One of my mentors Pastor Chuck Smith has entered Heavens Gates

I received this e-mail this last week about a Pastor I never had the pleasure of meeting in person but I loved listening to his sermons, teachings, reading his devotionals quotes & my Pastors used his materials to disciple me &  many others in our CCBHC Family. I can't wait to meet him in Heaven someday. Pastor Chuck Smith had been battling cancer for some time now & it is a bittersweet time we grieve the loss of this awesome Pastor/Man with his family &  Friends & rejoice at the same time that he is healed & with our Heavenly Father in his eternal home. He will be deeply missed by so many people whose lives he impacted, he truly touched  the lives of all those who knew him personally & those who followed his teachings. 

The email I received this week: 

Dear Calvary Family,

  As the world woke up on October 3rd 2013, we were hit with the news that Pastor Chuck Smith, a man who has been literally bigger than life to us all, has entered into the Lord Jesus’ presence and awoke in His likeness. 

            The news is all over Facebook, the internet, and certainly thousands of tweets and blogs as well as other forms of communication.  Magazines and news agencies are already posting it, but many are probably misstating the facts.  It is as Brian Brodersen just reminded us all on KWVE, “Chuck Smith has not died; Chuck Smith has just moved.” 

            While the news is not shocking (as Pastor Chuck has been fighting cancer for some time), it is none the less news that brings sorrow.  As the Apostle Paul wrote, “We grieve, but not as they that have no hope.”  Actually, sometimes we as Christians even grieve more than others, for we know love and relationship and commitment better than others, and that opens us up to grief when such a loved one is taken.  But our grief is different because it is not a hopeless grief.  We all know that soon we will awake in His Presence, we will be conformed to His likeness, and we will know as we are known.  Soon all our tears will be wiped away and eternal, heavenly joy will fill all our hearts.

             So, please be in prayer for Chuck’s wife,children as well as their spouses and the children and great grandchildren. Chuck was a father figure to so many of us. His love and gentle authority will be sorely missed, not to mention his love for God's Word, openness to the Spirit, and faithfulness in the ministry.

            At this point, services are being planned and when we have more clarity, we will pass that on to you as well.  Hopefully, the public service will be on the internet for all to share in later in the month.

             There will be more to pass on as plans are made, but for now, may the Lord Jesus, whom Pastor Chuck so wonderfully ministered to us, bless and keep your hearts and minds in His love.

In Jesus’ Blessed Name,

The Calvary Chapel Association Council

 Skip Heitzig

Ricky Ryan
Raul Ries
Damian Kyle
Joe Focht
Bob Coy
Bob Caldwell
Jack Hibbs
Brian Brodersen
David Rosales
Malcolm Wild
Jeff Johnson
Bil Stonebraker
Wayne Taylor
Tom Stipe
David Guzik
Ray Bentley
Lloyd Pulley
Sandy Adams
Don McClure 

“God is in Control” – What does it Mean? (Roy Lessin)

http://roy.dayspring.com/

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28 NKJV

What does it mean when we say “God is in control?” It means that we believe certain things are true about God. Things that pertain to who God is, what He has said, and what He can do. God could not be in control if He was not…

Transcendent—God is above and beyond all that He has created. He is greater than anything that exists, no matter how great it might be in the eyes of the world. He is greater than the greatest need, higher than the highest hurdle, bigger than the biggest task. Compared to God’s greatness, everything is small. That is why we can say “God is in control.”

Immanent—God’s presence and power pervade His entire creation. He doesn’t stand apart from His creation as a spectator, but works within it. He is not a God who is far off, but a God who is an ever present help in time of need. That is why we can say, “God is in control.”

Infinite—God is not limited or confined by His laws of nature or how things work within the universe. Within His will are limitless possibilities, because He is the God of no limitations…no bounds…no measure. He can part a sea, calm a storm, quiet the wind, raise the dead, open blind eyes, turn water into wine, and feed a multitude from a portion meant for one. That is why we can say, “God is in control.”

Ineffable—God is knowable, and yet He is beyond any description or definition we can find. To try and define Him would exhaust our vocabulary and leave us still searching for words. He truly is indescribable. That is why we can say, “God is in control.”

Immutable—God is without change and He is unchangeable…He is and will always be changeless. He is dependable and reliable. In an ever changing world, we can build our lives upon the One who changes not. That is why we can say, “God is in control.”

