I’d like to share this clip of a brief interview with Billy Powell recorded at an event that took place at The Warehouse Recording Studio during a live broadcast for New Covenant Ministries in Jacksonville, Florida in 1984.
I share this as a reminder that Billy Powell did in fact commit his life to Jesus Christ. It is a reminder also that we who remain, need to make the same choice if we haven’t already. Eternity is a long time to be wrong about something.
At the time of his passing; Billy Powell was a member of The Church of Jacksonville www.thechurchgroup.com and its very fitting that, after all the “rockin’ & rollin” he and I did together, that’s the last place I saw him before he left!
Click this link then click play: http://soc.li/E0nvj9R
HeartStrings are tied … Barry Lee Harwood
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
not for the carnally minded ....
IF YOU CAN FIND A BETTER DEAL, TAKE IT!
by Ann Coulter
January 6, 2010
Someone mentioned Christianity on television recently and liberals reacted with their usual howls of rage and blinking incomprehension.
On a Fox News panel discussing Tiger Woods, Brit Hume said, perfectly accurately:
"The extent to which he can recover, it seems to me, depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."
Hume's words, being 100 percent factually correct, sent liberals into a tizzy of sputtering rage, once again illustrating liberals' copious ignorance of Christianity. (Also illustrating the words of the Bible: "How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words." John 8:43.)
In The Washington Post, Tom Shales demanded that Hume apologize, saying he had "dissed about half a billion Buddhists on the planet."
Is Buddhism about forgiveness? Because, if so, Buddhists had better start demanding corrections from every book, magazine article and blog posting ever written on the subject, which claims Buddhists don't believe in God, but try to become their own gods.
I can't imagine that anyone thinks Tiger's problem was that he didn't sufficiently think of himself as a god, especially after that final putt in the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.
In light of Shales' warning Hume about "what people are saying" about him, I hope Hume's a Christian, but that's not apparent from his inarguable description of Christianity. Of course, given the reaction to his remarks, apparently one has to be a regular New Testament scholar to have so much as a passing familiarity with the basic concept of Christianity.
On MSNBC, David Shuster invoked the "separation of church and television" (a phrase that also doesn't appear in the Constitution), bitterly complaining that Hume had brought up Christianity "out-of-the-blue" on "a political talk show."
Why on earth would Hume mention religion while discussing a public figure who had fallen from grace and was in need of redemption and forgiveness? Boy, talk about coming out of left field!
What religion -- what topic -- induces this sort of babbling idiocy? (If liberals really want to keep people from hearing about God, they should give Him his own show on MSNBC.)
Most perplexing was columnist Dan Savage's indignant accusation that Hume was claiming that Christianity "offers the best deal -- it gives you the get-out-of-adultery-free card that other religions just can't."
In fact, that's exactly what Christianity does. It's the best deal in the universe. (I know it seems strange that a self-described atheist like Savage would miss the central point of Christianity, but there it is.)
God sent his only son to get the crap beaten out of him, die for our sins and rise from the dead. If you believe that, you're in. Your sins are washed away from you -- sins even worse than adultery! -- because of the cross.
"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14.
Surely you remember the cross, liberals -- the symbol banned by ACLU lawsuits from public property throughout the land?
Christianity is simultaneously the easiest religion in the world and the hardest religion in the world.
In the no-frills, economy-class version, you don't need a church, a teacher, candles, incense, special food or clothing; you don't need to pass a test or prove yourself in any way. All you'll need is a Bible (in order to grasp the amazing deal you're getting) and probably a water baptism, though even that's disputed.
You can be washing the dishes or walking your dog or just sitting there minding your business hating Susan Sarandon and accept that God sent his only son to die for your sins and rise from the dead .... and you're in!
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
If you do that, every rotten, sinful thing you've ever done is gone from you. You're every bit as much a Christian as the pope or Billy Graham.
