The Divided Church

We can consult the telephone directory or Google churches and we would find several listed. Then, we ask the question, why are there so many churches? The answer might seem complicated to some and to others understanding the historical origin for each church. The answers usually have a simple answer: established churches divide when they disagree over issues such as control and doctrine. Over the years, these divisions have multiplied until it is difficult to determine how many different churches exist today.

 Many accept the churches as God's plan, while there are signs that challenge this attitude. We are far from presenting the church of Our Lord Jesus Christ as a united body to an unbelieving world. We should keep this thought in mind. On the night that He was betrayed, Christ prayed for the unity of the Church. This is necessary for the  world to believe the Church message about salvation in Him. Many need to be free from the divided church mentality to the Church of Jesus Christ. The Church needs to be reminded of the Word of Jesus. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me"(John 17:21KJV). Here, Jesus is speaking of a spiritual unit and not an organizational unity. Just a word of wisdom for today .Dr. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides and stay tune for the second book forthcoming.

Just a Word

It is God's prefect timing for us to rejoice in His perfect ways. We should not trade a single moment for it. Here is a poem that can be appreciate for this time.

The Thorn
I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged Him for one priceless gift that I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried,"But Lord, this is a thorn! And it has pierced my heart."
He said, "My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee."
I took it home,and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I leraned He never gives a thorn without this added grace:
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil that hides His face.
                      -Martha Snell Nicholson,

Just a Word

 In all that we go though in  life, we are Christ's ambassadors. As we continue to live as ambassadors of Christ, let us persevere what God has commanded us to do. No matter what hardhips we may go through, we still need to be strong leaders who have overcame greater hardships that we have ever imagine. We can learn from them.

Lately, many Christians have forgotten about their Christianity and serving idol gods. They have wandered back under idol gods. Yet ,we know what happen to Israel  and we  are doing the same thing. How can you connect your spirit with an ungodly spirit? It is all because we can not find room in our heart to forgive. Yet, most of us have sin, because the Bible say, for we all have fallen short of God's glory. God forgave us,  yet we can not forgive.

Unforgiveness can turn into a serious disease that we will not be able to combat unless, we find forgiveness in our heart. Just a few weeks a young lady called me, because she was so confused. People were telling her to go against her belief, just because a person made a statement.  As a child of God we must love everyone and hate sin. I could ask one question and many would throw stones at me, but please think about it.

How many times have you told a lie? How many times before you truly got saved have you cheated , committed fornication, adultery and all the rest? See, you get my point. We all have be in areas where we should not have been, but we asked for forgiveness and God forgave us. Please think about it and be truthful to yourself because God already knows. Say a little pray and ask God to help you to forgive others as He does so many times. Then, ask the Lord who should I vote for, I am truly your Child and I want to be like Jesus and not what someone told me. Stay under the protection of the true and Living God and you will succeed. areskridge@sbcglobal.net. Annie Dennis Eskridge. Just a word for you to think about.

Prayer

Prayer is communicating from the heart of a person to the ear of God. Throughout theOld Testament and New Testaments, we find God answering prayers of those who needed him. We are familiar with David, who prayed for forgiveness and resotration after being caught in sin, and God heard his prayer.  Then we had Elisha who prayed for this servant's eyes to be opened to see the army of the Lord and God made it so ,as found in 1 Kings 6:17).

Jesus gave us Scriptures to tell us how to prayer.  He declared that praying to impress others makes people hypocrites. He decribed the hypocrites as those who found conspicous places to stand and pray in the synagogue and even on the street corners. When we pray, we should not pray to show the public, how pious and spiritual we are.  Out motivation should be to glorify and seek God and God alone.

As we slowly approach the upcoming election, we need to pray for God's will be done in the elections in the United States and in the political proess of nations around the world(Psalm75:5-7). Then, we can speak to God for ourselves and ask Him, who should you vote for? Christians can not vote for anyone or anything. But, we must have a forgiving heart and ask the Lord to show you, who cares about my welfare?

Finally, we can not listen to liars because a liar will eventually destroy themselves. The truth will always stand when a lie will fall off the scene. Then, how many of us have said or done things that others had a problem with? Now, you get my point. Be blessed and enjoy the rest of your week.

Do Not Fooled

Recently an article was posted by the LIUNA on election report 2012. It is true that election have consequences .This fall's election is about differences, the differences between what President Obama has done and can still do for LIUNA member, and what Mitt Romney will do to destroy the jobs and economic security of all and their loved ones.