Eternal— God is from everlasting to everlasting. He is without origin. He has no start and no end. He knows the end from the beginning. We can rest in His will for our lives because He knows exactly what He is doing and He is doing it with perfect wisdom. That is why we can say, “God is in control.”

Almighty—The Lord God Almighty is seated upon His throne. He is sovereign, and He rules and reigns with absolute authority. God isn't powerful, He is all-powerful, which means He has all the power that is needed to do all that He wills to do. He has all authority and He has the final say. That is why we can say, “God is in control.”

Parts of some definitions taken from Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer.

Devastated by Death

Some of you may know that recently my Dad passed away on 9-4-12, then unexpectedly on 11-20-12 my 32 year old nephew David (my older sisters son)  passed away on his 32nd birthday. My family had not even really got to grieve my Dad's death then my nephew passed & my family was devastated understandably so & even though I'm a devoted Christian woman strong in my faith I was at a loss for words to comfort their hearts or minister to them & I must confess my nephews unexpected death blindsided me & was very hard on me.  I'm still trying to process it. My family is still grieving the death of my precious Mama in 2009, my step-daddy & brother-in-Law in 2006 as well.Then all the recent shootings happened recently & I myself was distraught. BUT GOD  is so good & as I was going through some devotionals I had flagged to read at a later time I found this devotional by Max Lucado & it brought so much peace & comfort to my heart. I just had to re-post it & blog it in hopes that it would bring comfort & minister to  my  Blog readers, followers & especially my  relatives whose hearts are hurting/grieving over the loss of a loved one, child etc..My family & I are trying to get into the Christmas spirit despite our grief but we could use your prayers & please especially pray for my sister Ada, (my nephew David's  Mom), her two sons my nephews James & Dustin (David's brothers) & Conrad (my brother-in-Law & the boys step dad) & David Griffith my nephew's Dad.Thank you<3 God bless all of you. I wish you a very Merry Christmas.<3

Devastated by Death
Max on Life #148

The following is a one of 172 questions and answers from the new book, (Max on Life).

QUESTION #148:
The seven-year-old son of our neighbors died last week. They are devastated. So are we. What can we tell them?

God is a good God. We must begin here. Though we don’t understand his actions, we can trust his heart.

God does only what is good. But how can death be good? Some mourners don’t ask this question. When the quantity of years has outstripped the quality of years, we don’t ask how death can be good.

But the father of the dead teenager does. The widow of the young soldier does. The parents of a seven-year-old do. How could death be good?

Part of the answer may be found in Isaiah 57:1–2: “Good people are taken away, but no one understands. Those who do right are being taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death” (NCV).

Death is God’s way of taking people away from evil. From what kind of evil? An extended disease? An addiction? A dark season of rebellion? We don’t know. But we know that no person lives one day more or less than God intends. “All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old” (Ps. 139:16 NCV).

But her days here were so few . . .

His life was so brief . . .

To us it seems that way. We speak of a short life, but compared to eternity, who has a long one? A person’s days on earth may appear as a drop in the ocean. Yours and mine may seem like a thimbleful. But compared to the Pacific of eternity, even the years of Methuselah filled no more than a glass. James was not speaking just to the young when he said, “Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away”
(James 4:14 NCV).

In God’s plan every life is long enough and every death is timely. And though you and I might wish for a longer life, God knows better.

And—this is important—though you and I may wish a longer life for our loved ones, they don’t. Ironically, the first to accept God’s decision of death is the one who dies.

While we are shaking heads in disbelief, they are lifting hands in worship. While we are mourning at a grave, they are marveling at heaven. While we are questioning God, they are praising God.

NEW Book!
MAX ON LIFE:
Answers and Insights to your Most Important Questions
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado

The Master Weaver’s Plan

The Master Weaver’s Plan

My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I may not choose the colors–
He knows what they should be.

For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side
While I can see it only
On this, the under side.

Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
Which seems so strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment
And work on faithfully.

