This world is not worthy!

The Ol' devil growls that he will silence the testimonies of Christians.  He goes to school, employment and church to kill their bodies.

Satan thought he would intimidate kids in Littleton, Colorado:
"Do you believe?"
"Yes, I believe."
Tragic and waste of youth and their dreams yet as a result many books, sermons and interviews happened that would have not been otherwise. Instead of killing, it multiplied the testimony and faith of other kids. Giving God the glory from a faithful teenager.

During the height of racial tension a young man enters a church and killed some very precious people. This was a time of retaliation and a tooth for a tooth in our nation.  The friends and relatives and worshipers of this church, demonstrated nothing but mercy and grace (as best they could.) displaying light in a dark and perverse generation.

These and other martyrs from beheadings now know more than I.....The excitement of faithfulness, really following God! Something many know not of.
Resist the devil and he will flee.

#IAmAChristian
.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!

A Bum With a Sign

We ponder the idea; Should we have ministry to the homeless, should we give a gift to someone that seems to be homeless, when they might not appreciate it, or even buy drugs, etc.

You might as well wonder about anyone at our table or those who come for the day and don't appreciate the food or time spent.

Jesus may have been weary from all the takers looking for healing and deliverance and anything else they could get.  Many did love and praise him. He knew the hearts of those that didn't.

He did it with compassion anyway. Let's pray for the compassion of Christ.

No Substitutes

                                                        

While reading in First Kings we read about King Rehoboam.  The King of Egypt came and stole the gold articles, shields etc.  Rehoboam substituted the golden pieces, Solomon had made, with bronze.

You and I often sadly substitute an inadequate item for what God had intended for us.

We substitute; The Brass of Activity for the Gold of Sincerity.
                       The Brass of reading a good book for the Gold of The Good Book.
                       The Brass of Personality for the Gold of God's Power.
                       The Brass of Preference for the Gold of Principle.
                       The Brass of Temporal for the Gold of Eternal.

Let's not be busy doing the work of the Lord and forget the Lord of the Work!
                       
                       
                

Ch 1 - Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Editing Our Thoughts, Words and Actions.

I have written about ten quick and easy to read books, being no more than a hundred pages each, for spiritual growth and enjoyment. I think they are very helpful.  Some are recent while some were completed two years ago.

One week I spent some time rereading them to check for errors (since they are self published).  Even though I had proof read all of them, there they were, one to many periods at the end of a sentence, commas or quotation marks when no one was speaking!

What I had probably done while writing was correct or delete a sentence without removing a period.  Which proves I must clean my computer screen ( I thought it to be a speck of dust). Needless to say I went through making necessary corrections!

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Many do that in life.  We say something to or about someone and find it's out there and can't be erased.  Some have told a lie or falsely accused  others to play the victim and receive attention, only to have it backfire and they were exposed.

We often live lifestyles that we are not proud of, making unwise or even sinful choices!  What if we (alright I) had sought the Word of the Lord and even the Lord of the Word.  We can see the importance of  prior to speaking, living, even writing on social media, taking time to think it out and pray.  We should have been guided by the Word and not emotions in the heat of the moment. Paul wrote for us to have the mind of Christ.

Know this; When we see we have done or said something we shouldn't, we can go to God and He will forgive and forget!
 amazon.com/author/timflener
                                                   

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9

You are Salt and Light

Time for Discipleship. Time to Pray!

We know that our weapons are not carnal, they are mighty in God.  This culture is calling good evil and evil good.  With space age speed this secular worldview is headed away from God and it is in your face, talking trash.

This impacting your culture for God, even a reformation of the church's worldview, will require prayer.  Nehemiah had a broken heart for the city of God.  The walls, as well as people, were in ruin.  I wonder when was the last time we prayed for the souls of men and women, boys and girls, that are in ruin?

Let us pray now for our nations, cities, churches, family and any personal requests. The Apostle Paul encouraged us to pray for one another, Jesus disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. Jesus also awoke early to pray.

                                                             IT IS TIME TO PRAY

https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Nehemiah-Praying-mend-Broken/dp/1499582803/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470313280&sr=1-12


                                                 

Your Moment of Truth.

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."  You would think we would all be straining to acquire the truth.  Paul wrote to Timothy:  "There will come a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, they will turn their ears away from the truth."  It appears this is that time, our moment of truth, yet we are turning away.

