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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for February 28, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for February 28, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:30:08 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for February 28, 2011</subject>
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 9  ---  February 28, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you...to conquer all!   
 In the Great Glen of Scotland, there lies a long, meandering road.  From Glasgow, it travels north into the Highlands, moving through the beautiful valleys of Glencoe, past Ben Nevis (Britain's highest mountain), beyond mysterious Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, then on to the ancient city of Inverness.  Along the way, just north of the quaint village of Spean Bridge, is the Commando Memorial.
 On a lonely hill stands a statue of three soldiers atop a large stone pedestal.  The Memorial is dedicated to the Commandos, all volunteers, who died in World War II.  A plaque proudly declares, This Country was their training ground.  "This Country" is the beautiful but often harsh environment of the Highlands.
 I stopped there some years ago on my way to the Isle of Skye.  I'd never heard of the Commando Memorial but it looked like it might be interesting.  At first there didn't seem much to see...just one statue and, off to the side, a small garden.  I looked up at the soldiers (it's quite tall) and read the plaque.  But then I noticed, etched deep into the top layer of the pedestal...UNITED  WE  CONQUER.
 The words were separated as though each carried its own significance.  United &ndash; joined in a common cause.  We &ndash; specially trained troops.  Conquer &ndash; overcome in victory.  United We Conquer then becomes, specially trained troops bound in a common cause, we are victorious.  But I noticed something else.
 Cards and notes had been carefully placed around the stone platform that held the statue as well as throughout the garden.  Many had old pictures of young men in uniform, many with newer ones of wives, children and grandchildren.  As I stood there, people came &ndash; some with others, some alone &ndash; to add their own cards, notes and pictures.  All were somber, some with tears.
 Then it occurred to me.  I was wrong about the WE.  It wasn't just the Commandos.  It was also their families, friends and neighbors.  It was all of Great Britain.  And it wasn't just about what they did yesterday, but about what they do today and will do tomorrow.  The Memorial was not simply to remember the Commandos, but to remember who every Brit is now.
 In his letters to those committed to follow Jesus, Paul called them to be a singular people, united in mind and thought (1 Corinthians 1:10), one in spirit and purpose (Philippians 2:2).  And he told them, In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37-39).
 Remember the Commando Memorial.  Paul's message is much the same and even more.  United &ndash; joined through Christ.  We &ndash; those who love Him.  Conquer &ndash; overcome in victory.  All &ndash; trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, physical harm, even death.  UNITED  WE  CONQUER  ALL.
 Britain was saved by the freely given sacrifice of the Commandos.  Today we look upon the three soldiers and remember their call.  We are saved by the freely given sacrifice of Christ Jesus.  Today we look upon the three expressions of one God and remember His call.  Through Him we are victorious.  Through Him...UNITED  WE  CONQUER  ALL!
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck 

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   





 
 
 
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for February 21, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for February 21, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:00:22 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for February 21, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 8  ---  February 21, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you...with love and hope!   
 If someone gave you $3,000,000, what would you do with the money?  No taxes to pay.  No fanfare, no publicity.  No one to know at all.  I've been thinking about money lately and how people relate to it, especially those who...have it to excess, desperately need more, handle it carefully or throw it away.
 I'm more sensitive to such things as I watch neighbors' homes go into foreclosure, friends file bankruptcy, fortunes won and lost, people seeking jobs, others losing them.  And I'm greatly bothered by propaganda that says our hope comes from government.  Claims that salvation lies with mankind are always lies.
 The real issue is the love of money.  Those who don't have it, want it.  Those who have it, want more.  There's no satisfying such lust.  When it commands our focus, we no longer consider the plight of others, as each day money takes the place of compassion.  And in time, we no longer look to God.  The love of money truly is a root of all kinds of evil.
 For the 2011 Super Bowl, a 30 second commercial cost $3,000,000.  Just think &ndash; how many could have been fed or given decent housing...how many could have lived had there been medicine and treatment available.  $3,000,000 for just one commercial.  And there were many, many commercials.
 We tend to think of money as the solution.  How often we have heard, With more money, we'll be able to cure...Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, every form of cancer.  Odd that it's never really works that way.  The height of idiocy was shown in an email I received a few weeks ago.  A minister claimed that for $30 he could save 30 souls.  I didn't realize he had such power or that the cost of a soul was so cheap.
 When times are hard, it's easy to forget God and think only of what money can do for us.  Churches can be just as guilty.  I've known some to spend more time on their budget than with struggling families.  Some install ATMs to "assist" tithing.  Is more personal debt okay if the church needs a new building?
 But you know what?  In spite of all this, whether selfish acts or misguided ones, there is real hope.  His name is Jesus.  What that means is more than I can say here, but I'll make it simple for this moment in time.  Jesus said He wants us to love Him...and to love Him we must follow Him...and to follow Him we must love each other...not simply in words, but by our actions.
 Love means caring, encouraging and helping each other.  It means sharing, growing and standing together.  It means speaking the truth, listening with compassion, holding each other accountable and reconciling anger and hurt feelings.  Love means reaching out to someone you may not like, being united with those who may be different, and walking together on the path God has set out for us all.  Loving others everyday is what we've been called to do.  It defines and sets us apart from the ways of the world.
 Together we can do this.  Together we can stand.  Together we make it.  Together we can live in such a way that others, who don't know Jesus, can look at us and get a glimpse of Him...the only real hope.
 $3,000,000 was for the flash of 30 seconds.  The love of Jesus is for a lifetime and beyond.
 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalms 33:22
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck 

