Death in the Family

Last Saturday on October the 15 at 6:40 am a woman named Tara Hammell got into a car accident on her way to work and died. Tara worked at the Kohls where I work, I found out about her death from Damien who told Josh to Facebook me and told me to call the store. I couldn't believe it, I had just seen her the previous afternoon, we were talking about jewelry and trying to stay in our budgets. Tara's death had a huge effect on the store, she was not only a hard worker, but she was truly a blessing to be around. She had a positive upbeat attitude and a strong love and faith for Jesus Christ. When I think back to the very short conversations we would have I remember her smile above everything else. She had a warm smile and a sincere way of speaking that made her feel like a family member. After hearing about her death I had a few feelings come over me, the first was disbelief, then pain, a physical pain that literally made me fall to my knees. Then understanding and calm, I had heard that she loved the Lord, and when God calls one of us we have to answer. I realized that it was her time to go, and that it was God's Will. I was immediately sad for her family, but I felt extremely happy for her, not just happy but elated that her suffering here on earth was finally over. She wasn't a sickly person, but the suffering I speak of is the daily influences of the Devil and the temptation that it stirs within all of us. Tara was free, but not just free of this life, she was free from sin, because she was alive in Christ. I made a few phone calls to my coworkers and went to the store to see about the arrangements (and to shop) for her funeral. Last week was eye opening, it showed that the supervisors and managers really cared for Tara and for all of us. I believe that Tara's death has opened the hearts of many ppl (not just associates) to God's will. Facing the fact that we all die, and we do not know the time or place of our death can lead people to ask questions, questions that only God can answer. I pray that her death has opened the door for even more people to let Christ in, and let the Holy Spirit fill them up and begin to repent of their sins before their time is up. Fast Forward:: The funeral was on Saturday Oct 22. A very good service, but not your ordinary funeral service, the pastor spoke on submitting your life to God (before its too late) and focused on our salvation while celebrating the life of Tara and the many people her life and death have touched. I pray that her family and friends will allow the Holy Spirit to heal them of their grief, especially her little girl and her son Charlie. "God works in mysterious ways" I've heard that all my life, now I believe I am really starting to understand at least one of them.

Men Of Courage

On Saturday some friends and I saw Courageous, its a great movie that talks about having Christian values at home and the need for men at home to step up and become men of God for their families sake. The movie is from the creators of Fireproof, another great movie (more focused on marriage specifically). After watching the movie I started thinking about my own childhood, the love and counsel I never received from my own father did scar me. I realized just how much I needed to have him in my life. There is a book that was released before the movie called the Resolution for Men. With an understanding that God is our father and instructs and instills in us, the Holy laws and shows us how to best live our life so we may come into his kingdom, the book shows that by God's design fathers here on earth were meant to do the same for their wives and children. I'm on the third chapter now and every time I read the book something new is opened for me, I truly feel that I am learning and growing in the knowledge of God and my person as a man of God. This is a POWERFUL eye opening book, I wish every man could read it, if you can't read it go see the movie, it may just change the way you see yourself and your own family. I thank God everyday for giving me the tools to become a better faithful servant. He is King and I will always Exalt His name!

Statements of Faith

STATEMENTS OF FAITH

The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. (Deut. 8:3, II Tim. 3:16, II Peter 1:20-21)
The King James Version remains the most accurate version of the Masoretic Text and the Textus Receptus.
One God is revealed in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19, II Cor. 13:14)
Every person (except Jesus Christ) was or is born a sinner under the judgment of death. (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12)
Salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ who died for sin. (John 3:16, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:33-34, Romans 5:8-9, I Tim. 2:5, Titus 3:5)
All those who have repented and have truly trusted Christ for salvation are eternally secure. (Romans 8:1)
Personal holiness is the fruits of salvation. (Galations 5:22-23)
The Holy Spirit is active in the world today, as well as in the life of the believer, gifting and equipping the saints for their ministries. (John 14:16, Acts 1:8)
There is a literal eternal heaven and a literal eternal hell. (John 14:2, Luke 16:19-31, II Cor. 5:1-10)
The Scriptures are to be dispensationally interpreted.
All Christians, living or dead, will be glorified and translated to heaven before the Great Tribulation begins. (I Cor. 15:51-53, Col. 3:4, I Thess. 4:13-18, I Thess. 5:1-5)
God's promises to Israel will be fulfilled in the Millennium (Kingdom Age). (Eze. 36, Isa. 2:1-4, Isa. 11, Isa. 55:12-13)
Jesus Christ will reign from Jerusalem for one thousand years. (Matt. 24:30, Rev. 20:1-6, Isa. 65:17-25)
The unsaved will be judged and receive eternal judgment for sins at the Great White Throne of Judgment. (Rev. 20:11-15)
God is still on the throne. . .and prayer changes things.

http://www.swrc.com/about/faith.html

God will provide

After going to the basement i signed up for the Atlanta ministry trip. After a few weeks I realized that I didn't have enough money to keep saying my mom back and save up for the trip. I requested a few days off work, so I decided to pick up a few extra shifts. Emily calls me today an tells me that she has a few extra seats available for the trip. And now I can't go because I made plans to work this weekend. God will provide a way if you trust in him with all of your heart, he can make anything happen, it isn't luck, or wishing or thinking positive, it is through prayer and Gods will that we can truly be happy. Jesus lived his life, accomplished the work he was sent to do all without worrying about money, our mission on earth is to do Gods will so we can return to him, money is an imaginary obstacle, I say imaginary because it means nothing in Gods kingdom, so it should hold no weight in our hearts and minds.  It was because of my lack of faith in Gods power that I am not going on the ministry trip, and I feel ashamed, but I also feel as though this has taught me an invaluable lesson. Thank you God for everything you do.