Some reject the truth.  Judas in his "moment of truth" decided to betray Jesus. Even  the Apostle Peter denied knowing Him.  Later we know that Peter got it and proclaimed the truth!  Talking about Jesus he said; "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

                                                                   HOW ABOUT YOU?

Will you receive the truth?  Will we be guided by our emotions or the guidance and truth in God's Word?
Let us believe and follow the truth for an eternity spent with God and for our day to day life here and now.

                                                             YOUR MOMENT OF TRUTH

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved."

Go, Follow, Lead!

                                          He went lakeside and said: "Follow Me."

Ronald Reagan A Soldiers Pledge Listen Learn Remember

Warmer Days

Warmer Days

Run to Spring and warmer days

calendar is now our friend

Sun hugs with comforting rays

Cold blast finally end.

God given desire

His will we Chose

We walk to His fire

His flame arose.

Not cold, nor lukewarm, but hot throughout

Pray for warmer days, give Winter the rout

Outdoors with cookie and tea

I see warmer days for you and for me.

Worship Him for the warmer days

Hallelujah this Spring

Let us give Him our praise

His praises ring!

https://www.createspace.com/5284841 

True Life!

What was cold and seemingly lifeless, becomes a beautiful garden of colorful flowers of many sizes and shapes.

We can look back at our past spiritual position and  experiences in our day to day life and see what was once, seemingly lifeless and without purpose.  Through prayer and the power of God you had a season of change and new hope and an abundant life!  Like a flower garden it must be maintained daily.  Life killing weeds need to be removed, while water and fertilizer for growth and life, are to be added daily.

You may be reading this and living a troubled life, seemingly without hope.  Sadness even depression, the worries of this world are overwhelming.  We are all there for a time. That's natural, but we are not to park there. You can live on topside, you have hope for even eternity. That is supernatural.  Sin entered the world but God  desires you to believe and receive what He has for you. His new life!  We do not work for salvation but it takes (as in our earthly relationships) a minute by minute effort to maintain and enjoy that relationship of love.

*Read the letter to the Philippians
*Prayer that includes; worship, asking, interceding, thankfulness.
*A Bible believing counselor
*A good book (with Christian values)

We accept and trust, not in ourselves, but in what Christ did on the cross, not only in what He did, but who He is.  The Bible says to draw near to Him and He'll draw near to you. Asking forgiveness, know you have that forgiveness of sin and power of God, to live the life He desires.  You can have great joy and peace, (though there will be storms), living right where God has placed you. Then we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those that rejoice.  Let's be the flower, God and others can be blessed by.

John 10:  7-18.  Matthew 6: 25-34

Albert Mohler: Living in an Unholy World

The Light, Lamb and Life!

When I read the book of John, it appears the chosen disciples actually knew the identity of Jesus.  In their conversations to one another and Jesus, they address him as Jesus of Nazareth, but also Rabbi, King of Israel and the Son of God.  Later Peter would answer: "You are the Christ. The Son of the living God."

I'm sure they didn't comprehend many of His teachings, His death, to name a few. 

We then ask "Why did they act the way they acted, if they knew who He was?"  You and I say we know Him and have received Him. Why do we act the way we act?

Thank God He is the Word (Logos) ; the mediator, God Himself and Grace and Truth!

Please read;  John 1

Be A Barnabas

                                            Encourage One Another!

Study and Application

http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Nehemiah--Workbook-prayer-action/dp/1530008794/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462802489&sr=1-1

The Scariest Roller Coaster!

Giving in to the lure of Sin will result in roller coaster ride of days/weeks, maybe months to years of dizziness, confusion and disorientation.  Satan is usually the one wearing the sleeveless t-shirt, taking tickets.

Many stand in long lines waiting to ride this emotion filled adventure of twist and turns, only to scream to be let off. What looked exciting, ended with a humbling, bent over, session of vomiting, vowing never to do that again. Many even return to the vomit.

The thief comes, but to steal, kill, and destroy.  What about that don't we understand?  The Bible is full of warnings through stories, principles and commands only for His glory and our own good!

Paul writes in Thessalonians that he earlier had told them how to walk and please God,  that God's will is sanctification. It is not surprising that Holy living would please a Holy God.

