Bible Reading – Magical Thinking by Gary

Now reading the Bible in and of itself is not going to magically make you a better person, but it will if you follow what it says give you encouragement and equip you with tools to enable you to become a better person.

It’s a funny thing, but the more I read the Bible, the more it tells me if I want improved character I have to work at it. It tells me I must be an active participant and not wait in passive expectation. I think we or maybe just I had developed magical thinking. If I read the Bible so many times I will automatically become a better person. The funny thing is the Book I expected to magically change me tells me in both its old and new parts that if I want to change I must act on what I read.

James, the writer of the Epistle of James in the New Testament, and according to history the brother of Jesus writes, “don’t just hear the word of God just do itÐContinue reading “Bible Reading – Magical Thinking by Gary”

Throwing Your Light Forward

Another great workbook by Sara with Gary on Relationship, Friendship, and Fellowship.


Sara teaching “Throwing Your Light Forward” at CCI/ROSSOL Seminar

These six studies have been designed for groups to study “The True Light” and become enlightened by each other through sharing life’s eperieneces and Life Light.” John 1

We are given real life issues as found in both the Old and New Testaments to guide us into our own relationships and how to handle them according to God’s Word.

Each study ends with Q&A giving each participant in workshop/study/retreat time for reflection and sharing.

Great to use in small or large Bible Studies with facilitator or leader. These studies come out of a love that Sara has for small groups and their ability to share with one another for healing and help in the hope of loving and kind relationships. Sara Continue reading “Throwing Your Light Forward”

THANKSGIVING-GIVING THANKS

Are you able to recall the last time someone mentored you or taught you?
Are you able to recall someone coming along beside you maybe for just a season of your journey? They were just there long enough to help you overcome a spiritual obstacle or offer a special prayer for you, your family or friends.
How did you thank them?
Did you write them? Call them? Email them? Pay them? Give them a gift? Say a prayer for them? Think about them?
All the above ways are excellent ways to thank someone for their love and giving of themselves to us but there is one way higher than all others, I believe.
By sharing what we have learned and where we learned the principal and from whom we learned the principal or received the help with others has the greatest potential of increase for them and for you. Now you might ask why I believe this? Praise and Thanksgiving is one of the main themes ofContinue reading “THANKSGIVING-GIVING THANKS”

Bible Reading by Gary

I have been reading the Bible a lot recently. As a matter of fact since 2001 my goal has been to read through the Bible each year. In 2001, my daily checklist had more books and chapters unchecked and unread than read. In 2002, I made a seventy five percent completion of my goal. In 2003, I made it all the way through the Bible. I read the whole thing through from cover to cover. In 2004, I read the Bible through three times. In 2005, I’m on track to read it through two times.

Now this is not a totally new thing for me to read the Bible through. I had read it through before. One year, some years ago, I read the Bible through two times in about 45 days.

After reading the Bible this much you would think you would become a completely new person. I find that I have improved in some areas of my character, and I find much that much still needs improving, but I’m not a compleContinue reading “Bible Reading by Gary”

Franklin Graham’s Samaritan Purse outreach for Children.

The Rose of Sharon School of Learning/CCI took part Saturday in “A Worldwide Team Effort” by packing 74 shoe-boxes for a special child somewhere in the World in being a part of the Franklin Graham’s Samaritan Purse outreach for Children.

Many thanks for the ones that gave to fill the boxes and the ones that took part in the wrapping, packing and organizing and delivery of these boxes. Also thanks for the wonderful refreshments we shared while packing.

From North America to the Far Corners of the Earth, Operation Christmas Child Unites Caring Christians to Bring Joy and Hope to Millions of Hurting Children. For more information visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org

January, ’06 we will start collecting for our boxes for November. Remember to think about things that yContinue reading “Franklin Graham’s Samaritan Purse outreach for Children.”

GENERATIONAL NEGATIVES -PASSIVITY-Part I

My coined phrase Generational Negatives??? here in after referred to as (GN).