‘Tis He who fills the shuttle,
And He knows what is best;
So I shall weave in earnest,
And leave to Him the rest.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

~ Benjamin Malachi Franklin

1882-1965

LOVE is a CHOICE

Hey everyone, I finally gained access back to my blog page. :D The past 3 & 1/2 years have been rough, my precious mama passed on 1/2/09 & in  2010 I was diagnosed with a Thyroid disease Hypothyroidism with Hashimotos Thyroiditis Disease & I was hit in a 4 car accident. Praise the Lord my injuries were minor due to the fact I was the front & last car to be hit, however because of my physical disabilities I was on a walker for awhile had some trouble getting around for awhile. 
I have also been bedridden for periods periods of time this year with Sciatic Nerve/Fibromyalgia & Osteoarthritis/Back pain. My healthy 51 year young hubby started having some health issues as well, then our daughter had Sinus surgery, turned 18 & graduated High School & left the nest. My Daddy recently became critically ill & went home to be with Jesus on 9/4/12. I was able to be with Daddy in the hospital before Jesus came for him. :D  So that's what I have been up too ministering to my family, resting & letting my body heal. For whatever reason I couldn't access my blog until today. Guess it was the Lord just wanting me to take a break. Today I would like to share with you some encouraging, inspiring, motivational quotes, & encouraging words from various people from a book I have read & re-read this last year titled "The Choice Is Yours " by John C. Maxwell. I gave this book to my daughter in her Jr year of High School & for some reason it got left behind when she moved into her own apartment. I believe God knew I would need to re-read it during this season in my life.God has been working in my heart for a very long time regarding walking in forgiveness & unconditional love for many years now so I can really relate to this topic & have learned these lessons & am still learning everyday.  I hope & pray these words & songs I have posted bless you, inspire you, speak to your heart, help you & encourage you as much as they do me.  God Bless You All.

                             LOVE  is  a  CHOICE

YOU WILL FIND AS YOU LOOK BACK UPON YOUR LIFE THAT THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU HAVE REALLY LIVED, ARE THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THINGS IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE. 
                             (HENRY DRUMMOND)

                           

The love of our neighbor is the only door out of the dungeon of self.
                                  (GEORGE MACDONALD)

While faith makes all things possible, it is love that makes all things easy.
                                  (EVAN H. HOPKINS)

The supreme happiness of  life is the conviction of  being loved for yourself, or, more correctly, in spite of yourself.
                                        (VICTOR HUGO)


I have found the paradox that if  I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love.
                                     ( MOTHER TERESA)


To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket---- safe, dark, motionless, airless---- it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.... The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all dangers... of love is Hell.
                               (C.S. LEWIS)


Lessons I Have Learned about LOVE: 
                           1. Love People Now: You never know what's going to happen tomorrow--or if you will see tomorrow at all. Love people now. It's said that the bishop of Uganda, during a especially tumultuous time in his country, said, "If you are going to love someone, do it quickly!' That's advice each of us needs to take to heart.

2. Love is Vulnerable: If you love others, then you will be hurt. Because when you open your arms to another, you make yourself an easy target. Do it anyway. Only the pain of never having loved is worse than the pain of having your heart broken.

3. Love is Powerful: Love has the power to change the world. It was love that prompted God to create the world. It was love that caused him to send Jesus to save it. When you love others, anything is possible.

4. Love Only Lasts with Hard Work: No friendship lasts for decades without hard work. No marriage survives half a century without both partners fighting to make it work. No relationship thrives without sweat  and tears and toil. If you want a relationship to last, you will have to give up other things for it.

5. Love is Unconditional: If there are strings attached, then it isn't really love. A person needs to be loved the most when they deserve to be loved the least. When you love people, you keep on loving them. You make their problem, your problem. You stick with them to the End.
                                      (JOHN C. MAXWELL)

 You can break God's heart, but you cannot break God's love.
                                (JOHN C. MAXWELL)

Things human must be known to be loved; things divine must be loved to be known.
                                    (BLAISE PASCAL)
                      
                   
          Love is an act of endless forgiveness.
                                   ( PETER USTINOV)
   

1Corinthians : 13:13:   And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest these is love.                                      ( The Holy Bible)

ANYWAY (Martina Mcbride)

You can spend your whole life buildin'
Somethin' from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

[chorus]
God is great, but sometimes life ain't good
When I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This worlds gone crazy and it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway
You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
An in a moment they can choose to walk away
love 'em anyway

[repeat chorus]

You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in
but tomorrow they will forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway!

Yeah I sing, 
I dream,
I love anyway!