About Us Pastor's Blog
Meeting God
[Pastor's Blog]
09/05/2008
By Sundholm, Rod
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy? "He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Don't Worry God is on Your Side
[Pastor's Blog]
08/02/2008
By Sundholm, Rod
God did not create us to worry about problems, but rather to overcome them with His word and His help.
I like this quote although I don't have an author for it.
"There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension."
"One of these days is YESTERDAY, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed or erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone."
"The other day we should not worry about is TOMORROW, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise, and its poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control."
"This leaves only one day, TODAY. Anyone can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities - Yesterday and Tomorrow - that we break down."
"It is not the experience of Today that drives us mad, it is remorse and bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring. Let us therefore… Live this one full TODAY."
I do however know the author of the next quotes and He can be trusted.
Matthew 6:34 (NCV)
So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
1 Peter 5:7 (NCV)
Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.
Don't allow worrying about something that most likely won't come to pass to steal from you.
Cast your care upon the Lord, trust and rely upon Him for He cares for you more than you know.
Get ready to win by agreeing with God's word about your situation.
Agree with God that all things are possible for you because you believe God's Word.
Agree that you were created for good things.
Agree with God's word that answers are coming, that you will know what to do when you need to do it.
Agree with God's word that your body is healed by the stripes of Jesus.
Don't talk to God about the problem. Talk to the problem about God.
If God is on your side who can prevail against you? Nobody and no thing.
You will not only make it, but you will experience God's peace and confidence when you agree with Him and say what he says about you.
Be Blessed, Be of good Courage and Be Strong in Faith giving Glory to God.
How Forceful Are Right Words
[Pastor Rebecca's Blog]
05/30/2008
By Sundholm, Rebecca
"My Words coming from the mouth of my people are flaming missles in the enemy's camp. Fill your mouth with right words - how forceful they are! They penetrate the most secure set-up plan that has been delegated to disrupt the lives of the just ones. It is supernatural in nature. My words contain power - they are active and energizing and will accomplish what they are sent forth to do. Speak forth my word into your situation. Don't negate your faith by what you speak. Speak right words, words of faith, words of victory and settle it once and for all.
Most people hinder their own faith by what they speak. What are you saying? Be aware of your words. Let My Word settle in your heart. Then speak ~ most speak and then try to settle it in their heart - but they have it backwards. Settle it first and then speak Life Giving Words toward and into every situation and circumstance - then and only then will things change. Get it in your heart FIRST! For it's out of the heart that the mouth speaks.
Two areas my people miss it - this is one. They speak - hoping it's going to work - yet it is not in their heart - but what is in the heart will eventually come out of their mouth and they will get what they say - as that will supercede their "faith confession".
Another area is in the realm of believing. Do you really believe? Believe and then speak. Not speak and then believe. Again my people have it backwards. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What is in the heart is what people believe. Meditate upon My Word, precept by precept. Get wisdom. Get understanding. Let that Word settle deep in your heart. That is the core of belief. Meditate - speak it over and over to yourself. Let faith in that Word develop in your heart - then when you speak it - it will come to pass.
Standing on My Word does not mean literally standing on top of a bible. It means getting that word so deep on the inside - being in absolute agreement with it - that you are rock solid on it - Unwavering. Solid. Steadfast. Unmovable. You know it. You believe it. There is no room for doubt because you absolutely believe it. Believe then speak and you shall have that which you believe and speak. Mark 11:23-24 states this principle. Many times people are trying to believe for things, but they have no faith in their heart to bring that thing to pass. They are just hoping it's so and that will not produce results.
Thanksgiving
[Pastor's Blog]
11/20/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington
Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789
Walking in the Blessing
[Pastor Rebecca's Blog]
11/02/2007
By Sundholm, Rebecca
Hello Friends!
As I reflect over these past few weeks, I am so amazed at the goodness of God. He has so much in store for us! He certainly is desiring for us to walk closer to Him, to listen to his voice and follow his leading. Everything with God is faith. We must respond to Him by faith. I am more and more convinced that people miss it because they are just not listening and responding. Choose this day to say, Yes, to him and what he is saying to you. Remember the same voice that guides is the same voice that corrects. My friends, move over into the blessing! It comes through obedience to Him, your loving heavenly Father. You will be so blessed. That sounds so trite, but it is so true. Respond to God and you'll not only walk in the blessing, but you will also be a blessing to others.
Youth
[Pastor's Blog]
11/02/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
Grace
[Pastor's Blog]
09/24/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
Finally it was time to take the test.
"Leave them face down on the desk until everyone has one and I'll tell you to start," our prof instructed.
When we turned them over, every answer on the test was filled in! The bottom of the last page said the following:
"This is the end of the Final Exam. All the answers on your test are correct. You will receive an 'A' on the final exam. The reason you passed the test is because the creator of the test took it for you. All the work you did in preparation for this test did not help you get the A. You have just experienced...grAce."
He then went around the room and asked each student individually, "What is your grade? Do you deserve the grade you are receiving? How much did all your studying for this exam help you achieve your final grade?"
Now I am not a crier by any stretch of the imagination, but I had to fight back tears when answering those questions and thinking about how the Lord Jesus has passed the test for me.
