It's That Time Of The Year

By Chuck (Sharing Compasison)

There are several times a year that I get a feeling that things are “new and fresh.”  The first is obviously New Year’s Day. It is the start of a new year with new hopes and new beginnings.  Whatever the old year brought is over with and a whole new year is upon us with great anticipation. The next time is usually Spring. After being cooped up inside all winter the days begin to get warmer, the days get longer and everything begins to bloom. Again things are new and fresh. The final time is Labor Day…

…… As I was growing up school never started until the Tuesday after Labor Day. Labor Day was “officially” the last day of summer. A time for a cookout, a last game of kickball in the neighborhood, going to bed early (well earlier than we had all summer) and a brand new year of school. Even if you did not like school the first day was always special. Checking out who your teacher(s) were, what classes you had and what were you going to be doing. I remember from Kindergarten to Senior Year that first day was special. Schools now begin before Labor Day and those poor kids in Harford County actually started even sooner this year. However it is still ingrained in me that Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of Fall. We still have a tradition in my family that Labor Day includes a cookout (hot dogs and hamburgers) and a traditional game of miniature golf in Churchville and then a trip to Arctic Circle for ice cream. Once that is finished off Summer is over in my mind and Fall has officially begun.

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Are You Ready?

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Let me ask a question-Are you preparing for what God might want you to do? When the Spirit says, "Go" or "Do" will you be ready? I have found that life is a grand adventure. Doors may close but others always open. God is always working in our lives. He has a master plan and we won't know the final result until our time here on Earth is done. However that does not mean we should rest on our laurels and do nothing.

If you look at Acts 13:1-5 the church at Antioch was worshiping and fasting while waiting on word from the Spirit about which direction they go and who should be sent. They were eager and waiting. How different should that be for us? Do we listen for God's promptings. Are we tuned in to what He would have us do. Often the noise of everyday life crowds out what we should be hearing. Sometimes in our circumstances we think that he might be finished with us but really a finish is just a beginning.

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Use The Power

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Recently at church we had a series on the various I AM...statements that Christ made. One of those statements was that he was the vine from which we derived our strength. This got me to thinking as we often tend to react to challenges or anxieties on several different levels. Today I was working the Purple Door Festival in Pennsylvania. This is an alternative Christian music festival that caters to teens and young adults. Obviously not the type of crowd I am normally used to speaking to. However it was interesting to see the response from these folks in sponsoring children. Everyone first asks the question "How much is it?" When we tell them they either have the choice to sponsor or not. Unlike adults who have many questions about the ministry it is different here...

I have found that there are three schools of thoughts that I wish to share. Interestingly ,enough though I am applying this to sponsorship, it goes with everything we face in our lives.

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Going "Toe To Toe" With Satan

Updated on Monday, August 3, 2009 at 3:09PM by MAD21

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

The other evening I was at a Christian coffee house to hear a friend play their music. The host did a short devotional on how Satan often tries to tempt us or trip us up in our walk with Christ. He told a story about how if we are being ignored by Satan then really maybe we aren't making a difference or a threat. This got me to thinking...how often do we face obstacles or hurdles in our lives and feel that God is ignoring us? How often do we feel we are doing a great job and are being effective and yet we feel stymied some how? God does not promise us as Christians we get a free pass for the rest of our lives. Even Christ was tempted before he began his ministry. I cannot think of one other Christian that has not faced trials or tribulations in their walk. We often face those difficult times or dry times and want to blame God. Yet I will submit to you that it is not God we should blame ( actually we should be thankful) but Satan.

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You Can Make A Difference..

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Yes. You can make a difference.......

So often we don't think we can't so we don't. What if we could make a difference? What if each of us reached out just a little to a child in need and tried to make that difference. What if what we did changed the world in the next five years?

Welcome to my little fantasy (click to view):

Of course this is just a fun little video-but you know what? It could happen, you could make a difference- lives could be changed. Not just the child's but yours...will you consider it?

Blessings <><