The article goes on to say, we must not forget that President Obama was handed the worst American economy since the Great Depression. The international banking system was hovering on the brink collapse, the American automobile industry was going bankrupt, middle class Americans were being thrown out of their home, and companies across the country were laying off workers left and right.

President Obama took bold action to put people back to work and get the economy back on track.
He passed the economic stimulus package that included $90 billion for roads, bridges, transit, clean water and building construction.
He rescinded the short sighted and damaging Bus ban on Federal Project Labor Agreement. He helped pass legislation ensuring that our financial institutions won't be able to wreck our economy again. He appointed worker-friendly officials to positions where they could help workers get a fair shake, instead of helping companies skirt labor and safety standards. Time and again, President Obama reached out to the Republicans in Congress to try to work with them on our common economic problems, and time and time agin they turned their backs on him and the country. They refused to work with President Obama and this kind of behavior should not be rewarded.  They wrecked the car and sat on their hands instead of fixing it and they do not deserve to get the keys back. If President Obama does not win in November, you ca be sure that unions in this country as well as our families will be going backward instead of foward.(Taken from Message from LIUNA GENERAL PRESIDENT Terry O'Sullivan Special Report.)

Moral Relativism and Leadership

Solomon's leadership and wisdom, and his teachings in Proverbs 21:1 are essential to his view of leadership.  So whether you consider yourself religious or not, whether you believe in God or not, let's explore what Solomon had to say to us.

Solomon emphasizes the connection between faith and character.  An effective leader deeply is ingrained in traits of good character- things like honesty, integrity, courage, diligence, dependability, fairness, compassion, generosity, humilirty, loyalty, and perservance. Theses traits are built on a strong  moral and ethical foundation.

Who can have these traits? By faith in God,   its very nature, traits  places a demand on the believer's life.People of faith believe within their hearts that God expects them to live moral and ethical lives. They seek to obey God's given requirement to the best of their abilities. This is not done merely because they believe they will one day have to account to God, however,the more they follow God's ways, the more thy see that He knows what He is doing..

Unsaved people will tell us that they live moral, ethical lives as well.  That is true to an extent. But people who believe in God and derive their moral principles from Holy Scriptures all have a common moral frame of reference. A moral relativist would say, "what is right for you  might not necessarily be right for me. This is not true for Christians. Excerpt taken from ..Pat Williams' The Leadership of Solomon. areskridge@sbcglobal.net , author of Sin Abides written by Annie Dennis Eskridge.

Word of Wisdom for today Romans 3:23

Many are wondering who they should vote for and many say, it is questionable. I am reminded, if we seek the face of God and pray, He will lead and guide us. One statement, the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23 that, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We know it means failing to do what is required. It may also express itself in an attitude.  In the Scripture it is portrayed as falling short of God’s glory and another may say going astray.

This is true when we go against God’s law.  We may not approve of what someone has said, but we still need to judge all things according to the Word of God. Christians should not sin in their words, deeds or actions. When time comes to make a decision we should ask the question, what would Jesus do? Can I be a part of this group knowing that they have perverted the Scriptures or what?

A friend wanted to know who are you going to vote for? My answer was what I just shared and my friend was happy. I did not tell her who to vote for, but I gave some good advise, what would Jesus do? Annie Dennis Eskridge, areskridge@sbcglobal.net. author of Sin Abides..website:http://www.ruthplace.com.

Word of Comfort

The Word of God tells us to comfort one another when a loved one has made their transition. “We are always confident, knowing that while we are home in the body we are absent from the Lord” (2 Cor 5:6NKJV). Because the Believer has God’s guarantee, he or she can be confident, be of good cheer that their loved one is with the Lord, if he or she was His child. This can be the case for many of us, but you still have a pain.

As I went through this valley, as the tears flowed down, without words to express for the moment. Now, my best girlfriend from school is no longer where I can call her, no longer can I laugh and talk girl talk. You see this is how I expressed my hurt and pain.

            Death is just like a toothache, the pain get lesser each day. Yes, it hurts now, but each day it gets easier to face the next day. Yes, you may cry, because you sense a void, but it is Jesus that gives the strength to go through a period of sadness. But, because, we know where our loved one is, we can rejoice in the Lord.  5/26/2012

            Everyone has the right to go through a grieving period, but its much easier when you have hope, you can rejoice because they are in the presence of the True and Living God. So, even as I write this blog, I think about my friend for over fifty years. May she rest in peace and she does not have to suffer any more. She has received her glorified body. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides.