No fine print, no "your mileage may vary," no blackout dates. God ought to do a TV spot: "I'm God Almighty, and if you can find a better deal than the one I'm offering, take it."
The Gospel makes this point approximately 1,000 times. Here are a few examples at random:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.
In a boiling rage, liberals constantly accuse Christians of being "judgmental." No, we're relieved.
Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies -- no doing what all the other kids do.
And no more caring what the world thinks of you -- because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals: The world will hate you.
With Christianity, your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.
COPYRIGHT 2009 ANN COULTER
DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK
1130 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106
by Ann Coulter
January 6, 2010
Someone mentioned Christianity on television recently and liberals reacted with their usual howls of rage and blinking incomprehension.
On a Fox News panel discussing Tiger Woods, Brit Hume said, perfectly accurately:
"The extent to which he can recover, it seems to me, depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."
Hume's words, being 100 percent factually correct, sent liberals into a tizzy of sputtering rage, once again illustrating liberals' copious ignorance of Christianity. (Also illustrating the words of the Bible: "How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words." John 8:43.)
In The Washington Post, Tom Shales demanded that Hume apologize, saying he had "dissed about half a billion Buddhists on the planet."
Is Buddhism about forgiveness? Because, if so, Buddhists had better start demanding corrections from every book, magazine article and blog posting ever written on the subject, which claims Buddhists don't believe in God, but try to become their own gods.
I can't imagine that anyone thinks Tiger's problem was that he didn't sufficiently think of himself as a god, especially after that final putt in the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.
In light of Shales' warning Hume about "what people are saying" about him, I hope Hume's a Christian, but that's not apparent from his inarguable description of Christianity. Of course, given the reaction to his remarks, apparently one has to be a regular New Testament scholar to have so much as a passing familiarity with the basic concept of Christianity.
On MSNBC, David Shuster invoked the "separation of church and television" (a phrase that also doesn't appear in the Constitution), bitterly complaining that Hume had brought up Christianity "out-of-the-blue" on "a political talk show."
Why on earth would Hume mention religion while discussing a public figure who had fallen from grace and was in need of redemption and forgiveness? Boy, talk about coming out of left field!
What religion -- what topic -- induces this sort of babbling idiocy? (If liberals really want to keep people from hearing about God, they should give Him his own show on MSNBC.)
Most perplexing was columnist Dan Savage's indignant accusation that Hume was claiming that Christianity "offers the best deal -- it gives you the get-out-of-adultery-free card that other religions just can't."
In fact, that's exactly what Christianity does. It's the best deal in the universe. (I know it seems strange that a self-described atheist like Savage would miss the central point of Christianity, but there it is.)
God sent his only son to get the crap beaten out of him, die for our sins and rise from the dead. If you believe that, you're in. Your sins are washed away from you -- sins even worse than adultery! -- because of the cross.
"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14.
Surely you remember the cross, liberals -- the symbol banned by ACLU lawsuits from public property throughout the land?
Christianity is simultaneously the easiest religion in the world and the hardest religion in the world.
In the no-frills, economy-class version, you don't need a church, a teacher, candles, incense, special food or clothing; you don't need to pass a test or prove yourself in any way. All you'll need is a Bible (in order to grasp the amazing deal you're getting) and probably a water baptism, though even that's disputed.
You can be washing the dishes or walking your dog or just sitting there minding your business hating Susan Sarandon and accept that God sent his only son to die for your sins and rise from the dead .... and you're in!
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
If you do that, every rotten, sinful thing you've ever done is gone from you. You're every bit as much a Christian as the pope or Billy Graham.
No fine print, no "your mileage may vary," no blackout dates. God ought to do a TV spot: "I'm God Almighty, and if you can find a better deal than the one I'm offering, take it."
The Gospel makes this point approximately 1,000 times. Here are a few examples at random:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.
In a boiling rage, liberals constantly accuse Christians of being "judgmental." No, we're relieved.
Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies -- no doing what all the other kids do.
And no more caring what the world thinks of you -- because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals: The world will hate you.
