Christ -The Reese Source - August 2008

Here are some of my favorite “My Words to Live By”

"But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love" (Acts 20:24 - The New Living Bible)

“My goal in life is to die, go to Heaven…and take as many people as I can with me.” (Unknown)

“I thank my God in all of my remembrances of you.” (Phillipians 1:3)

“May I be half the man my dog thinks I am.” (Unknown)

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - WOW – WHA T A RIDE!” (Unknown)

“Lord, make me as holy as You can make a sinner saved by grace” Oswald Chambers

“Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little. since I do them with them with your power, and little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name.” Blaise Pascal

“Be still... and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

“It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” (Henri Nouwen’s , “Gracias”)THE DISCIPLINE OF DIFFICULTY “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. (Over)"He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High...there shall no evil come upon thee" - no plague can come near the place where you are at one with God.If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come. "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, there is nothing for you to fear." Men, who before they were saved would scorn to talk about troubles, often become "fushionless" after being born again because they have a wrong idea of a saint.God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the step, and God will give you to eat of the tree of life and you will get nourishment. If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for to-morrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute. The temptation is to face difficulties from a common-sense standpoint. The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest – August 2nd)

Morning Resolutions
“Resolved: that every man should live to the glory of God.
Resolved Second: that whether others do this or not, I will.”
(Jonathan Edwards’ Diary)

“I will try this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and habit of holy silence; exercising economy of expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.”
(Bishop Vincent)

MINISTRY NEWS:

We have had to tap into our dwindling reserves to meet expenses this month.