Discussion afterward went like this: "I have tried to teach you all semester that you are a recipient of grace. I've tried to communicate to you that you need to demonstrate this gift as you work with young people. Don't hammer them; they are not the enemy. Help them, for they will carry on your ministry if it is full of GRACE!"
Talking about how some of us had probably studied hours and some just a few minutes but had all received the same grade, he pointed to a story Jesus told in Matthew 20. The owner of a vineyard hired people to work in his field and agreed to pay them a certain amount. Several different times during the day, he hired more workers. When it was time to pay them, they all received the same amount. When the ones who had been hired first thing in the morning began complaining, the boss said, "Should you be angry because I am kind?" (Matthew 20:15).
The teacher said he had never done this kind of final before and probably would never do it again, but because of the content of many of our class discussions, he felt like we needed to experience grace.
Have you thanked The Lord today because of the grace you've experienced?
Easy Dreams
[Pastor's Blog]
09/21/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
How about an easy way to get motivated?
What about an easy way to become a strong confident Christian?
Sorry. There is no easy way! Not only that ... it's not supposed to be easy.
If you want to stop smoking, lose weight, etc., ... IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EASY.
If it were so easy, anyone and everyone could and would do it.
That barbell at the gym is supposed to feel heavy.
Prayer is supposed to take some time.
Meditation in the Word, by virtue of it's definition, has to take time.
That difficult skill is supposed to take time to master. That new job might demand everything you have to give. if you want to be better than the rest - it's not supposed to be easy.
Make sure you're not one of those people who, when they start something challenging, groan, "This is difficult!"
Welcome to reality. At the beginning, it's supposed to be difficult...but here's the good news: If you persevere, the discipline will eventually turn into desire.
As soon as you start seeing progress and results, an amazing turnaround will happen. You'll find you won't have to diet, you'll want to diet. You won't have to go for a run, you'll want to. You won't have to ________, you'll want to _________. (you fill in the blanks)
It doesn't start out easy, but it does get easier!
So, make it easy on yourself. realize that at the beginning, it's not supposed to be easy!
You don't become a mature Christian overnight but you do grow up if you stick with God. Stick with His Word and maintain fellowship with Him.
Pray in the Spirit everyday give God your life and go for God's destiny.
Health and Healing
[Pastor Rebecca's Blog]
08/31/2007
By Sundholm, Rebecca
Do you need health or healing in your physical body? If you do, here is the Word on that subject, followed by confessions. Confess 3 times a day, take the Word just like you would medicine, because the Word is health and healing to all your flesh! Proverbs 3:7-8, 4:20-22
Ex 15:26
and said,"If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you." NKJV
Ps 107:20
He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions. NKJV
Isa 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. NKJV
Matt 8:16-17
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
"He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses." NKJV
Matt 9:22
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour. NKJV
Luke 8:50
But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." NKJV
Prov 3:7-8
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. NKJV
Prov 4:20-22
My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh. NKJV
Jer 30:17
For I will restore health to you
And heal you of your wounds,' says the Lord, NKJV
3 John 2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. NKJV
1 Peter 2:24-25
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. NIV
Ps 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. NKJV
1 John 5:14-15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. NKJV
The following are confessions:
Healing Scriptures & Confessions
God's Medicine - A Daily Dose
Say these scriptures and confessions to yourself. Meditate on them. Ponder them in your heart. Use them in praise to your Heavenly Father. His Word is medicine to all your flesh!
Exodus 15:26
. . . If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
(New English Bible) . . . I the Lord am your healer.
(Leeser) . . . for I the Lord am thy physician.
(Basic English) . . . I am the Lord your life-giver.
(Smith-Goodspeed) . . . for I, the Lord, make you immune to them (diseases).
(Knox) . . . I, the Lord, will bring thee only health.
Confession:
God is speaking to me now, saying, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." He is watching over His Word to perform it. He is the Lord that healeth me. He is healing me now. This Word contains the ability to produce what it says. His Word is full of healing power. I receive this Word now. Healing is God's nature. God is in me. My body is the temple of the Lord that healeth me. God is bigger than sickness and Satan. God is dwelling inside of me, healing me now.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
(Good News) Being cheerful keeps you healthy.
(Smith-Goodspeed) A happy heart is a healing medicine.
(Basic English) A glad heart makes a healthy body.
(Moffatt) A glad heart helps and heals.
(Jerusalem) A glad heart is excellent medicine, a spirit depressed wastes the bones away.
(Knox) A cheerful heart makes a quick recovery.
Confession:
Ha, ha, ha! I have a merry heart. Sickness can't dominate me. What do you think you're trying to do, devil? You can't put sickness on me. I have a merry heart and I'm full of joy! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(Leeser) But only our diseases did he bear himself, and our pains he carried. . . . Through his bruises was healing granted to us.
(Basic English) But it was our pain he took, and our diseases were put on him: while to us he seemed as one diseased, on whom God's punishment had come.
(Rotherham) . . . by his stripes there is healing for us.