That's why we must spend time with God. We believers are to have a loving relationship with Him.  We unable to live this life in our own strength.  Paul says in another place to; "Be strong in the Lord...in the power of His might!" Knowing He offers a way of escape. While we acknowledge Him, He will direct our path.

There have been fatal results of a roller coaster ride, (mental, physical and spiritual).  Christian, have fun, think out of the box but keep both feet on the ground, rooted in His word, empowered by His spirit and compelled by His love! Life is weird enough. Seek His stability over the roller coaster ride of emotional twists, highs and very lows.

GARDEN OF CHARACTER

     One Sunday I spoke at a local Church, I was speaking about "The garden of Character." In the letter Peter wrote, he listed some characteristics that should be added or planted in our lives.  He said to add to your faith, virtue and to virtue, knowledge and to that knowledge, self control, and to that perseverance and add Godliness, and to that brotherly kindness.
                                                     *******************************
      You can see what a great life we could live with all that. Wouldn't it be good to have one like knowledge, but can you see how important, self control added to knowledge is?
       I could be beneficial to the circle of life God has placed me in with a garden of those character traits. Everyone likes a flower, but enjoys a vase full much more.
                                                      ****************************** 
       Even Christians mess up and lose the spiritual battle in our lives.  But believers empowered with love and vision and God's power would be better than money, education, property and all the rest. Some  people that have money, education... "things".. still are a detriment to society.  In my life, with a new nature and the old nature, I need to plant that garden of character and it takes some daily or minute by minute work to feed and weed my life.
                                                       ******************************
       You can see in the picture, that garden wouldn't be there if it had not been planted or added to.  After that Service on that Sunday we gave everyone seeds to plant.. My wife did and soon there were a variety of zinnias etc.  Yep, for an attractive garden you have to plant the seeds.  Happy growing!

A Rock in the Time of Storm!

When I am in a room by the computer or in my chair reading the Bible or another book.  I am safe and comfortable.  There in my comfort zone, it is peaceful and I/we realize God's presence.

What is going to happen to that relationship, worship and faith, when the tornado twists my possessions throughout the community.  What happens to my peace when the rain becomes a storm, a hurricane that never seems to end.

Worry, fear will show up.  That's natural.  Soon like a rushing current God's Holy Spirit will bring the truth I have read and His presence that we experienced in the quiet time, will flood our souls and mind.  That's Supernatural.  

Peace is not the lack of storm but internal trust smack dab in the middle of it.  Thank God for these times of sharing at the computer and receiving while reading His Word.   I thank Him for being our rock in a fallen world!

Matthew 7:24-27,      Acts 27: 9-35.  Philippians 4: 6,7.

 

Fighting, Finishing and Faithful!

In the Garden

                           Spend quiet time with God.  Allow yourself to listen as well as speak.

Let no one despise your youth!

I have written some quick and easy to read books for discipleship for teens to adults.  My favorite is, "The Prayer of Nehemiah"  followed by the two reads; "Project Nehemiah" and "Back to School."

http://amazon.com/author/timflener

                                                                Let Us Grow in the Lord!

Discipleship

                

                                                           GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

Reading for Discipleship

I Know in Whom I have Believed!

While looking at resources, videos and books on denial and evidences, pro and con, on the resurrection of Christ of different professors, pastors, and apologists, I'd have to say it seems to require more faith to be an atheist or an unbelieving New Testament professor at a University.

The wild claims of evidences against is ridiculous.  One would need great faith in a swoon theory or a mass hallucination of five hundred eyewitnesses at exactly the same time.

There are many evidences within and without the Bible.  Many claim there is no sin, Hell, Heaven, Messiah or crucifixion, let alone a resurrection, after all, it would make them look bad or sinful.

It takes great faith and pride in self, to deny the resurrection of Christ. Do not take my word for it. Research the Bible,  historians (believer or not), as well as the toddler like claims of those that say nay. They'll drive you to an empty tomb and full heart.

Celebrating With the Church!

Tim Rogers?

                                          Will someone take the photoshop away from my cousin?!~

Enjoy God's Creation.

                                                               A trip to Arizona

He is risen!

Linda makes her morning drink

Politics lol...I mean 101.

                                           Donald and his followers are fishing for trouble!

Quick and Easy Reads by Tim Flener

He meets you where you are.

                                          He comes to you saying: "Follow Me."