With Christianity, your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.
COPYRIGHT 2009 ANN COULTER
DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK
1130 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
think good thoughts
When confronted with a goliath-sized problem, which way do you respond: “He’s too big to hit” or He’s too big to miss”?
The Lord that delivered me out the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37
The Lord that delivered me out the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3
Don't Assume You Know It All
1-2 Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.They'll help you live a long, long time,
a long life lived full and well.
3-4 Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.
The Very Tree of Life
13-18 You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,when you make friends with Madame Insight.
She's worth far more than money in the bank;
her friendship is better than a big salary.
Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth;
nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
With one hand she gives long life,
with the other she confers recognition.
Her manner is beautiful,
her life wonderfully complete.
She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.
Hold her tight—and be blessed!
19-20 With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth;
with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface,
and dew to descend from the night skies.
Never Walk Away
21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
they'll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely,
you'll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he'll keep you safe and sound.
27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
your hand is God's hand for that person.
Don't tell your neighbor "Maybe some other time"
or "Try me tomorrow"
when the money's right there in your pocket.
Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.
30-32 Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
always spoiling for a fight.
Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.
Why be a bully?
"Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls.
It's the straightforward who get his respect.
33-35 God's curse blights the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honor;
stupid living gets the booby prize. The Message (MSG)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Romans 12: 4, 5 (NLT)
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Whether you're familiar with the HeartStrings Cafe or not please read! No matter who we are, where we're goin or where we've been we all need to align our lives to God's plan and purpose.
The HeartStrings Café is all about music, ministry and friendship. It has been a “spiritual internet base camp” for many of us since 2002. If you’re familiar with The HeartStrings Café Webcast then you know that’s pretty much what brought us together in the first place! Although I haven’t met every one of you face to face; we’ve created some long and lasting friendships here in “Cyberville” based on our relationship with Jesus Christ.
I’ve been told that the webcast is “church” to some of you! We’ve “sent and received” a lot of prayer requests to each other over the years. We’ve walked “mountains and valleys” together. We’ve watched God remove burdens and heal broken hearts. Folks have even been “born again” in the HeartStrings Café! Lives have been changed; for the better. The evolution of The HeartStrings Café has been an interesting and historic journey for me and, hopefully, for you as well. As we continue to move forward into 2010 I have some exciting news to share!
I know some of you don’t have a church home or maybe you’re looking for something new. Maybe you’re confused about the whole “church thing” and maybe you’ve always wanted to go to church in your pajamas! Well, here’s your chance! It’s time for a change and it doesn’t get any easier than this! My wife and I are members of THE CHURCH of Jacksonville. Our Senior Pastor’s are Michael and Connie Smith. We have mailed a ton of “Pastor Mike” CDs and DVDs to many of you and I have received testimonies of how they’ve helped with challenges and situations in your lives. Some of you have expressed a desire to be a part of this church – well – now you can be! THE CHURCH of Jacksonville has evolved into “The Church Group Worldwide.” You can now logon to our church service in real time!
Go to: http://www.thechurchgroup.com and click the I-Church link. Service times are listed. If you need additional info contact The Church Group Worldwide: 877.739.2529.
From www.understandingtv.com you can see pre-recorded services.
If you want to hear the Bible broken down into a language you can understand; then check it out! Maybe you know someone you can share this info with. It’s a great way to get the Gospel “into all the world.” (Mark 16: 15) Technology has given us a door that leads to a world in need of Jesus. Invite some friends over and have church in your living room! The Church is not a building – it’s a Body!
HeartStrings are tied …
Barry Lee
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Whether you're familiar with the HeartStrings Cafe or not please read! No matter who we are, where we're goin or where we've been we all need to align our lives to God's plan and purpose.
The HeartStrings Café is all about music, ministry and friendship. It has been a “spiritual internet base camp” for many of us since 2002. If you’re familiar with The HeartStrings Café Webcast then you know that’s pretty much what brought us together in the first place! Although I haven’t met every one of you face to face; we’ve created some long and lasting friendships here in “Cyberville” based on our relationship with Jesus Christ.
