Keep The Faith

A few months ago I asked for prayers. I was going in for a hip replacement abd was anxious. Thank you for all your prayers. I'd like to give everyone an update.

There's has been ups and downs on my 8 week journey, but I can finally say I can see the end of the tunnel. What has amazed me throughout my recovery is how quickly I've seen improvements. One day I struggle to climb downstairs, then the next day I'm walking down without a second thought. I'm 8 weeks post op and no longer need walking aids. I'm still recovering. It takes time and patience, but if you put in the work, it's worth it in the end. I'm looking forward to getting my life back 🙂 God is good.

Praise reports are just as important as prayer requests. We all need prayers, but to hear praise reports lifts our moods and reminds us the work God is doing in our lives.

God bless you all.

‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:10‬ ‭NIV‬
[10] Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

Prayers needed.

On 6th February I'm going to have a hip replacement. I've been struggling with pain and mobility for the past 3 years. It's gradually got worse to the point that it hurts whenever I move. I'm a man if faith. I'm not afraid or nervous. I know I'm in God's hands and everything will be fine. But I've always believed there is power in prayer. So I'm asking you to keep me in your prayers please. Please pray that my surgery goes without any problems. Please pray that my recovery is swift and well.
Sometimes God puts us through things like this to make us stronger in other areas.
Thank you very much for all your prayers. It will make a difference. All praise to Jesus.

When times get tough, it's not alcohol that is the answer, it's faith. Alcohol never cured anything. Alcohol covers up the problem. It makes you feel good in the moment, but your problems are still there in the morning. It's only God that has the power to change your life. Whatever challenges you're facing, remember alcohol is never the answer. Your faith is!

Lord, you want to be our God and you want us to be your people. Give us the inner integrity and the power to discern and reject what does not come from the heart, so that everything may be genuine among us. Then no lies and deception will creep in, and honesty and goodness will flow from our hearts to the glory of truth, to the glory of the gospel and the great hope you give us through the gospel. Guard our hearts. Protect the good that is planted in them, that it may grow and thrive and bear fruit. Amen.

J. John explained why he doesn't like Halloween

Let me explain why I don’t agree with Halloween:

First, Halloween deceives us about evil. It creates a cartoon vision of evil as trivial, harmless fun that no one could possibly see as a threat. Yet all evil is serious and any messing with supernatural evil particularly so. To fool around with evil is a fool’s game.

Second, Halloween distracts us about evil. It presents evil in terms of the obvious and the spectacular; things that proclaim their identity with fangs and claws, cackles and cloaks. Yet evil is at its most seductive when it is silent and subtle. The most dangerous evils are not clumsy figures in skeleton outfits knocking on your door; they are infinitely better disguised. In the real world the most deadly evil doesn’t turn up with nocturnal cries of ‘Trick or treat!’ Instead it tiptoes around unannounced in broad daylight. It is there in the sudden opportunity to lie, gossip, slander or steal. The problem with the road to hell is that it never states its destination. By focusing on the recognisable and the grotesque, Halloween obscures the fact that most evil wears a charming face.

Finally, Halloween denies the defeat of evil. In Halloween, supernatural evil is presented as unchallenged and victorious. Yet as a Christian I believe that that’s only half of the story and the darkest half too. The reality is that evil has been defeated at the cross and that one day the crucified King, Jesus Christ, will return and abolish even the memory of it forever. That, not Halloween, is the story that I want to celebrate.