Alternative to Prayer? Faith and the Inner Self

Alternative to Prayer?

Faith and the Inner Self

Country Devotional 6/28/2020

In our desire to pursue inner peace and wholeness many times we seek to find answers outside of God’s spiritual serenity.  As a result, we find ourselves, following different theories within the field of psychology.   The study of psychology has its own merits but is limited in teaching about our inner spirit.  Psychology begins with a basic premise, if we ask enough questions of the client, they will find the answer within themselves.   

God’s approach is to give the answers “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things which you cannot even comprehend” Jeremiah 33:3 “

While teaching college psychology I learned some interesting theories about human behavior.  There were times however, some therapeutic strategies made little or no sense.  One of them is the empty chair therapy a technique of Gestalt therapy.  It was a method in which the client confronts their feelings towards someone who has hurt, shamed, criticized, or angered them.   He or she is asked to imagine that someone (such as a boss, spouse, child, or relative), are sitting in the empty chair. They speak openly to the empty chair releasing their feelings of anger, disgust, shame, or bitterness.  This tension releasing experience is supposed to help the client with issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and even physical ones like migraine headaches, ulcerative colitis, and back spasms.  Look at God’s approach to finding hope and inner peace, which goes beyond an empty chair and into an open heart.

Galatians 6:1 Share one another’s burden’s… Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ² Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

While Gestalt (empty chair therapy) may be unique, wouldn’t be easier to pray to God then scream at an empty chair?   Prayer is the positive energy which comes from God, Prayer is the place where I can learn to forgive, heal and find hope.

Christians have a wonderful experience when following God’s concept rather than man’s notions.  The book of Ephesians says “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new (inner) self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger”    

Psychology probes the weakness of the inner self such fear, frustration and anxiety and tries force the individual to confront these feelings.   God probes the strength of the inner being and offers solutions and a promise of strength and courage.    Grab the Bible today it may surprise you what answers God has in store for you  

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” Romans 15:33   

  Pastor Al

Prayer when we need it most devotional Country Church Chronicles

The Power of Prayer:

Country Chronicles a Devotional June 26,2020

“God is great, God is Good”  The words have become so familiar we say them without thinking, we fail to see the profound truth they hold.  For without God’s greatness in our world, the world becomes an immoral junkyard of depravity and hatred.  

Christians we need you to stand by your faith and believe that God is still in control.    The classic call for today is ….” socially distance” it’s OK to socially distance but it’s not OK to Socially Abandon”   We still need each other communicating face to face, sharing, and caring and helping others in their time of need.  We need to be able to practice our faith.  How can we as Christian practice the Golden Rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and still be safe by committing to our spiritual responsibility?   One of the greatest opportunities that we have, is to improve our prayer life.   It may be OK for some to socially distance from church but it is not OK to spiritually distance from our prayer life.   

The perfect means to communicate to God is through prayer.     It is the power of prayer that gives us influence with God.    It was the simple publican in the temple who said God be merciful to me a sinner and Jesus said he went away justified.    My favorite prayer comes from the book of psalms “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved” (Psalms 46)   What a beautiful prayer in the midst of protest, persecution, and a pandemic.  

Prayer unifies us and gives us hope.   We waste our lives away, worrying and missing the comforting power of Prayer.      Many of us have the proof that prayer works in your lives.   Each of us have personal experiences in which God answered our prayers. God heard our prayer in our moment of despair and answered us.   God is in control and hears our prayer.     Prayer is alive and comes from the heart of God to you.   Open your line of communication with God.    Power belongs to you, O God, and with you. The Lord, is unfailing in His love Psalms 62:11

 We pray for you daily and if you would like to talk about your relationship with God or if you are in the middle of fear and frustration, Lets talk.     Pastor Al Fernandez supreme1955@yahoo.com   Please continue to support your church, God Bless you.  

