Summer 15 by Changing Times

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A Soldier of God

(11 Timothy 2:1-4) “Thou, therefore my son, be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to Faithful men, who should be able to teach others also. You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man who wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him, Who has chosen him to be a soldier”. God has called you to be a soldier. We’re in a war. “The Great Commission” defines it: Do it, we’re called to it! There are people who will do exactly what God calls them to do. As a Christian community, we must take a stand. God is looking for militant Christians. Not passive ones. We need militant preachers who will speak the Gospel truth, someone who is not afraid to make a stand instead of bending over for the crowd. We need preachers who won’t compromise. No one knows how bad they are until God reveals it to them. We live in a dying world. We need to reach

them and guide them to deliverance. They are walking dead men. You can’t keep playing with sin. Your time is short. Many are further gone than they think so. Paul preached and preached but hardly anyone responded. In the Old Testament, no one responded to Noah though he preached the truth as well. Lost people need a Holy Ghost transplanted heart. This world needs revival, an introduction and in some cases a renewal of God in our hearts. When God got through with Jonah, 600,000 people responded. If people don’t change their wicked ways, they are going to hell because of their rebellion. We must teach repentance. Satan is afraid of Soldiers of God who put on the Armor of God and fight. They tell the Devil, I’m your huckleberry. Your gates of hell can never prevail against God’s soldiers. But in order to win a war you must fight to win. We can’t make a treaty of compromise with the enemy. We must be willing to fight! We have the anointing, so let’s use it. But first we need to get into spiritual shape.

1. You must be faithful. You can’t play with sin. Don’t call yourself a Christian unless you act as one. 2. A faithful soldier must be committed to fight the good fight until we win the war. 3. Courage is born out of faithfulness. I may be fearful but I won’t give in or quit. You keep coming Devil. I am going on as long as God lets me. 4. Discipline: you may not feel like doing it everyday, but this is your calling. Go for it. If it’s going on, you need to be a part of it. Paul knew discipline. I will become a good soldier. I must do things that are good for me and give up the things that are bad for me. I will do what the Lord asked me to do! There are 3 things that you can expect if you are a soldier. 1. You will endure hardships. 2. You will fight. 3. You will be part of a great victory and you will make God smile! Are you ready to sign up? Save the Nations Ministries >

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w w w. B e r g e r o n A u t o m o t i v e . c o m 3 5 2 5 Ve t e r a n s B l v d i n M e t a i r i e j u s t p a s t L a k e s i d e M a l l “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” — Acts 2:42

Summer 2015

from the editor

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A CALL to BOLDNESS The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me for the last few years (in words and visions) that God is calling up an army of holy warriors who are being prepared for the frontlines of His battle. He has shown me a gap the size of the Grand Canyon between these holy warriors and the rest of the world, which includes the lukewarm church (Laodicea) mentioned in (Revelation 3:14-22). He states that we are not to be

afraid — This reminds me of (Numbers 13 and 14), when Moses was commanded by God to send 12 spies to scout out the area surrounding the Promised Land — remember that 10 returned, frightened to the point of recommending they not try to take their Promised Land, while Joshua and Caleb were fearless. In (Num 13:30-32) — “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well

We Invite You to Take the “Changing Times Challenge” When you pick up your copy of Changing Times in 2015, take 2 extra copies and give them to a friend, family member, co-worker or church member. Your participation in this Christian Community Outreach Challenge will help spread the Word of God! Please let us know of any positive feedback. We’d love to hear from you. Our email address is changingtimes@bellsouth.net

able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, we are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than us. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel...” Joshua, Caleb and their descendants were rewarded for their courage while the remaining 10 spies (the vast majority) were severely punished, as were their descendants. Personally, I don’t like to offend others or rock the boat — however, I can’t be a warrior and a chicken at the same time. So I am praying for ever increasing boldness and courage to represent God well, even if it means rocking the boat and losing the support of others or even my

life. I wrote this to you because you may also be one of the Called Warriors. So if you feel frustrated, out of place, or that you aren’t yet walking in the fullness of your calling, be encouraged; it’s for a reason. “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) — thus, you are THE CALLED… ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE (Eph 1: 7-13; 1 Tim 1:9; Rom 8:28) You are blessed! Save the Nations Ministries >

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“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shalL know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:31-32

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The Leader of the Band by Adrian Rogers

“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” (Psalm 128) The home is to be a symphony of praise! There’s to be harmony in the home and if there is to be harmony, then the father is to be the leader of the band. It is difficult to be a good man and even more difficult to be a good husband. But most difficult of all, and I think you would agree, is to be a good Dad. Now dads, are you listening? You might fail in a lot of different ways, but you must fear God and live with integrity. What do you want to be remembered for? I was thinking what my children will remember of me. First, I thought, they’ll remember my sermons. Then I laughed and thought, I can’t even remember them! They’re not going to remember my sermons. So what will they remember? I pray to God that they will remember me for my character. I want them to say, “My dad feared God. My dad walked in the ways of God.” That’s what I want to be remembered for. I remember when our first son was born, Joyce and I were in school. I was working my way through school and we were living from God’s hand to our mouth. I worked my way through eight years of higher education and had to pay the bills and God just provided. We wanted to have children and the first was our son, Steve. When that night came, Joyce gave me that elbow, and she said, “Adrian, I think it’s time.” Boy I’m telling you, I was scared to death! My heart was pounding and she said, “Adrian, you’re supposed to call the doctor and tell him that we’re on our way.” Now folks, we lived in a little house trailer and we didn’t have a telephone. We didn’t even have a bathroom! So about 2 in the morning, I went out to go to the communal hallway to use the phone. And it was locked. I said, “Oh, dear God, it can’t be locked. I’ve got to use the phone. This is an emergency.”

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So I went to my car and got a tire iron and pried open the window. I thought, “Boy if I get caught doing this, I’m in real trouble, but this is an emergency!” And then, I dived into the window, banging my shins, and fell on the floor. I ran to the pay phone and realized I didn’t have a nickel! So out the window I went, back into the house grabbing a nickel and then back again. I then remember waiting in the waiting room by myself and after a while they came out and said, “You’ve got a son.” As my wife and new son wheeled past me, I looked at my own flesh and blood. I went back to that little house trailer, got on my knees, and I said, “Lord, if I never preach a good sermon, if I never pastor a significant church, if I never have any possessions, that’s not the important thing. Oh God, I pray that this boy will know that his daddy loves Jesus.” And I thank God for my other son, David, who ministers in Spain and my two godly daughters, Gayle and Janice, who love the Lord. And my friend, I want to tell you I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. I want all my children to think that Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were the Jesse James boys compared to their daddy. I want them to

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Summer 2015

Family — men

Changing Times

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A Humble Man

by William Romaine A humble man can come to no harm; he will be ever trusting in the Lord, because he finds nothing in himself to trust in, while he gives great glory to God by trusting much in Him. God gives him great grace, and this is to keep alive an abiding sense of what he is in himself: to show him his ignorance and helplessness, to open to him daily more of the mystery of iniquity, to reveal to him the stirrings of corruption, which others feel not, and make him sensible of these, even in duties and ordinances, that he may loath him-

self and his very best works. These are the fruits of true grace, and he who is under the teachings of the Holy Spirit will abound in them. The more God does in the heart, the more He humbles it. The great design of His grace — is to bring the proud sinner low, and then to keep him low. When He has brought us low, we do not like to be kept there, we want to get up again: our foolish desire is that He may do something in us for which we may have a good opinion of ourselves; and so with this thought, we are apt to wish, “O that

I were more holy! O that I could pray better! O that I was more spiritual in duties! O that I was thankful enough!” If you could come to the true nature of these wishes (specious as they appear), you would find them spring from the secret workings of a proud, self-righteous spirit; take off their cloak of holiness, and their meaning is this: “I wish God would give me something for which I might be pleased with myself.” If this was the case, would not the eyes be turned inward upon this very good self, and be drawn off from looking unto Jesus? — and so far as self is made something, Christ is made nothing. You may depend upon this as one of the surest axioms of divinity: Whatever it is that makes you pleased with yourself — that is not true grace; and whatever makes you displeased with yourself — is not true grace, unless it brings you

humble to Christ and make you put more trust in Him. May the Lord teach you these things practically! I have learned them by long experience. Though I know but little — yet I am getting on in Christ’s school, and hope soon to be in the lowest grade, for there we learn most and fastest; we there depend entirely on the teaching of our Divine Master who reveals His secrets to none but babes. A newborn babe absolutely depends on the care of its parents, so must we depend on God, on Christ our Prophet and Teacher; and when we are brought thus humble, He will then make known to us what He hides from the wise and prudent. I would therefore wish you to be the humblest man upon earth: then, not only See A HUMBLE MAN on Page 40

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As editor of Changing Times, there are often concerns that both On Eagles Wings and Save the Nations Ministries share. Sometimes, there are articles or advertisements that do not exactly line up with the views of Changing Times. Changing Times continues to be published by advertisement and offerings of the readers. While Changing Times advertises businesses, videos, books, and articles, we attempt to do so without contradiction to scripture. We pray that these are used to build the Church and not lead it astray with doctrines that were not given to the Disciples (Galatians 1:8). It is almost an impossibility to research each advertisement or article to reveal error in enough time before publication. As humans we all make mistakes, but as Christians we must remember that error will always ride in on the back of truth. This is what makes it seem so good. It is with these statements, that we ask the following of our readers. The Bereans were recognized for being good stewards over the word of God (Acts 17:10-11). They studied and checked the things, which were taught to be sure they were true and lined up with the scripture. As such, we are no different. Each of us has the responsibility to do the same. This paper attempts to be conservative in belief and bring the gospel to the readers in a balanced fashion, as scripture demands. The Cross of Christ should always be the center of each and every Christians understanding of the gospel to include salvation, sanctification and glorification. Jesus the Christ is the source and the Cross, is the means. Due to reason of deception, many have begun falling away from the purity of that message. There is little said about sin, repentance, the saving Blood, the completed work of the Cross and the necessity of placing our faith in Jesus, and that completed sacrifice. We not only ask, but also beg our reading audience to also be good Bereans. If we find something we understand to be against scripture, we will remove it as we find it, but there are some things that get by us. The Bible speaks of a last day deception that if it were possible, would deceive the very elect of God (Matthew 24). Help us help you. Please, in these last days — Be good Bereans. We pray that each article and advertisement will serve to bless, encourage and increase knowledge and understanding of a relationship with the King of Kings. These are most assuredly troubling times — hold fast to that which is true. In His Service, Save the Nations Ministries

“It’s not about me; it’s all about Him!” (Col. 1:16-18).

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True Woman Manifesto

Nancy Leigh DeMoss A personal and corporate declaration of belief, consecration, and prayerful intent — to the end that Christ may be exalted and the glory and redeeming love of God may be displayed throughout the whole earth We believe that God is the sovereign Lord of the universe and the Creator of life, and that all created things exist for His pleasure and to bring Him glory. We believe that the creation of humanity as male and female was a purposeful and magnificent part of God’s wise plan, and that men and women were designed to reflect the image of God in complementary and distinct ways. We believe that sin has separated every human being from God and made us incapable of reflecting His image as we were created to do. Our only hope for restoration and salvation is found in repenting of our sin and trusting in Christ who lived a sinless life, died in our place, and was raised from the dead. We realize that we live in a culture that does not recognize God’s right to rule, does not accept Scripture as the pattern for life, and is experiencing the consequences of abandoning God’s design for men and women. We believe that Christ is redeeming this sinful world and making all things new, and that His followers are called to share in His redemptive purposes as they seek, by God’s empowerment, to transform every aspect of human life that has been marred and ruined by sin. As Christian women, we desire to honor God by living counter-cultural lives that reflect the beauty of Christ and His gospel to our world. To that end , we affirm that . . . Scripture is God’s authoritative means of instructing us in His ways and it reveals His holy pattern for our womanhood, our character, our priorities, and our various roles, responsibilities, and relationships. We glorify God and experience His blessing when we accept and joyfully embrace His created design, function, and order for our lives. As redeemed sinners , we cannot live out the beauty of biblical womanhood apart from the sanctifying work of the gospel and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Men and women are both created in the image of God and are equal in value and dignity, but they have distinct roles and functions in the home and in the church. We are called as women to affirm and encourage men as they seek to

express godly masculinity, and to honor and support God-ordained male leadership in the home and in the church. Marriage , as created by God, is a sacred, binding, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. When we respond humbly to male leadership in our homes and churches, we demonstrate a noble submission to authority that reflects Christ’s submission to God His Father. Selfish insistence on personal rights is contrary to the spirit of Christ who humbled Himself, took on the form of a servant, and laid down His life for us. Human life is precious to God and is to be valued and protected, from the point of conception until rightful death. Children are a blessing from God, and women are uniquely designed to be bearers and nurturers of life, whether it be their own biological or adopted children, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, or other children in their sphere of influence. God’s plan for gender is wider See WOMAN MANIFESTO on Page 39

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Summer 2015

family — CHILDREN

Changing Times

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Children Joseph Resists Temptation by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

“WOWEE! THAT’S A HOME RUN!” Justin yelled as he watched the softball sail into the air, over the backyard fence and into the woods. Tyler dropped the bat and started running. He easily made it to first base and then second. Picking up speed, he whirled around third base and slid onto home plate. “I’m safe! I’m safe!” he yelled at the top of his voice. His friends gathered around and gave him friendly slaps on the back as they agreed. After taking a moment to celebrate the big home run, one of them realized they had a problem on their hands. “How are we going to finish the game?” “And How are we going to get the ball back?” they questioned one

another. “There is only one way,” Justin impatiently explained as he looked Tyler in the eye. “YOU are going to have to climb over the fence and go into the woods to find it.” Tyler was beginning to worry. He knew he wasn’t allowed to climb the fence, and he was sure that Justin knew that, too, but he was afraid that Justin wouldn’t be his friend if he refused. Tyler just stood there for a moment, trying to decide what to do. “What’s the matter, Tyler?” Justin sneered. “Are you a fraidy-cat? Or maybe you’re just a baby and too little to be playing with us older kids!” “NO! I’m NOT afraid, and I’m NOT too little!” Tyler angrily replied. “Then climb over the fence and

See joseph resists on Page 10

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slowly walked away. He knew he was doing the right thing, and although it was difficult at the moment, he knew he could hold his head high later when retelling the story of his big home run. Joseph was living a happy and prosperous life, even though he was

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prove it!” Justin retorted. “You know we are not allowed to go over the fence and into the woods. I WON’T do it! I don’t want to get in trouble! I don’t want to be on restriction! If YOU want to get in trouble, YOU climb the fence and go into the woods to get the ball!” Tyler shot back. With the taunting of the other boys ringing in his ears and dragging his bat behind him, Tyler

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A Heavenly Messenger Visits Mary Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56

Mary was a Jewess. She had grown to womanhood in Nazareth, a city of Galilee. And she was expecting soon to marry a good man named Joseph. Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David, but they were poor people. Joseph was a carpenter, and he worked with his tools to make a living for himself and to prepare a home for his bride. One day God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to speak to Mary, for God had chosen this young woman to become the mother of the Savior who would soon be born into the world. Mary was surprised when she saw the angel, and she was more surprised when she heard his words. For he said, “You are highly favored and blessed among women, for the Lord is with you.” Seeing that Mary did not understand his meaning, the angel told her that God was well pleased with her and he had chosen her to become the mother of Jesus, the Savior of men. He told her that Jesus, her son, would be a King, and that he would rule forever. Even yet the surprised young woman could not understand his words, so the angel told her that this wonderful child would be called the Son of God.