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   





 
 
 
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for February 14, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for February 14, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:06 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for February 14, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 7  ---  February 14, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you...to live out of the box!   
 Imagine the scene with me &ndash; two adorable, black haired preschool boys quietly watching their favorite Barney episode on TV &ndash; tummies full, freshly bathed, and tucked into their pajamas for the night.  Mom, nicely dressed and purse over her shoulder, stands at the door, impatiently waiting for her husband.  Suddenly the garage door whirrs, a car door opens and the weary husband comes up the steps to be greeted with a quick kiss and an excited "I love you, don't wait up!"  It's Mom&rsquo;s Night Out !
 About once a month, my family played out this scenario.  Mom's Night Out was a huge deal for my friend, Julie, and me.  We were "stay at home" moms, by choice, in one-car families to help make ends meet &ndash; a small price to pay for the extraordinary benefit of raising our sons at home through the preschool years.  There was a cost, though &ndash; relative isolation from friends, especially other moms.
 Julie and I first met at church in a young couples class.  Neither of us had children at the time.  Over the years, as good girlfriends do, we shared many of life&rsquo;s new adventures &ndash; young marriages, job changes, pregnancy, and motherhood.  We also shared a desire to study God's Word and know Him intimately.
 For Mom's Night Out, Julie and I met at a local restaurant, always with the same order &ndash; a basket of chips and salsa with cheese dip plus two iced teas, one sweet and one unsweet &ndash; a comfortable routine.  We crammed many words, thoughts, ideas and stories into those few hours as the staff grew tired of refilling our basket and glasses.  Inevitably, the manager would come to say it was time to go home.  Many times we finished in a car before hugging and saying, "Goodnight &ndash; be safe!"  Most often well after midnight, I would roll into bed, unable to sleep for all the excitement of a good time spent with a special friend.  
 One particular evening, God used Julie in a miraculous way to change my life forever.  As we sat over our chips and tea, she asked me to tell her about my life.  I assured her she knew just about everything.  But I was stalling...afraid for her to know my past...afraid I would lose a valued friend.  She said I must be a very deep well...so quiet and reserved, always protecting...then gently began to ask about my childhood, where I grew up, and what I did for fun.  God led my dear friend to share sweet encouragement which slowly opened a box I had hidden in the closet of my heart. 
 You see, this box contains the things of my life &ndash; pictures, words, places, relationships, stories of failure and success &ndash; the beautiful and the shameful memorabilia.  The process of unpacking was tedious.  All the pretty things were neatly arranged on top to hide the ugly, broken things underneath.  I pulled out the funny, least scary memories.  Julie listened intently and seemed fascinated.  So I pulled out deeper items, some with stories of mistakes, hurt and regret.  My friend pulled in closer toward the edge of her seat. 
 By the time the manager came around, I had pretty much unpacked my box.  Julie hardly said a word, but her look of compassion and tears told me she accepted it all and loved me no less.  My friend helped me gather my things back inside my box, but this time I didn't try to hide the mess underneath or neatly fold the pretties on top.  It didn't matter with her, she had seen it all.  That night I drove home feeling lighter than I had felt &ndash; maybe ever.  I slept peacefully, having shed the weight of guilt, shame and regret only to be replaced by the feathery new feeling of love and acceptance. 
 The next Mom's Night Out followed our usual routine...except with no secrets or fear of condemnation.  We talked about the present and our prayers for the future, but we also went back and explored the past.  This time Julie was opening up her own box.  We told old stories, funny and sad.  We laughed so hard our sides hurt and tears rolled down our cheeks.  Then suddenly my friend looked across the table and remarked that I had come alive.  Though we had known each other for years, she was hearing me laugh out loud for the very first time.  Freedom &ndash; what a precious gift!
 God used a special friend with a tender, accepting heart full of grace to bring me out of my box and into more abundant living.  This year for my birthday, a new friend gave me a card with a hand drawn picture of a wrapped box bursting open at the top.  Next to the picture were these words &ndash; "Released and out of the box!"  She had no idea at the time...but she will now!
 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
 Fix your eyes on Jesus and SHINE!
 Lisa
 Lisa Brittain lives in Lilburn, Georgia, with her lucky husband, Randy, two sons who are blessings from God, and General, a gray poodle who came to live with them as an answer to prayer! She (Lisa, not General) frequently writes for Visions, Stories and Parables, her inspirational blog site at www.lbrittain.blog.com. 
  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   






