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10 responses so far ↓
Marcus Beresford // December 2, 2008 at 1:24 am
When I doubt people, I feel pain.
When I judge people, it is unbearable.
When I hate people, there is no value to my existence.
Yet if I believe, I am deceived.
If I love, I am betrayed.
Suffering and grieving tonight, my head in my hands
Am I wrong?
Yes, I am wrong.
Even though we are deceived, still believe.
Though we are betrayed, still forgive.
Love completely even those who hate you.
Wipe your tears away and welcome with a smile
Those who know nothing but deceit
And those who betray without regret.
Oh Lord Jesus! The pain of loving!
Look at my hands.
Place your hand on my chest.
My heart is bursting, such agony!
But when I loved those who acted against me
I brought victory.
If you have done the same thing,
I will give you the crown of glory.
Elaine // December 5, 2008 at 10:13 am
My husband and I are involved in prison ministry at the men’s and women’s prisons. This week we received a letter from an inmate who had attended a number of courses we were involved in at the minimum security facility who had been transferred to St. Anthony and now to the Community Work Center in Twin Falls. Here is a part of the letter: “I want to take this time out to thank you for the nice letter, and love and support, your leadership, guidance and prayers. You know this time last year I was in the “hole” with 10+ points at ICC. I stopped being rebelious, stopped following the code, surrendered to God’s will, growing stronger each day and God’s paving my way. I went from being told to top my time to not being able to work. I’m now driving at CWC in Twin Falls. I can now go to work in 5 months at a real job. See the Lord does provide. He does answer prayers. (He opens doors!} I was told I coud never go to work and now it is possible ’cause of “Him”! 6 months ago I never thought this to be possible also now I’m at 1 point, DOR free and off psych meds and into Christ! Thank you for being you – both of you!”
We’ve been going into the prisons for almost 2 years. Seeing inmates accept the Lord, build their relationship with Him and find direction in their lives is the reward we receive for loving them.
Marita // December 5, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Using my uniqueness—Two years nursing my 42 yr old son, a meth addict with throat cancer, his death in 2005, serving in Celebrate Recovery, seeing people set free from their addictions, receiving healing in my own life,hearing a request for Celebrate Recovery at East Boise Women’s Work Release Center for a year, finally realizing that I was hearing this request and “why can’t YOU go out there?” Not me Lord! I don’t know how to do this, but I did know how to share what JESUS had done for me, and I could share that love with the women there, and let them know there is hope and a plan for their lives. I am blessed every time I go out to the Center, seeing what God can do. And, I am so grateful for The Vineyard and what God is doing with all who want to take part in the Game! Marita
Jo Ann Kurz // December 7, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I think James is James from the Bible. Well at first I wasn’t sure why he needed to be forgiven. He seems to have it all together about living the life of a true Christian instead of preaching it. Well, I guess he needs to be forgiven like all of us so I answered my question–even if you appear like you’ve got the Christian style down, you’re not perfect and need to ask for forgiveness daily so as not to think you’re all that.
Cameron Bascom // December 8, 2008 at 10:08 am
God has really made his presence known in my life, I’ve been reading in Ezekiel and at 1st I had no idea why… but seeing as we are talking about how we need to be a light in the dark, and Ezekiel is delivering a message to a world full of hatred,sexual Impurities,death,destruction and Darkness, It all makes sense why god wanted me to read this particular book.
Ezekiel 33 1-3
The Word of the Lord cam to me: son of man, speak to your countrymen and say to them:’when I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of there men and make him there watchmen, and sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people.
I was blind to the love of the lord, I was running from the only one who can truly love me unconditionally. I did not truly understand that God is all I needed, till God is all I had. And I am ready to be the watchmen, I am ready to blow the trumpet.
Who is james. . . James to me is anyone living on the earth living life in sin need. Needing to hear that trumpet
I am james/I need James/James needs me…
Bekah Lloyd // December 10, 2008 at 11:19 am
Hey everyone! I just wanted to share some really good news.. The girl I spoke of on Sunday told me today her dad found a job, and while her family still has a long way to go in recovering from all that has happened her dad finding a job is a great step and she is really excited and for the first time in a long time she said she has hope. Thank you to all that prayed for her.. obviously it worked!! I told her that people from my church had prayed for her family and she was really excited. Continue to pray for her family and that she will see God’s hand in this and come to know our Lord.
Thank you!
Gwyneth // December 11, 2008 at 6:35 pm
So where was James, Jesus’ half-brother when Jesus looked down from the cross at his mother and said “Woman, he is your son” and to John “She is your mother”? Afterwards, John took Mary into his own home. A little strange when Jesus had several half-brothers… But then, the last people to recognize Jesus’ deity would be his siblings, I suppose. Jesus’ cry “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” may have included not just those who crucified him, but his disciples, his family, and well, frankly, all of us. Seems like James came around at some point and received this comprehensive pardon since he starts his book out “This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” From sceptic to slave, now that’s the power of salvation. My two cents…
cheri // December 11, 2008 at 11:34 pm
gwyneth, i loved your website for embracing truth and need to get back on there longer
Ken Malgren // December 16, 2008 at 12:10 pm
For me, the obstacle to being transparent that I’ve dealt with, is building my character to the point that being transparent isn’t an embarassment. It’s easy to be transparent. Generally, if I think it, everybody knows where I stand. The hard thing is adjusting my thinking to be in line with the Word and what Jesus teaches. When my character falls in line with Christ, then it makes no difference what others think of me. Transparency for me, has been working toward letting Christ show in me.
Taryn McBride // December 20, 2008 at 9:47 am
I have been thinking about the main question…WHO IS JAMES? That very first week when we all texted, I really thought I had it figured out. Then I started thinking that that was too easy, so I stopped believing it. After Tri’s message last week, I am a believer again. Who do I think James is? I believe James is me and you and any person who has ever not taken a stand for Christ.
Last week Tri asked us all 5 questions:
1. Do you care?
2. Do you believe?
3. Do you do?
4. Will you risk?
5. Will you go?
I walked out of that message feeling so convicted about myself and how I live out my Christian life. I have found myself asking those questions of myself all week, and I realized that in my heart I answer yes to all those questions, but outwardly, I sometimes shy away from them. I have a passion for Christ and I want everyone around me to know Him too. So why then, do I shy away?
I took out my Bible and read thru the book of James and man, talk about conviction. I read it in the Message version and they had highlighted the key subjects:
1. Faith Under Pressure
2. Act on What You Hear
3. The Royal Rule of Love
4. Faith in Action
5. When You Open Your Mouth
6. Live Well, Live Wisely
7. Get Serious
8. Nothing but a Wisp of Fog
9. Destroying your Life from Within
10. Prayer to be Reckoned With
Each of those touched me and I encourage you all to read the book of James, but the one that touched me the most was the Royal Rule of Love. It talks about how a church can be segregated and how we may show favor on some rather than on all. I had to examine myself and really see in what ways to do I do that. Christ came for all and yet, I get choosy. How does that work?
So yes, I believe I am James. I believe that I need to ask forgiveness for my segregation and for my prejudices, whatever they may be. I believe that God is calling me to be a doer and a goer. I believe God wants me to act out the yeses in my heart, not simply feel them. He is calling me to love all, not just those that are easy.
So here I am changing a position…..
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