsnotdead

LIMU

It's hard to believe 3 months ago we were at one of the toughest points in life physically, emotionally, and financially.  Carri's health had been on a continual decline with Huntington's disease, Kenzie was at rock bottom with her health living on a couch, separated from friends, and dependent on a countless prescription meds.  Medical bills piled up, unplanned vehicle repairs, hours cut at work, living off a credit line, skipping meals to make ends meet.  Me being the primary income for our home and even trying to help our college kids make ends meet wasn't sure how much longer I could keep working.  My back and pelvis were absolutely killing me with pain that seemed to increase week by week.  Foreseeably everything was falling apart and about to come crashing down.  But I knew better, our God is faithful.  Even if that meant living in a tent.  

Spiritually I was in a good place, totally dependent on God.  I knew He would meet our needs and sustain us in the ministry He had called us to.  So many nights I would lay in prayer asking God to show me the door that He wanted to open that would lead us to where He needed us to be.  I had even shed several tears praying and begging for God's mercy.  I always said my faith and the ministry He had called me to was a non negotiable with this world.  I'd go hungry and homeless just to stay serving as a youth minister.

Our dear friends Tim and Lucinda  shaver introduced us to LIMU.  At first I was completely turned off believing LIMU was just another snake oil pyramid gimmick.  To think I almost turned my back on the very answer to our prayers.  After a season of sincere prayer God kept saying; "this is the door."  Honestly at the time LIMU made no sense.  Either way we obeyed and said yes. 

Three months later, I have gotten my wife, Carri , back.  What Huntington's had taken away over the past several years, has now become a memory.  Not only that she feels so good she has been running in upwards of 4 miles at a time, lost weight, feels good, and looks great. Understand LIMU is not a drug and it has not cured Huntington's disease.  But is has brought back quality of life we knew should never see again.  Kenzie has gotten her life back and is now re-enrolled into the premed program at UCA.  I have been pain free for over two months now, feeling better and younger every day.  Our daughter Kaelyn has benefited greatly as well.  

LIMU is the answer to our prayers concerning our health, our financial pitfall, and increasing ministry opportunities.  

I sit back in awe and Praise the LORD for where He has taken us in just a few short months with our health alone.  LIMU is not our primary income right now, but it has been just enough to make ends meet and have a little extra.  Our LIMU business is growing as we help others regain their health, supplement their wealth, all while keeping Jesus Christ as most high.  I am excited as I foresee where God is taking us to greater ministry opportunities.  I look forward to serving and ministering to our communities youth and their families in even greater ways in the weeks and months to come. I also look forward to more missions work as well.

God Bless!

www.carributcher.iamlimu.com

Ignorant faith

Being a christian is not about agreeing with the character of Christ and finding comfort in the icons of christianity.  It is about believing in the person Jesus Christ and turning to him by accepting His Lordship over your life.  

Often we find cultural Christians who's faith is bound by walls and materialism. They bound God within the walls of the church and even worship man made idols like statues and cross necklaces.  

When you place limits and boundaries upon the God you worship, you have a God that is beneath you.  A God beneath you is no God at all, but simply and idol offering empty promises and zero hope.  

The living God calls this type of faith ignorance.  True faith begins with repentance.  Repentance that acknowledges the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God.  Jesus Chris is all knowing, always present, and all powerful.  He can not and will not be bound by walls or any other materialistic form.  

His life, death, and resurrection command our complete surrender.  Surrendering our life of sin and seeking His life of salvation.   

Acts 17:29-30  "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill.30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

#god #godsword #jesus #jesuschrist #christ #christian #bible #bibleverse #scripture #salvation #trustinthelord #faith #hope #love #gospel #godsnotdead