Exalt Him, Equip the church, Engage others

http://t.co/UpoAytoxKS

New Workbook!

http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Nehemiah--Workbook-prayer-action/dp/1530008794/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456149119&sr=1-1

Community investment

                                                            
It is encouraging to see construction of restaurants and stores beginning to start in our areas.  Jobs will be created as a result.  Beautification of the area is happening again.  We see the wisdom in the usage of large unused parking areas to build businesses etc.  I have noticed masses of people out an about!

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Let the church be encouraged as well,  to take advantage of open doors for sharing the Gospel to the millions of unreached and the discipleship training our own church's Biblical illiterate.  Improvement of our communities involve much more than buildings and restaurants for the belly.  If we truly desire community development in our neighborhood and families, we must declare and share the good news of Christ.

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This is not a world religion that includes efforts to merely turning over a new leaf or just trying harder, but a new generation with a new birth, heart and mind.  It is not infrastructural, but crossing over from trusting self, to trusting Christ, to spend eternity with God.  Followed by a transformed life.

Now that is community development.

"I am the Way!"- Jesus

                                          Lost.  Without God and hope in the world. 

We are in a Moral Revolution!

Walk in the Spirit

Sow and grow.

                                           Grow in Grace.

Others

Jesus said they will know you are my disciples by your love for one another.  The Apostle Paul said we are to prefer others over ourselves.  He wrote that he could only send timothy because he was the only one who cared for others.

Being Christlike is loving others, including our enemies.  God so loved the world and Christ the incarnate God, loved the world.  Jesus stated: "As the Father has sent me, so send I you!"

I'm not to keep this Gospel of Christ death and resurrection to myself but share it with others.

Others Lord others,
 let this my motto be.
Others Lord others
that I might be like thee.

Be Still

                                          Spend some quiet time with God today.

Be Equipped

 I didn't want to miss opportunities to help those that otherwise wouldn't invest in thick books they would never read.  Some 50-80 pages that include questions and space to write comments etc.


These books have been written to be quick and easy reads but with an eternal message of salvation, ministry and entertainment.  The vision is equip, reach and teach, those from Junior High school to adult. See them on Amazon.com.   These would be great to give to kids or pastors at church!

these are written in love.
                                       
                                                   Tim

http://www.amazon.com/Back-School-Project-Nehemiah-rebooted/dp/1500850195/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454680402&sr=1-6

Peaceful place

                                                  Enjoy Your Day!  Help Others Enjoy Theirs.

Born for Such a Time as this.

                                           Hello, I've been praying for you.  Please pray for me.

Citizens of God's Kingdom

It's a Relationship

                                                       Do we have the wrong perception?

 "Something is always after my attention. They hound me from the time the alarm sounds off, all the way until I pass out in the evening.  Between breakfast, school, work and family demands, I am distracted."

  "I know we are to be disciples but people are just in the way.  I don't have the time to memorize the scripture or pray.  There are crafts or menus to get done for the church activities.  How am I going to accomplish great things with and for God with all of these distractions?"

                                                                Take a break and rethink.

                                                               STOP AND REGROUP

  Wait a minute!   We are to be intentional but... we are to busy in the culture we live in, we also get to "busy" in our religious activity.  It must be more than a list. This is not a world religion but a relationship with God.   A personal one.  Yes we may have to stop and prioritize our time.  I suggest that time of drawing closer to God.  The Bible says He then will draw closer to you.

 As we move about more in the Spirit, than being list led, we will find it "easier" as we grow and mature in the Lord.  We will find ourselves loving to rise and spend that quiet/loud time with God.  People will not be seen as in the way. People is where God is leading us to to serve, making disciples, In addition, doing the simple we are actually accomplishing great things with God.

It's about giving God glory, and ourselves as living sacrifices. It may be a difficult place, but not desiring to be anywhere else.  The Spirit will empower us to obey and love His Word. We will love His people. We will love His work. The Apostle Paul said that he was compelled by the love Christ!

As we seek first His Kingdom, we will not only love the work of the Lord but also the Lord of the work.

We are to seek Him.  God also knows who and where you are. He will meet you there.

Student Discipleship

Hello again from the ol' man up in the attic.  Someone (actually hundreds) invested in my spiritual walk.  The Holy Spirit teaches and leads us to do the same with others of all ages,education, economic and geographic location.  The Apostle Paul looked out not only for his own interest but also the interests of others.  When Nehemiah heard that the city walls of God's city were in ruins and the people were in shame etc it broke his heart.  He began to pray for them and God's power, provision and purpose, in the situation.

