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2 Tim. 2:9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Colossians 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Philippians 1: 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. I don't believe I have ever met anyone quite like Paul. That's someone you're not likely to forget. I have read of others like him, especially in the book of martyrs. Paul's suffering was great and it seems that the more he endured for the cause of Christ, the more determined he became. Not only did he remain resolute in his faith, he

For nearly an hour I listened to a patient share about his wanderings and exploits that spanned 3 continents. By the time Mr. H was thirty he was a millionaire jet setter... ...by the time he was forty, he was broke and homeless. For the last ten years of his life he had literally been on the run. Eventually after 6 marriages and two bankrupt businesses he found himself in the south pacific, in a Philippine jail, penniless and alone. I listened to Mr. H tell of his crazed lifestyle of sex, drugs, and alcohol. If possible he had gone to a level beyond shame, to a place of disgrace. I took the opportunity to speak to him of reconciliation and how God loved him. A message he found incredible and unbelievable. Later that evening I reflected on my visit with the patient and the direct similarities to Mr. H and the prodigal son of the New Testament. I was looking forward to sharing the passage with him the next day. On Friday morning I stopped in to see my new friend. He was as hopeless

Now let me see if I understand you correctly, I've been training for two years in Clinical Pastoral Chaplaincy and your telling me it was all for them? Yes. I thought I was doing this for... You? Well...yeah. There you go again, thinking that it's all about you. I put you there to be with them in their time of sorrow. To be my comfort and strength. They needed you. I don't understand. What...you didn't think I loved them that much? No, I'm not saying that. I know you love them...it's just...I thought this work was about your love for me. Oh I love you John Mark. Let me ask you, what makes you the most fulfilled; the happiest; what feeds your soul and makes your spirit smile? Uh...I'm not sure. When you see me work through YOU. When there's no question that I'm using you as part of my great big plan. Yes...you're right. But...what about my future? Here we go with you again. Indulge me. Ok...how about I give you some an

The affects of a stroke made communication very difficult for Mr. W. Urgency to learn of his spiritual health was hastened by an elevated PSA of over 1000 indicating late stage prostate cancer. Dr. Stone circled his name first on the list of patients for me to see. He was concerned about Mr. W. There was nothing left to do medically. Mr. W's spiritual health weighed heavy on Dr. Stones mind. Within minutes Mr. W stated that he wanted God in his life. Through scribbled notes, guttural expressions, and teary eyes he expressed his desire to know God. It's as if he was waiting for me to come. I took my colleague, Dr. Dunn back to Mr. W's room to assist me in communication. Instantly Dr. Dunn remembered him from years past as a patient in his clinic. Mr. W received the Lord today in a wonderful expression of faith. In the spirit of Acts 8:36, with Phillip and the Eunuch, we baptized him immediately within moments of his discharge. There are so many beautiful a

Relax - Energize Aeon Mix 041: Melody Beats - http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/aeonmix/~3/cA6-gjE4cVc/aeon-041-melody-beats Shared from Bluerize, an iPhone app. iPhone

From whence does our trouble come? Look up, look down, look all around. Look Up - As God is conforming us to His image; burning out the dross of sin; refined through the fire. Look Down - We once were children of darkness. The prince of darkness will not willingly surrender his subjects. The snares of the deceiver lay wait for the careless sojourner. Look Around - We are not of this world. If the world is comfortable with us, our friendship is uncomfortable to God. He that befriends the world belies the Father. As a roaring lion Satan seeks to devour the feeble that are separated from the fold. Expect trouble but not as a pessimist, as a warrior...on patrol; holding forth the gospel of light; expelling darkness. The journeymen are not unaware of the enemies schemes or fiery darts. Know the serpents beguile. Draw solace from His presence. Find sanctuary in His word. Rest in the company of the saints. Bear ye one anothers burdens; lift up the fallen; leave none be

Beatification (from Latin beatus, blessed) is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name (intercession of saints). Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process. A person who is beatified is given the title "Blessed". - Wikipedia If Pope John Paul III could talk to us now, what would he say? What would he say about the beatification of his life? Would he be excited about the opportunity for people to pray to him as Saint John Paul III, to intercede on their behalf? (Early scholars called this concept into question. The idea of double intercession emerged into the debate of the beatification of Mary. When petitioned, deceased Saints would pray to Christ who in turn intercedes for us. This became an unsubstantiated theme during the middle ages, circa 500AD.) On this side of glory, we see through a glas