While Mary listened the angel told her about the promised child of Zacharias and Elizabeth, the old people who lived in the hill-country of Judah. And he said, “Although they are old people, nothing is too hard for God to do.” Then Mary knew that God could give her this wonderful child, which the angel had promised, and she said, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” So the angel left her and went back to heaven. Now, Mary knew Elizabeth, the old lady of whom the angel spoke; for Elizabeth was her cousin. And she knew how Elizabeth had longed to have a child for many years. She believed that her cousin must be very happy since God had promised to give her a child in her old age. Although the distance was great, she wished to see Elizabeth. So she decided to make her a visit. As soon as Mary entered the home of her cousin and spoke words of greeting, God caused Elizabeth to know the secret, which the angel had told this young woman in her, own home. And Elizabeth rejoiced that Mary had come to visit her. She knew that Mary would some day be the mother of Jesus, the Savior of men.

The two women spent many happy days together, then Mary hurried back to her own home in Nazareth. There God’s angel spoke to Joseph, the carpenter, in a dream, and told him about the wonderful secret of Jesus’ birth. And Joseph was glad, for he had been longing for the time to come when the promised Savior should be born. He took Mary into his home and they waited for the angel’s promise to come true. © 2015 ChristiansUnite.com. All rights reserved. >

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Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. — Philippians 4:6

Summer 2015

family — CHILDREN

Changing Times

Joseph resists Continued from Page 8 far away from his home and was a slave in Egypt. Joseph had proven himself to be a brilliant and responsible young man, so much so that his master, Potiphar, chose him to be in charge of all his household, land, and everything he owned. Potiphar didn’t even know what all he owned, because he trusted Joseph to keep a record and take care of it all. “Joseph, I will be going away, and you will be in charge while I’m gone,” Potiphar announced one morning. Joseph wasn’t worried one little bit, because he knew he could do a good job for his master. With a friendly hug and farewell, Potiphar climbed into his chariot and was soon down the road and out of sight. All was going well until one day Joseph had some work to do in the house for Potiphar’s wife. Mrs. Potiphar liked Joseph very much and was glad she finally had a chance to be alone with him. The problem was that Mrs. Potiphar was not a godly woman and wanted Joseph to do things that he knew were sinful. “Please, Joseph?” she begged. “It’ll be all right. I promise. Poti-

phar is gone and he’ll never know.” That put Joseph in quite a predicament. He wanted to please Mrs. Potiphar because she was his master’s wife, but he also knew he had to be honorable in the sight of God. Joseph tried to reason with Mrs. Potiphar and told her he just couldn’t do what she was asking. Finally, he had all he could take of her whining and begging. Without another word he ran out the door. Mrs. Potiphar ran after him, trying to stop him. She grabbed his shoulder, but he kept running, and the coat he was wearing slipped off into her hand. Mrs. Potiphar became very angry with Joseph and devised an evil plan to get even. It wasn’t long until the sound of galloping horses and screeching chariot wheels could be heard in the distance. Joseph cleaned himself up and prepared to meet his master. “Well, well Joseph! It is good to see you again!” Potiphar exclaimed. “Did all go well during my absence?” “YES, SIR! All that you asked me to do, I have done.” Joseph was happy to report. “I’m glad to hear that,” Potiphar replied. “I knew I could trust you.” Upon entering the house, Potiphar heard a completely different

story from his wife. “Why did you even bring that Joseph here?” she cried. “He has been nothing but trouble the whole time you were gone,” she lied. “He even refused to help and do things I asked him to do!” she whined. “He is trying to take advantage of all the good things we have, but he wouldn’t even perform a simple task that I wanted him to do!” she loudly complained. Potiphar wasn’t quite sure what to make out of it all. Joseph had always been obedient and trustworthy, and he really didn’t believe such a change could happen so quickly. However, Mrs. Potiphar was his wife, and Joseph was only a slave. He couldn’t believe both stories, so in order to make his wife happy and bring peace to the household, Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. Even though he was accused unjustly and everything Mrs. Potiphar said about him was just lies, Joseph didn’t complain. He worshipped God and knew that God would take care of him, even in prison. . . And GOD DID! The keeper of the prison liked Joseph very much and put him in charge of all the prisoners. Just like in Potiphar’s house, God made Joseph prosperous, and the jail

GIFTS FOR ALL OF YOUR GUESTS

keeper was also prosperous because God blessed Joseph. Think! Have you ever been tempted to do wrong? Were you able to resist the temptation? Why was Joseph put in jail? Were the accusations against him true or false? Did Joseph turn away from God because things were not going right? Remember: God ALWAYS knows and cares about what is happening to you. Even when bad things happen, God can make something good out of the situation. A Verse To Learn “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God...” (Romans 8:28a). Let’s Pray Dear God, thank You for being with us in every situation. Help us to remember that You love us and You know exactly what is happening all the time. Give us the courage See joseph resists on Page 14

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Changing Times

Seniors After Bereavement — What?

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by J. R. Miller Mandeville There is something in bereavement, her mind — I am sure it has done so which makes it mean a great deal in a thousand times — how am I to go Health Care and Rehabilitation Center a woman’s life. It is a sore disap- on in this broken life of mine? What 985-626-4798 • www.heritagemanormandeville.com pointment. Dreams of love’s happi- am I to do in my shattering and 1820 W. Causeway Approach • Mandeville, LA 70471 ness are shattered. The beauty, which bereavement? had only begun to be realized in her Her life is not finished. She is only home, in her wedded joy, in her a girl in years. She may live — she Canon Hospice provides quality end of life care for those seeking comfort and dignity social life, in the development of her probably will live — forty years or while dealing with a life limiting illness. Canon plans and hopes — is suddenly left to more. What does Christ want her to Hospice serves Baton Rouge, the Northshore, wither. Very great is the sorrow — do with her life? What does he want Greater New Orleans and the Mississippi when one of two lovers is taken and her to do with the broken dreams Coast, the caring team at Canon is dedicated the other left. Widowhood is very that lie shattered about her feet? to a hospice ministry that helps patients and families accept terminal illness positively and resourcefully. desolate and lonely. When she has These questions and questions like been a wife only a brief time, there is these — are coming to her every With special expertise in pain management and symptom control, Canon Hospice special loneliness in her case. The day and every night. This is the designs individualized plans of care for each patient based on their unique needs. Home Based Services provide doctors, nurses, social workers, pastoral care and experience is particularly perplexing deeper meaning of her sorrow. volunteers who tailor their services according to patients’ diagnoses and home and trying. For one thing, she has Sometimes women in her position situations. probably had no training in the affairs see no brightness, find no hope, For patients with more intensive symptom management needs, Canon has an of life. She has never learned a trade. think the story all written out to the Inpatient Hospice Unit located on the fourth floor of the Ochsner Elmwood Her husband, in the gentleness of his finish, their dream only shattered, Medical Center. This unit provides 24-hour care in a home-like environment manly love, has sought to spare her and sink away into despair. But that where patients are permitted to receive visits an any hour. from everything hard and rough. He is not the way to meet a sorrow like All donations and fundraising activities at Canon Hospice go to support the nonhas never permitted her even to know this. The story of her life is not finprofit Akula Foundation. The Akula Foundation’s many projects include: indigent of the struggles and perplexities of ished. God’s plan for her was not patient care, the Canon Hospice Health Hour on WGSO 990 AM every Saturday his daily business life. He has sought spoiled, when her sorrow came and from Noon to 1pm and Camp Swan, a bereavement camp for children ages 7-12. to carry home in the evening, only interrupted everything, leaving her Akula Foundation’s newest venture is the Grief Resource Center, offering free the bright things, the cheerful things, in darkness. The sorrow was only counseling and services to anyone who has experienced any kind of loss or grief. with not a breath of anything that an accident in the plan. It was not a New Orleans would give pain. He has not permit- surprise to God, and his plan for her 504-818-2723 ted his wife to know the smallest life runs on to the end of her years. Northshore things of business. She had no bank What the remainder of the plan is, 985-626-3051 account. She did not know how to she does not know for the present. Mississippi write a check. She never knew how She must not know. It is not best Gulf Coast much money she might properly that she should know. Her faith 228-575-6251 spend in a month. She had no more must not fail, she must not despair. Baton Rouge idea of business, than a child. The She must go on in trust and confi225-926-1404 day after her husband’s funeral, she dence. What then is her part? Or call toll free: saw herself utterly unprepared for the First, faith in Christ… Believe that 1-866-907-7378 www.canonhospice.com duties and responsibilities, which she all these broken things are in his www.akulafoundation.com found suddenly devolving upon her. hands. Let her remember what he Just how shall she meet her per- said after the miracle of the plexities? She is a Christian. She loaves — ”Gather up the broken knows that her husband was God’s pieces which remain, that nothchild, and she is comforted by the ing be lost.” That is what he is Nurse Owned & Managed Locally Owned & Operated thought that he is not dead — but saying to her today. Let her Well-Trained, Devoted Staff Wide Scope Of Patient Care has only passed into the immortal gather up the broken pieces, Dedicated To Our Patients’ Referral Response Within life. She is comforted also in her from this miracle of love and 1 Hour Dignity & Respect own grief, by the truth of the divine happiness. Let nothing she has Pain Management & love, that her sorrow was no acci- had these days of joy, of blessMedicare, Medicaid & Private Symptom Control Insurance Accepted dent that her bereavement was not ing, of experience, be lost. Let the plan of God to break up the her keep all the fragments. goodness and beauty of her life, which nothing has really gone wrong in the plan of Christ for her. See after bereavement 5105 W. Napoleon Avenue s Metairie, LA 70001 Call 504.456.6011 on Page 15 But the question presses itself upon Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. — Romans 8:26 Summer 2015 11

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Family - SENIORS

Changing Times

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Why Go to Church?

by Janet Morris Grimes Church has always been a regular part of my life. As a young child, I remember the smell of the hymnals as I sat next to my Granny, watching her hold the book close and sing as if she and God were the only ones in the room. I drew imaginary pictures on the back of her thin hands. I loved the rattling of the pages of the Bible that sounded like rain as everyone followed wherever the preacher was taking them. Even back then, though I sometimes found it boring, there was no place that I would rather be.

As I grew older, I embraced the social aspects of it all. Our church was our family, sharing in one another’s weddings and being present as soon as they heard of the births of our three children. We celebrated as one when a family member returned after being away from home for a long period of time, or mourned as one when we lost one of our own. When someone was sick, the Church, as a family, came to their knees to ask for healing. Going to church is about so much more than a worship event on Sunday

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time., But, my week remains empty for those times that I have been absent, for whatever reason. It is obvious that something is missing. The truth is that Jesus is everywhere, as long as you are looking for him, and is never contained to a building. So, it is not necessary to be at church in order to get to know Him, to become a Christian, or to get to Heaven. But worshiping together allows us to forget ourselves and our busy schedules for a few minutes, marvel at all God has done and continues to do, and perhaps learn something we did not realize that we still needed to know. So, what is the big deal about going to church? For me, it is the chance to kneel at the foot of the cross, where we all become equals. It protects my Sundays by keeping them holy, and my heart focused on what matters most. But more than this, it confirms that we were not created to face the trials in this life alone. We definitely need a church family to share life with us. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20) >

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morning. Worship should always remain the focus, and if allowed, it can truly change lives. But there are no moments like that of squeezing the hand of a loved one during a prayer or holding a young child in your lap while they quietly accent the church bulletin with their own artistic creations. Singing songs about Heaven on Sunday somehow allows those precious words to interrupt your thought processes throughout the week. My own children grew up with the luxury of having both sets of grandparents sitting beside them on the pew, usually on the third row. They took turns sitting in the laps of the people who loved them most in the world. They learned about the love of Jesus while surrounded with the love of family. They showed off their new baby sister, and later led her to Bible class as she learned to walk. The memories wrapped in that church building are impossible to measure. So, you will always find me at church on Sunday mornings. Work schedules, sporting activities, and travel attempt to interfere with that weekly appointment from time to

Personal holiness is more important than temporal happiness. (Eph. 5:26-27).  h. 5:23).