 
 
 
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for February 7, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for February 7, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 06 Feb 2011 23:00:05 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for February 7, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 6  ---  February 7, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you...to find the truth!   
 In the old stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, there's a man by the name of Sherlock Holmes, an incredibly perceptive character who observes the smallest of details as he methodically eliminates impossible assumptions in his search for truth.  A favorite phrase of the detective is, There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.  We tend to be satisfied with the obvious rather than delve deeper to learn the truth.  In other words, our initial perception becomes misleading because we allow it to be.
 A mistake often made in court is to focus entirely on what a witness says.  Testimony is important, but the first step in discovering truth is considering who the witness is.  Will he gain by what he says?  Is he an accomplice or an enemy of the defendant?  What is his reputation?  Is he an expert on the subject?
 The character of a witness affects the quality of the testimony.  This is true outside of a courtroom as well.  Our character directly influences whether others hear or ignore, believe or discount, what we may have to say.  And our character is determined by who we truly are.  Those who do not miss that obvious fact are less likely to be deceived...even by themselves.
 There's a brief passage in Proverbs.  Perhaps you've read it.  He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit. (Proverbs 12:17,  NASU)  What is this telling us?  Don't lie.  Very simple, no need to go further.  Right?  I mean, it's obvious.  Hmmm.  Consider this...
 Something not found in the original text has been inserted.  It's the word "but".  That's important.  This word can change our direction, leading us to focus on what follows and miss the significance of what precedes.  Here, there's actually no "but".  The two halves combine to present a single message.
 Also, the original text is not, a false witness, deceit.   Instead it states, a witness false deceit.  There are no commas, and it's important, then, where we put them.  This translation uses one before deceit but ignores the possibility of one for false.  Yet commas can signal when to repeat verbs.  Doing so, we would have...
 He who speaks truth tells what is right; a witness who speaks what is false tells deceit.
 Last, the Hebrew words translated here as speaks and tells convey much more.  Puwach (speaks) means to blow as one fanning embers into a flame or to radiate.  Nagad (tells) means to boldly stand out, declare, and reveal as to those who otherwise would not know.  So now we have...
 He who radiates truth declares and reveals what is right; a witness who radiates what is false declares and reveals deceit.
 This goes to who a person truly is.  It tells us to look deep inside.  And what's actually quite clear about this &ndash; something so obvious we quickly file it away and fail to consider it as seriously as we should &ndash; is that this is not about him or her or them.  It's about you.  It's about me.  It's personal.  And it asks...Who am I and what are my words and actions revealing about God?  Do I claim to follow Him but live as though I don't take Him seriously?  Does my life reveal truth...or deception?
 Jesus once said, Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. (John 7:24).  What you see is not necessarily what you get.  Appearances may be false, so consider who someone truly is.  Consider your own appearance and who you truly are.  After all, deception is far more than spoken words.  But then, that's rather obvious...isn't it?
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck 

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   





 
 
 
 This message was intended for '%%emailaddress%%'.  You have received this message because you are subscribed to A Note of Encouragement.  Unsubscribe | To contact us please email TheNote@ciloa.org.