A Dictionary Of Christians- author unknown

1. Pillars- worship regularly, give time and money, use their talents.
2. Supporters- give time and money if they like the Pastor and the Treasurer.
3. Leaners- use the Church for funerals, baptism and marriages, but no time or money to support the Church.
4. Working Leaners- work but do not give money.
5. Specials- help and give occasionally for something that appeals to them.
6. Annual or Easter Birds- dress up, look serious and go to Church on Easter or some annual occasion.
7. Sponges- take all blessings and benefits, even the Lord's Suppoer, but give no mone to support the Church.
8. Tramps- go from Church to Church but support none.
9. Gossips- talk freely about everyone except Jesus.
10. Scrappers- take offense, criticize, an fight.
11. Orphan- children sent by parents who do not set them an example.
12. Backsliders- go back and walk no more with Jesus.(John 6:66)
13. Hypocrites- are leaners who say they are better than Church goers.

The Final result is, "if ye love me, keep my commandment."-John 14:15. Just wanted to share, so you can determine which group do you belong to? Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides, order online.

Establishing and Maintaining Our Identity

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life"(2 Cor 3:5KJV).

Jesus' ministry wouldn't have been very effective and His legacy would have done little to distinguish Him from the founders and leaders of the false religions of the world if He had been guilty of the same things that He condemned in others. The same is true for us. Our belief in Jesus Christ sets us apart. Many will hate us because the teachings we follow bring about conviction and lead them to the need for a eprsonal savior. Although many desire to be like us, they want what we have, peace, spiritual strength and faith, but they do not want the true and Living God. Remember the world hate us and yet desires to be like us. We should embrace our identity as Christians.  As Christians, what we believe and what we confess must be manifested in our daily lives.

Just a word of wisdom for those who accept. We must stand for what we believe. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides and in the late 2013 expect a new addition to the writer's world. email:areskridge@sbcglobal.net

Word of Wisdom

We should regard the chapters of Proverbs as a wise collection of the Holy Spirit as the Ultimate source.  Yes, King Solomon penned the collections but without the Ultimate Sources, it would have not been possible.  The Proverbs are just as timely to be observed today as when they were first given.

We need to be able to identify the benefits of Go’s Word. In Proverbs Chapter 3, Solomon advises his son. Solomon knew the importance of his son keeping a persistent and continual regard for God’s precepts, promises, and provision, then he would led a life of unspeakable advantages. “My son forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you” (Proverbs 3:1-2NKJV).

Solomon admonishes his son/daughter to retain the commandments and by doing so, your reward from being obedience is a long and peaceful life. Just think about it Saints where are we? This is a word of wisdom. Recently a relative shared the message of Jesus Christ with a family member.  To my surprise they rejected the Word of God and today they are no longer with us.

It is better to live for Jesus at all times, if you fall, then go the Scriptures, repent pick up the pieces and stay in fellowship with Jesus. Yes, no one is perfect, but we purposely to live after holiness do what the Word of God says and you will have no problem.  God is a forgiving God and we too must be forgiving at all times. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides. website:http://ruthplace.com. Email: areskridge@sbcglobal.net

Love

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him"(John 3:16-17NIV).

The entire Gospel of Jesus Christ comes to a focus in this verse. God's love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draw others in. Here, God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships-when someone loves you dearly, they are willing to give freely to the point of self-
sacrifice.  God paid dearly with  the life of His only Son, the highest price He could pay. Jesus accepted  our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and offered us a new life that He bought for us. We should  share the Gospel with others in love like Jesus.  Many times we will give up our own comfort and security so that other might come to know God's love by receiving the gift of salvation. Annie Dennis  Eskridge, author of Sin Abides. email: areskridge@sbcglobal.net. website: www.ruthplace.com.

Just a Word of Wisdom

Today many are upset with President Obama’s supporting gay marriages.  Well, my friends, the President is the President of all people.  We, as a nation wanted equal rights but, we wanted it on our term. 

Let us think for a moment and define sin. It means going against a moral law. Then, lying, adultery, fornication and backbiting and you know the rest, is just as bad as homosexual. There is no level of sin: it all is sin.

Apostle Paul tells us to "follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"(Hebrews 12:14KJV). The question is have you found yourself repenting for an ungodly act that you committed? then, why are you going against the President statement?

