NCCC Fall Quarter Letter

Today we received our fall quarterly letter from the NCCC.  Light Dawns Ministries is chartered under the NCCC.  I have attached this letter here because I felt it was very beneficial for anyone who ministers to others who are in need.  The approach is very Biblical and simple.  I have covered two sections simply because they apply to NCCC chartered ministries and did not pertain to anyone else.  If you click inside of the document it will get larger so you can actually read it clearly.  I hope it will be of benefit to you also as you serve the King!



"16" CANDLES

“16” CANDLES

Tuesday September 26^th, 1978 @ 10:19 pm, our baby girl made her grand entrance into this world!  Of course, unlike today we did not know she was a girl.  Dan like most men had hoped for a son and I wished that for him also, but once we set our eyes on Leah true love forever set in. 

Today when I woke up my heart seemed to be flooded with emotion.  The song, which was playing in my head, was “16 CANDLES.”  What is it about turning “16” that seems to be such a benchmark in life?  There is still a sweet innocence but a coming of age as one would say.  Your child is now old enough to drive a car, work and possibly date.  I can still remember Leah’s 16^th birthday party.  Leah’s sisters were “14” and “12” and I adored those ages leading up to “16.”  Our girls were so much fun, full of life and very family orientated.

I have noticed now with each special day we celebrate in regards to our daughters I become very weepy!  The reality that they are grown women resonates within my heart making it burst into the empty nest achy heart syndrome!  I will not see Leah today although I called and wished her a happy birthday, the business of life with her own family dictated that away, as it should take precedence over Dan and I.  Parents really do want their children to leave and cleave, those children must form their own families.  After all, we prepare our children while we raise them to one-day venture off and make a life of their own.

Sometimes I wish I could gather all my daughters back up and keep them under our roof where I could protect and shield them from all the harms and hurts of this world.  But then, who would take care of us as we grow old?  This same daughter that I am writing about says she has a plan in place for her Dad and me when we get old and it isn’t bringing us under her roof!  Can you imagine that!

I am reflecting upon my children and it makes me wonder what the Lord thinks about us as we pass from infants to mature believers.  I do know this…just as we want our children to grow and mature so they can handle this thing called life; the Lord also wants us as Christians to grow and mature and not stay infants.

(Heb 5:11-6:6 NIV)  We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.  Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  And God permitting, we will do so.  It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

(Heb 10:19-25 NIV)  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

BELIEVERS, IT IS TIME TO COME OF AGE ~ THE LORD WANTS US TO GRADUATE!!

(Psa 61:4 NIV)  I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

16 CANDLES SONG ~ THE CRESTS

IT'S TIME FOR YOUR FALL TUNE-UP

IT’S TIME FOR YOUR FALL TUNE-UP

The beginning of each new season brings a deluge of daily reminders to our mailbox or email box of preventative maintenance issues we need to address.  These reminders warn us if we do not maintain our vehicle, furnace, teeth, pet, filters, smoke detectors, and etc.; there is a good chance the warranties will be void or something will begin to malfunction.  I even get email notices that the pressure in one of my tires is low and it shows me which tire!  Sometimes I think I could spend several hours each day doing preventative maintenance on the stuff we own!  Yet to ignore these daily reminders of what demands our attention will cost us more in the long run.  This summer my daughter called because her A/C was not running properly, it was frozen on the outside and no longer cooling the house as needed.  I asked her when the last time the furnace filter was changed.  She had no idea the last time the filter was changed.  Truth be told it had been months past due for replacement.  She let the A/C unthaw, changed the filter and the A/C was up and running.  I reminded her it is far cheaper to change a filter than it is to replace a furnace or A/C unit.  I suggested she tape a piece of paper on the outside of her furnace with a date on it to remind her when the filter needed replaced next time. 

Did you know your marriage which is of greater importance than all of the above demands constant attention?  If we do not practice daily agape our marriage will soon begin to resemble that junker running down the road that barely makes it to the destination.

Unfortunately most married couples spend very little time cultivating healthy marital habits.  We spend more time watching TV or playing on the internet than we do interacting with one another.  Dan and I are marriage counselors.  Normally by the time a married couple comes to see us, their house of marriage has burnt to the ground and all that is left are smoldering black coals, with little hope for a happily ever after.  Praise be to God, He is in the restoration business and if we are truly sincere even the darkest of situations can shine with light again.

Consider this your card in the mail, reminding you it is time for a fall marriage tune-up.  Don’t know where to start?  Well you are at the right blog. 

#1: fall on your knees before God and ask Him for direction.  In James 1:2-25 (NKJV) it says;

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 
but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 
For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 
for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

 #2:  Read through the archives of this blog, pick up a copy of WE PROMISE or call a professional marriage counselor and schedule an appointment ~ your marriage is well worth the money and it will be the wisest money you have ever spent.

