Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Knowing God

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

"Unless God is revealed to us through personal experience, we can never really know God. Most of us know about God, but that is quite different from really knowing God. We learn about God through the agencies of the church, the Sunday School, the youth activities, the worship services. Many people stop in their quest for God at this point. It is one thing to be introduced to a person, but quite another thing to know Him personally." ("Day-By-Day with Billy Graham," Jan. 14 entry, published by World Wide Publications, copyright 1976 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.)

"Christianity has at its core a transaction between a person and God. A person who becomes a Christian moves from knowing about God distantly to knowing about him directly and intimately. Christianity is knowing God." (Tim Keller, How Can I Know God?)

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Three broken but powerful, living tools of God

Bethany Hamilton, Nick Vujicic, and Joni Eareckson Tada:

-All three have extreme physical handicaps.

Bethany Hamilton lost an arm due to a shark attack while surfing as a teenager.

Nick Vujicic was born without limbs.

Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed from the neck down during a diving accident as a teenager.

-All three have ministries where they have inspired, helped and motivated millions world-wide.

-All three have strong faith in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

-And none of them would have the powerful, moving, inspiring, motivating testimonies, ministries to others, and global impact that they have, if not for their extreme disabilities.

‎"Having one arm is the way He uses me." (Bethany Hamilton)

"The challenges in our lives are there to STRENGTHEN our CONVICTIONS. They are NOT there to run us over." (Nick Vujicic)

"Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were voiced by people faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations." (Joni Eareckson Tada)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Nick Vujicic: Born without limbs

Nick Vujicic was born in Melbourne, Australia with the rare Tetra-amelia disorder: limbless, missing both arms at shoulder level, and having one small foot with two toes protruding from his left thigh.

His life was filled with difficulties and hardships. One was not being able to attend a mainstream school because of his physical disability, as the law of Australia required, even though he was not mentally impaired. During his schooling, the laws were changed, and Nick was one of the first disabled students to be migrated to a mainstream school. He learned to write using the two toes on his left "foot," and a special device that slid onto his big toe to grip. He also learned to use a computer and type using the "heel and toe" method, as well as learning to do basic things such as throwing a tennis ball, answering the phone, shaving and get a glass of water.

Being bullied at his school, Nick grew extremely depressed, and by the age of eight, started contemplating suicide. After begging God to grow arms and legs, Nick eventually began to realize that his accomplishments were inspirational to many, and began to thank God he was alive. A key turning point in his life was when his mother showed him a newspaper article about a man dealing with severe disability. This led him to realize he wasn't the only one with major struggles.

Nick graduated from college at the age of 21 with a double major in Accounting and Financial Planning.

Nick Vujicic - Fully living for Jesus Christ (Part 1 of 4)


Nick Vujicic - Fully living for Jesus Christ (Part 2 of 4)


Nick Vujicic - Fully living for Jesus Christ (Part 3 of 4)


Nick Vujicic - Fully living for Jesus Christ (Part 4 of 4)

Friday, August 5, 2011

Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution

"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)