Jesse James's Blog – March 2009 Archive (16)

*A Picture of God * By: James Cook



What God really looks like is something beyond our imaginations or visual efforts. He was someone that could be easily rejected if you saw Him face to face. According to scripture, He was a pretty sad sight to look at in the human form. Sounds like Jesus had some physical appearances that could chase folks away. Therefore, Jesus being the Son of God, and having the Royal genetics of His Father in Him, wouldn't you think that Jesus would represent… Continue

*Love One Another *

By James Cook



Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. Ephesians 4:2-4 NLT

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives… Continue

Laughter-itis Or Pucker-itis By: James Cook



Now what sort of title is this? Well, to define laughter - look in the mirror, to define itis - touch a hotplate, to define pucker - suck a lemon. Itis means inflammation, so put some warmth in your laughter, and burn it into another's frown.

One of the greatest stress relievers God has given us is laughter. Laughter-itis restores what pressures in life have stolen. Proverbs 17:22 puts it this way, "A happy heart is like a good… Continue

*Surrendering Strengthens Your Surrendering.* By: James Cook



What a world we live in when we hear how negative surrendering is. So many think it is unfair in surrendering to the laws of the land, peace officiers, and etc. To put it quite frankly, as people we have a tendency to rebel against any form of restriction before us. It is usually viewed as a negative to us, because we lose our control with a higher power that has a set of silver bracelets, a gun on his side, and a little… Continue

*Say No To Profanity* By: James Cook

Years ago I would find it insulting when someone would tell me to watch my language in front of others, but it was understandable in the presence of women outside my circle of peers. The painful thing about it was, that I was using profanity as my main language, and English as a second, and how dare anyone try and change me. However, there were those who expressed themselves quite boldly of how degrading it was to listen to me. Sitting in an AA… Continue

*What is Truth?*

By James Cook



Many times we can embrace those lingering thoughts that captivate our minds. Then there are those secretive ones that stand out from all the others, and we try to convince ourselves we have suppressed them deep into our confidential inner prison to prevent any ill-responses toward us. Some of the reasons that can restrain us from accepting honest feedback can be our pride, fear, what if someone finds out about my thoughts, and on and on it can… Continue

*The Picture Frame*

BY:James Cook



Many times when we have a picture that really means the world to us, we try to find a picture frame to compliment our most treasured moments in time. There are so many types of frames that we can get confused and indecisive as to which one would bring out the beauty that is encased within the picture. There are the rustic frames, oak frames, plastic frames, metal frames and etc., and to purchase one suitable to meet our need can be very trying.… Continue

*Encourage Ourselves*

By:James Cook



There are times in life when things become overbearing and it seems to pull us down, and in these times we long for some encouragement or direction by another.

However, in times as such, it can seem like we are fighting the battle all alone. Sadly, there are those who can turn their backs on those when they are at their most vulnerable time for further despair. This can come even in biological families, or brothers and sisters in the… Continue

*Offer Him Our Best For Him*

BY: James Cook



Matthew 2:11 (New International Version) 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

While reading this scripture, I started to think of the awesomeness that these Wise Men experienced when they came and saw Jesus in his infantcy. Eventhough, Jesus was about two years… Continue

*Just One More Time* by Jim C



Luke 5:4-6 (NIV)4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down[a] the nets for a catch." 5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." 6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and… Continue

*Serving At Our Best * By: James Cook



Deuteronomy 11:13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul-14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.

As we start out in our faith, God has already blessed us with gifts that go beyond our ability to comprehend the extent of it, but this is… Continue

*A True Friend * By: James Cook



"A friend means well even when he hurts you" (Proverbs 27:6 GN).

So often, we go through life and not really understanding just how valueable a true friend really is. But then again, we can go day to day and not be aware of what a true friend really is, and we never seem to accept those who are forthright with us. However, how many times have we accepted those who always speaks to us in such a nice way without causing any feathers to get ruffled.… Continue

*Rescued Out of Bondage* By James Cook



Life can offer and bring so many things our way that will try to cripple our spiritual lives. In the midst of the debilitating situations, how often do we just want to give up, and say, "God I've been weakened from all these oppositions. My heart is crying out to You because I need You to rescue me from all my adversities, I feel defeated, and my hope is shattered.

Exodus 6:6 (NIV) 6 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I… Continue

The Spirit of Grace By: James Cook

Zechariah 12:10: “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace.”



Why is living by the Spirit the same as living by grace? Living by grace and walking in the Spirit are two perspectives of the same reality. Both perspectives describe living or walking in absolute dependence on God. Grace is given by God to help us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16). And the Spirit is given to us to be our Helper… Continue

*Struggles Can Be A Real Blessing *

By: James Cook



How often in life do we get depressed or pulled down in our personal battles, whether it be physical, financially, a setback, or just when life deals us an unwanted or unexpected blow? Having a physical disability can be very difficult to cope with, regardless of its nature. Some are blind, others have physical ailments but can see, others have greater challenges, but regardless what it is, how many times do we sit back and… Continue

*To Be Like Jesus Is To Think Like Jesus* By: James Cook



So often many have thought by reading scripture that they are on their way to being the type of Christian Jesus really wants us to be. Speaking with those who proclaim they have read the Bible from cover to cover, yet they keep relapsing back into their old ways is a sign that they haven't really adopted the mindset of Christ. Obtaining His mindset is partly through learning scripture, but this in its self is only information… Continue