Blog entries

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

Pastor Mary Haley — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:39:19 +0100

We serve a gracious and generous God. Our response to God's grace and generosity should be a spirit of great thanksgiving and a passion to look like our Creator as we encounter people each day.

"For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous."&nbs...

God Horizons: Prayer of Courage

Pastor Mary Haley — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:13:25 +0100

Peter and John had been very bold in their witness of what Christ had done in their lives; how their lives had become whole and Christ's love had filled them. God took these ordinary men and inspired them to "connect" with a man who had been lame for forty years. This man was healed, in the name of Jesus, by the power of God's love through these two men. Naturally, the church council and the religious leaders were not happy about this love and energy...

God Horizons: Priorities

Pastor Mary Haley — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:25:26 +0100

"Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Look at what's happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsy. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes." Ha...

God Horizons: A View of Problems

Pastor Mary Haley — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:43:51 +0100

"If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So, to keep me from being proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud." 2 Corinthians 6-12

The Apostle Paul knew all about issues a...

God Horizons: Restoring Worship

Pastor Mary Haley — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:45:46 +0100

Have you ever been caught up in deep worship--true oneness with God that filled and overwhelmed you with awe, wonder, praise, and thanksgiving? The Apostle John did. His spirit was translated from a physical location (more than likely the Island of Patmos) to the throne room of heaven where he witnessed the glory of God's presence (Revelation 4:1-11).

Worship is not so much an activity; rather it is a place in God's presence. Now we do enjoy singing, clapping, p...

God Horizons: I Strain

Pastor Mary Haley — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:15:22 +0100

"If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark." John 12:44-47

A picture is most beautiful when the lighting is just right. The eyes of our understanding are beautifully lit when we are trusting Christ. When ...

God Horizons: Your True Identity

Pastor Mary Haley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:54:15 +0100

"When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." Luke 1:44

I want to take you back, over 2000 years ago, to a small town with a teenage girl, Mary. She is entrusted with a Promise that has been delivered by an angel. God places that promise within Mary; she is to give birth to Christ. It defies all logic; all reason. It seems out of context; it looks like s...

God Horizons: Holding Creation Together

Pastor Mary Haley — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:42:38 +0100

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers,...

The Spirit of Creativity

Pastor Mary Haley — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:42:33 +0100

Creativity is not simply an artistic piece; it sends an image or message to our brain. The Most High God is the Source of all creativity--the Spirit gives life to it as seen in Creation (Genesis 1). God called for creativity when He began to fashion his House (Exodus 31:1-6). Certainly, we need to make sure our goal is to bring glory to God with the creative works of our hands. Did you know that at different times the Church--the peop...

JESUS Written on the Heart

Pastor Mary Haley — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:41:48 +0100

I had an amazing experience last week on my way to Orlando. Driving along on Interstate 4 approaching the Apopka area, I looked up in the sky and saw an airplane doing skywriting. There it was in the sky; the letter "J." It was clear as could be. Now, that is something I do not see often, so I was wondering what letters would come next. As I continued to watch I noticed an "E" and an "S." I thought to myself, I wonder...

Sure...

Hospitality Jesus Style

Pastor Mary Haley — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:11:15 +0100

What comes to your mind when you think about the word, Hospitality? Jesus always seemed to know how to treat others by making them feel welcomed and valued. He understood hospitality. Let's look at an example from Luke 19.

Jesus is looking to teach more about the kingdom of God. He runs into a man name, Zacchaeus, who has climbed up in a tree in order to get a glimpse of Jesus. What is the first thing Jesus does upon seeing this man in the tree? ...

Living in God's Presence

Pastor Mary Haley — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:05:56 +0100

"Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need." Ephesians 6:18

How do I live in God's presence? How do I detect his unseen hand on my shoulder and his inaudible voice in my ear? ...How can you and I grow familiar with the voice of God? Here are a few ideas:

Give God your waking thoughts. Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into his presence.

Give God you...

God Horizons: Vibrant Relationships

Pastor Mary Haley — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:52:03 +0100

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heave...

Word Power: The Mind of Christ

Pastor Mary Haley — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:33:41 +0100

Our words matter to God; we need to align our words with the Word of God. Jesus came to earth that we might know the Father through the Word--the mind of Christ. If we do not spend time getting to know the Word, we cannot know God. If we do not know God, we cannot be victorious in this world. Have you been speaking the Word? Have you been faithful to repeat what the Word says about you? The enemy works through deception and if you do not know...

Word Power: Connect 2 Christ

Pastor Mary Haley — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:17:28 +0100

We connect with God and people through words; in this way we are simply acting like Jesus. Our words are powerful and, therefore, must be purposeful. God created the universe through the Word, breath of God, and the Spirit manifested material substance. We can create environments with our words, as well. We can inspire by sharing our hopes and dreams or we can be a negative voice that brings everyone's spirit down.

Satan c...

Word Power: Submit to God

Pastor Mary Haley — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:46:50 +0100

Did you know that humbling ourselves or submitting to God is the best way to gain power when the enemy is trying to come against us? James tells us it should be our first defense when we find ourselves under spiritual attack.

"So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and God will come close to you." James 4:7-8 God does not like a prideful spirit; one that judges an...

Beatitudes: Persecuted

Pastor Mary Haley — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:56:30 +0100

The word "persecuted" is just not one of those words that make us stand up and dance when we hear it, is it? I mean can you really say that you love it when you are persecuted? And, don't you find it odd that Jesus connects persecution with being one of his followers who are blessed?

Can you imagine telling people, "Hey, come and join in a relationship with me and you will be saved and blessed! Oh yeah, by the Way, you need to expect persecution; so hang on." Here's the great par...

Beatitudes: Peacemakers

Pastor Mary Haley — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:20:52 +0100

Do you value peace? The Hebrew word for peace is shalom which means wholeness--nothing missing and nothing broken. Jesus said, "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." (Matt. 5:9). This Scripture tells me that peace does not just happen in this world; we must labor to make peace or bring a needed wholeness.

I am certainly glad that I have accepted Jesus as my Savior so I can have eternal peace with God. Woul...

Beatitudes: Pure in heart

Pastor Mary Haley — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 03:30:57 +0100

I have missed sharing in this blog with you; it is time to get back to our Beatitude lessons. What do you think of when you hear the words "pure in heart?" I think of clean motives; righteous actions. Jesus said, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." (Matt. 5:8) I, Mary, want to "see" God! I want to be able to discern his righteousness at work in me. As well, I want to be able to identify the Spirit of Christ--the Ri...

Beatitudes: Merciful

Pastor Mary Haley — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:12:02 +0100

The Beatitudes are very helpful for the Christ follower; they teach the character and lifestyle we should emulate. Christ said, "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). Mercy is a compassionate and forgiving response that a person gives even when he or she has been wronged.

God's ways are interesting. If we want to receive mercy from others, we must give it away first. Why? Becaus...