Family - SENIORS

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Changing Times

An Amazing Grandpa by Judy Doyle

My Grandpa! When I say those two words, it can mean only one thing: I’ve recalled some warm memories. My Grandpa was quite a man. One of the earliest memories of Grandpa was sitting on his lap. I would place my chin on his shoulder and let him bounce my head while I said, “Ahhh” as if I was being examined by a doctor. I thought it made a funny sound. Grandpa was retired and spent a great deal of his time in the workshop, which was heated by an old potbelly stove. He made doll furniture, dressers, picture frames, lamps, and knickknack shelves. During the spring and summer, wearing his bib overalls, Grandpa planted, cultivated the garden. Grandpa could not stand being idle. I remember times during the summer when he would hire himself out as a wallpaper hanger. He would get my uncle to help him. He was pretty good at painting houses, too. Grandpa was a saint. Wearing his wire-framed glasses he’d sit at the dining room table reading, studying and preparing for his Sunday school class. Grandpa wasn’t just a “church-goer.” He was an active participant in worship. My, he was a prayer warrior. We always attended The Salvation Army services. Grandpa led the singing. If the song was a “peppy one”, he’d encourage us to praise the Lord by putting our hands together and clapping. Grandpa was really a quiet man except when witnessing for Christ. When the members of The Salvation Army went to the “street corner” for the “open air service”, Grandpa was leading the songs, praying and encouraging us to witness for Christ. During one open service a man actually attacked a cornet player. I suppose that might have frightened some people, but not Grandpa. Next time the open air service was held, Grandpa was there! Sunday, though a day of rest, was still a day of spreading God’s word.

After Sunday school and worship service, he’d go home. While Grandma would be getting Sunday dinner on the table, Grandpa would walk the neighborhood distributing weekly magazines published by The Salvation Army. Sometimes I’d tagged along. I loved spending time with Grandpa. Grandpa was a strong man emotionally. I remember him crying only twice. Once when one of his brothers died and then when Grandma died. He was always trying to comfort others in their grief. His grief was almost inconsolable. One night when I was away at college, my father called to tell me Grandpa had had a stroke and the doctors didn’t know if he’d live. I flew home to see Grandpa and the rest of the family. Grandpa was still in the hospital. True to his God, Grandpa was still witnessing even in the hospital. Others told me he didn’t know what he was doing. He looked up at me and asked if I’d brought home my cornet. “No, Grandpa, I left it at school.” He didn’t seem to hear my answer. He began singing an old song, “Oh, How I love Jesus”. I’d heard too many stories of the old saints singing one of their favorite songs and then dying. I wasn’t ready to see Grandpa die, so I left the room and cried. Grandpa didn’t die that day. He lingered for about five years. I couldn’t believe it, but I was home the day he died. If I could write a epitaph for Grandpa, it would read: Elmer Burton Promoted to Glory October 1974 He Love God, Shared God Served God and Lives in Glory But why is my Grandpa so special? You see, Grandpa worked in a cabinet factory years ago and in an industrial accident his right arm (his dominant arm) was severed off just above the elbow. He built doll furniture, dressers; painted houses; wallpapered, planted and cultivated the garden, lead the hymn singing

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with only one arm. I never heard him complain to God or anyone. Grandpa trusted God so much that even in the face of disability, he could sing, “Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me.” I love you, Grandpa. I didn’t tell you often enough, but I loved you! Thanks for the witness for Christ that you gave not only me and the entire family, but the community. © 2015 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved > Best kept secret in Metairie for quality rehabilitation and skilled nursing care.

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Family - SENIORS

Changing Times

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#3-B

by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

3-B was a proper lady, Lived by the rules — went by the book, No garish robes or bunny slippers, Cared about the way she looked. Her wardrobe plain, but in good taste, And she dressed with pride each day, She would not open her front door, If one white hair had gone astray. Pleasant, cheerful, mostly smiling, Often she would nod and speak, Her voice quiet, like a lady’s, Her manner gentle, always sweet. She had a name; her mailbox showed it, Though she was simply called 3-B, That was her apartment number, Apartment folks that way, you see. A gentle, harmless lady, 3-B meant no one any ill, She minded her own business, And wished everyone good will. But her quiet, peaceful life Was now about to change, For a new tenant had moved in,

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Right above 3-B’s domain. A curmudgeon type of man, With an outside like a bear, But an inside sweet like syrup, Although no one got in there. Vigorous and robust, A retired military man, A devotee of exercise, And rousing, marching bands. 3-C loved the music Of the United States Marines, And he played their marches every day On his great CD machine. Lots of treble, lots of bass Which made 3-C’s red blood flow, As round and round the room he’d march, And proudly shout, “GUNG-HO!” Well, poor 3-B beneath 3-C Was driven nearly wild, The music and the loud Gung-Ho’s Were not the lady’s style. Night after night, day after day, 3-C would do his thing, Until at last 3-B gave up. And gave 3-C a ring. “Hello, 3-C? This is 3-B,” The timid lady said, “Your music, sir, is very loud, Are you trying to wake the dead?” “Ahem,” he replied, “So sorry, I’ll turn it down a bit,” But underneath his breath, he said, (“I don’t intend to quit.”) “Yes,” she said, “And if you don’t mind, Would you please not stomp so loud.” “MADAM!” His dander was up!

And he spoke out loud and proud! “Madam! Where’s your spirit? Have you no pride in the U S A?” 3-C roared into the phone, And let his music play. Aha! A confrontation! He licked his lips and rubbed his palms, Battle Station, General! He flexed his muscles — showed his brawn. “Oh, how uncouth! How brutal!” 3-B hung up her phone, Was all her peace and quiet gone? What was happening to her home? She could call her landlord or the police, But that would likely cause more trouble, There ought to be a simpler way To burst that old man’s bubble. Being the wise lady that she was, She devised a simple plan, And all next day she baked sweet cakes, Her way to thwart the man. Then that night when the music blared, And 3-B’s ceiling quaked, She gathered up the goodies That all day long she’d baked. She placed them then outside his door, And rang his bell and ran, And all those home-cooked delicacies Nearly overwhelmed the man. So full he was, he couldn’t move, And he did not want loud music on, He just dozed off in his comfy chair,

And slept straight through till dawn. The next night 3-B did the same, And 3-C reacted likewise, The problem now was being resolved, And 3-B felt so wise. But one night 3-C caught 3-B, With her goodies at his door, He smiled at her, “Come in, my dear,” Rough and gruff no more. They partook of 3-B’s pastries, Then they marched around the room, To the marches on 3-C’s CD’s, Together, two by two. A romance thence commenced, ‘Twixt 3-B and 3-C, And shortly they were known as The lovebirds in 3-D. More flies are caught with honey Than with vinegar, they say, And 3-B’s story goes to show, Even love is found that way. GUNG-HO! Copyright 2015 — Virginia (Ginny) Ellis > joseph resists Continued from Page 10 to do the right thing even when it is difficult and others are against us. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Can You Find This Story In The Bible? (Genesis 39:1-23). Copyright © 2015 - The Lorain County Free-Net Chapel, North Central Ohio, U.S.A. >

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FAMILY — SENIORS

www.changingtimes.info after bereavement Continued from Page 11 The next thing is for her to recommit her life — with its grief, its disappointments, its desolation, and its broken things — all to Christ. She must not herself undertake to rebuild it. She must not make plans of her own for the years to come. She never needed Christ more than she needs him now, and will need him in the days and the months before her. She must let him lead her, let him plan for her, mark out the way. He must build the life for her. He must have much of the love she has to give. Bereavement is common. No family long misses a break in its circle. Let the break be met with courage! Courage and unselfishness are developed by great sorrow or suffering. In times of overwhelming danger and disaster, people rise to unusual heroism. George Kennan tells of the remarkable exhibition of courage and generous characteristics shown by the people of San Francisco during the great earthquake and fire. The behavior of the population after the disaster impressed those who witnessed it. One thoughtful and undemonstrative man said he was glad he had lived to see the things that happened the first ten days after the great catastrophe.

Those days were the best and most inspiriting, he said, of all his life. Cowardice, selfishness, greed, and all the baser emotions and impulses of human character, practically disappeared in the tremendous strain of that experience; and courage, fortitude, sympathy, good-will, and unbounded self-sacrifice took their places. Men became and for a short time, continued to be all that we may suppose the Creator intended them to be, and it was a splendid and inspiring thing to witness. A like display of the finer and nobler qualities of human nature was witnessed that terrible night on the sea, when the Titanic went down. The majority of the passengers and crew behaved with the most remarkable courage, and the noblest unselfishness. Let God — through your bereavement — bring out the finer and nobler qualities in you. GRACE GEMS! A Treasury of Ageless Sovereign Grace Devotional Writings Our Purpose To humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life. © GraceGems.org 2015 >

Changing Times

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Changing Times

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Christian Values: Career Woman or Helpmeet Wife? by Angie Lewis What is more important? Should a Christian woman go to college to become a career woman or should she learn all she can about how to be a good helpmeet to her husband and stay happily married for life? I see much confusion and conditioning in the mainstream Christian culture of today. When career and money become more important than commitment and love many Christian people are being deceived. You may be wondering how Christians are being deceived? Sometimes Christians are deceived without ever knowing it because they have already fallen into a worldly deception, whatever it might be. Perhaps it is the worldly deception of how a career woman is somehow better than a homemaker and a wife. Perhaps it is the lie that a man should allow his wife to boss him around for whatever reason

circulating at the moment? Who are Christians listening to? What are Christians watching? What are Christians reading? Where are Christians going? What do Christians believe in? In other words, what we allow into our heart and mind we generate within our belief system and we act on it and we become one with it. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? (2 Corinthians 6:14) God tells His children to separate themselves from unbelief and to not be yoked together with the world. This means to not let the world’s standards, patterns, practices and methods of living undermine our faith and walk with Jesus. But when worldly views and attitudes become more important in our hearts than principle we have compromised ourselves as Christians. We are

allowing ourselves to become yoked with the patterns and practices of the world! Are some Christians allowing worldly values tell them how to live rather than God’s standards for living? You bet they are. They are placing more importance on riches, careers and status than on marriage and family values. They are believing in worldly views and attitudes that actually take them away from God! When couples enter into marriage with wrong values, how on earth will their marriage ever stand up under that kind of pressure, hence the high rate of divorce. As Christ Ones we need to rebuild God’s Kingdom by going back to His standards and principles for righteous living. Will a young Christian woman learn how to be a helpmeet to her husband by going to college? Absolutely not, in fact this will keep her

from understanding her role as a wife in marriage and most likely she will always suffer through problem after problem in her marriage. It’s all in the attitude of what a young girl has been conditioned into believing. Young girls are taught to go after a career, money, and status rather than value herself as a woman, wife and mother. Consequently this is where the feministic attitude comes into play. Learning to be a good wife and mother takes considerable selflessness, humbleness and Godliness. We cannot have feministic attitudes and views if our goal is to be the wife and mother that God created us to be. A woman’s calling as a wife and mother is not about her having a career that takes her away from her home, husband and chilSee HELPMEET WIFE on Page 17

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Summer 2015

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Family - Marriage

Changing Times

How to Prepare for a Lifetime Marriage by Angie Lewis Many people jump into marriage blindly. They have blinders over their eyes that keep them from understanding how valuable and sacred marriage is. They jump into marriage as if it were their first puppy love date. They in fact perceive marriage to be something it is not. The consequences that result from this impulsive behavior are disastrous.

Christ loves us is to realize the power of the Holy Spirit within you and then pray for Christ to help you be a good spouse. Jesus Christ is here now, “He lives within you! There is no waiting for Him to show up on a shiny horse in the clouds” the Kingdom of Heaven is within you! For the Christian Jesus Christ is our King now!! Loving your spouse in the right ways will not be easy if you are still living to please yourself. We should Know that Marriage Belongs to God be living to please God through Jesus Christ. Did you know that even the unbeliever’s marFor the Kingdom of God is not a matter of riage belongs to God? That’s because God cre- eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace ated, designed and established every aspect of and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) marriage and just because some people do not go by the principles of God’s design for mar- Know What Your Role is in the Marriage riage doesn’t mean God is not watching what’s BEFORE Getting Married happening in their marriage. Scripture clearly lets us know what a wife’s and Many people when they get married have this husband’s role is in marriage. But couples consilly idea that their spouse will cater to their tinue to confuse these two roles and when they do every whim and that they will continually be they are rebelling against God’s design for them swept off their feet. But this notion is a miscon- in Marriage. God is the Creator of marriage and ception and totally false. The Cinderella, Prince we are the creation that means we are to manage Charming fairyttale doesn’t last, not in any mar- our marriage in the way that God created and riage. But with God at the helm of your marriage designed us to manage it and let the Creator direct it can certainly be a loving and caring union the marriage and be our Guide! We need to stop filled with happiness and many blessings. acting like we are God in our marriage. We The truth is marriage was created for the Cre- need to take ourselves off the pedestal and put ator. It is not ours to do whatever we please with God on there where He belongs! and this is why many marriages today do not Two bulls in the same pen will not work, nor have God’s blessings in their marriage. Marriage will two cows. What works best, and is the takes giving of each other and humbleness, just design for marriage, are a bull and a cow. Somelike Christ gave himself up for us! It takes loving one must take charge and responsibility for the actions and behaviors just as Christ loves us! As spiritual aspects and proper function of the maryou can clearly see without applying Christ-like riage, lest there will be problems. And according principles in our marriage we will suffer for it. to God and history that role has always been given to the bull and the buck. God made Adam Know What Love is BEFORE Getting Married head over Eve, not as a demanding dictator but Love is not that first puppy love feeling. Love as a loving protector and provider. Husbands are is not the lust you feel for someone on your sec- to love their wives in the same way Christ loves ond date. Love is not that deep desire you have us! If you still don’t know how to do that go for someone else other than who you are married back to the ‘know what love is before getting to. Love is not a feeling but an action!! Not that married’ section of this article. you can’t feel loved by your spouse or signifiSo the bottom line is if you’re going to get cant other but that true love takes Christ-like married some day, know who the Creator of principles to complete it, such as forgiveness, marriage is and realize that marriage is for submission, kindness, appreciation, caring, and God’s purpose and not our own. Let’s please selfless acts, even when you don’t feel like God with our marriages. And if you are already doing these things. married then start loving your spouse! Be love! To be able to fully love another in the way Be responsible and start taking care of God’s Family Owned & Operated Since 1990

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dren but exactly the opposite. How have we allowed ourselves to become so deceived into believing the standards, patterns, practices of this world are Christian based? How has this happened? I think it is time we turned our boats around and asked God to be our Captain. As Christ followers we have to wise up and get back on the path that leads to God. The kingdom of heaven is here! Why are we living as if we are waiting for something? Have you entered Christ’s kingdom or are you still living out the world’s standards, practices and views for living? “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” (Matthew 15:8-9) © 2015 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >

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Summer 2015

Family - Education

Changing Times

www.changingtimes.info

Education Being Found Faith Full by David Jeremiah

In order to live this kind of life — a life written upon everlasting rock instead of temporal wind or waves — we must have a goal that makes our lives significant. A purpose worth living and dying for, a passion that transcends our limited world, a cause bigger than we are — such is the making of a life of purpose. You can’t serve the generation before you, because you weren’t there. You’ll never be able to serve the generation after you, because you won’t be there. You have to serve the generation in which you live, and you must do it by the will of God. The greatest way we can serve the generation in which we live is to live a life of purpose. If we aren’t careful, we just let the years come and go, and we’re too tired, too busy, or too distracted to find our purpose. We need to change

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from a passive, lethargic existence to a powerful and purposeful life. That was the secret of God’s heroes of earlier generations. Living with Purpose When the shepherd boy, David, decided to take on Goliath, he was disparaged by his brothers who resented his brash self-confidence. His response? “Is there not a cause?” (I Samuel 17:29) Jesus once explained, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). Have you determined what your life’s “cause” may be? Let me give you some ideas that will help. How Do I Begin? Why did God place you on earth at this particular moment? Why did He give you the background, personality, gifts, and life experiences that are yours alone? How can you find God’s purpose for life? Give Him all there is of yourself. Say, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.” The famous Bible teacher, F. B. Meyer, preaching in 1904 in Keswick, England, testified: “I remember so well when He [Jesus] came to my heart and challenged me as to the keys of my life. Before I gave them to Him, I put one small key in my pocket. He gave them back and said He could not be King at all if He could not be King of everything. I said, ‘I cannot give it; but I am willing for Thee to take it,’ and He took it. Then they were all His.” It’s sometimes difficult to turn every area of life over to Christ, but He can only use what is wholly yielded to Him. Ask Him to show you His purpose and plan for your life. (Proverbs 3:6) says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Seek Him in His Word. In Bible study, we often hear that still, small voice of God saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). I particularly recommend (Psalm 139:16-17) NIV, where David testified, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them See FOUND FAITH FULL on Page 19

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Summer 2015

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Family - Education

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Changing Times

A Lesson on Listening

FOUND FAITH FULL Continued from Page 18 came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” God has a plan and purpose for every day of your life. It’s already mapped out. Serve Him. Don’t wait for a lightning bolt of revelation. Find a need right now and fill it. Do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, and you’re doing it as unto Him. Jesus promised that if we are faithful in little, He will know we can be trusted with more later on. Trust Him. Being faithful means we’re full of faith; we believe God

wants to use us; He has placed us here; He will make us fruitful. (Proverbs 3:5,6) says to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Let’s give ourselves fully to His work, seeking His specific purpose for each of our lives, knowing that our labor in the Lord is carved upon the rock of eternity. This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah’s devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-947-1993 for your copy of Turning Points. >

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Summer 2015

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Health

Changing Times

Health

5 Tempting Summer Foods to Avoid by Dr. Don Colbert It’s no longer true that summer means more exercise and healthier eating. One study found that kids gain weigZht three times faster over summer than they do the rest of the school year, thanks to a steady diet of junk food and video games. As you try to watch the weight and beat the heat, certain foods can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I’ve sorted them out below, starting with the bad guys.

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genated palm kernel oil (trans fat!), potassium sorbate (preservative), artificial flavor, and polyglycerol esters — and this is without whipped cream! If you can’t resist, go for the organic ice cream. Funnel Cakes: This summer carnival favorite, comprised of deepfried flour, butter, shortening and sugar, is among the worst sources of trans fat. And that pile of powdered sugar on top is linked to obesity, metabolic syndrome and fatty liver. Corn Dogs: A favorite among kids, this deep-fried snack is extremely high in sodium, and the nitrates used as preservatives are linked to colon cancer. Mayonnaise: Using it on a sandwich or in a potato salad, mayonnaise may taste good, but be careful — one cup can contain up to 1440 calories! Snow Cones and Slushies: They may appear light and refreshing,

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but most are loaded with high fructose corn syrup. A Princeton University study found that rats given high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those given table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same. Summer’s Best Foods These next five foods are perfect for summer. They hydrate, help you lose weight and supply the vitamins and minerals your body needs for warm-weather activity. Watermelon: Not only is watermelon a summer favorite, it’s 90% water. At just 44 calories a cup, it’s also a better source of lycopene than raw tomatoes. Studies show lycopene may play a role in preventing prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. With lots of vitamin C and A, watermelon also helps boost the immune system. Green Salads: Lettuce is 95 percent water so it keeps you both cool and hydrated. Add as many fresh fruit and vegetable toppings as you like. Cucumbers — which are 96 percent water — tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries and carrots all provide your body with rich nutrients to keep you healthy. Be sure to make your own dressing using extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and sea salt for the ideal summer treat. Fruit Salads: Summer is peak season for colorful berries and fruit. It’s interesting that fruit eaters tend to weigh less than people who aren’t. Not only are these red, purple and blue fruits potent sources of

antioxidants and vitamins, some berries pack up to one-third of your daily fiber needs per serving. Homemade Popsicles: A refreshing and super-healthy ice cream alternative, homemade popsicles can be fun for kids to make. Use 100% fruit juice or use your blender to mix fresh fruit and water. Don’t be afraid to add spinach! Grilled Kabobs: Easy to throw on the grill, kabobs can be a great source of protein and vegetables. Add zucchini, bell peppers and squash to your skewer for lots of antioxidants and flavor. Always use hormone-free chicken or grass-fed beef. This entry was posted in Health Tips by Dr. Don Colbert. Dr. Don Colbert is a graduate of Oral Roberts School of Medicine and shares his years of experience and research in nutritional medicine in all of his work. He is a national speaker, bestselling author and host of a national talk show titled Your Health Matters. © 2015 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www.drcolbert.com >

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Health

Changing Times

Five-Minute Stress Busters

by Dr. Don Colbert Everyone feels stress. It’s a natural bodily already set your mind on the right course. response that can seem uncontrollable at When the black and white thinking is overtimes. But before it takes a toll on your long- whelming, some people find having a “go-to” term health, here are a few easy and inexpen- thought like a favorite person or song can be sive ways to relieve stress. helpful. Stretch out: Exercise will always top the list Keep journals. Identifying and writing for stress reduction. It not only improves your down your stressors can help you understand physical health, it can strengthen you mentally triggers and address specific issues causing and emotionally as well. The good news is you stress. If you find yourself noticeably stressed, don’t have to run a 5k to see the benefits. but don’t understand why, it might be imporSimple stretches, like toe touches and wrist tant to keep a log. Write down the date and flexors can be effective stress busters. time when you experience these feelings, so Try this for 10 minutes each day: lie with that you might notice a pattern of stressors in your back on the floor, legs and feet relaxed, your life. Does a certain person or activity palms to your sides and facing up. Take three seem to show up at the same time as the deep breaths. On the third breath, bring your stress? What can you do to address it? hands above your head, and stretch them away Prayer journals can also help relieve stress. from you. At the same time point your toes, and This can be a time to unload your worries or stretch your feet away from you. Imagine you to simply rejoice in the beauty of God’s creare being pulled gently by the hands and feet in ation. Let it be a tool to remind you that we opposite directions. Do this a few times, or as cannot control everything in life, but we can long as you desire. Then do the same stretch find comfort in his sovereignty. standing up. Reach your hands toward the ceilThis entry was posted in Health Tips by ing, while standing on the balls of your feet (or Dr. Don Colbert just leave your feet flat if this is uncomfortable). Dr. Don Colbert is a graduate of Oral RobLower your feet and hands, and repeat. Incorpo- erts School of Medicine and shares his years rate other stretches as you desire. of experience and research in nutritional Think gray. Do you ever catch yourself think- medicine in all of his work. He is a national ing in black and white? “If I don’t save more speaker, bestselling author and host of a money, I will never retire.” “I neglected every- national talk show titled Your Health Matters. thing on my to-do list. I can’t get anything done.” © 2015 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www. All or nothing thinking leaves us no room for drcolbert.com > mistakes, and it is a breeding ground for anxiety and stress. Giving into this line of thought can be easy, because it often happens subconsciously. How can you beat it? Black and white thinking usually contains all-encompassing words like “never” “always” or “nothing. “ Pay attention to what you are If you’ve chosen to answer a spiritual calling, you can provide guidance to men saying and the and women who’ve also answered a call. Navy Reserve Chaplains eat, pray types of thoughts and work together with the people they serve. In this way, you’ll come to know you are having. If and experience your ministry like nowhere else. you notice these Navy Reserve Chaplaincy also includes benefits such as a competitive salary, black and white scheduled pay raises, outstanding retirement benefits and a 401(k)-like words invading savings plan. All of this while serving part-time as a religious leader and a Naval Officer. your thoughts, try to counter it. Ask WANT TO LEARN MORE? yourself what other CONTACT YOUR NAVY RESERVE OFFICER RECRUITER TODAY. outcomes could 800-852-7251 | nola@navy.mil occur. Are there FULL TIME AND PART TIME POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE. really only two ALL DENOMINATIONS CAN APPLY. options here? If Must be a US Citizen, at least 21 years of age and meet certain medical and you can come up physical fitness standards; Hold a BA or BS degree with 120 semester hours from a qualified educational institution; and hold a post-baccalaureate graduate with a few positive degree with not less than 72 semester hours in theological or related studies; alternatives to the or be a student seeking an MDIV. 902DADRG012 situation, you’ve

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Summer 2015

Changing Times

Financial

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Buying in Debt-Free

Dave Says

Dear Dave, I have an opportunity to buy a landscaping supply business. The current owner said he made $250,000 last year, and he’s on track to make even more this year. There are three employees, and he’s asking $390,000 for everything. The building is included in the price, but the land would be either a lease or purchase. Do you have any advice for taking advantage of a situation like this without going into debt? John Dear John, I’m glad you’re looking at this venture with an eye on staying debt-free. There would be a lot more small business success stories if all entrepreneurs thought this way! One of the things you could do is work a deal where you take over management of the company and have an option to buy over time. You would pay the owner a percentage of the net profits, which would go toward your ownership. You’d take out enough to live on, but everything else would go toward your purchase of the company. You said the guy is asking $390,000, but how do you know it’s really worth that much? He told you he “made” $250,000 last year. Was that how much he carried home? Or was that what he grossed? How much is he paying those three employees? Do they have contracts, or could you let them go? I mean, he could be grossing $250,000 and literally taking nothing home, or the expenses could be $350,000 and the business wouldn’t be worth anything. There’s just a whole lot more you need to know before you do this deal. As far as the building is concerned, I’d say no to the idea of owning a structure on someone else’s land. I’m not paying him for his building unless the ground comes with it. You can rent the building and land from him after you become the business owner. I’d put the land and building in a separate deal, and lease them with an option to buy later — after I purchase the business. By doing this, you just lowered the purchase price of

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the business considerably because you took the building out of the equation. Is the business paying him rent for the building and land now? If this guy isn’t charging any rent against his calculation of net profit, then the figures aren’t realistic. It’s also not realistic if he’s not paying himself anything to manage and run the business. The bottom line is this: be smart, and do your research before you make a move on this one! Dave

A lot of college Dear Dave, We have five kids under the age of five. We’d like for all of them to be able to go to college, but we’re not sure how much it will cost. Our household income in about $90,000 a year, and we have no debt except for our home. What’s the best route to go with our college savings plan? Laura See dave says on Page 23

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Through the power of His Holy Spirit, God will enable me to do anything that He commands me to do (1 Thess. 5:24).

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dave says Continued from Page 22 Dear Laura, Whew! Boy, you guys have got a house full and your hands full! You’ve also got a nice income, and that’s going to help a lot. Right now, the most you can put into an Educational Savings Account (ESA) is $2,000 per year. If you did this annually for each kid, you have a little over $100,000 per child when it comes time to send them off to college. Pretty sweet, isn’t it? That will buy a good education at just about any state school. For the first $2,000, an ESA has more flexibility than a 529 plan. They’re very similar in how they act, but with an ESA you’re in total control of the investment. You can move it around, and put it into almost any mutual fund. If you use the ESA or a 529 for anything other than college you’ll get hit with a 15 percent penalty, plus the tax rate, so start brainwashing the kids now; it’s for college only! Dave

Milking Unemployment Dear Dave, I had a motorcycle wreck seven months ago, lost my job as a result, and I’ve been drawing unemployment for the last five months. I was making $1,200 a month in retail management before this happened, but I’m getting just as much with unemployment even though I can work again. I’m married, have a small daughter and my wife doesn’t work right now. Do you think I should just milk unemployment for as long as I can so I can stay home and help with our daughter? Tim Dear Tim, No, you shouldn’t keep milking unemployment. You need to get a job right now! Man, you could make more than you were at your job or on unemployment delivering pizzas full-time. I know you probably wouldn’t have benefits running pizza, but how about the benefit of working for a living and making some money? You need to get up off your tail right now and find something to do — maybe even two or three things to do — until you find a good paying thing to do. And I don’t think I’d go back into the kind of management you were in before, because even working that gig you guys were living at the poverty level. You’ve got a career crisis on your hands. It’s sweet that you’re there with your baby, but it’s seriously time for you to get a good job. Take

Changing Times

classes and further your education, or get into another line of work. But you’ve got some serious responsibilities here, dude. Fix this thing now! Dave

Can the government work without debt? Dear Dave, Is it possible for a government to run without debt? If so, do you know any examples of a state or federal government that is run debt-free? Kyle Dear Kyle, Sure, it’s possible. Our federal government was debt-free for many years, so it’s absolutely possible for a government to be debt-free and run on a balanced budget. I live in Tennessee, and we have a mandatory balanced budget law. All you have to do is balance the budget, and you can avoid debt. It doesn’t matter if you’re an individual or the government, you should live on less See dave says on Page 24

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dave says Continued from Page 23 than you make. You shouldn’t get involved in things you can’t pay for straight up, Kyle. And that goes for the government, too! Dave