Devotional - The Home and Parenting with a Passion

For Young Father's, "There Goes My Life" Life and Love of Fatherhood - Devotional June 21, 2020

Happy Father's Day 6/21/2020

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A Time for Love and Laughter

A Time for Love and Laughter

 (Devotional June 17, 2020)  

                                                                (Part 2)                                                                                                                                       

According to a study out of the University of Chicago, Americans are the unhappiest in 50 years.  Isolation, distancing, and financial hardships have led to the unhappiness in America (50 % to 23% decline) (University of Chicago 2020)                                                           

 So as Christians what do we have to offer to an anxious and isolated country?  The scriptures say Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus joy first day until now. ⁶ I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you^[b] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:2-6   

In these passages what is God trying to say to you?   Joy is the central word and what does it really mean?  The Bible has 15 different words in Hebrew (OT) to describe Joy and 8 different words in Greek (NT) to describe Joy.  Afterall the word joy is mentioned 155 times.   The word joy, happiness and laughter can be synonymous, moreover, how much of our time is spent just trying to be happy?

Love and Laughter are contagious and lead us to pray with a glad heart and understand that God has a plan for happiness in our lives. God promotes us, encourages us, and lifts our spirit in times like these.  Love and Laughter are always a work in progress every morning we get out of bed, it requires personal discipline to make it happen. To sidestep the daily morning squabbles that set us off and we need to find the strength, to let Joy inspire us.             The joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10 

 

Love and laughter bring us together with our family at home.    

“Home is an emotional state, a place in the imagination where feelings of security, belonging, placement, family, protection, memory and personal history abide. -Thomas Moore”                                                                                                                                 

 As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. But by seeking out more opportunities for love and laughter, we can improve our emotional health, strengthen our relationships, find greater happiness—and even add years to your life.

Guard your speech. Forsake obscenities and worthless insults; these are nonsensical words that bring disgrace and are unnecessary. Instead, let joy fill your heart and spill out in your words.  Ephesians 5:4    So let it  spill out of your heart, show your joy to an unhappy world.   

·If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap. ·If you want happiness for a day — go fishing. ·If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune. ·If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.  Anonymous

A Time for Laughter; How to be Happy and Whole

A Time for Laughter; How to be Happy and Whole 

When I was a young minister a counselor said “you need to learn to lighten up and not take life so seriously”   Maybe, life has its serious moments and we can get caught up with the Protests Prejudice and a Pandemic.  So, we find ourselves taking life too seriously all miss the laughter and joy that God has in store for us.   

Laughter brings us together with friends and families, Laughter connects us with our higher spirit of joy and happiness.  Laughter is like a good medicine to heal the criticism and bitterness that harbors in our hearts.  “Laughter is heart healthy, laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.  With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for overcoming problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use. muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease” Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last updated: November 2019      As we look at what the bible says,  musing, funny and interesting quotes give us pause for laughter;   1) Genesis 25:30 [Holman Christian Standard Bible 2) He said to Jacob, 'Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I'm exhausted.' 3) Proverbs 21:19 [New Living Translation] 4) It is better to live alone in the desert than with a crabby, complaining wife. 5) Proverbs 27:15-16 [New Living Translation] 6) A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day. 

A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress,  God wants you to be happy in a world of persistent sadness and anxiety, he wants you to accelerate your spirit of joy     Look all around, laughter is everywhere and good for you. Proverbs 17:22 - A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.  

Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.  Psalm 126:2-3 Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs. Then the nations said, “The LORD has done spectacular things for them.” The LORD has done spectacular things for us. We are overjoyed.  Come on laugh a little bit and do not let the news, politics, and the economy of the moment, make you so serious-minded that you miss the chance to restore your spirit.    

 Restore unto me the joy of my salvation and renew a right spirit within me Psalms 51  

 

Are you feeling depressed and just need to talk call me at 912-308-3476  Pastor Al  or reach me at supreme1955@yahoo.com.   

God has a plan in all the Turbulence of our Day. 

“¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.— Jeremiah 29:11  

What an incredible verse with promise for today’s Christian, in sickness, in despair, in financial and physical loss and in every trial, God has an abiding promise to prosper us and give us hope in our future.