 









 
 
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for January 31, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for January 31, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 30 Jan 2011 23:30:07 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for January 31, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 5  ---  January 31, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you...with encouragers!   
 It's a cold day in November.  No headlines.  No stories.  Nothing on the Internet apart from On this day... trivia.  But families and friends remember...35 years before, when northern gales raced across Lake Superior and a freighter carrying 26,000 tons of iron ore was lost with all of its crew.
 I thought of this as I read some of the prayer requests we receive each hour...so many it's too difficult to keep up.  A fire destroys an orphanage.  A baby has a fatal disease.  A young man commits suicide.  A mother and children kidnapped.  Bankruptcies.  Riots.  Murders.  Loneliness.  Despair.  Hopelessness.  All worthy of prayer and compassion.  But something bothers me.
 As people move beyond the moment, pass the emergency, wait for the inevitable to occur, or accept the truth of what has happened, those on the outside looking in &minus; prayer partners, ministers, supporters, friends, even family...those with genuine compassion &ndash; will begin to forget.  They move on.
 Anyone involved in great causes can tell you the same.  Struggling orphanages.  Babies with AIDS.  Breast cancer.  Poverty.  Hunger.  The homeless.  Alzheimer's.  Addictions.  The list goes on.  The hearts of people are stirred to help.  But for the fight against whatever to continue, they must be continually stirred so they won't forget.
 Forgetting comes naturally.  Life moves on, especially for those not experiencing the daily hardships.  They need relief, too, and the more they seek it, the more they long for it and the comfort it brings.  Soon, whatever they did...the support, the comfort, the financial help...becomes an increasingly distant memory.
 In his letter to Roman Christians, Paul wrote, I am yearning to see you, that I may give and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you; that is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:11-12
 Paul wrote it was critical that we encourage each other every day (Hebrews 3:13), not just when days are hard or a tragedy occurs.  Every single day.  Wonderful, blue sky days, too.  But why if it isn&rsquo;t needed?  Because, as he points out in Romans, it is always needed.
 We tend to see encouragement as simply something we do for someone else.  We build them up, help and support them.  What we miss is what happens to us when we encourage someone else.  The strengthening and comforting go both ways.  As we care for someone else, our compassion becomes stronger and deeper.  As we encourage others in their walk with God, we are also encouraged in our own.
 A friend recently shared an article of how Christians in the UK are increasingly being slighted. One man said, We, as a country, need to do more to support Christians living out their faith.  Interesting, but "we, as a country" will never be the answer.  Jesus once said, You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you...They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. (John 15:19b,21)
 So, how do we live in a world filled with disease, hardship, hatred and despair?  We come together.  We build each other up.  We support, care for, and stand with each other.  Not just today, but every day!  Encouragement goes beyond patting someone on the back and making him feel good about himself.  It is the core of our spiritual being and our calling before God.  Everything depends on it.
 Let's encourage each other...as long as it is called Today...and remember.
 Does anyone know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours? The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her.
 They might have split up or they might have capsized. They may have broke deep and took water. And all that remains is the faces and the names Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.*
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck 
  Click here:  The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
 * The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Gordon Lightfoot, 1976 Moose Music, Inc.

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   





 
 
 
 This message was intended for '%%emailaddress%%'.  You have received this message because you are subscribed to A Note of Encouragement.  Unsubscribe | To contact us please email TheNote@ciloa.org.