I’ve been told that the webcast is “church” to some of you! We’ve “sent and received” a lot of prayer requests to each other over the years. We’ve walked “mountains and valleys” together. We’ve watched God remove burdens and heal broken hearts. Folks have even been “born again” in the HeartStrings Café! Lives have been changed; for the better. The evolution of The HeartStrings Café has been an interesting and historic journey for me and, hopefully, for you as well. As we continue to move forward into 2010 I have some exciting news to share!
I know some of you don’t have a church home or maybe you’re looking for something new. Maybe you’re confused about the whole “church thing” and maybe you’ve always wanted to go to church in your pajamas! Well, here’s your chance! It’s time for a change and it doesn’t get any easier than this! My wife and I are members of THE CHURCH of Jacksonville. Our Senior Pastor’s are Michael and Connie Smith. We have mailed a ton of “Pastor Mike” CDs and DVDs to many of you and I have received testimonies of how they’ve helped with challenges and situations in your lives. Some of you have expressed a desire to be a part of this church – well – now you can be! THE CHURCH of Jacksonville has evolved into “The Church Group Worldwide.” You can now logon to our church service in real time!
Go to: http://www.thechurchgroup.com and click the I-Church link. Service times are listed. If you need additional info contact The Church Group Worldwide: 877.739.2529.
From www.understandingtv.com you can see pre-recorded services.
If you want to hear the Bible broken down into a language you can understand; then check it out! Maybe you know someone you can share this info with. It’s a great way to get the Gospel “into all the world.” (Mark 16: 15) Technology has given us a door that leads to a world in need of Jesus. Invite some friends over and have church in your living room! The Church is not a building – it’s a Body!
HeartStrings are tied …
Barry Lee
Friday, January 1, 2010
From Faith to Faith -
Daily Devotional from www.kcm.org
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved – Romans 10:13
Today people everywhere are gathering together to celebrate the first bright moments of the New Year. Yet, for thousands of others, this day will be the toughest 24 hours of their lives. For those people, New Year's will serve only as a dim reminder of loneliness and loss. It will simply mark the beginning of another year of failure.
What about you? What's this year really going to be like for you?
You may appear to be happy enough. You may be passing out seasonal smiles and holiday greetings just like everybody else. But inside, you may hurt. You may be disappointed. You may even feel like you can't go on. If so, I want you to know something. All of that can change in an instant. You can start your life over today and make this New Year's Day the most joyful day of your life!
How many times have you said to yourself, "If I could just start over, I'd do it all differently"? That doesn't have to be simply an idle wish. Jesus Christ has actually made it possible. That's His Christmas present to you. He paid the price for all your sins. He paid the penalty for all your mistakes.
That's the reason He came to earth. That's the reason He was born--so you could start over!
You may look at your life and say, "But I've made some terrible mistakes. I've done some despicable things." That doesn't matter. Jesus paid the price for them all! How can you make a new start? Romans10:9 says that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." It's as easy as saying, "Jesus, I'm turning my life over to You. From this day forward I'm Yours."
What better time to turn your life around than on this first day of the New Year. Right now, wherever you are, just give your life to Jesus. Then jump up and down and holler, "Praise God, I'm starting all over!" And find out what it really means to have a Happy New Year! Scripture Reading: Romans 10:1-13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved – Romans 10:13
Today people everywhere are gathering together to celebrate the first bright moments of the New Year. Yet, for thousands of others, this day will be the toughest 24 hours of their lives. For those people, New Year's will serve only as a dim reminder of loneliness and loss. It will simply mark the beginning of another year of failure.
What about you? What's this year really going to be like for you?
You may appear to be happy enough. You may be passing out seasonal smiles and holiday greetings just like everybody else. But inside, you may hurt. You may be disappointed. You may even feel like you can't go on. If so, I want you to know something. All of that can change in an instant. You can start your life over today and make this New Year's Day the most joyful day of your life!