Confession:
Surely Jesus hath borne my sicknesses and diseases and carried my pains. He bore them and carried them away to a distance. I don't have to bear what He bore for me. I refuse to bear what He bore for me. Satan cannot put on me what Jesus bore for me. By His stripes I am healed and made whole.
Matthew 8:16-17
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
(Norlie) . . . He took away our illnesses and lifted our diseases for us.
(Amplified) . . . He Himself took [in order to carry away] our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases.
(New English Bible) . . . He took away our illnesses and carried away our diseases.
Confession:
Jesus Himself took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses. He carried away my sicknesses and diseases. He bore them away and removed them. Disease is not mine. Healing is mine. I refuse to bear what Jesus bore for me. Satan, you cannot put disease on me. I refuse to accept sickness. I will not tolerate sickness. Sickness and disease are totally unacceptable to me.
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(20th Century) . . . his bruising was your healing.
Confession: By Jesus' stripes I was healed. Healing belongs to me. I was healed 2,000 years ago by the stripes Jesus bore. I'm not trying to get healed. I've got healing, because by His stripes I was healed.
1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(Amplified) The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].
(Basic English) . . . and the Son of God was seen on earth so that he might put an end to the works of the Evil One.
(Wand) . . . that He might neutralize what the Devil has done.
(Phillips) Now the Son of God came to the earth with the express purpose of liquidating the devil's activities.
Confession:
Sickness is a work of the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Sickness has been dissolved, broken up, annulled, undone, and liquidated as far as I am concerned. Jesus put sickness to an end for me.
Pasted from <http://www.rhema.org/healing/scriptures.cfm>
Confidence
[Pastor's Blog]
08/31/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something. Hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.
-Roger Staubach
Confidence with God and in the things of God such as the Word and Prayer comes the same way. Lots and lots of time spent.
Everyone is looking for an easy way to grow spiritually and to have great faith.
There is no easy way. Great things come to those who prepare for them.
If you desire more of God then spend more time with Him in the word and in prayer.
The world is full of lazy people who dream of being great but never attain greatness.
Those who prepare are never disappointed.
God has His part to play and we have ours.
If you have a need in the area of healing, you don't need to spend much time on prophecy - you need a large dose of the Word of God on healing, prosperity or whatever.
If you want to grow in the things of God, don't find excuses to miss church or skip your daily bible reading. Plug in and you will reap rewards of confidence and faith.
Be diligent in all you do and you will fulfill the plan of God for your life.
See ya again soon
Idea
[Pastor's Blog]
08/28/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
Getting an idea should be like sitting down on a pin; it should make you jump up and do something. E. L. Simpson
Far too many people are on the pill in the idea arena. They haven't had a good idea for a long time.
We should be spending time with God and during that time with Him, we should be getting wisdom, confidence, the plan for our lives and God ideas. God ideas always bring or lead to success.
God the Father loves to share with His children. He loves to hear from us.
If your life belongs to Him then He has a plan for you. A plan of success and fulfillment designed especially for you. A plan no one else can fulfill for you or take from you.
If you are confused and lack direction then it may be time to check in with your father and get the latest plan, idea or road map for your life.
God loves you, He has a plan and expectations so go ahead and check in. Read your bible and talk to your Father.
Be Blessed
Mark 11:24 (NKJV)
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Actions
[Pastor's Blog]
08/16/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
Make sure that your actions and behaviors live up to and reflect the words and ideas, promises and commitments that come out of your mouth.
Steve Farber
Watch it
[Pastor Rebecca's Blog]
08/14/2007
By Sundholm, Rebecca
Just a reminder....
Prov 13:2-3 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. NIV
Ps 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin;I will put a muzzle on my mouth....." NIV
Prov 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. NIV
Prov 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. NIV
Prov 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. NIV
Prov 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit. NIV Be watchful over what is coming out of your mouth! Love you! Pastor Rebecca
Courage
[Pastor's Blog]
08/13/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I'll try again tomorrow."
Maryanne Radmacher Writer and artist.
Some days you just don't win the big battle the first time out.
When we think of someone who is courageous we usually think of someone who always wins and is still standing at the end of a battle.
King David was a great king and warrior and won many battles. He had great courage and knew a few things about winning.
One thing he knew is that before you get to defeat Goliath you may have to take on the fox or the rabbit, and then the lion and the bear. Kind of work your way up by learing how to defeat smaller enemies. You don't usually start out with Goliath.
So you learn to stumble and get back up. You learn to pick your battles and not let your battles pick you. You learn to have confidence in yourself and in God by being courageous enough to get back up when you get defeated. You learn that just because you get knocked down you don't have to stay down - courage trusts God and gets back up.
Psalms 37:24 (NKJV)
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Proverbs 24:16 (NKJV)
or a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
The Bible definition for courage is not someone who never falls or fails but rather the courageous person is the one who even when things don't turn out like they thought they would - they just get up, dust themselves off and go again. They are kind of like you.
Don't put yourself down - pick yourself up.
God is on your side - you might as well be too!
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Be Blessed
Thinking
[Pastor's Blog]
08/09/2007
By Sundholm, Rod
If we get what we think about most, why would we think about what we don't want?
Tom Payne Career development expert