 









 
 
 %%companyname%% %%companyaddress%%



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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for January 24, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for January 24, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:30:06 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for January 24, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 4  ---  January 24, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you...with a little help!   
 Standing Indian.  Bear sanctuary.  Nantahala Range.  Just south of the Great Smokey Mountains.  Bear sanctuary.  Four of us...Bandana, Mister Blister, Hoppin John and me...it's a trail thing...are on the last day of our adventure.  It's cold, the trail's rocky, and we're tired.  Did I mention bear sanctuary?
 We draw within 8 miles of our long-awaited ride home &ndash; my minivan (people-carrier in Ireland and the UK).  Bandana walks faster than the rest of us and is a bit impatient.  He forges ahead.  Doesn't matter that he's never been on this trail and has no map.  So off he goes with Mister Blister right behind.
 Much later Hoppin John and I come to a fork in the trail.  To the right, 3 miles and we're back to the minivan.  We know that because I have a map.  But it's not so clear in real life.  The right path quickly disappears into dense rhododendron.  Easy to miss if someone were...oh, say...walking very fast.
 We look up to the left and see two sets of fresh boot prints.  Crud.  Bandana and Mister Blister have taken the wrong path.  I blow my emergency whistle and wait for a return call.  Nothing.  They're already too far away.  I look at the map, then glance to the right.  Hoppin John suspiciously asks what I'm thinking.
 "You know, they probably won't have any problem.  The left path climbs up the side of this mountain, drops into a small gap, climbs again, but then it joins the creek trail that will eventually get them back to the minivan.  I'm sure they can handle it. "
 "But they don't have a map.  How far is it?"
 "10 miles," I mumble.  He frowns.  "It's their own fault."  He still frowns.  "We only have 3 miles left.  Please don't make me go after them."  Despite my whimpering, we begin the climb and eventually find them.  They are walking much slower, with no idea where they are.  Turns out, they needed a little help.
 I wouldn't have left them on that mountain...probably.  But isn't it easy to forget about others when we might be inconvenienced or bothered.  I once saw a news report on people in a welfare line one cold December morning.  New funds were available for that day only and a crowd had formed very early.
 A reporter spoke to a tired welfare worker who had come in on her day off.  She pointed to the people and said she hoped there would be enough money to help everyone.  The reporter asked about the views of those who felt they should try harder to get a job and be more frugal with their money.  The lady replied, "Maybe.  All I know is they need a little help."  Then the reporter interviewed a lady in her late fifties and a young man, no more than thirty.
 The lady: It was freezing. I stood in line 3 hours and 12 minutes, but I did it because I needed the help. Oh, Lord, I can't tell you on camera how frustrating it was. I just know God is good and I'm gonna make it through.  The man: Some people were crying in line because they thought they weren't going to be seen. It touches your heart. I know I never thought I'd be in a line like this, but I do need a little help.
 Life happens.  People take the wrong path.  Sometimes it's their fault, sometimes not.  Do we help only those we think deserve it or those we like?  Do we judge them first?  John said if we see someone in need, have the means to help, but close our hearts and do nothing, how can God's love be in us?  ...let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
 The world is messed up.  People suffer in different ways, whether or not it's their fault, and many, who could help, choose to close their hearts.  Let's show the world something truly different.  Let's climb the mountain and go help them.  Look around.  They're everywhere.  Family, friends, neighbors, strangers near and far.  Let them see the light of the world alive in us, find the right path, and know the Truth.
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for January 17, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for January 17, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 16 Jan 2011 23:30:07 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for January 17, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 3  ---  January 17, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you this day...'cause you're awesome!   
 Yea, verily, I am awesome.  (You know that but it bears repeating.)  I've climbed misty mountains, swam dangerous rivers, hiked rocky trails, and wrestled grizzly bears.  (Well, maybe not that last one yet.)  And a few weeks ago, I bravely chopped down a huge pine tree.  (Beverly was away and couldn't stop me.)
 Gale force winds of a night storm broke the trunk three feet from the ground.  As we slept, the mighty pine fell directly toward the house, straight for our bedroom in fact.  But an even taller sweetgum tree caught it in mid crash.  There, precariously lodged, it waited its chance to smash through the roof.
 When I discovered this the next morning, I immediately thought of WWJD, which of course means, What Would Jerry Do?  Many years ago, Jerry Oglesbee taught me everything I know about cutting down trees, most of which I've forgotten.  Still, I was guided by my second thought &ndash; How hard could it be?
 The base had cracked most of the way through, so the leaning pine was still perched on top of a vertically straight trunk.  My first thought was to take my heavy mallet axe and chop through so the tree would slide off the trunk and into the ground, providing more stability.  It sounded good, so I went to chopping.
 Everything worked perfectly.  I chopped.  The bark flew.  And the tree slid down ... forcefully ... making a surprisingly loud thundering noise as it fiercely jarred the ground, creating a bit of an earthquake.  Apparently a 40 foot tree is much heavier than I'd remembered.  (They don't look that way when they sway gently in the breeze.)  Armed with a new respect for life, mainly mine, I forged on.
 My son, Matt, and I wrapped a rope around the tree and secured it to another, the idea being that if it prematurely dislodged from the sweetgum and headed toward the house, the rope would deny its treacherous intentions.  I'm not sure why we thought that since the rope would most likely have snapped like a used piece of twine, but still, it made us feel better.
 I put my ladder next to the pine, climbed up with my chainsaw, and began to cut about 15 feet up the tree.  My plan was to cut through so the larger portion would drop down, move out of the sweetgum and fall harmlessly across my backyard, missing the house by at least 10 feet.  That's not exactly what happened.
 As I cut about half way through, the tree began to shift back along the cut.  I removed the blade just before it pinned the saw.  That clearly was not going to work, so I began to cut from the opposite side.  I didn't get far before I heard the unmistakable sound of wood cracking.  I pulled back and watched.
 The tree fell forward...toward the house...but then it cracked along the cut line.  The shorter part fell flat against the ground with the rest of the tree standing straight up.  The body of the sweetgum prevented it from moving any further forward, so naturally it fell back...toward me.  But not exactly toward me.  It fell swiftly just to my right (I can still feel the breeze as it passed) and, as it hit the ground, broke into five easily moveable pieces.  Just as I planned...or would have if I'd thought about it.
 You know, it's amazing God would focus His attention on us.  Just look at mankind.  What superior beings we are.  Why, surely we can do anything and figure it out all on our own.  But then the winds shift.  What was under control becomes too heavy to bear.  And the world crashes in.  Where are we then?  Will He protect us or leave us alone with our pride?
 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26)  Jesus...has become for us wisdom from God. (1 Corinthians 1:30)  And Jesus said, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
 Loved, protected, never alone.  Feel special?  You should.  To God, you're awesome.
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   





