siLenT_nOiSe’s Neighborhood

http://guitpicken61.wordpress.com/

This is my next to the last post at VOX.  I am moving to Word Press because outsiders can't comment here.  I'll let you know where I am once the jump is complete.

I have loved this place.

In God’s House

Read: Psalm 84

Tobias, who recently turned 3, loves to go to church. He cries when he isn’t able to attend. Each week when he arrives for the children’s program of Bible stories, games, singing, and dinner, he runs into the building and enthusiastically announces to the leaders and other children: “Let’s get this party started!” The Lord must smile at this child’s excitement about being in what he thinks is God’s house.

The author of Psalm 84, one of the sons of Korah, also had a love for God’s house. Some commentators have speculated that for a time he, a temple singer, was unable to go to the temple—either because of sickness or circumstances. So as he wrote this psalm, his soul was especially longing and crying out to be in “the courts of the Lord” (v.2). He believed that one day of worship in God’s house gave more satisfaction than a thousand days spent anywhere else (v.10).

There’s something special about praising God together with His people, and we should take every opportunity we can to do so. But if we can’t, like the psalmist, we can still express our love for the living God and our longing to know Him (v.2). The Lord is pleased and we’ll be blessed when our heart’s desire is to be with Him and His people.

A good indicator of our spiritual temperature is our eagerness to worship God.

Serve Him
Read: Acts 28:1-10
Paul the great apostle to the Gentiles, preacher to thousands, worker of miracles, and writer of much of the New Testament was stuck on an island as a prisoner. Did he lie back and bemoan his condition? Did he think he should be treated better than others because he was an apostle? No! The Scriptures tell us that he chose to contribute to the work and needs of his fellowmen. It was cold and rainy, so Paul “gathered a bundle of sticks” for a much-needed, warming fire (v.3).
Perhaps you’ve been set aside for a while due to difficult circumstances. Maybe you’ve reached the time in your life when vigorous activity is no longer possible. Don’t despair. Remember Paul’s example, and do what you can do—even if it’s simply “gathering sticks." God never puts you in the wrong place to serve Him.

The Happy Couple

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"When was the last time you were at a wedding that had a death defying hike, rogue waves, a luau, ultimate fighting, a presidential candidate and a budding bromance?" asks Papi Chulo. For most of us, the answer is never, but luckily, Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch took the time to Vox all the amazing moments during their unforgettable Hawaiian wedding on 08.08.08 so we could all take part in the festivities.

The story began last February, when Papi Chulo popped the question and  Secret Agent Scotch said yes! Since then, they've kept us in the loop about all the details, from the bride's veil to the wedding song to the final To-Do List. And throughout it all, they inspired us with their love for each other. (I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than knowing your future husband thinks you are The Perfect Girl.)

It's an amazing love story and we are thrilled they shared it with us. Watch the video of the ceremony and please join us in wishing Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch the fairytale ending they deserve.

And What's a Team Vox Post without New Themes?

Spice up your Vox blog with one of our latest themes (found in the design area under "New") or any of our hundreds of themes. From shopping to sushi, comics to cycling, there's something for everyone.

Vox Themes August 08

Can't get enough of the wedding? A few lucky Voxers - Krissy, djchall, and Beau Smith - made the trip to Hawaii to take part in the celebration. Check out their Vox blogs for more pictures and stories.

Congratulations again to Secret Agent Scotch and Papi Chulo! Enjoy the Honeymoon!

~daisy 

The issues are many for those who are attempting to make changes in their lives.  Whether a person is trying to stop eating foods that are ill-advised or attempting to stop speeding in their cars, there are many decisions and reaffirmations of the goal required in order to successfully navigate through the emotions, physical, mental and spiritual obstacles that present when trying to make a change.  This is no different for someone who is trying to make healthy choices in relationship.  Randy Thomas at ETC:  Everyday Thoughts Collected has written on the topic of leaving emotionally destructive relationships.  I appreciate his clarity and wisdom.  Enjoy the article and let me/him/us know what you think.

Love
Love enables us to walk fearlessly, to run confidently, and to live victoriously. 1 Corinthians 13:6-8 "Love is never glad when others go wrong. Love finds no pleasure in injustice, but rejoices in the truth. Love is always slow to expose, it knows how to be silent. Love is always eager to believe the best about a person. Love is full of hope, full of patient endurance; love never fails.”

Bible Stories
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11
The stories of the Bible were never meant to be outgrown. There are profound lessons to be learned from the amazing accounts of those who faced giants, floods, and fish!
Hundreds of years after the fact, the apostle Paul explained that the things that happened to Moses and the Israelites as they wandered through the desert “happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition” (1 Cor. 10:11). These stories are about us. They mirror the tensions we face daily as we too seek to apply God’s will and ways to the realities of our lives. They teach us of the treachery of sin, our desperate need to trust God unflinchingly, and the importance of staying faithful and true to Him regardless of what happens.
Don’t ignore the old stories. You might be surprised what God wants to teach you through them. 

The Holy Spirit
Read: John 3:1-8
In God’s kingdom, there is a spiritual Helper who produces new life. But His role is to bring about “second birth” (John 3:5-8). The Holy Spirit uses a variety of ways to accomplish this. He convicts the world of sin (John 16:8), empowers the gospel (1 Thess. 1:5), regenerates us from within (Titus 3:5), and places believers into eternal union with Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13). Though He is invisible, His life-changing activity can be clearly seen.
Jesus said of the Holy Spirit: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
The Spirit desires to use us in sharing the gospel so others can experience that second birth. The Holy Spirit is the Christian’s source of power.