Trading fixed for adjustable? Dear Dave, I bought my home about a year ago with a 6.5 percent fixed rate loan. But I’ve been noticing that adjustable rate mortgage loans are cheaper right now and could cap at 10 percent. Do you think I should switch? Patricia Dear Patricia, Are you kidding me? Sure they’re a little bit cheaper today, but where do you think they’re going to go in the future? Adjustable rate mortgages are an awful product. They’re particularly awful when we’re sitting at the bottom of the interest rate environment, and they’re not going to go anywhere but up! I’ve been begging people for over decade not to use these loans, or to get rid of them if they’ve already got one. You have a wonderful mortgage, Patricia. The stability and predictability of it is a great thing. Stay with what you’ve got! Dave Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. His newest best-seller, Smart Money Smart Kids, was written with his daughter Rachel Cruze, and recently debuted at #1. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. ✞ Serving the Northshore Since 1983 Authorized Dealer for “Everyday Low Prices - All Brand Names Available” 1806 N. Causeway Blvd. • Mandeville, LA 70471 • 985-626-8538 www.tireworldccc.com

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Trodden Down Strength by Andrew Murray

“O my soul, you have trodden down strength. ”March on, my soul, with courage!” (Judges 5:21) This is one note of the warrior’s song; a note loud and glad. It is the exulting cry of victory; the song of triumph; victory and triumph; when the battle was not merely for Israel but for God. It is the song of Deborah and Barak; a song inspired by the Holy Spirit; a song of earth, yet doubtless responded to in heaven; the song of the putting off of the armor; the song of one, who was strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. We might suppose it uttered by Abraham on returning from the slaughter of the kings; by Moses when he saw Pharaoh overthrown; by Joshua, when he conquered Amalek; by David, when he slew Goliath; by Israel in the latter day (Isaiah 14:3,4). It is the song of one, who out of weakness had been made strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. We might suppose, it to be Christ’s song of triumph when he died, with “It is finished” on His lips; or still more, when He rose again from the dead; or still more, when He ascended on high, leading captivity captive. We might take it as the song of apostles on the day of Pentecost, when, “not by might or power,” they saw three thousand saved; and as the song of apostles, wherever they went preaching the gospel — Ephesus, Corinth, Colosse, or Rome — that wondrous gospel, proving itself mighty in their hands to the pulling down of strongholds, and the overthrow of enemies. Surely it was Paul’s, when he said, “I have fought a good fight.” We might take it as the church’s song in the day of her coming triumph over all her enemies — over Antichrist, over Babylon, over Satan; when caught up into the clouds, or standing on the sea of glass: “O my soul, you have trodden down strength.” It must be ours — (1) daily; (2) specially at certain seasons and emergencies; (3) at the last, like Paul; (4) hereafter throughout eternity, as we look back upon the past, and understand more fully our own weakness, as well as the greatness of the powers arrayed against us. How often shall we find ourselves repeating, even in the New Jerusalem, the song of the ancient prophetess, “O my soul, you have trodden down strength.” I. Our WARFARE. It is “a good warfare,” or more exactly, “a glorious warfare.” It is against enemies within, around, beneath; self, the flesh, the world, but specially, the principalities and powers of evil. “Fight the good fight of faith.” It is our battle. It is God’s battle. It is the church’s battle; for we are but one of a mighty army of warriors. It is a warfare, from which we cannot escape, except by deserting Christ’s

ranks; for there is no discharge in this war. It is man loses this battle for lack of offered armor. a constant warfare. It is a lifelong warfare. It is III. Our STRENGTH. We need power to use earnest and formidable; no child’s play; no mere the provided weapons. Not the weapons without sound or name; but an intense reality. the power, nor the power without the weapons, Nowhere out of Scripture, do we find it bet- but both together. “Be strong in the Lord, and in ter described than by Bunyan in his Pilgrim’s the power of his might.” Our sufficiency is of Progress. He knew the reality, and has painted it God; all strength is in the Lord. What are sword well. Our life is then a warfare; a warfare which and buckler to palsied limbs? We need strength enters into everything; because at every step our — divine strength for divine armor. The fullness great adversary stands to bar our progress, and of Him to whom all power is given, is at our disto prevent us glorifying God in each portion and posal. There need be no lack of strength to us in transaction of life. You complain of the power of this warfare. sin. Well, fight! You complain of the difficulty of IV. Our VICTORY. This warfare of ours is no believing. Well, fight! vain warfare; no idle battlefield. We go forth to II. Our WEAPONS. We need to be armed, both win! Yes. Our eye is fixed on victory from the for defense and offence; fully equipped in every outset. We are assured of triumph from the moinstrument of battle. No half-furnished soldier ment we draw the sword. We are made more than can fight a battle like this. There must be no bro- conquerors. How often are these words sounded ken swords, no rusted spears, and no shattered in our ears: “To him who overcomes.” We aim at helmets. daily victory — we aim at final victory — such What our weapons ARE NOT. They are not carnal; not earthly; not self-made, nor manSee trodden down made. They are not the weapons of science, or on Page 32 philosophy, or human intellect. These avail nothing against sin, or the flesh, or Satan(2.) What they ARE. They are divine and heavenly, forged and hamResidential & Commercial • Complete Sales & Service mered on no earthly 24-hr Monitoring Security & Fire Alarms • Access Control anvil. They are GodCCTV • Automatic Gate Systems • Electronic Fence made and God-given. They are complete, State Licensed • Certified and Insured both for attack and defense. Sword, shield, Office: (985) 809-9639 sandal, helmet — all 24-hr (800) 365-4137 that is needed in this warfare, and described 69282 Hwy. 59 • Abita Springs, LA 70420 by the apostle (Eph. 6), E-mail: freedomalarm@bellsouth.net are provided for us. No

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Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost, because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ. An act takes courage if it will likely be painful. The pain may be physical, as in war and rescue operations. Or the pain may be mental as in confrontation and controversy. Courage is indispensable for both spreading and preserving the truth of Christ. Jesus promised that spreading the gospel would meet resistance: “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9). And Paul warned that, even in the church, faithfulness to the truth would be embattled: “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30; see also 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Therefore, true evangelism and true teaching will take courage. Running from resistance in evangelism or teaching dishonors Christ. There is a kind of cowardice that tells only the truths that are safe to tell. Martin Luther put it like this: If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point. (Quoted in Parker T. Williamson, Standing Firm: Reclaiming Christian Faith in Times of Controversy [Springfield, PA: PLC Publications, 1996], p. 5) Where then shall we get this courage? Consider these pointers. From being forgiven and being righteous — “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven’” (Matthew 9:2). From trusting God and hoping in Him — “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:24; see also 2 Corinthians 3:12). From being filled with Spirit — “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). From God’s promise to be with you — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). From knowing that the one with you is greater than the adversary — “Be strong and courageous . . . for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7). From being sure that God is sovereign over the battles — “Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight” (2 Samuel 10:12). Through prayer — “On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:3; see also Ephesians 6:19-20). From the example of others — “Most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Philippians 1:14). Longing to stand firm with you, Pastor John ©2015 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700. ✞

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My past does not have to plague me (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

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A Deeper Study Into The Word of God God Has Never Let Me Down by Nicky Cruz

Are you longing to do great things for God — to serve Him and love Him until your dying breath? Are you wanting God to define a glorious future for you? Then stop trying to do it on your own. Don’t try to set a course for your life and then ask God to bless it. Instead, spend your time getting to know Him. Learn to bask in His presence. Worship Him with abandon. Praise Him and love Him from the depths of your soul. Obey Him, even in the smallest detail. Pray and meditate on His Word. Appreciate the glory of creation! Learn to set your heart on God, and God alone, and He will take notice. There is one truth you can know for certain: God has a covenant prepared just for you. A special plan and purpose set aside for your future. And it is more glorious than you could ever imagine on your own. If He hasn’t laid this covenant on your heart, it is only because He knows you are not ready. He’s waiting for you. Watching. Longing to share this vision with you and help you embrace it. When I was a young man in my early twen-

ties, confused about my future, I could never blade by David Wilkerson and then later in his have imagined the plans God had for my life. I own best-selling book Run, Baby, Run. ✞ was just a young man in love with Jesus, longing to spend the rest of my days in His Restaurant presence. I had no idea He had a covenant prepared for me. No idea He had such a powerful purpose for my life. At the time I couldn’t even begin to imagine myself as an evangelist. I was young and Special Italian Food unprepared. I had no capabilities that would and Pizza Pie have led me to think I could preach in front of an audience. My Bible knowledge was immature and limited. My accent was thick and my manners were awkward. I was just a streetwise kid, and that was all I had going for me. But I loved Jesus with a passion, and I determined to obey God, regardless of what He would have me do. So I embraced His covenant, little by little, day by day, month by month. I tried my best to stay faithful. And God has never let me down! Nicky Cruz, internationally known evangelist and prolific author, turned to Jesus Serving the people of new orleanS Since 1957 Christ from a life of violence and crime after meeting David Wilkerson in New York City 134 N. Carrollton Ave • Mid City • (504) 488-7991 in 1958. The story of his dramatic conversion 587 Central Ave • Harahan • (504) 734-3991 was told first in The Cross and the Switch-

The High Calling by G. D. Watson

If God has called you to be really like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put on you such demands of obedience that He will not allow you to follow other Christians, and in many ways, He will seem to let other good people do things which He will not let you do. Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it; and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent. Others can brag on themselves, on their work, on their success, on their writings, but the Holy spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works. Others will be allowed to succeed in

making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them or in having luxuries, but God may supply you daily, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, and that is a helpless dependence on Him, that He may have the privilege of providing your needs day by day out of the unseen treasury. The Lord may let others be honored, and put forward, and keep you hid away in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. God will let others be great but keep you small. He will let others do a work for Him and get credit for it, but He will See HIGH CALLING on Page 30

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Guiding Light

Are You Ready to Respond to Him?

How many believe that the Lord still speaks? He didn’t just speak into a book some 2000 years ago and then lapse into silence. He still speaks. It’s a living word. You know the medium that He speaks through is not important. It’s not about the speaker; it’s about the message. You see, it can be in a dry desert through a burning bush or it can be in a church, through an ordinary preacher. God speaks in many different ways through different mediums. Sometimes or all the time, He speaks to us through the scripture. It’s His word, it’s the living word, folks, it’s all about Jesus. It’s all about Him from Genesis to Revelations. If you read it and didn’t see it, you misread it. Go back and read it again. He’s speaking. Sometimes, He speaks to us in situations in life. Sometimes He speaks to us through signs, dreams or visions. Sometimes He speaks to us through significant people that cross our path. But, be careful, everybody that has a prophecy doesn’t necessarily have a word from God. But God can speak to you through people. And He uses

Summer 2015

people to speak. God sometimes speaks to us, many times just in the sanctuary of the soul, something way down deep. And those that know Him hear His voice. They hear His voice, regardless of how it comes. Those that know Him, know when He speaks. My question is “are you ready to respond to Him”? If God speaks to you right now and He reveals something very special to you, something unusual or He tells you tonight to do something that’s unusual, are you ready to respond to Him? It may be something that’s unprecedented, something that’s never been done before. He may thump your heart like He did Mary’s that night, when they said in the house of Zion, six days before the trial of the crucifixion. He thumped Mary’s heart and told her to break an alabaster box of very precious ointment and anoint the Savior’s feet. The church thought it was a foolish act that it shouldn’t have been done, but Mary heard the voice of God and she obeyed and broke a box that was worth a year’s salary… and poured it on the Master’s feet and anointed His

body and Jesus said she did a great thing. In fact He said, wherever the gospel is preached it’s going to be told about what this woman has done. But it was something unusual; it was something that had never been done before. You know we’re hesitant to do that, we’re hesitant to act in a strange way because we’re afraid that somebody’s going to think strange of us. But I want to tell you, this is not about you, or me, but I want to hear from God and I want to be able to respond to Him when He speaks. God’s doing some strange things and He’s moving in some significant ways in this land today. And you better get ready. How would you feel if God called you to do something different in your life, to change your occupation, to change your lifestyle? Could you in a moment’s time leave your security, to follow a man, a stranger you had never seen before but you recognized this is something different. I’m going to tell you, the same Spirit that was poured out on the day of Pentecost is hap-

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pening now! You may not be ready for it. Most people are not. We’re in a day of extreme Christianity, risk taking. God’s moving in some extreme ways; ways I’ve never witnessed before. It’s been unusual to me and I’ve been traveling this way for a long time, somebody said I’ve been in the way a long time; it’s about time you get out of the way. He’s doing things in this generation that’s being used of God in extreme ways. Now people think it’s so extreme that it can’t be God. Be careful, be very careful what you call extreme because God’s anointing is being poured out and God is rising up people that’s going to listen to His voice. And they’re going to obey Him. I want to tell you God is not going to wait for you to get ready. I’m praying the Lord’s Prayer today; I tell you I am hungry for God. I am praying to God, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, hallelujah. I want to tell you, for His See are you ready? on Page 32

The cross of Christ is sufficient to conquer my sinful flesh (Rom. 6:6-7).

The Christian Journey

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Changing Times

Responding to His Call

Lay Aside the Weight of “Not Feeling Like It” by Jon Bloom

What do you not feel like doing today? You know what I mean. It’s that thing that’s weighing on you, which you know would honor God because it obeys his law of love (John 15:12), or is a work of faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11), or puts “to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13). You know it would be good for your soul or body or family or vocation or neighbor or church. But you don’t feel like doing it. You know that God promises you more blessing if you do it than if you don’t. But you’re struggling to believe it because it feels difficult. It’s like you have weights on your ankles. You don’t want to muster the energy, and every distraction glows with attraction.

The Strange Pattern of Progress While it’s true that this is our indwelling sin of which we must repent and fight to lay aside (Hebrews 12:1), the experience of “not feeling like it” also can become for us a reminder of a gospel truth and actually give us hope and encouragement in this battle. Think about this strange pattern that occurs over and over in just about every area of life: • Healthy, nutritious food often requires discipline to prepare and eat while junk food is convenient, tasty, and addictive. • Keeping the body healthy and strong requires frequent deliberate discomfort while it only takes constant comfort to go to pot. • You have to make yourself pick up that nourishing but intellectually challenging book while popping in a DVD is as easy and inviting as coasting downhill. • You frequently have to force yourself to get to

devotions and prayer while sleeping in or reading the sports or checking Facebook is almost effortless. • Learning to skillfully play beautiful music requires thousands of hours of tedious practice. • Excelling in sports requires monotonous drills ad nauseum. • Learning to write well requires writing, writing, writing and rewriting, rewriting, rewriting. And usually voluminous reading. • It takes years and years of schooling just to make certain vocational opportunities possible. You get the idea. The pattern is this: the greater joys are obtained through struggle and difficulty and pain, while brief, unsatisfying, and often destructive joys are right at our fingertips. Why is this?