Please begin now to pray for the needs of those in your;  family, church and community.

http://www.amazon.com/Project-Nehemiah-loving-through-others/dp/1500369934/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428585309&sr=1-7

Gone to be a blessing

                                            Spend quiet time with God.  Then go live out loud!

Life is a Trip.

We send a post card with a great picture and write:" Wish you were here."  (I really don't wish they were here. that's why we didn't bring them with us). 

Paul had desires, dreams and prayers for those Christians he wrote to.  He prayed, encouraged and taught the churches that they might not stay where they were but experience spiritual growth.

Actually Paul wrote Timothy a letter saying wish you were here, and "Please come before Winter."

Preach the Word

                    In season and out.  Always be ready to share, from the platform to the shopping aisle.

KEEP IN TOUCH

When two or more people desire to stay in contact or connected they say "Keep in touch."  Staying in contact is not always easy.  Many reasons and excuses are given as to why we were distracted.  If we are going to have/be friends, we need to stay in a common frame of mind and space. We connect and keep in touch as Christ's followers because of love and concern for community and relationship.

Out of touch with the real world
Sadly with time, a disconnect happens between leadership and work force/congregation.   The vision and mission statement suffer and one segment of  "The village" loses touch with the other.  

 keep in touch with society by building community relationships.
We as a church kept in touch with:
                      - residents scared to answer door. We blanketed homes with  info bags on doorknobs.
                      -with those that need help,can help or are helping the local community.
                      -with the shelters for seniors, homeless and abused.
                      -Boys/Girls club
                      -The police
                      -Salvation Army
                      -God with Prayer
                      -church sick/surgery in hospital.

                                                     Keep growing and keep in touch. 

                        

You are light to the World

Whether at home, school, work or store, let this be the season, you warm someones heart through showing and telling the good news of Jesus Christ!

Make your plans now.

The saying goes: "You don't know what you have til it is gone."   Make the most of what you have now.    

Enjoy.

"What is your Problem?"

Remember the time you went into a job interview and the manager asked: "What are your strengths?"  You were ready for that one. He began to nod off as you went on and on, painting the beautiful self portrait.
You waxed eloquently, sharing your powerful characteristics and benefits to mankind.

"What are your weaknesses?"
"What?"

I can't tell this person my weaknesses and short comings.  They would never hire me.   You might be the one that doesn't know what your weaknesses are. "I... I'm sure I have some..," 

Whether it is a; career, friendship, dating, church, we might keep our distance.  "If they knew me and my : history, fears, laugh, finances, education, anger!   they would not like me. We then keep others far from  reach.

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Billions of those even in a serious relationship and considering marriage, put there best foot forward.  They put the cap back on the toothpaste, have a clean apartment, and what a sense of humor!  When the "Honeymoon is over,"  on the way to the bathroom you trip over weeks of dirty clothes,  finding a sink filled with toothpaste and DNA,  Looking up into the bathroom mirror you can hear plates rattling from the kitchen and the spouse yelling something about how they as a young adult, had been mistreated by their mother. It would have been nice if they had told you and been truthful about these issues, they couldn't,  "You might not have married me." 

The answer is not a questionnaire for friends or marriage.  The solution is to "Know thyself."  No, not everyone will like us, or accept us.  There is a possibility that living truthfully and sharing what issues and circumstances, we might be experiencing, could connect you to the spouse or lifelong friend, even counsel, that God knows you need.

You can speak to God about your "secrets" after all, He knows all about you. You won't fool Him.  To have that true peace , we must have peace with God,  trusting in Christ as our only hope to spend eternity with God.  Will you have it all together then?  Maybe not, there are many people on their way to heaven, living hell on earth,  You obtain peace with God and then can receive the peace of God.  You can look into His word. It will transform you and it can maybe guide you to a place of yes,you helping others.

Face it. Let's be honest with ourselves. Your problem is;  we all have sinned and fallen short of Gods' standard.  The Bible says, if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Before you even click to another site, begin to be truthful to Him right now. No, you may not be liked or accepted by him or her,  but God loves you and so do I !

Look into the Bible and please read the letter to the "Ephesians."