 
 
 
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for January 10, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for January 10, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:30:07 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for January 10, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
 Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser.


 
 


 
 


 
 
 


 
 
  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 2  ---  January 10, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless us this day...in our loneliness!   
 It's a new day.  There's a freshness, a sense of beginning again.  And for many, it could not have come too soon.  Looking back over the last year, I find it a very lonely time.  That doesn't mean there weren't days of joy and celebration, love and friendship.  But there were also days of loneliness, and maybe it was the highs of some days that made others feel so empty.
 But you know what?  That's okay.  It happens.  It happens to every one of us at some time or another.  There are many reasons, many causes.  And while it can be helpful to understand them, that doesn't always resolve anything.  The loneliness can remain.  There's a more important consideration during those times, a bigger question&mdash;What do I do in my loneliness?
 There are several courses of action.  One is to be angry or sad or both, blame others, perhaps even shake a fist at God.  Another is to "act happy", adopting a false and ready smile as though nothing is wrong.  Then there's the "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" approach.  None of those work, by the way.  Anger, sadness and blame resolve nothing.  Acting is just lying to yourself.  And the self-help method doesn't mean much if you don't know what to do.  I have a different idea.
 Embrace the time.  I don't mean be happy about it, but accept that you're lonely and see it as a special opportunity to spend time with God.  Difficult?  Sure.  Would you rather be doing something else?  Probably.  But unlike those things that only hide your true feelings, this actually works.
 David once said, Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. (Psalms 25:16-17)  Years later, his son Solomon wrote, "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
 These men were powerful.  In every sense of the word, they ruled.  But though surrounded by people, they knew the depth of depression that comes from loneliness.  The word for lonely here is yachiyd and describes a feeling of desolation, like one hopelessly lost in barren desert.  Yet their rescue began with admitting they weren't actually alone.  God was there, waiting.  Could it be that simple?
 What happened when Jesus became known and thousands demanded His attention?  What did He do when the world rushed in, friends faltered, few understood, and the work became even more difficult?   How did He handle the loneliness of it all?  Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)  Jesus showed us exactly what to do&mdash;embrace the time of loneliness and turn to God.
 But that's hard to do.  Do it anyway.  But I don't feel like praying.  Pray anyway.  But I don't want to read the Bible.  Read anyway.  In times of loneliness&mdash;David wrote of God, I take refuge in you (Psalms 25:20b)...Solomon urged, Revere and worship God, knowing Him, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man...the foundation of all happiness... (Ecclesiastes 12:13 AMP)...and Jesus proclaimed, I am not alone, for my Father is with me. (John 16:32b)
 Know God.  Follow Him.  Love Him.  Use your time of loneliness to draw closer to Him.  Then seek out those who are in despair and encourage them, so they, too, may do the same.
 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalms 25:4-5)
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   