As your pastor, I am at a loss at times, how we as Christians should address this current situation of protest prejudice, and a pandemic.  Should we ignore it and preach from a lectionary, at times, fails to connect with the needs of our neighbors and society.   Do we as Christians find ourselves so divided in political and social conversation?  Do we teach our children to answer every crisis by blaming and shaming others without finding a peaceful solution with a language of Love?   As a Pastor, I have often asked myself, should I abandon my call and find a place where I can minister outside the walls of the church?  Should I surrender to my social and political urges to help society?  Today we all wrestle with ways in which we can sacrifice  for the dire needs of society.   However, as I reflect on my life, I have come to realize the church is the only place that offers a place of refuge and hope.  God has the answer to a world divided in discriminate, despair and destruction.  

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”   II Tim 2:15-4:10

God’s word is relevant to whatever the need, whatever the crisis we should rest in God’s ever abiding message.  One passage that I have carried with me since my Pastor wrote in my Bible cover.    Job 23:10 HE KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE AND WHEN HE HAS TRIED ME, I WILL COME FORTH AS GOLD.  Pastor Arno Q. Weniger is in heaven now and this passage carried him through his ministry when his wife contracted M. S.  Multiple sclerosis at age 24 as he nursed and cared for her in his ministry until she  died at such a young age. Despite this personal challenge he built, with God’s help a church of over 1500 members.   Pastor Weniger died alone never to share with his wife Marilyn the success of their ministry.   God had a plan for he and Marilyn but many of us could not see it, why? because we could not see it through the eyes of faith.  

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together. “Assemble, all of you, and listen! Who among them has declared these things? The Lord loves him; he shall perform his purpose Isaiah 48:10- 51:7

If you need to talk or have questions about a personal relationship with God contact me Pastor Al supreme1955@yahoo.com

Crisis and protest what should Christians do? Devotional for June 4,2020

Crisis and protest what should Christians do?

Devotional for June 4,2020

I am proud of the protest!  I hated the destruction as a means to loot and steal! (Stated by Terrance Floyd brother of George Floyd).  My brother is not a prop to justify destruction and hatred.   Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:31-32   

 Someone said Christians should not stand by or look away, when they feel hurt or see others hurt unjustly.   As Christians, we ask ourselves what should I do?  Should I grab a sign take to the streets, protest injustice, write letters to politicians, or say a prayer.  In our hearts as Christians, where do we start?  We lead with prayer and promote peace and justice. This Word rings true from the book of Romans 12:17-21   Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it^[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.    

We have often heard the words “What would Jesus do?” this question was addressed in the book In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon.  The goal of the book, when faced with crisis and injustice was to ask this question of ourselves, “What would Jesus do?”. Looking at the events of the crucifixion of Jesus, we have the answer “What did Jesus do?”  How did Jesus handle protest and protesters?

In the night in which he was betray by his own (Judas Iscariot) Jesus did not show hatred or bitterness.   When he was betrayed with a kiss, he did not curse Judas, but rather went peacefully.   When Peter protested, pulled a sword, and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers, he rejected Peter’s impulse to fight back.   Instead He picked up the ear and healed the soldier right on the spot.  Jesus did not claim conspiracy or shout threats, he went with his accusers.  When Jesus was crucified, he said, Father forgive them for they know not what they do.   This is the example of Jesus during the crisis and even his very own death.  Protest has its place but let us try to follow the example of Jesus, the next time we have the impulsive to protest or seek revenge.   The scripture powerfully states, bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.  Romans 12:13-16     Jesus by His example is showing us how to protest in peace, I admit this is the most difficult type of peace and justice to follow, but in our spirit of love we are given power to overcome even the worst of situations  Pray for the peace of this nation.  

If you would like to discuss this further please contact me Pastor Al @

supreme1955@yahoo.com

Update on Pastor Al

Wonderful News

Update on Pastor:
I had a Covid Blood test last week and everything came out negative. Furthermore, all of my blood panels hemoglobin's, kidney blood work came back normal. Thank you for your prayers as we continue to pray for others as well.

Pastor Al