We, as Christians should love all people and hate sin. God gave the Church stewardship over the earth(Genesis 1:26). What we see today and what we hear reflects the Church. This tells me that the Church has a problem. From a survey that was taken by the Francis Shaeffer Leadership Development Center only  26 to 27 percent of our leaders have daily devotions.  They feel that it is not necessary.

This is just to provoke many to think before you throw a rock at the President.  Many of us do what we want too and we say what we want too and this is no different.  One thing we all can do is to pray for our President and all who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life.

Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides, email : areskridge@sbcglobal.net website: http://www.ruthplace.com.

           

           

Word of Wisdom

Today’s society has people who want the entire world to accept their sinful behavior.  For example same-sex marriage has been an issue for a while. People want to amend the Constitution to accept same sex marriages.  Yet, the Bible speaks against it in Leviticus 18:22, “you shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.”

            Living a life of sin can be seen while society is slowly falling apart at the seam. The media is filled with murder, rape, robbery, and theft of every kind. Also terrorism and rumors of wars are in the news daily.  We are familiar with how Satan deceived Adam and Eve and told the first lie to the both of them. This allowed sin to take a foothold on their lives and on the lives of every person ever since.

            The result of sin causes one to be separated from God, whereas, in Adam and Eve’s case they were evicted from the Garden of Eden. Plainly spoken they were separated from the Tree of Life, their home, and their relationship with God. They became spiritually dead because they had no vital contact with God. We should not forget that sin does negative things to everyone. Being spiritual dead is a bad state to be in for anyone. Also, we should not forget that sin is totally against God and it hinders our relationship with God.

            Our lifestyle should be an example to our family and friends who have never receive the Gospel of the Good News. Sin is subtle; a worldly person may not identify it as being a sin, so we must continue to pray for our loved one.

Understanding of the Cross

As people of God, we recently celebrated Jesus resurrection from the dead.  Beyond traditions and doctrinal of men, we must know that Jesus died for the entire world (the Christians and the non-Christians). We must know that our victory has already been paid  in full.  It does not matter what you are experiencing you still have 100% victory in your life.  It all depends on us.  Do we follow after holiness or not?

          God created all things but it is your choice as to whom you will serve. God created us to walk in victory. We have been designed to be winners. But, with this post modernism, modern teachings and varies philosophies, many have gotten off the straight and narrow path. Apostle Paul said in 1^st Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified” (NKJV).

          We should be preaching the message of the Cross.  Only Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross will guarantee us completed victory in our life. There is no other source that can save, heal or deliver us from our self and those ungodly ways.  We can join all types of organizations, but it is all about Jesus Christ crucified death and burial.  Now, if those organizations that you belong too point you to Jesus, then remain in them.  But, I know that Jesus is the only way if you want to be victorious. 

          If you need victory in your life, then you need to study the Message of The Cross.  We are moving pass religion, theology and doctrine of men.  We need to anchor ourselves in Jesus Christ and what Jesus did on the Cross. It is not about you or me, it’s all about Jesus Christ and what He has already done for us on that Cross. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides..email:areskridge@sbcglobal.net

Word of Wisdom

Love and caring can be penetrating.
     "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answere, he asked him,"of all the commandments, which is the most important?" " The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength," The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself." There is no commandment greater than these"(Mark 12:28-31).


When we have a grasp of the magnitude of the love we received from our Lord that is totally underserving, it should drop us to our knees. It also should cause us to see how we are with those around us. If we see ourselves as underserving and God is willing to love us. So when we are loving the Lord our God with all of our heart, and with all our soul and with all of our mind and with all of our strength; then, we will love our neighbor with care! Yes, we are to love ourselves.  This may not be popular in theology, but Christ does say love others as we love outselves. Keeping in mind if we hate ourself then we will not be able to love others.

The Leadership Wisdom of Solomon

Pat Williams...reaches back several thousand years to remind us that the wisdom of Solomon works for us today, if we let it. King Solomon transformed the tiny tribal nation of Israel into an economic and military superpower.  His brilliance as an international financier made Israel the wealthiest nation of the ancient world.  And he did it with integrity.

Solomon left us twenty-eigth profound leadership strategies as valid today as when the proverbs were written. The same extraordinary wisdom that transformed Solomon's world can revolutionize every aspect of leadership from assembling a cohesive team to managing a crisis.

Pat Williams, senior vice president of the Orlando Magic, uses time-honored principles, real life stories, and compelling takeaways to apply Solomon's ancient insights to the high- speed world in which we live.  Protect your integrity throughout your leadership career lead like Solomon now. Great book that can be purchased online or your local Christian bookstore. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides, Email: areskridge@sbcglobal.net.