 
 
 
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		</item>
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for January 3, 2011</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for January 3, 2011</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 02 Jan 2011 22:00:13 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for January 3, 2011</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume XI, Issue 1  ---  January 3, 2011





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless you this day...to reconnect!   
 Observation at Dysart's By Suzanne Taylor
 A writer's talent isn't only in painting pictures in your mind with colorful words and phrases.  It's also in the ability to observe.  Inspiration is found everywhere we go.  Recently my inspiration came from watching fellow munchers at the local truck stop my husband, Larry, and I frequent.  Dysart's has great food and wonderful servers.  Larry says the coffee is thick, able to wake anyone for hours&mdash;just what long haulers need. 
 On this particular day my focus was on a young man in a medium blue shirt with white stripes.  He was sitting with several people, his right elbow resting on the corner of the table as his body leaned forward over his arm.  I could tell he was listening intently to something one of his lunch mates was saying.  In my imagination, his ears folded forward like a funnel capturing every word.  The funniest thing was that he never made a move, showed an emotion, or even raised an eyebrow.  His concentration was deep. 
 Suddenly the young man sat up straight with such a quick motion it caused me to sit back in my chair.  He now seemed distracted, not caring what was being said.  He looked around the room at the other diners.  Some were finished and leaving their seats.  Others were entering and filling the tables.  It was like a wave of humanity in slow motion...in and out.  That's when it hit me.  We do this same thing to God.
 Our first years with Jesus are often a love affair.  We long for time alone with Him.  We rush through chores to spend time communing with Him.  We watch the clock at work, looking forward to a break or lunch time when we can open our Bibles.  We give Him our rapt attention, leaning in to hear every word He says, and we pray.  We can't wait for the church doors to open so we can worship.  There is joy in singing and anticipation for what we will learn from the day's message.  There is a deep peace in our hearts knowing we are safe with the Lord.
 Then, life happens.
 Instead of anticipating our worship with the Lord, we find excuses why we don't have the time.  We may think our prayers are not answered, so sure that either we didn't pray correctly or God just wasn't paying attention.  We decide prayer isn't for us; successful praying must be for others.  In essence, we sit up quickly and lose interest in what God is saying to us.  Our spiritual ears close and our spiritual eyes no longer see life and love in the Word of God.  We lose our joy.
 Movement at the other table captured my attention, and what I observed the young man doing next gave me hope for all of us.  After finishing his cursory examination of the people around him, he slowly regained his attentive position.  Once again his elbow was on the table and he was looking at and listening to his lunch mates.  His eyes were focused, his ears tuned in.
 We are never really out of touch with the Lord.  We must simply return our attention to Him.  As we refocus and pay close heed to God's Word, He restores communion with us.  And we will grow warmer daily until we are hot with anticipation for what He will teach us next.
 Instead of anticipating our worship with the Lord, we find excuses why we don't have the time.  We may think our prayers are not answered, so sure that either we didn't pray correctly or God just wasn't paying attention.  We decide prayer isn't for us; successful praying must be for others.  In essence, we sit up quickly and lose interest in what God is saying to us.  Our spiritual ears close and our spiritual eyes no longer see life and love in the Word of God.  We lose our joy.
 Movement at the other table captured my attention, and what I observed the young man doing next gave me hope for all of us.  After finishing his cursory examination of the people around him, he slowly regained his attentive position.  Once again his elbow was on the table and he was looking at and listening to his lunch mates.  His eyes were focused, his ears tuned in.
 We are never really out of touch with the Lord.  We must simply return our attention to Him.  As we refocus and pay close heed to God's Word, He restores communion with us.  And we will grow warmer daily until we are hot with anticipation for what He will teach us next.
 It doesn't matter if we have been away from Jesus for years or days.  He will respond to our first word of prayer seeking forgiveness and restore us to fellowship with Himself.  Writers may have the gift of words, but Christians have the gifts of the Holy Spirit and it's His job to nudge us when we go astray.  He guards the calling on each of our lives.  We can believe this because, God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (I Corinthians 1:9)
 Suzanne
  Suzanne Taylor is Pastor of New Beginnings Ministry (www.newbeginmin1.org), an online ministry dedicated to bringing together those who want to learn, share and experience more about Jesus. She is also the author of Rev's Notes. Suzanne lives in Maine, USA with her husband of 40 years, Larry.

