Listen and understand -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

By Mike MacIntosh

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
Mark 7:14-15

We are all very busy people, pulled in many different directions by distractions that, at times, hinder our ability to hear the Lord.  But despite all the distractions, Jesus is speaking to us.
Jesus says here two things that are so important for us to remember.  First, He says, "Hear Me."  In Mark 7:16, Jesus says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  Jesus is talking to you and with you, so you need to be in a place where you can hear Him.  He is there with you, right now, as you read this.  Make it a priority to find that quiet place where you can just listen to Him.

The second thing Jesus says is, "Understand."  Not only does Jesus want to be heard, but He wants you to understand what He's saying to you.  He is communicating deep, rich, and important truths to you that will change your life.  Not only do you want to be in a place to hear those things, but you need to understand them, take them to heart, and let them soak into you.

You may be involved in a lot of religious activities, and you may have bumper stickers that say so.  But none of these things mean that you have a relationship with the Lord, or that you are listening to, and heeding, His words.  Jesus is giving you words of comfort and encouragement.  He is giving you words to help you through life.  Listen to Him, and take to heart what He's saying.

Is Yelling the New Spanking for Parents? 5 Tips for Screaming-Prone Moms and Dads

by Jim Daly

Parenting children at any stage can be a real challenge. From the toddler who throws a lay-flat-on-the-floor-and-cry tantrum to the school-age brother and sister who won’t stop fighting, parents regularly navigate a wide array of situations that require dealing with unacceptable behavior.

The Today Show recently ran an interesting post exploring a growing trend among parents to manage these discipline issues through screaming rather than spanking. Maybe this tendency is due to a growing reluctance among some moms and dads to use spanking as a tool of discipline. Maybe it’s because our lives are becoming more hectic and fast-paced, so we have less patience with our kids.

Whatever the reason, most moms and dads will agree that constant yelling is no fun – it’s not what parents prefer to do, and it’s not what kids need. It’s not even an effective parenting strategy.

That begs the question: how can parents curtail the yelling habit? Here’s some advice from Focus’ parenting experts.

To Read the Five Advice Tips Click Here

Is your faith lacking?

Developing a Life of Prayer

Do you ever struggle with "a lack of faith"? Faith is not something we merely have or do not have. It involves a process of ups and downs, victories and setbacks, triumphs and disappointments with every passing day. That's because faith is an aspect of our relationship with God—a product of our walk with Christ and the constant, gentle influence of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Every Christian has to wrestle with doubt, fear, failure and inconsistency. In a certain sense, this is the only reliable road to a true and lasting faith that can weather the storms of life. Even the disciples of Jesus ("men of little faith" in the Lord's affectionate phrase) had to find their way through this dark, discouraging tunnel. Just at that moment when belief should have come easiest to them—when the Risen Christ Himself stood before them on a mountaintop in Galilee—Matthew records that "some doubted" (Matthew 28:17).

So if you sometimes question, know that you're not alone; as a matter of fact, you're in very good company. Meanwhile, you can take courage in the thought that even the merest shred of faith—faith as tiny as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20)—is all that it takes to elicit an approving smile from your heavenly Father (Hebrews 11:6).

Details Available for April 2014 Event Listed on the Virginia Pow Wow Schedule

Here is the final Pow Wow Listing for April
 
Check Out All Three April Listings Right Here

Do you see people as Jesus sees them? -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

By Mike MacIntosh

But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:33-34

Isn't it wonderful to know that Jesus is full of compassion? This is one of the things that makes our Lord distinct from the religions in our world.  God is not angry with you, nor does He desire you to accomplish works in hopes that you will appease and please Him.  He sees you and has compassion on you.

The Greek word for compassion is very strong.  It has to do with the emotion you feel way down deep in your gut.  Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach? Or have you ever felt so much pain or stress that you could hardly breathe?  When you're emotional to the extreme, your whole physical being feels it.  And that's the kind of compassion Jesus had; when He saw the people who desperately needed Him, He was moved through His whole being.  This is how much Jesus loves you.  He has so much compassion for you.

And imagine what it would be like if we showed just an ounce of this kind of compassion for others.  When you see people, do you see them as Jesus sees them?  Or do you judge them and criticize them for not being like you?  Jesus saw their need and, from His entire being, felt compassion for them.  But it just wasn't a feeling; He did something about it!  So, how are you showing Christ-like compassion to others?

"But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).

"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy" (Psalm 145:8).

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous" (1 Peter 3:8).

New April 2014 Virginia Pow Wow Event Posted

Just posted a second 2014 Pow Wow Event for April

April Calendar

 

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April 2014 Virginia Pow Wow Listing

We have posted our First Event Listing for 2014!!

The Event is the Georgetown Pow Wow in April 2014.

 Click Here for Details

More Coming for April!!