How many times have you said to yourself, "If I could just start over, I'd do it all differently"? That doesn't have to be simply an idle wish. Jesus Christ has actually made it possible. That's His Christmas present to you. He paid the price for all your sins. He paid the penalty for all your mistakes.
That's the reason He came to earth. That's the reason He was born--so you could start over!
You may look at your life and say, "But I've made some terrible mistakes. I've done some despicable things." That doesn't matter. Jesus paid the price for them all! How can you make a new start? Romans10:9 says that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." It's as easy as saying, "Jesus, I'm turning my life over to You. From this day forward I'm Yours."
What better time to turn your life around than on this first day of the New Year. Right now, wherever you are, just give your life to Jesus. Then jump up and down and holler, "Praise God, I'm starting all over!" And find out what it really means to have a Happy New Year! Scripture Reading: Romans 10:1-13
think good thoughts ...
Patience is a quality you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead.
The end of the matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 NIV
The end of the matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 NIV
The Gift
this is an excerpt from "The Gift" - a chapter in the forthcoming book by Barry Lee Harwood!
What would you attempt do if you knew you couldn’t fail? If your eyes were fixed on a dream in your heart and you were fully persuaded there was no way you would experience failure … what course would you follow? If there were no doubt you would succeed; how would you proceed? How would the certainty of success affect your mood and attitude? I’m not talking about being granted “three wishes” by a magic genie in a bottle and I’m not talking about winning the lottery. I’m talking about pursuing purpose and destiny; executing a plan. I’m talking about “walking the walk “and “talking the talk” that makes dreams come true. Doing the work and putting forth the effort – doing what you’ve never done to obtain something you’ve never had. I’m talking about following a real dream that burns in your heart – a “for real” desire that drives you night and day and gives you a “reason for being” – an objective and purpose for your life; not only with a predetermined outcome but the absolute assurance of succeeding! I’m talking about the reality of pursuing a dream and knowing for certain that the dream would come true without hindrance! How different would your life be if failure were not an option?
What are you trying to accomplish now; at this time in your life? What hope do you have in your future? Where does your hope come from? What gift do you bring to the world’s table? Where does the gift come from? What is your predestined purpose and whose purpose do you serve each day; is it the Cosmos or the Creator of the Cosmos? Discovering our purpose in life gives us the necessary motivation to move forward but how do we arrive at a place of believing we cannot fail? If you were certain that you wouldn’t fail; how would it affect your life?
What would you attempt do if you knew you couldn’t fail? If your eyes were fixed on a dream in your heart and you were fully persuaded there was no way you would experience failure … what course would you follow? If there were no doubt you would succeed; how would you proceed? How would the certainty of success affect your mood and attitude? I’m not talking about being granted “three wishes” by a magic genie in a bottle and I’m not talking about winning the lottery. I’m talking about pursuing purpose and destiny; executing a plan. I’m talking about “walking the walk “and “talking the talk” that makes dreams come true. Doing the work and putting forth the effort – doing what you’ve never done to obtain something you’ve never had. I’m talking about following a real dream that burns in your heart – a “for real” desire that drives you night and day and gives you a “reason for being” – an objective and purpose for your life; not only with a predetermined outcome but the absolute assurance of succeeding! I’m talking about the reality of pursuing a dream and knowing for certain that the dream would come true without hindrance! How different would your life be if failure were not an option?
What are you trying to accomplish now; at this time in your life? What hope do you have in your future? Where does your hope come from? What gift do you bring to the world’s table? Where does the gift come from? What is your predestined purpose and whose purpose do you serve each day; is it the Cosmos or the Creator of the Cosmos? Discovering our purpose in life gives us the necessary motivation to move forward but how do we arrive at a place of believing we cannot fail? If you were certain that you wouldn’t fail; how would it affect your life?
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