  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   





 
 
 
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			<title>A Note of Encouragement for December 27, 2010</title>
			<description>A Note of Encouragement for December 27, 2010</description>
			<author>Chuck Graham</author>
			<pubdate>Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:00:06 -0600</pubdate>
			<subject>A Note of Encouragement for December 27, 2010</subject>
			<content><![CDATA[

 


 
 


 
 
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  A Note of Encouragement


 
 
 Volume X, Issue 52  ---  December 27, 2010





 









 
 


 
 
 May God bless us, everyone!   
 The days just after Christmas are special.  There is, of course, the relief from the running about, hectic pace, and exhaustion that often accompanies the season.  Yet for me, there's much more.  It is a time of reflection and understanding, when I step back to consider what occurred that day so long ago.
 What does it mean for us right now, regardless of where we find ourselves?  I understand about the opportunity to be saved from destruction.  I understand, as I am capable, a life with the One who gave His because He wanted to spend forever with me.  Still, for the moment of today, what does it mean?
 As many know from past Notes, one of my favorite stories is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  The book touches on so many things&mdash;neglect, abuse, poverty, greed, scorn, illness, loneliness, betrayal, grief, hatred, hopelessness, death.  While most think of these in terms of the central character, Dickens did not hesitate to also apply them to family, friends, neighbors, government, and even the church.
 It is a story of redemption, of hope for even the most horrid of people.  But it's also about being so focused on the affairs and failures of others that we lose sight of our own.  It's about ignoring the path God has set before us so that we may live the life we have chosen.  It is a story for the Scrooges of the world.  Even more, it is a message for you and me.
 A song in one movie version of this story was recorded by Andrea Bocelli.  Mr. Bocelli lost his sight as a boy, but rather than turn away, he clung to his music even more.  Today he has become one of the great singers of the world.  Where once there seemed hopelessness, there was hope.  And now, in this song, God has chosen the voice of one who is blind to give us a message that we may see.
 Blessings sent us from up above Guide us on our way We raise our voice As we rejoice Bow our head and pray A miracle has just begun God Bless Us Everyone
 A miracle has just begun.  Christmas is not simply about the birth of God as a human child.  It is about a beginning.  The beginning of the walk that leads to salvation?  Certainly.  But it is also a different beginning...one for you...even now as you read these words.  It is the beginning that comes with each day.  No matter what your circumstances...each day with God is a new day.
 But what is this new day for?  Is it so we may forget about our past, failures, sins and crimes and become great worldly successes?  No.  Remember the child who was born that day.  Remember that He grew to be Master, Savior, Lord and Friend.  Remember what He told us above all things...As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 15:34b)
 Each morning brings a new day to love someone, to encourage someone, to care for and help someone...to share with someone the love that has been shared with us...and not for our praise, but for His.
 Christmas Day is not the end of a season, but the beginning of a new life for each of us.  A miracle has just begun.  God bless us, everyone!
 Take care &amp; be God's,
 Chuck  To hear Andrea Bocelli, click here:  http://bit.ly/GodBlessUsEveryone  God Bless Us Everyone, Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, Walt Disney Music Company  
  

   Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa   Follow us at  facebook         twitter         myspace   
  

  Encouraging one another as long as it is called Today!  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org
  

  
Ciloa is funded entirely by the donations of those seeking to share God's encouragement with the world.  If you would like to minister with us financially please click the link below.  How to Contribute  Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.  Send Note to a Friend   






 
 
 
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