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. — Luke 6:12

See LAY ASIDE THE WEIGHT on Page 35

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The Christian Journey

Changing Times

From the Battlefield of Faith by David Wilkerson

When Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, it wasn’t because he’d heard revival was breaking out there. He wasn’t a discouraged preacher looking for someone to impart something of God to him. No — he states clearly, “I went up…to Jerusalem…by revelation and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach” (Galatians 2:1–2). Paul went to Jerusalem to share a mystery that God wanted to reveal to his people. This godly man had his own full, glorious revelation of Christ. He didn’t learn the doctrines he preached by shutting himself in a study with books and commentaries. He wasn’t some isolated philosopher who dreamed up theological truths, thinking, “Someday my works will be read and taught by future generations.” Let me tell you how and where Paul produced his epistles. He wrote them in dark, damp prison cells. He wrote them while wiping the blood Put Your Faith in our ComPrehensive

from his back after being scourged. He wrote them after crawling from the sea, having survived another shipwreck. Paul knew that all the truth and revelation he taught came from the battlefield of faith. And he rejoiced in his afflictions for the gospel’s sake. He said, “Now I can preach with all authority to every sailor who’s been through a shipwreck, to every prisoner who’s been locked up with no hope, to everybody who has ever looked death in the face. God’s Spirit is making me a tested veteran, so I can speak his truth to everyone who has ears to hear.” God hasn’t turned you over to the power of Satan. No — he’s allowing your trial because the Holy Spirit is performing an unseen work in you. Christ’s glory is being formed in you for all eternity. You’ll never get true spirituality from someone or something else. If you’re going to taste God’s glory, it’s going to have to come to you right where you are — in your present circumstances, pleasant or unpleasant. I believe one of the great secrets of Paul’s spirituality was his readiness to accept whatever condition he was in without complaining. He writes, “I have learned, in whatsoHIGH CALLING Continued from Page 27

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ever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). The Greek word for content here means “to ward off.” Paul is saying, “I don’t try to protect myself from my unpleasant circumstances. I don’t beg God for relief from them. On the contrary, I embrace them. I know from my history with the Lord that he’s doing something eternal in me.” “That ye may be able to bear it…” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The word bear which Paul uses here implies that our condition isn’t going to change. The point is for us to bear up under the situation. Why? God knows that if he changes our condition, we’ll end up destroyed. He allows us to suffer because he loves us. Our part in every trial is to trust God for all the power and resources we need to find contentment in the midst of our suffering. Please don’t misunderstand me — being “content” in our trials doesn’t mean we enjoy them. It simply means we no longer try to protect ourselves from them. We are content to stay put and endure whatever is handed to us, because we know our Lord is conforming us to the image of his Son. Copyright © 2015 by World Challenge, Inc., P.O. Box 260, Lindale, Texas 75771. ✞

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make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work which you have done and this will make your reward ten times greater when Jesus comes. The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, with a jealous

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love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an infinite sovereign, and has a right to do as He pleases with His own and He will not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you. God will take you at your word; and if you absolutely sell yourself to be His slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love and let other people say and do many things that you cannot do or say. Settle it forever, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes in ways that others are not dealt with. Now when you are so possessed with the living God that you are in your secret heart pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven. © 2015 The Old Time Gospel Ministry ✞

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Fulfilling my purpose — Part 1

by Pastor John Raymond Did you know that you have a divine purpose in life? God created you for a purpose and you will always feel incomplete until you are passionately pursuing it. There are a few important things you need to know about God’s will for you if you are going to embrace it fully. 1. God’s Plan For You is Unique. Everyone’s life is different. Your divine design of personality, spiritual gifts, talents and passions all come together to formulate one exceptional human being — YOU! Nobody else is quite like you and you are not exactly like anyone else. His plan and purpose for you is unique. 14 In (Psalm 139:14, 16) David wrote, “ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know 16 that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” It sounds like David was feeling pretty good about who he was. Isn’t it funny that a woman could be drop dead gorgeous and look in the mirror and find all kind of flaws; but a guy could have an overhanging gut, hair all over the place except on his head, look in the mirror and flex and say, “Booyah, baby, wassup!” That’s kind of a funny way of looking at what

2. God’s Plan For You is Good. Do you like surprises? That probably depends on the context of the surprise, doesn’t it? If you are waking up on Christmas morning then you love surprises. But if you are going to a doctor’s appointment then you might not like surprises. What about when it comes to discovering God’s will for your life? Is that a surprise you are eagerly searching for; or is it something you are afraid to find? Some people are afraid to learn God’s will because they think they will hate it once they find out what it is. But the truth is that God’s will for you is exactly what you would choose for yourself if you knew everything that God knows. God’s will is the best thing you could ever discover and live by. You are not an accident. Your life is not random. God says in (Jeremiah 29:11), “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Unfortunately so many people — even good

Christian people — never take the time to discover their purpose. They simply go through life trying to sin as little as possible and bouncing from one distraction to the next until they finally run out of time. But the truth is that God has planned so much more for you than a meaningless existence that serves to just pass the time between the cradle and the grave. (Romans 12:2), “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” God’s will is good and pleasing and perfect. He has created you for a divine purpose that will lead to your true joy and fulfillment and He wants you to search that out and discover it for yourself. But He is not hiding it from you. If you will read His word and follow your heart in obedience to Him, your spiritual journey will lead you right into the center of God’s perfect will for your life. Someday you will come face to face with your divine destiny. And what you do in that moment will define the rest of your life. You need to make a decision right now to discover God’s will, be determined to follow it, and place your destiny in God’s hands. (You can hear Pastor John’s devotions on The Bridge Radio 88.7 FM or by logging on the www. thebridge.fm or www.newhorizonfamily.com) © 2015 Pastor John Raymond, New Horizon Church, Slidell, LA, all rights reserved. ✞

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David was doing here. He was proud of who God made him to be. Your spiritual journey is primarily designed by God to lead you to fulfill His purpose in your life and to become the best YOU that you can possibly become. The great news is that you don’t have to worry about competing with anyone else. And that’s not limiting — it’s liberating!

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The Christian Journey

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ARE YOU READY? Continued from Page 28 kingdom to come, our kingdoms have to go. I want God to reign. I want to get out of the way, get behind the cross and say take over Jesus. Take over. I want to hear what He says and I want to do what He tells me to do. When your King comes, the lame man is going to leap like a frog and the tongue of the dumb is going to sing for joy! When your King comes you’re going to have revival. When the King comes in, the sick are going to be healed. When the King comes in our churches, hallelujah, I want to tell you, the lost are going to be saved. Sinners will fall on their face before God and repent of their sins because the King is in the house. Yes, there’s a command to repent and surrender to the authority of Christ. Yes, there is a command to live holy. You’re to blow the trumpet of Zion and warn the people of righteous judgment of God upon those that refuse to repent. But even this message, it has to be a compassionate message pointing us to God’s mercy

that desires abundant pardon. Our message today has the same purpose as our King’s message, and that is to seek and save the lost. He came to rescue the dying; he came to reach out to those that could not help themselves. I’m glad today that I know Him and that He still is my King. We’re living in an exciting age. Things are moving rapidly; things are changing fast in this world. And yes, the church is changing. The church is not exempt from an era of change. We’ve got to start following Him without fear. If we’re really going to break loose and make a difference in our communities and in our towns and in our churches, we’re going to have to do things differently than what we’ve always done. Amen. We’re going to have to be the salt and the light of the world once again. A church that’s unwilling and unable to move, a church that clings to forms of worship and patterns of service, a church that will not listen to the Voice of God or respond to the promptings of the Spirit, will be unable to speak with any relevance or power to a changing world that we are living in right now.

And I remind you today that we are a people that are pressing on to the mark of the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus. You see Jesus spoke strongly against the church of His day that seized to move and held fast to the traditions of men. They met at a wailing wall to grieve over a departed spirit. I want to tell you, I’m tired of routine, repetitious services. I’m ready for God to move in and take over. I’m ready not to be just stirred, but I want to be changed by the power and by the Spirit of God.

There are some today that want things to be different in your life but… you somehow convinced yourself that it has to be this way. God’s saying today, I want to make a difference. I want to move the mountains out of the way. God specializes in things that we think are impossible. He can roll back the waters, your troubles today; He can make a path for you to walk across on dry ground. He can lead you to victory!

TRODDEN DOWN Continued from Page 25

reward is unutterably excellent; worth all the struggle, and the sacrifice, and the sorrow. Brethren, let us fight! Let us aim at victory; at complete and perfect victory. Let us covet a high reward; let us be ambitious of no common crown. Our great Captain speaks to us, “Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me.” How soon He may appear, we know not. And He comes with the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory in His hand for His own. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him! © 1999-2015 oChristian.com. All Rights Reserved ✞

as that of Paul. Fight and conquer. Let us anticipate the warrior’s song: “O my soul, you have trodden down strength.” V. Our REWARD. All who win have their rewards; but some victories are harder to win; some more or less complete. And there is a difference in the degree of reward. The seven rewards promised to the seven churches are representative rewards. They represent seven different kinds or degrees of glory, set before the conqueror. Yet the least

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The Christian's Guide To Living a Victorious Life

Getting Past Your Past – Part 1

by Pastor Eddie Swan of New Beginnings Church In these teachings, I past our past. When we learn to forgive; we get really think some people to really walk free. are going to be set free In the third segment, you’re going to read from some things of about apologizing. Here, you begin to set the their past which will record straight with people that you’ve hurt over allow them to go for- the years and this brings to us even more freeward, free of this extra dom. burden that they’ve been And then in the final segment, you’re going to carrying around for way too long. How many of read about: overcoming failures. Anybody ever you just love the idea of being free in Jesus? Yes, failed at anything? We’ve all failed at times and Amen! I know a lot of times we look at failure as an end In the first segment of this teaching, you’re of something. But that is simply not true, going to read about: getting past your past or because in Christ, we are completely new and breaking labels that bind you. get to start over. The bible says His mercy is new How many of you know, we all have been every day. labeled at some point in our life. It could be from Thank you Jesus! your employee or employer, your dad or mom, So today let’s talk about labels. You know, even a so-called friend. labels can be based on the things we’ve done In the second segment, you’re going to read right and the things we’ve done wrong. Usually about learning to forgive others, so we can get the wrong things, right? And here are some

labels. Maybe you’ve not heard some of these labels in your own life, but you’ve heard them in life. College boy, drop out, whore, punk, loser, ugly, based on whose opinion, right? Right or wrong, they label you. So let me ask you, what negative label follows your name? Just let it sink in for a minute. I’m sure there is one we all have one. Here’s a really bad one, Average. You know he’s just Average! Say that with me, ‘God’s power is bigger than my past’. Believe that! Listen, the truth about you is bigger than opinions. So what’s true about you right now doesn’t have to be true about you later. What once was need no longer be. Are you tired of looking in the mirror and seeing what you see? Are you tired of hearing those things from family and friends See getting Past your past on Page 36

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Triumph over Fear by Charles F. Stanley

Some fears are healthy. They help protect us from danger and costly mistakes. For instance, a fear of rattlesnakes can help hikers avoid poisonous bites. But unhealthy fear paralyzes us. It restricts our activities, destroys peace, interferes with sleep, and hampers relationships. Such panic can even prevent someone from obeying the Lord. Here are eight principles for dealing with debilitating fear:

that He cleanse your mind of anxious thoughts and protect your mind from gripping fear. And ask Him to help you counteract apprehension in positive, strong ways. The psalmist wrote: I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears (Ps. 34:4).

sary. Let the words sink deep into your spirit. Two other faith-building passages are (Psalms 56 and 91). If you read and memorize verses that deal with fear, you will build up your faith.