Mind uncluttered

Ways to keep your mind uncluttered, clear of confusion, free of wandering and unprofitable thoughts:

Learn to:

1. Meditate on God and God’s Word: Joshua 1:8.

2. Renew your mind: Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:5.

3. Set your mind on things above: Colossians 3:2.

4. Keep your mind on Jesus: Isaiah 26:3.

Next would be to control your thoughts:

5. Pray for and have a sound mind: 2^nd Timothy 1:7.

6. Pursue the mind of Christ: 1^st Corinthians 2:16.

7. Develop a grateful/thankful attitude: Psalm 100.

8. Be not doubtful: Luke 12:29.

9. Bring in (reign in) your thinking: 1^st  Peter 1:13; 4:7 (Taken from the Christian Women Council Curriculum for 2011).

Practice bringing your mind in and readjust your thought patterns.  Regardless to what happens or what may be taking place in your life; regardless of what you have thought in the past, focus on Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things”(NKJV). Paul commands the Philippians to compute over and over what is good and what is pure.  In this way, Christians can renew their minds so that they will not conform to the evil habits of the world.

Then inorder to think on good and pure things, ask yourself these questions:

·         What am I thinking about now?

·         What is in my heart?

·         What is your mindset?

·         What kind of attitude do I have?

·         Allow Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be your guide in your thoughts. Do not allow your mind to be cluttered but focus on the Word of God daily, so that you can renew your mind with God's Word. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides.

Leading with Integrity

One of the greatest challenge for leaders today is integrity. Many will say things like  walk the talk and lead by example.  This is sad because you can not just lead by cliche.  You really have to lead by the way you live and not by some words that does not mean a thing.

The word integrity can be misunderstood. It is not a positive attribute as many think it is however integrity comes from the same Latin root as integer. We get the word integers from math, they are whole numbers. Integrity simple means whole, or complete.

As leaders we should value integrity, reverence and sanctification. Apostle Paul have written thirteen epistle of the New Testament , no epistle give us a better look at man's heart than the one found in  found in 2 Corinthians. Integrity is the concept of wholeness. Synonyms are honesty, virtue, honor, morality, uprightness, soundness, and sincerity. Proverbs 10:9 tell us,"he who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts hisways will become known(NKJV). This means conforming to God's law as a course of life.  Choosing crooked paths its willfully to disdain the guidance God so graciously provided.

Core Values

Core Values seems to be playing a great significant part in today's society.  We can not develop a Strategic Plan without first determining what it is that we value as individuals and as an organization.  Many fail to ask the question.  The question answer the ultimate question of why do we do what we do? Core Value determines the DNA of an organization.  It also helps us to get to where we want to go.  Once we discover or know our Core Values, we will understand who we are as a person.  If we are a Christian, we should know who we are in Christ Jesus.

It is so important to understand logic to the Core Values.  People must see logic in the Core Values that we offer today.  People outside seems to be more concerned with Core Values.  If you cannot think it, then know that you cannot do it.  You must be a clear thinker also the Core Values will determine how you treat people and it is biblical as well as relevant. In Core Values everyone is important, not just the pastor and his family.

However,  Core Values addresses, what should be considered most important to an individual life as well as the life of the church.  There are five elements that sum up Core Values and they are: values are constant, passionate, biblical, core beliefs and drive the ministry.

To be effective in any organization, Core Values must exist. It is time for all ministers to live what they minister to others.  Core Valves influences our goals, our decisions, our mission  and supports all that we do.  The truth is you cannot get away from Core Values.  It lives in us. Even when we hire people, we look for those with the same character, charisma and chemistry identical to ours. Without those values my friend, it is wise for you to forget about hiring the individual.

We must keep in mind that right Core Values will motivate people.  Values are core belief based on faith but not  always facts. Then what do I believe and will it cause people to connect?  We cannot correct what we have not projected and without Core Vaules we would decline to exist. It is a part of all that we do and we can take it even further and say, in Core Values, we architect our belief from what we value. In closing Habakkuk 2:2 tells us to ,write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it( NKJV).Annie Dennis Eskridge,author Sin Abides email: areskridge@sbcglobal.net

Does God Feel Your Pain?

