Hocking Hills, Ohio

Comment by Sandy McCoy- Foust on October 22, 2008 at 10:06pm

What better place to experience the beauty of our Lord then Hocking Hills, Ohio!! Lets plan a get together!! :o)

Comment by Sandy McCoy- Foust on November 9, 2008 at 2:05pm

Know And Believe God’s Love For You

1 John 4:16
16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us…

You may know that God cares for you and loves you, and that He demonstrated His love for you by dying on the cross for you, but do you believe it? It is one thing to know about the love that God has for you, but another thing to actually believe it in your heart.

It is one thing to know that the sun shines on us during the day. But it is another thing to believe that the sun is still shining even though we don’t feel its warmth and all we see are dark clouds. Sometimes we are slow in believing God’s love for us when we are going through a tough time. But God wants you to know and believe that He loves you in the midst of the deal falling through, when that job is slow in coming, when the boss is fault-finding or when your child still refuses to come home.

In the midst of the pain, He wants you to know and believe that He is wholly on your side defending and taking care of you. And if God, the most powerful being in the universe, is for you, can anyone or anything come against you successfully?

Perhaps you feel like you have messed up big time. God wants you to know and believe that though others may be angry with you, He will never be angry with you. Neither will He condemn you. The sum total of His anger against your sins fell upon Jesus at the cross. So He wants you to know and believe that He will never punish you because Jesus was punished in your place.

When you feel unworthy because you have just blown it for the umpteenth time, know and believe that your heavenly Father still offers you the gift of no condemnation. So come boldly to His throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

My friend, know and believe that since He loved you and died for you while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8) at your worst and ugliest, how much more is His love for you now that you are His beloved child and the righteousness of God in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Joseph Prince Devotional

Comment by Jeff Crisler on September 27, 2009 at 6:48pm

How to start...for some time I have been dissatisfied with the organized instututional church. Having become a Christian at 18 (I am now 55), I have never had a strong feeling of a family tie to the church (although I have been very active in one). I strongly believe 1 Cor 6:19 - that we are indeed the temple of the holy spirit. I do however have some reservation regarding the simple church/organic church movement. In a men's bible study, we discussed the ability of God to clearly communicate to us. Since we have five senses - and our brains interpret what we sense - we have clear limitations. One of the members, a local physcian, suggested that we have indeed an additional sense that they teach in medical school - and that is one of confirmation from others. For example - if I believe I see a rabbit - and it is confirmed by another...then I have probably seen a rabbit. Perhaps, a more organized church body has a greater ability to confirm what is of God....Perhaps I should also add that my mother was extremely ill with a mental illness...and thought and saw many things that were not real - although they were extremely real to her. So I guess what I am really saying... are there enough checks in a simple church to lead it from going astray? (And I do realize this can potentially happen to larger organizations.

Comment by Sandy McCoy- Foust on September 27, 2009 at 8:24pm

Hi Jeff, I am kinda new to simple church, having just left the instututional church a little over a year ago....after being as you, very involved. When I left it was not what the pastors or body seen for me...but I knew it was the Lord leading me out. They definately did not confirm what I was hearing. But when I found this site and heard other testimonies of what God was saying to them....It was confirmation I was truely hearing God...and not loosing my mind!! It was not at all easy to leave the system...I was used to having pastors tell me whether I was hearing God..I am now being UNLEARNED!...Don't get me wrong ..I wouldnt be where I am today if I hadnt been where I was for the last 14 years. But I feared mans opinion, so I was lead by that. (Not the Holy Spirt) It still trys to sway me!..

"Be still and know I am God".....I Love this! The check that I so try to go with, is his still small voice...from within....the check can come from others, when God sends them across your path to confirm......but the KNOWING comes from within....

The Lord told me to Simplfy....before I found this site...to come into his rest....trust HIM...to lead me. I don't have all the answers to organic church...but I have THE answer, Jesus Christ. I know there is no perfect group setting, cause we are imperfect people....we are not to put our trust in man, but HIM....

I am on a new journey. Im just HOLDING ON and being born again....again! Letting Go and Letting GOD

Be Blessed on YOUR journey!
Sandy

Comment by Jeff Crisler on September 28, 2009 at 7:59am

Thanks Sandy for your comments! your quote "Be still and know that I am God" sure resonates with me. I suspect it is one of the reasons I love the wilderness so much. My wife and I have retreated to our farm over the last year due to issues in our church - I am in the process of learning that lesson well. My issue again - when we are still, how can we confidently confirm that the small whisper we hear is from God - or just simple self generated from some desire that I may not even consciously know of. Is it possible to use discussions groups like this a confirmation of God's will for us?