5. Praise the Lord. As you read and speak God’s Word, accompany it with praise — both vocal and frequent. 3. Determine the root fear. Here are some of my favorite passages to use in Sometimes other emotions are linked to fear: confronting fear: Greed: Fear of not having enough The Lord is my strength and song, Rejection: Fear of not being accepted And He has become my salvation (Ps. 118:14). Guilt: Fear of being found out The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is Lack of confidence: Fear of failure in the tents of the righteous; Anger: Fear of losing control or esteem, or of The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 1. Acknowledge your fear. not getting your own way The right hand of the Lord is exalted; Ask God to help bring the apprehension to the Jealousy: Fear of not having what you believe The right hand of the Lord does valiantly (Ps. surface of your consciousness. Once you identi- is rightfully yours 118:15-16). fy your fear, you can talk about it with the Lord. Indecisiveness: Fear of criticism or of making Also, don’t deny that you feel fear or think a wrong decision 6. Take a positive step. that you are too “mature” to be afraid. We never One woman felt wary of going outside after Jesus often asked those He delivered or healed get to the point that we completely overcome the dark, although she lived in a safe neighborhood. to take positive action as part of their healing. A natural fear that helps in our protection or the Through counseling, she realized that beneath paralyzed man was told to pick up his pallet and fear brought on by spiritual attacks. her obvious fear was the dread that God would leave the pool of Bethesda (John 5:8). A blind fail to watch over her. Because she believed she man was told to go wash in the pool of Siloam 2. Ask for God’s help immediately. was responsible to protect herself from evil, this (John 9:7). Go to your heavenly Father right away to pe- woman felt more at risk at night. In order to Do something that gives God a chance to retition for help in conquering your fear. Request overcome this fear, she had to learn to regard the veal to you that He is greater than the fear you are heavenly Father as present with her at every feeling. At times you need to confront a frightenmoment and capable of protecting her. ing situation in a very direct and practical way. For instance, one woman who felt an irrational 4. Go to God’s Word. dread of falling through sidewalk grates made a The Bible has dozens of “fear not” vers- deliberate choice to step on them and trust the es. I especially like (Isaiah 41:10): Lord to free her of fear. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I 7. Make a decision. am your God Decide to believe and rely on God more than I will strengthen you, surely I will help your emotions. You may not get to the place of you, complete trust immediately. The growth of faith Surely I will uphold you with My righ- takes time and testing to see that the Lord is teous right hand. faithful in crisis after crisis. When fear strikes, In fact, I suggest you read the entire chap- start saying to Him, “God, You are in control of ter to yourself. Read it repeatedly, if neces- my life — not just some of the time, but always.” Choose to believe in God, who not only loves you and cares for you, but is always available to you. Remember: He is sovereign over all things. As you learn to trust the Father, I have no doubt that He will melt away your crippling fears so 3010 lausat street, metairie, la 70001 you can truly experience the depth of His abiding peace. Adapted from “Finding Peace: • Cold Web Press God’s Promise of a Life Free from • Prepress Service Regret, Anxiety, and Fear” (2003). © 2015 oChristian.com. All Rights Reserved ✞

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Patience is also a form of action by Cathy Deaton

In my growing up years I could have been in the Top 10 for the most impatient person on earth. When I decided I wanted something I wanted it NOW, and I did everything possible to make it happen NOW. I still have problems with patience in some areas, but lately I have felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to ask for help in acquiring patience in every area of my life. I definitely don’t think it will be easy, but I have found that when I get frustrated over something small it affects me in a negative way. Then if I don’t put that impatience aside quickly, it’s easy to be negative for the rest of the day. I don’t want small and irrelevant things to ruin my day. But I have learned that if you don’t acquire patience where God is concerned you will never be able to receive His Best and allow Him to use you in a powerful and supernatural way. He has His own time for something to happen and it is always the perfect time — not a minute early or late. The “perfect timing of God” is a huge thing to deal with if you are an impatient person. Believe me, I know. But I have found that God always wants to stretch and grow me in ways that I can’t see. If I get everything NOW like I would prefer, the opportunity for spiritual growth is stunted or lost. God watches over every area of my life to prune branches that are stunting my growth. He wants me to bear every bit of fruit that I am capable of producing. The pruning process isn’t always easy, but the end result is much greater than anything I would have imagined. Already I have seen God lead me to do things I never imagined I would be doing. I have found that I can’t do them on my own, but with His strength and ability I can accomplish anything. In my earlier years, because of my impatience I got frustrated because God didn’t always answer my prayers quickly. Now I can see that I probably messed up a few things that He had to straighten out. Also, He was trying to teach me to depend on Him instead of trying to figure it out myself. But I didn’t understand any of that at the time. The more I learn about the Character of God, the more I am amazed that He thought He could use me at all. Somehow He looked past all the

impatience and inabilities and saw someone who would eventually start to seek Him with all her heart. God has shown me in a very real way that He will always lean towards mercy and grace in my life. AND…He has also shown me in a dramatic way that He will always lean toward mercy and grace in the lives of other people. That means that I must do the same. It’s easy to see what is wrong in the lives of others and hard to see what is wrong in your own life. Pride does a great job of keeping you blind to your own sin and stubbornness. (And I’m talking from personal experience, not just hearsay.) God has also shown me that I have no idea how He is working in the life of someone else. And because I don’t know what’s best for them, I need to be very careful about trying to play “God” in their life. But I don’t need to allow someone else to play “God” in my own life either. I did that once, and it almost cost me my health. I hope it is a lesson I will never forget. God looks at and does things in a completely different way than I do. His main goal is to help me grow and mature as a Christian and bear lasting fruit that will be there for years to come. Unfortunately, sometimes I just want whatever I want NOW. And I have found that it is usually not what is best for me. If you also have a problem with impatience, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to give you grace and mercy in this area. Remember that God is not trying to punish you, but He always wants you to bear the most fruit possible so that you can live a powerful and victorious Christian life. Once you start to see God work supernaturally in your life, you will desire Him to use you more and more. AND…you will be amazed at the continuous flow of mercy and grace He sends your way when you know you have done nothing to deserve it.

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vapor joys to the great, sustained, substantial Joy set before you!”

Why the Struggle and Difficulty and Pain? Because God, in great mercy, is showing us everywhere, in things that are just shadows of heavenly realities, that there is a great reward for those who struggle through and persevere (Hebrews 10:32–35). He is reminding us almost everywhere to walk by faith in a promised future and not by the sight of immediate gratification (2 Corinthians 5:7). Understood this way, each struggle becomes an invitation by God to follow in the faithful footsteps of his Son, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Those who are spiritually blind only see futility in these struggles. But for those who have eyes to see, God has woven hope (faith in his future grace) right into the futility of creation (Romans 8:20–21). Each struggle becomes a pointer saying, “Look ahead, past the struggle itself, past the temptation of the puny,

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gone; a new life has begun!” How many of you saying to somebody reading this, I’m changing need a new life to begin? Are you ready for a your name! fresh start? Remember that guy named Simon in the In the NIV translation it states, “Therefore, if bible? Jesus called him Simon. The name Simon and other people in your life because of something you did at some point and you can’t seem to shake anyone is (here’s the phrase) in Christ,” and just simply means ‘just one who has heard’. Oh that label still? What you need is a new God-cen- that’s the key today is being ‘in Christ’. You see yeah, I’ve heard of that. No, no, I’m going to tered view of you. How many of you are ready for a you can’t have what I’m going to talk to you call you Peter. I don’t really like the name Peter. about unless you first settle the issue of being, But listen this is what it means. One who has God-centered view of yourself? This is how you do it. You begin to adopt the ‘in Christ’. So, what does it mean to be ‘In heard… to rock! So he goes from one who has truth of God’s Word and you replace the lies Christ’? It means at some point in your life you heard about God to one who is going to be rock with the truth. It’s just that simple. You need to said, Jesus, I need you to save me from my sins. solid, a new name. Maybe you’re reading this quit believing the lies. Here’s a very founda- Jesus, I want to spend my eternity with you. I’ve today and you’re just an average student. And tional piece of scripture that our church is really settled the issue of my eternal security and I your teachers have even said, you’re just an founded upon and part of it is written in the made You, the Lord and Savior of my life. average student. And God’s telling you today, foyer as you walk into our sanctuary. Its’ right Unless that’s happened to you, you have not no, no, no, you’re a brilliant student and we’re about to change your name. there on the wall, from (2 Corinthians 5:17), settled the issue of being ‘in Christ’. And once you’ve settled the issue of being ‘in You know I’ll never forget when I first given one of my favorite passages of scripture. I am going to read it to you in two versions of the Christ’, once you’ve made that step of setting the title Pastor Eddie. People called me Pastor bible, one is found in the ‘NLT’ (New Living yourself apart for God’s use, for God’s purposes Eddie. I’d say, no, no, I’m just Eddie, trying to Translation) because I like the way that it’s to make yourself a Christian, God will give you be humble, kind of a false humility. Don’t call worded and I want you to grasp it. And then I’m a new name. The first point is, when you begin me Pastor; I’m not worthy to be called Pastor. going to read it to you from the ‘NIV’ (New to get a God-centered view of yourself, God will And you know it darned on me, they didn’t give International Version) because there’s a phrase give you a new name. The bible says that God me that name, God gave me that name. God will give us a new name, in (Isaiah 62:2), it gave me that title, God gave me that anointing to in there that you have to hear. So, in (2 Corinthians 5:17) in the NLT, it says, “The nations will see your righteousness, be Pastor, and if you want to call me Pastor states, “This means that anyone who belongs to and all the kings your glory, and you will be that’s okay and I had to learn to grow into my Christ has become a new person. The old life is called by a new name that the Lord will bestow new name. It took awhile. on you”, the Lord Himself will God is saying to somebody right now, I’m give you! How many of you want giving you a new name. Here are some of the to be called something different names God may want to give to you today: Forthan that label that you’ve carried given, Transformed, Healed, Overcomer, Spiriaround most of your life? tual Leader, and the list goes on. How about (Ephesians 1:4, 5) states “For some of those titles! You know, I’ve been a horHe chose us in Him before the rible husband; I’ve been a terrible mother. Well foundation or creation of the those days are over when you put Christ into world to be holy and blameless in your life and begin to follow His ways; He will His sight. In love, He predestined change your name. us for adoption as His sons or in The second point I want to discuss with you Sonship.” So now He doesn’t today besides getting a new name is to give you This proof is your opportunity to review your ad prior to printing call you friend, calls you a new purpose. and makejust any necessary corrections. PleaseHe pay particular attention to NUMBERS and SPELLING as well as content. His child. He said I’ve adopted Sometimes out of our greatest weakness you, I’ve chosen you, set you comes our greatest strength! How about this apart to be My son or My daugh- one? Maybe an addict becomes the person who unless your respond to your Sales Representative within 24 hours of receipt thisare! Ad He Proof ter. That’s whoofyou gives helps others overcome their addictions. The fat Email changes or corrections to AdProof@IncentivesLA.comyou or Fax to 866-577-0702 a new name. When a woman person with eating disorders helps the people marries,fees. she takes the name of Requested proofs beyond three will be subject to production her husband. It shows her identi- overcome their eating disorders. The person not Signature _____________________________________________good with money, the spendthrift, the one whose Proof #1 Proof #2 FINAL ty or affiliation with that man, broke all the time all of a sudden comes to trust Date ________________________________________________ right? And when we take the name of God from our finance classes and gets their fiApproved AS IS Approved WITH CHANGES Christ,Please Change SEND NEWa PROOF and people call us Chris- nances straight and goes on to become debt free. tian, it shows our affiliation and It can happen. God will give you a new name our identity with Christ. God’s is and a new purpose! And finally He’s going to give you a new future. (Jeremiah 29:11) is my absolute, allCT Expires Incentives Expires6/30/15 9/27/14 7 Days a Week time favorite verse of scripture. I think I say 7:30am - 5:30pm Express Wash • Basic Wax • Full Detailing • Interior Shampoo that a lot. But a lot of them are my favorites, but this is one of them. And He says, “For I OFF Shuttle & Drop-Oﬀs Welcome know the plans I have for you,” declares the Your First Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm Service Carl’s Car Wash • 985-792-7460 you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” One Coupon Per Contract Full We must be like the apostle Paul in (PhiCT Expires Incentives Expires6/30/15 9/27/14 Detailing lippians chapter 3), “Forgetting what is $ behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal which is the high getting past your past Continued from Page 33

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See GETTING PAST YOUR PAST on Page 37

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The Transformed Life

Changing Times

How To Grow Into Christ-Like Maturity Making a Difference by Fire by John Piper

Have you ever prayed a prayer like this? Lord, let me make a difference for you utterly disproportionate to who I am? That’s the prayer I wrote in the margin of a book last week beside a quote from David Brainerd. Brainerd was a missionary to the New England Indians 200 years ago. He wrote, Oh, that I might be a flaming fire in the service of the Lord. Here I am, Lord, send me; send me to the ends of the earth…send me from all that is called earthly comfort; send me even to death itself if it be but in Thy service and to promote Thy kingdom. Brainerd has made a difference for God utterly disproportionate to who he was. He was an obscure missionary in New England. He died at the age of 29. He was not well known. He was extremely vulnerable to depression. But his life has inspired the modern missionary movement perhaps more than the life of any other person in modern times. Why? He was so aflame for God that Jonathan Edwards felt led by God to put Brainerd’s brief missionary

career of five years and his journal into a book. And that book has changed the world. It is amazing what God can do through a short life ablaze for his glory. The impact can be all out of proportion to who a person is. I hope hundreds of you pray, “O, Lord, let me make a difference for you utterly disproportionate to who I am.” This is a prayer that the socalled nobodies in the world can pray without fear of presumption. The prayer contains a disclaimer: “I am not great. But you, Lord, are very great. And in your astonishing sovereignty you can let my little life make a difference far beyond all my little powers.” But what is the key to making a difference for God? Is it not flaming zeal for God? Twice God asked Elijah, “What are you doing here?” And he answered both times, “I have been very jealous for the Lord of hosts.” (1 Kings 19:10,14). Passion for the glory of the Lord is not the prerogative of old or young, intelligent or simple, men or women. It can be the heart of any saint—if we want it enough to seek it. It comes from prayerful immer-

sion in Scripture. In (Luke 24:32) the disciples who had talked with Jesus on the Emmaus road said, “Did not our hears burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” The fire of zeal for the Lord comes from the opening of Scripture in conversation with Jesus (=prayer). Question: If you do not burn with the zeal you want, are you willing to make some experiments with high-dosage, extended-time Bible opening? Very honestly, there is in my own life a close correspondence between the time and amount of prayerful Bible opening and the depth and strength and warmth of my zeal for God. I am very vulnerable to worldly mindsets without

massive doses of God’s Word. One church in Korea expects its members to read 5 chapters of the Bible a day and its pastors to read 20 chapters of the Bible a day. The question is: if you want it, are you willing to make serious experiments? I am praying that Bethlehem be full of people who burn for the glory of God, and who make a difference for God utterly disproportionate to who they are. Let’s pray it for each other! Getting near the Fire with you, Pastor John ©2015 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700. >

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GETTING PAST YOUR PAST Continued from Page 36 calling that God has for me in Christ Jesus.” We put the past behind us and we turn toward our future and we begin to walk it out day after day. Listen, there’s no label more powerful than the label Jesus puts on you when you accept him as your Lord and Savior. That label is called Christian. Have you ever asked Jesus Christ to save you from your sins and made Him Lord and Savior of your life? That is the only thing that gets you the title, Christian! Here’s your opportunity. I want ya’ll to just pray this prayer with me, ‘Heavenly Father, we recognize our need today for a Savior. Today Jesus, we ask you to come and save us from our sin. We believe that you were sent by your Father to die on our behalf, to rise from the dead, and now you’re seated in Heaven and You’re praying for me. I accept You, Jesus today as the Lord and Savior of my life; turning from my ways to Your ways, to no longer follow the pattern of the world, but Your direction and Your guidance for my life. I thank You for saving me, and I praise You in Jesus’ name, Amen.’ >

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The Transformed Life

Changing Times

www.changingtimes.info

Transformation: How Does It Happen? by Billy Graham

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) NIV. Recently I ran into a woman I had not seen for several weeks. I hardly recognized her. Her hair, usually blonde, had turned completely white. The transformation was dramatic; she looked like a different person. All it took was 40 minutes and some bleach! If only spiritual transformation were that easy. Just read a book, see a counselor, attend a conference, make a fresh commitment, resolve to be different, shed a few tears at an altar, memorize a few verses . . . and, presto, out comes a mature, godly Christian. To the contrary, the experience of many believers looks like this: Commit. Fail. Confess. Re-commit. Fail again. Confess again. Re-re-commit. Fail again. Give up.