The Book of St. John chapter 5 Take Up Your Bed and Walk..

St. John, known by many as the Beloved Apostle of Jesus Christ records the account of Jesus visiting Jerusalem and stopping by a pool called Bethesda. There were many sick people lying around, blind, crippled and paralyzed and Jesus took notice of one particular man that had been lying around on a bed for thirty-eight years.

Jesus asked the man, do you want to get well? The man replied ???I don’t have anyone to put me in the pool and when I try to get there someone always gets in before I make it there.

Jesus said, Get up, take your bed and start walking. The man was healed on the spot.

This story could open our minds to cause us to re-think some situations in our own lives where we think things could or would or should be different Continue reading “GENERATIONAL NEGATIVES -PASSIVITY-Part I”

A Reflection from the Mountaintop called Truth

A View from the Mountaintop called Truth
Photo taken by Sara while visiting Scotland

When you have the idea or a passion to view and then “tell the truth” always remember that truth is from the view you have of it and you only have a partial view and that view may not have been or be the best view for total truth.

The Word of God written by the Apostle Paul (I Corinthians 13:12 Ampli.) says, we are looking in a mirror that only gives a dim (blurred) reflection (of reality as in a riddle or enigma) but then (when perfection comes) we shall see in reality and face to face.

I try to remind myself to be humble and remember there will be different interpretations of truth as we have all heard just a little different or seen just a little different or may have been taught a little different view.

We may not have the whole of the issue whethContinue reading “A Reflection from the Mountaintop called Truth”

Measure of a Lie measures a man or woman

Measure of a Lie measures a man or woman!
By Sara

How does one measure a Lie?

God Hates Lies! Proverbs 6:16 records this fact for us.

The Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos reveals in Revelation 21:27 the outcome of falsehood. Also in Revelation 22:14,15 John gives a contrast between a lie and truth.

As I ponder and meditate the measure of A Lie, I ask some questions of myself and of others.

How generous are we with our lies when giving them to others?

Do we lie to Ourselves? To our Mother and Father? To our Children? To a Husband or Wife? To other Family members? To Friends? To our Co-workers or Employers?

Do we balance our lies while speaking with others while wanting a lie from them for ourselves? Ephesians 4:25 prohibit us from speaking a lie to others.

Just how does one measure a Lie?

Truth makes one free, so it would stand to reason a lie would makContinue reading “Measure of a Lie measures a man or woman”

Laugh Therapy

I gave this test to two of my nursing friends (see picture below) They actually are great ICU nurses. I would rather not mention what hospital in case you ever need their care.

Read the test questions and find their answers below.

1. Which is the other side of the street?
2. If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy all her friends?
3. When we say our mind wanders – where does it go?
4. What’s the synonym for thesaurus?
5. When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?
6. What was the best thing before sliced bread?
7. What happens to an 18 hour bra after 18 hours?
8. Are you dead if you fail a survival test?
9. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
10. What hair color do they put on the driver’s license of a bald man?
11. What do they call a French kiss in France?
12. If work is so terrific, howContinue reading “Laugh Therapy”

Easy Potato Soup

As I was browsing Ivan Parker’s website http://www.ivanparker.com for gifts to order I ran across one of his favorite recipes and thought it great. If you enjoy cooking but like easy and delicious recipes, try this one.

EASY POTATO SOUP
16 oz. frozen hash brown potatoes
1 cup chopped onion
1 – 14 1/2 oz. can ready to serve chicken broth
2 cups water
1 – 10 3/4 oz. can cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 – 10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken soup, undiluted 2 cups milk
Combine first 4 ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in soups and milk: heat thoroughly. Garnish if desired. Yield 2 1/2 quarts. ENJOY!

Hope you will visit us more often and please visit Ivan Parker’s site for some interesting news on Southern Gospel.

Continue reading “Easy Potato Soup”