Comment by Sandy McCoy- Foust on September 28, 2009 at 9:44am

I think so...as I said...when I came on here and heard there were others hearing the same thing I was...it confirmed I was really hearing God and not some deceptive voice in my head trying to get me off track...my mind still tries to question whats happening with this new journey. cause we always want to figure things out...HIS ways, HIS thoughts, are so much higher....thats when I hear...Prov. 3 v.5& 6
"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, lean NOT on your OWN understanding..In ALL your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct our path" Remember, Jesus was led to the wilderness after the dove descended to be tempted. Im sure as we are venturing out to be led by ONLY the Holy Spirit, we will also be tried!

Oh Yeah, my husband and I also love the the outdoors...The Lord speaks to us in nature so often...HIS presence is ever so strong in it! As you are on your farm..in the stillness....I believe you and your wife are going to hear like you never did before...away from the noise and business.....as far as discussion groups, yea it can come thru that, a stranger,a friend, a radio program, so many different things could confirm....but HE will settle it for you....it will just CLICK!!! And GOD laughs!! haha (with us)....one of those DUH moments..I get it!! confirmation! :o)...At least this is how it is with me....

I was praying, my last year in church(or IC) for HEARING ears and more UNDERSTANDING....not just knowledge of the word. Our knowledge is screwed up sometimes... I recommend "The Two Trees in the Garden by Rick Joyner"
I think we get stuck on that Tree of knowledge (which we know started the curse) We need more of that Tree of LIFE....... and that is what we are getting....I am so thankful for HIS drawing...We just need to hold on and LISTEN! Quiet time......I treasure it!

Sandy :o)

Comment by Jeff Crisler on September 29, 2009 at 2:29pm

The like the shepherd anology - especially in John 10. Kathy (my wife) and I have actually raised sheep in the past so a lot of the sheep references in the bible clearly make sense to us. If we are His sheep, we should clearly recognize His voice. How do we guard against wishful thinking that we hear His voice? I am coming around to the point in thinking that when He truely speaks to us...it will be distinct and no question about it! I don't know if you have read "The Shack"...but there is a line somewhere in the book where God is talking to Mac (the main character). God tells Mac that whatever decision Mac makes, God will make the best possible outcome occur from that decision. I like that thought - sort of follows Romans 8:28. I just happen to think that some decisions are more right then others.

Jeff

Jeff

Comment by Sandy McCoy- Foust on September 29, 2009 at 7:48pm

Hey Marcy & Jeff, I agree it is common to wonder or question Gods voice. But like you said Marcy...we can never get lost!! We are HIS!! and he loves to confirm his word....it usually comes in 3's for me.... I will sense an unction in my spirit about something, then maybe read about it in the next days devotional or hear a speaker on TV, radio, or someone on here answering what I was thinking about. To me the first unction I get is that still small voice....the rest it just confirmation. If that all makes sense to ya! ha!

As far as "The Shack" goes Jeff, you bet I have read it!! Several in our family gathered every Sunday to discuss it, chapter by chapter.... Great book!!...I like your concept on Roman 8 v 28. I bet sheep were alot of work...but how interesting they would be!...I have read some on them...A book called "Sheep Goats and Wolves." very interesting!!

Sandy :o)

Comment by Sandy McCoy- Foust on September 29, 2009 at 8:05pm

Hey Marcy, I just reread your comment on sheep being limited in their vision...thats good word, and true...also what you said about not always getting it right but the joy of depending on him....He is our Good Shepherd...and I am so thankful that I can depend on him...

On another note, how close are you to the caves? Do you have certain ones you do your picture taking at?

Comment by Jeff Crisler on September 30, 2009 at 8:00am

Some thoughts about sheep... John Chapter 10 is one of my favorites. In light of our discussion about hearing God's voice - it is interesting to note that I believe Jesus is using the plural here - sheep as in a flock. When the shepard comes to the flock - it is not just a single sheep that follows him - its the flock - they collectively recognize his voice - and they all decide to follow - at least in my experience - thats how sheep work. So - is there a message here - that we can get confirmation from each other that it is indeed the Good Shepard that is calling us? (and not just some inner voice that is just that - our own?) Could this this passage has also give insight to what a pastor's true function is - to lead the sheep in community with each other. - to places where they prosper, are safe, and well fed?

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