The Cost of a Life

I recently heard a disturbing story while looking for a childhood friend/neighbor. I found out he'd done very well for himself. He owned his own company, obtained all the luxuries, status and financial stability that we all seek. He had a wonderful family, a wife, beautiful teenage triplet daughters, and two grown sons.

Suddenly, when the stock market crashed two years ago, his money and dreams fell with it. He lost it all. In his despair, he ended his life.

Another lost life over meaningless, worldly treasure. His possessions and status defined him.

How much is his life worth, hundreds and thousands of dollars...millions? Can any amount of money replace the loss of a husband, father, son or friend?

The Bible says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

What are you chasing after each day? What have you put in front of your relationship with the Lord?

My friend lost sight of who he was in Christ? He lost sight of his true worth and value. His priorities were taken over by the worlds definition of value; a shallow, lonely pit of lies and deceit. Yes, we all need to live and provide for our families, but when an abundance of money, or lack of it consumes your thoughts, it's time to re-assess your priorities.

I want to remind each one of you to spend the necessary time allowing the Lord to fill your emptiness through a relationship with Him. Put on the full armor of God each morning. Don't lose your way through worldly deception.

Seek, rely on, put your faith, hope, trust and dreams in the one who is able to supply ALL your needs no matter what the circumstances appear to be.

What is the true value of your life?

YOU ARE PRICELESS!

He says to you each day, "BE STILL and KNOW that I AM GOD."
Psalms 46:10

"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!"

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:13-19

The Crow

story by Lisa Petrarca

While on our evening walk, we noticed a crow perched on the back of a chair, dangerously close to a mans face. We watched, worried that the man, who appeared to be enjoying the crow in such close proximity to him, might be hurt.

Our concern wasn't without merit. At our old house, there were several crows nests in the common area by the pool. These particular crows were very aggressive, actually dive bombing several people & children (including mine). This caused many people to be fearful as they headed to the pool. They frantically looked up, waiting for a re-enactment of the Alfred Hitchcock horror film, "The Birds."

Next, to our astonishment, the man leaned his face close to the black, pointy, razor sharp beak. The Crow leaned slowly toward him and............

gave him a kiss?

Then the bird happily jumped onto the mans shoulder & gave him another kiss. We were shocked!

A pet crow?

Who ever heard of such a thing?

We were on the opposite side of the street and asked some boys who were playing, "Is that his pet?" The boys joyfully replied, "Ya, and he has three more! He fixes their broken wings and stuff and they love him. They play with us sometimes too!"

We were completely amazed!

It appears that even a wild, aggressive, pesky crow, when shown a little love and kindness can in return become a grateful, loving friend and companion.

Is there someone in your life who is broken, difficult to deal with, mean, aggressive, angry and hurting? It may be time to show unconditional love. Pray for patience, understanding and wisdom from the Lord. Ask for His help to soften your heart as well as the difficult persons.

Remember, the enemy cannot battle love. Christ showed us by example how to love others unconditionally. Pray for the nature of Christ and watch Him work miracles in your life and relationships.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35

Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:44-46

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:12-17.

Are You My Friend?

By: Lisa Petrarca

Imagine you had someone you thought was your friend and often listened to their advice. As the years went by, a pattern began to develop. Your life started falling apart. The friend was leading you down a destructive path.

You started making bad choices (drinking heavily, stealing, taking drugs, lying, cheating, pornography...fill in your issues). You started feeling depressed, unhappy and/or anxious. The things that were supposed to be so much fun and seemed cool in the beginning, now make you feel terrible. The more you went along with the friend the worse life became. You began to spiral out of control.

Once you finally realized the source, do you think you would continue to listen to anything the friend told you?

Would you eventually start to distance yourself from the friend?

..............................................................................................................................................................

This is exactly how the enemy works. He makes us think that something is fun, it doesn't matter if we don't feel right about it, it's no big deal.

He whispers over and over again, "Come this way. Just take that drug or take another drink, look at that pornography, it's only a small lie, if you take it they wont even miss it, it's no big deal."

Little by little you have allowed the enemy to guide you down a self destructive path. One small, wrong choice at a time, until you no longer recognize who you are.

This is why you need to distance yourself from him. Your prayer life and daily scripture reading will force the enemy away, he will flee, he is not your friend, do not allow him into your life.

Jesus has given you the ultimate gift. He has sacrificed his life and was risen on the third day, so that you will be forgiven, saved and have eternal life with Him.

This Easter, take time to reflect on His love for you. Stop and take a few minutes to look at not only your life, but your choices. Are there some areas that you need to make some adjustments?

Don't waste the gift that Jesus has given you. He is your TRUE FRIEND...He gave His life for you. Take this opportunity to start over...Jesus Christ has made it possible. HE IS RISEN!

Take His offering!

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. for if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for youare not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:4-8, 12, 14

Happy Easter.

Turn Off Your Cruise Control

I often dream of going to far off places. Visiting other countries, seeing different cultures, sites and people, breaking free of my normal life. Adventure and change has always held an appeal to me.

Taking small road trips in the meantime to satisfy my need to explore. Stopping at abandoned homes to take rustic pictures, imagining who lived there, what happened in their lives that made them leave. Trying to look at things in a different way, finding beauty and joy in the unexpected.


However, in my everyday life, I find change very difficult. I get stuck in my routines, going to work, pick up the kids, make dinner, clean up, and then getting everything ready for the next day and start all over again.

Why do we go on auto pilot? Saving up excitement and joy only for vacations. You need to turn off the cruise control. Open your eyes to what is going on around you. The adventure you are seeking can be the lonely neighbor who's lost a loved one and needs some company. A friend who asks for help. The elderly person struggling to unload their groceries, or cheering up a co-worker with a smile, and encouraging words.

It may not sound like the adventure you were hoping for, but there is absolutely nothing more satisfying than giving of yourself...living a Christ like life. He has shown us the true way to happiness...showing love to others by giving of yourself. Take a look around you this week and see if you can find an adventure waiting especially for you! Turn off your cruise control & auto pilot...step into the excitement all around you. Pray that God will open your eyes to your true purpose and remove the blinders! Only then will you find true peace, happiness and joy that may be missing from your life.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7