Finding answers when life hurts is a plus for many of us. Pain has a way of bringing to surface some of the hardest questions of life.  And the only trustworthy source for answers in the Bible, which was written by God.  In this book, authors Wayne House and William Grover interweave compassion, honesty, and scriptural counsel as they explore these difficult issues and more:
- Why has God allowed evil in the world?
- Why does God permit pain in our lives?
- Is God in control of all things, or just some?
- Why aren't my prayers being answered?
- Is it really possible to know joy even in the worst pain?

The book is divided into three parts, the reality of human pain and how God relates to it, getting to know the God who feels our pain and dealing with pain in our Christian walk. Does God Feel Your Pain is an awesome book that is easy to read. It can be ordered from your local Christian bookstore or online. Keep in mind that pain distract, distorts, and causes depression. It can affect your life,your job and your relationships. A person who lives with high pain levels is not pleasant. When you hurt so much you cannot sleep, read, sit, stand, or walk without pain screaming at you, your are not fund to be around.

Christian Living

This is something for you to think about and figure out where you are. Are you living a defeated life as a Christian or are you living as a victorious Christian? One thought to keep in mind and that is, if the message you hear does not point you to the Cross of Jesus Christ, you need to seek wisdom and move foward. Too many Christians are being taught away from the message of The Cross.

Defeated Christian Living
Focus: Works
Object of Faith: Performance
Power Source: Self
Results: Defeat due to the Message of the Cross is not mentioned.

Victorious Christian Living
Focus: Jesus Christ John 1:1, 14,29 Col 2:10-15.
Object of Faith: The Cross of Christ- 1 Cor 1;17, 18,22.
Power Source: The Holy Spirit
Result: Victory
Jesus Christ brings 1. The source of all blessings.
2. The Cross of Christ- is the means by which these blessings are given.
3. The Cross of Christ as the object of our faith- Ro 6:3-5, Col 2:14-15, Ephesiand 2:13-18.
4. The Holy Spirit is the Head of all of this- Romans 8:1,2,9-11.
If you are a Christian that attends a Church where the Cross is being taught, then help me to pray for others. There is nothing wrong with teaching faith or prosperity as long as it points the people to the Cross. God Bless each and everyone and thanks for reading this message.  If you have any questions please email me;areskridge@sbcglobal.net. Or check my website out and from time to time I will post information pertaining to the Message of the Cross.

The Peace Maker

Ken Sande has written an awesome book that gives practical Biblical guidance for conflict resolution that takes you beyond resolving conflicts to true, life-changing reconciliation with family, coworkers, and fellow Believers. This book provides clear, biblical steps to resolving conflict in personal and professional relatiohships. Peacemaker is loaded with rich sources that will help you to resolve all steps of conflict.

In an age when conflict is more often the norm in the world and the church, a guide to bring peace is sorely needed. It is timely and it is biblical. The author has made it even better by sharing his experience as a conciliator, bringing us rich real-life stories and Christ-centered truth.
If you are facing conflicts now or from time to time, then this book would be great.  The Peacemaker can also be used for retreats and a Spiritual Formation class.  You can order the book online for from your local Christian bookstore. Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides. Email areskridge@sbcglobal.net OR visit my website at:http://www.ruthplace.com.

R. S. Thomas's poem, "The Priest"

This poem captures well the real nature of our calling and ministry:

The priest picks his way
Through the parish. Eyes watch him
From windows, from the farms;
Hearts wanting him to come near.

The flesh rejects him.

Women, pouring from the black kettle,
Stir up the whirling tea-grounds
Of their thoughts; offer him a dark
Filling in their smiling sandwich.

Priests have a long wayh to go,
The people wait for them to come
To them over the broken glass
Of their vows, making them pay
With their sweat's coinage for their correction.

He goes up a green lane
Through growing birches; lambs cusion
His vision, He comes slowly down
In the dark, feeling the cross warp
In his hands; hanging on it his thought's icicles.

"Crippled soul", do you say? looking at him

From the mind's height; "limping through life
On his prayers, There are other people
in teh world, sitting at table
Contented, though the broken body
And the shed blood are not on teh menu."

"Let it be so", I say. "amen and amen."

This is what the Lord has called us- to care for souls, a ministry over the broken glass to a world that sees us limping through life' and who are quite content without the broken body and shed blood on our tables.  This is exactly what the world needs- broken pieces that have put all of their strength in our constant companion, Jesus Christ. - The Peace Making Pastor by Alfred Poirier- An awesome book on hos a pastor should maintain peace.

Every pastor faces conflict in the church and the book provides a gospel-centered strategy for equipping pastor to be highly effective peacemakers who can lead their flocks safely through conflict while building a culture of peace in the church.