I love a happy ending!  In Honor of Marriage……………….Penny  



STARRY STARRY NIGHT ~ MAGICAL MARRIAGE MOMENT

STARRY STARRY NIGHT

THE SCENE:

You walk in the room and notice your spouse is just sitting there in a funk.  It has been one of those days when nothing has gone right for them.  Murphy’s Law par say had its ugly way.  Your spouse is physically and mentally exhausted.  They are so drained and zapped of life they do not even feel like getting up to go to bed.

THE MOMENT:

Walk over gentle take them by the hand and say; “I have something incredible I want to show you.”  Lead them out into the cool crisp evening air, face them intently looking them in the eyes taking your hands gentle lift their face upward, and proclaim.  “Of all the stars in the sky you out shine them all, you are radiant!  My love for you goes far beyond the number of these stars.  Just as the fact that these stars are countless, you have countlessly been my greatest joy and there is not another person on this earth who could take your place.  I am thrilled to be called your spouse.  Wrap your arms around your spouse and hold them…do not stop until there has been a break through.  You will know because they will melt in your arms.

(Psa 147:4 NKJV)  He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.

The One who numbers the stars also knows you so well; He has numbered the hairs of your head.

(Mat 10:28-30 NKJV)  "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.  "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Starry Starry Night

WE TRULY HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR!!

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Can you imagine what would happen if people could actually read our minds.  What if a video was played of our thoughts at the end of each day for the world to see?  I for one would be extremely embarrassed to have my thoughts on display.  One thing I can say without any doubts most of our thoughts are not worth one cent! 

We cannot hide our thoughts from God.  The Bible says in Psalm 139:2 NIV; You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

Gaining control of our thought life is no easy task.  Most of us enjoy thinking about things we would never verbalize.  Yet, to leave this area of our life undisciplined will eventually expose us for who we really are.

Let’s peek at a few verses to truly understand the war that wages within the mind.

(Gen 6:5 NKJV)  Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

(Job 20:2 NKJV)  "Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, Because of the turmoil within me.

(Job 21:27 NKJV)  "Look, I know your thoughts, And the schemes with which you would wrong me.

(Psa 10:4 NKJV)  The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.

(Psa 94:11 NKJV)  The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.

(Isa 59:7 NKJV)  Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths.

(Isa 65:2 NKJV)  I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts;

(Jer 4:14 NKJV)  O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, That you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?

(Jer 6:19 NKJV)  Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people; The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words, Nor My law, but rejected it.

(Mat 15:19 NKJV)  "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

The Lord’s thoughts are completely different from our thoughts.  We would do very well to pattern our thoughts after the Lord.  Even with all our evil intentions God’s thoughts towards us goes beyond our comprehension!

(Psa 40:5 NKJV)  Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

(Psa 92:5 NKJV)  O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.

(Psa 139:17 NKJV)  How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

(Jer 29:11 NKJV)  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

We can take back our thoughts and put boundaries around our thinking patterns.  We can control those thoughts instead of thoughts controlling us.

(1 Chr 29:18 NKJV)  "O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.

(Heb 4:12 NKJV)  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(Prov 16:3 NKJV)  Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.

(Isa 55:7 NKJV)  Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

(Eph 6:17-18 NKJV)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

(1 Th 5:8 NKJV)  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Let’s secure that helmet in place, taking every thought captive.

(2 Cor 10:5 NKJV)  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

…a penny for your thoughts

and that is my two cents worth 

Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes

OH, BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
There's a Father up above, looking down in tender love,
So be careful little eyes, what you see.

Most of us have sang this song as children in Sunday School and the song goes on to add; ears, mouth, hands, feet and heart.  I googled this song to find out who wrote the lyrics, to no avail.  I was surprised to discover, the vast amount of sermons and blogs that have already spun off this song.  Casting Crowns sing SLOW FADE playing off ~ Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes.

How many of us would have avoided sin if we would have set boundaries (safeguards) around our eyes for what we are willing to look at?  We need to put on safety glasses.  In the workplace people wear safety glasses to protect their eyes from situations or environments that could cause damage.

Unless we are physically blind chances are before we do anything we see first.  However, we have become spiritually blinded, numbed and discernment has left us.  The Bible gives us clear direction and leaves no gray area for what we should allow our eyes to see. 

Matthew 6:22(NLT)
“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. 

Psalms 101:3(NLT)
 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.  I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.

Job 31:1(NLT)
    “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.

Psalms 119:37(NLT)
    Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

2 Peter 2:14-22(NLT)
They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse.  They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. 
But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice. 
These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 
They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 
They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.  And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 
It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 
They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.” 

We would all do well to take an inventory of what we allow our eyes to see. 

• What are we reading?  Books, magazines, off the internet?
• What do we watch on TV or at the movies?
• What kind of stores do we enter and view the merchandise?
• How do we look at the opposite sex?
• What are we willing to watch others do? 

Ephesians 5:12(NLT)
It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 

If it is shameful to talk about these things…what about watching them with our eyes? 

Today I encourage us to put on our spiritual safety glasses.

SLOW FADE



 

Newspaper Article on WE PROMISE

Thank you Tim Keith of the Allegan County News / The Union Enterprise for your time and this excellent article you published.