After all the struggle and the effort, we tend to want a “quick fix” — a book, a conference, a counselor, an encounter, a miraculous deliverance, a program — something that will be effective, and preferably pain-free. We want God (or someone else) to do something to us for a once-for-all victory so that we won’t have to keep wrestling with the same old issues. In my own walk with God, I have discovered some helpful principles about how spiritual change takes place. 1. Deep, lasting spiritual change is a process. It rarely happens overnight. It involves training, testing, and time. There are not shortcuts. We hear of people being dramatically delivered from drug or alcohol addiction, and we may wonder, “Why doesn’t God do that for me? Why do I have to struggle with this food addiction; with lust, worry, and fear; with an unbridled tongue?” Occasionally God does grant instantaneous victory, but more often He leads us through a process that requires obedience, faith, discipline, and time. God is committed to winning the hearts and developing the hearts and developing the character of His people. 2. Spiritual change requires desire. We need to ask ourselves: Do I really want to change, or am I content to remain as I am? How important is it to me to be like Jesus? What price am I willing to pay to be godly? Deep within God’s children is a desire to please Him. That desire is nurtured by prayer (acknowledging our dependence on Him) and by meditation on Christ, the object of our desire. As I read the Scripture and gaze on the Lord Jesus, I long to be like Him — humble, holy, compassionate, surrendered to the will of God, sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit. When our desire to be holy is greater than our willingness to stay where we are, we have taken a big step toward spiritual transformation. 3. Spiritual change flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus. We want to please those we love, and we are grieved when we offend them. The more we love Jesus, the greater will be our motivation to obey Him and to make Serving metro N.O. since 1954 the choices that please Him. The ultimate issue in life is what or whom we GaraGe door opener worship. The process raised Panel Steel Limited Lifetime Warranty of true change takes PLuS $30.00 place as we are weaned to remove & 8’x7’ $ hauL off oLd door Installed $ from our love and worNow tax Included PLuS $60.00 ship of self, pleasure, to remove & $ 16’x7’ Includes 1 remote hauL off oLd door and this world; and our hearts become wholly visa, mc, ax 1118 central ave. 504-837-5711 discover metairie devoted to Christ. www.hollywooddoor.com

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4. Spiritual change requires discipline. I can remember as a college student sitting for hours on end in tiny, windowless practice rooms, playing the same piece of music again and again. I knew that I never would reach my goal — to make beautiful music — without that rigorous discipline. Discipline for the purpose of godliness is not the same as self-effort. Rather, it means consciously cooperating with the Holy Spirit — yielding to Him so that He can conform us to the image of Christ. The problem is, we want the outcome without the process. We want victory without the warfare. Praying and hoping for spiritual change is futile if we sit glued to a television set or neglect the means that God has provided for our growth in grace. Bible study, meditation, worship, prayer, fasting, accountability, and obedience are disciplines that produce a harvest of righteousness in our lives. 5. Spiritual change is brought about by the Holy Spirit, as we exercise faith and obedience. So which is it? Does God do the work, or do we? According to Scripture, the answer is “yes”; “Work out your salvation . . . for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12-13). True spiritual change is initiated and enabled by the indwelling Spirit of God; it is all of grace, which we receive as we persevere in humility, obedience, and faith. 6. Spiritual change is possible (and assured) because of the new life we received when we were born again. According to God’s Word, at the point of regeneration we became “a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17). For believers, holy living is not a matter of trying harder, but rather of walking in the reality of a supernatural change that already has taken place. Sanctification is the process by which the change of God has wrought within us is worked out in our daily experience, as we “are being transformed into [Christ’s] likeness” (2 Cor. 3:18). It is a lifelong — and sometimes painful — process. But we have the confidence that one day the transformation will be complete, and “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). © Used with permission. Excerpted from DECISION magazine, May 2001, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 2001. http://www.ReviveOurHearts.com >

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God is enough (Ps. 23:1).

www.changingtimes.info WOMEN MANIFESTO Continued from Page 7 than marriage; all women, whether married or single, are to model femininity in their various relationships, by exhibiting a distinctive modesty, responsiveness, and gentleness of spirit. Suffering is an inevitable reality in a fallen world; at times we will be called to suffer for doing what is good — looking to heavenly reward rather than earthly comfort — for the sake of the gospel and the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom. Mature Christian women have a responsibility to leave a legacy of faith, by discipling younger women in the Word and ways of God and modeling for the next generation lives of fruitful femininity. Believing the above , we declare our desire and intent to be “true women” of God. We consecrate ourselves to fulfill His calling and purposes for our lives. By His grace and in humble dependence on His power, we will: 1. Seek to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. 2. Gladly yield control of our lives to Christ as Lord — we will say “Yes, Lord” to the Word and the will of God. 3. Be women of the Word, seeking

Family — Women to grow in our knowledge of Scripture and to live in accord with sound doctrine in every area of our lives. 4. Nurture our fellowship and communion with God through prayer — in praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and supplication. 5. Embrace and express our unique design and calling as women with humility, gratitude, faith, and joy. 6. Seek to glorify God by cultivating such virtues as purity, modesty, submission, meekness, and love. 7. Show proper respect to both men and women, created in the image of God, esteeming others as better than ourselves, seeking to build them up, and putting off bitterness, anger, and evil speaking. 8. Be faithfully engaged in our local church, submitting ourselves to our spiritual leaders, growing in the context of the community of faith, and using the gifts He has given us to serve others, to build up the Body of Christ, and to fulfill His redemptive purposes in the world. 9. Seek to establish homes that manifest the love, grace, beauty, and order of God, that provide a climate conducive to nurturing life, and that extend Christian hospitality to those outside the walls of our homes. 10. Honor the sacredness, purity, and permanence of the marriage covenant — whether ours or others’. 11. Receive children as a blessing

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from the Lord, seeking to train them to love and follow Christ and to consecrate their lives for the sake of His gospel and Kingdom. 12. Live out the mandate of (Titus 2) — as older women, modeling godliness and training younger women to be pleasing to God in every respect; as younger women, receiving instruction with meekness and humility and aspiring to become mature women of God who in turn will train the next generation. 13. Seek opportunities to share the gospel of Christ with unbelievers. 14. Reflect God’s heart for those who are poor, infirm, oppressed,

Changing Times

widows, orphans, and prisoners, by reaching out to minister to their practical and spiritual needs in the name of Christ. 15. Pray for a movement of revival and reformation among God’s people that will result in the advancement of the Kingdom and gospel of Christ among all nations. Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14) Sign the True Woman Manifest online at TrueWoman.com. © 2015 Revive Our Hearts • P.O. Box 2000 • Niles, MI 49120 • ReviveOurHearts.com • TrueWoman.com >

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Summer 2015

Family — Men

Changing Times

A HUMBLE MAN Continued from Page 6 you may know most — but love most. He who feels his sins and miseries, his vileness and unprofitableness — with the deepest loathing’s of them — is in the fittest way to love Christ. If he is an experienced believer, the feelings of these sins

and miseries will make Christ more precious; the more he finds of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the more will he trust in Christ’s righteousness; and the more misery he knows, the more he desires salvation: all will make Jesus more dear and lovely. His own vileness sets forth Christ’s grace; his unworthiness sets forth the worthiness of the Lamb and the sufficiency of Jesus, who is all in all. When you are going to measure Christ’s high grace, do not get upon a mountain — but go down into a valley —

lower still, to the belly of hell, from whence Jonah cried: From thence see the height of Jesus’ grace, and from thence see how lovely He is. When the Spirit of Jesus is humbling you, showing you your deceitful wicked heart, and laying upon your ruined nature in all its abominable workings, has not this often discouraged you, my friend? And instead of loving Christ more, and trusting Him more, did it not weaken your trust, and lessen your love? — and therefore, you contracted the gracious purpose of Jesus Christ. May He teach you better! — that every future sense of sin may greatly endear the Lamb of God to you, whose blood cleanses from all sin!

www.changingtimes.info GRACE GEMS! A Treasury of Ageless Sovereign Grace Devotional Writings Our Purpose To humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life. © GraceGems.org 2015 > leader of the band Continued from Page 5

believe in the God that I fear and love. And I want to tell you something dads; number one in being a good dad is the character that he lives. Integrity ... my kids know that I have faults, I have a lot of them and they could stand up and say, “Dad has faults,” but I’ll tell you one thing they will do, they’ll say, “my dad is real. My dad is honest. My dad loves God.” I know they would say Exceeding Expections that. And my dear for Over 30 Years! friend, your children need a dad that fears REsidEntial God and a dad that COmmERCial walks with integrity. © 2015 Love Worth ChuRChEs Finding Ministries, P.O. Box 38300, 504-391-1800 • 985-893-0333 Memphis, TN 38183, www.lwf.org > www.lalandscape.com

Want To Be A Part Of The Changing Times Family? You Can By Helping Us Get God's Word Circulated Your Help Can Make A Difference! ❏ Yes, I will pledge my support for Changing Times by donating $ ________________. Make check payable to Save the Nations Ministries, Inc. [A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization]. ❏ I prefer to pay by credit card. ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ American Express Number __________________________ Exp. Date ___________ Name ______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City _________________________ State _______ Zip _______

Mail your donations to: Save The Nations Ministries, Inc. E-mail ______________________________________________ P. O. Box 1095 Covington, LA 70434 ❏ Prayer request enclosed. Phone (

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) ________________________________________

I am complete and accepted in Christ (Eph. 1:6).

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Community Spotlight Spotlight Community

The Dealership That Makes a Difference

Ross Downing Chevrolet has built a reputation on world-class customer service for over 40 years in Hammond. Family-owned and operated, the Ross Downing difference comes in the form of always placing the customers’ needs and wants as the top priority. From the moment customers step foot on their gorgeous campus they immediately realize the difference in choosing Ross Downing Chevrolet. Upon arrival customers are greeted with a warm inviting welcome, treated like family and given the respect they deserve for many miles down the road. Ross Downing Chevrolet takes a different and unique approach to selling vehicles. They practice a no pressure sales method, meaning customers can conveniently shop for the vehicle they want without being hounded by an exhausted sales pitch. Instead, Ross Downing Chevrolet assists car-buyers in finding the vehicle that is not only right for them but also their budget. This is a store that prides itself on treating customers with honesty, respect and courtesy that’s not often

found in most dealerships. Ross Downing Chevrolet takes hospitality to an entire different level. The five-star accommodations rival that of the most chic amenities at a resort providing customers with an experience unlike anything else. From the luxury-waiting lounge to the express service, customers discover the Ross Downing Chevrolet difference is all it takes to keep coming back. Ross Downing Chevrolet takes pride in ensuring complete and utter satisfaction from sales to service and will do whatever it takes to remedy your problem and find a solution. Customer satisfaction comes in helping drivers find the perfect vehicle. Ross Downing Chevrolet is against subjecting their customers to overselling and pressure tactics. The last thing they want is for a customer to drive off their lot dissatisfied or uncomfortable. Their long standing belief in making sure customers only purchase or lease the vehicle that’s right for them has contributed to Ross Downing Chevrolet’s reputation for placing the customers’

needs ahead of their own. They stand firm in the philosophy that lifelong customers will only come in the form of being 100 percent satisfied with their first purchase. This is accomplished by providing the best possible service, up front pricing, and by being as straightforward as one would expect from a community-centric dealership like Ross Downing Chevrolet. When customers choose Ross Downing Chevrolet they can expect to receive the best possible price. Their no haggle policy allows for car-buyers to shop without the stress of hidden fees. The competition will use scare tactics and hard sells to pressure car-buyers into purchasing or leasing. The Ross Downing difference is in the bottom line and that’s that customers will drive home with the peace-of-mind in knowing that they received the lowest out-thedoor price possible. Ross Downing Chevrolet will never falsely advertise to get shoppers in the store only to bait-and-switch customers into buying something different. By conducting honest business with its customers, Ross

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; — Romans 12:12

ChangingTimes Times Changing

Downing doesn’t need to rely on tricky tactics to get customers to purchase. They always offer above value for trade-ins, only the lowest up front prices and never use tricks, games or double-talk to convince a customer to buy. Ross Downing Chevrolet creates customers for life. Service after the sale is one of their mantras. By providing excellent service at exceptional prices Ross Downing Chevrolet is able to retain its loyal customers. They’re in the relationship business more than anything else. They know that if they can forge a trusting bond with their customers then those customers will continue to return. Word-of-mouth can be a powerful thing. If a business has a dishonest reputation, it’s difficult to convince people otherwise through clever advertising. Fortunately Ross Downing Chevrolet doesn’t have that problem. Ask around in the Hammond area — or even in New Orleans and Baton Rouge — and people will tell you that Ross Downing Chevrolet is a different breed of car dealership and that’s the difference maker. >

Summer 2015

Community

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Summer 2015

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URGENT NOTICE

Michael Bono

BP SETTLEMENT CLAIM FILING DEADLINE NOW SET - JUNE 8, 2015 The United States Supreme Court recently denied BP’s attempt to throw out the business economic loss settlement arising from the disastrous April 20, 2010 oil spill that affected the entire Gulf South. This recent decision set in motion the deadline to file a claim, which is now June 8, 2015. The federal courts have ruled that there is no requirement by the claimant to prove that the oil spill directly or indirectly caused financial loss. If your business revenue trends follow specific patterns as outlined in the settlement, then all losses are presumed to be caused by the spill. You owe it to yourself, your business, and your community to know if your business is eligible. Our initial evaluation is free, and no commitment is required. If you have no claim, there are no fees or costs to you. Please call our office today at 504-835-9909 or email us at bpclaims@bonolegal.com.

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Summer 2015