Heather's Thoughts: June 2020

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Sermons by Tony Evans

(I recently fixed the broken links as well as I could, had to switch some out for others)

Tony Evans is my all-time favorite pastor. He always gives messages that convict, challenge, and comfort. Here are some sermons that I have listened to or am going to listen to. For more, simply go to his website by clicking here. There are so many great ones to choose from.

You can't go wrong with any video of his. I found him to be the most biblically-accurate preacher (especially as I researched Calvinism and found out how wrong it is), who is also great at helping us practically apply God's truths to life.

Reversing Anxiety Consequences

Keeping the faith when life gets hard

Trusting God in a storm

How to have strength in your struggles

How to overcome your worry

Overcoming the consequences of worry and anxiety

How to Get Your Prayers Answered

Trusting The God You Believe In

God knows what He is doing

How the enemy tries to distract you from God's plan

Grab your sword

The Secret to Powerful Prayer

Spiritual Warfare playlist

When God speaks we must listen

"Listening to God" playlist

Claiming Your Legal Rights

Praying and Waiting for God's Timing

It's time for a better understanding of who God is

Understanding God's love

Trusting God in the Darkness

The Protection of Prayer

Experiencing Spiritual Deliverance

Finding victory over Satan's tricks and traps

Why God Allows Your Crisis

The Lord will supply all your needs

Praying through a crisis

What to do when life gets too hard

Defeating The Enemy With Prayer

The Nature of the Battle part 1

Principles of Productive Prayer part 1

The Power of Truth

Connecting with God for a Breakthrough

A Collection of Good Quotes

Another Spiritual Warfare Playlist

A 20-Sermon Playlist (includes some already listed above)

A massive Tony Evans Sermon Playlist

The Program of Prayer

The Protection of Prayer

The Kingdom Power of Prayer

The Precautions of Prayer

The Provision of Prayer

The Priority of Prayer

Using Prayer to overcome spiritual warfare

Monday, June 29, 2020

Christian Testimony: Kyle - "Suicidal Atheist Finds Jesus"

Instead of reading the depressing news lately, I've been spending some time listening to hope-filled, truth-filled, uplifting testimonies from other Christians online. It's been far too long since I've heard some good, godly, inspiring life-stories from other believers. And we could all use every little bit of hope and inspiration and goodness we can get right now.

I really enjoy hearing people's testimonies of when and how they came to the Lord. I like when they let us deep into their worlds, into their hearts, giving us a full picture of how they were before, what drew them to Jesus, how it affected them, etc. And this guy's shares it all, from the heart. I really enjoyed it.

Suicidal Atheist Finds Jesus (22 minutes long, and totally worth it!)

And here is the video of his wife's baptism (the YouTube channel these videos are on is hers). It's beautiful.

[And fyi, linking to someone's testimony does not necessarily mean I know about or condone everything on their websites or about their theological views. I am simply sharing their inspiring testimonies. So be discerning if you explore their sites more deeply.]

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Will There Be A Rapture? (repost)

After studying this issue for many years, I have finally come to the solid conclusion that - yes - there will be a rapture. And it will happen before the tribulation starts.

I know that Christians believe different things about this because End Times prophecy is very confusing, so I don't expect everyone to agree. But I will share how I came to this conclusion and why I believe it so strongly. (And if I'm wrong, then we'll all find out someday.)

My "When Anxiety Strikes" Playlist (repost)

(This is not part of the "end times" series I am posting. But 2020 seems like a good time to repost this, with all the chaos and discouragement all around us all the time. God help us!)

In the post "Getting through the 'broken' times," I said that I had made a CD to listen to when anxiety hits. It has some of my favorite Christian songs on it.

Here are as many of the songs as I could find online, plus some extra. (Fyi: I couldn't keep the song titles or font sizes looking the same. Oh well!) Listen to some of them when anxiety threatens you. It really does help to hear godly truths spoken out loud (and to speak them out loud yourself). And personally, I think godly music helps repel evil, giving you some extra spiritual protection when you are most vulnerable. They don't like to hear God being praised and Truth being sung!

(FYI: Videos are constantly being removed from online. So if the video is no longer available, type in the name and artist and see if you can find it. I simply can't keep up with replacing links.)

A Great Blog To Visit: Our Healing Moments (Testimony #1)

I've recommended this blog before, but I'll do it again: Our Healing Moments (this link is for the post with her first YouTube video, her testimony).

I haven't really been reading other people's blogs lately (or even my own). I've been trying to stay away from the online world as much as possible. But I decided to check out her blog again because I like her writing and her heart so much. You can see her sweet, gentle, godly spirit shining through everything she writes, even though she suffers from chronic, debilitating illness.

And the new posts I read touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. It's so nice to read something uplifting in this difficult, chaotic world. From someone who knows pain and suffering. Someone who has had to struggle to cling to the Lord. I appreciate people and testimonies like that. I understand them. I learn from them and am encouraged by them.

Songs About The Rapture And Heaven (repost)

I will be reposting an "end times" series I did back in 2018 (interspersed with any other posts I am writing right now). Something about the way the world is going makes all this seem so relevant right now, so timely.

But first, let's start with some music!

First things first ...

God's Not Dead (by Newsboys).

I assure you, He's not.

Why We All Want There To Be A God!

(reposted from 2017)

I believe that - deep down - every normal decent person wants to believe in God. They want there to be a God, no matter how much they might deny it. And do you know why?

One word … justice.

Romans 1:20 - No Excuses!

People often say things like "If God is real, why doesn't He show us?"
Well, He did ... it's called Creation.

"No, no, that's just evolution. It's nature," they reply. "But if He was really real, why doesn't He send us a clear message, in black and white?"
He did ... it's called the Bible.

"Oh, that was just written by men. It's an interesting old book. Nothing more. But if He was really, really real then why doesn't He come down here and show Himself to us physically? Because then we'd believe."

Once again, He did ... and His name is Jesus. And they still don't believe.

FYI:

I garden in zone 5/6.

I make no promises about any recipes I post, such as their storage life or quality or safety. You are responsible for any that you decide to try.

I have not had any of the information I share here (particularly about essential oils) evaluated by the FDA. Nothing I say is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent illness. And nothing I say is guaranteed. It is only my opinion on things and what we do around my house. And I am sharing it only for your information and entertainment. But it is your responsibility to research anything you attempt to do for yourself or your family.

And I apologize now for any sarcasm. Actually, I don't. I enjoy being sarcastic, and I don't get to do it enough in life because I believe in being kind and gentle and nice to people. So it will come out in my writing. Just ignore whatever you don't like or take it for a grain of salt.

And be forewarned that many of you will be offended by various things on this blog. So don't read it if you are easily offended. And if you do read it and get upset ... I warned you. And apparently, you didn't listen which means you chose to be upset and offended, which means you like getting upset and offended, and so you really should be thanking me for making you upset and offended instead of getting mad at me for it. ;)

Oh, and I am an INFP (the Mediator), according to the Myers-Briggs personality test.

All memes made at imgflip.com

Christian Videos Everyone Should Watch Once:

Come on ... I dare you. Watch these videos at least once in your life, when it's quiet and you're alone and have time to think. What do you have to lose!?!

Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle (A life-changing, heart-changing song for me.)

Oh, What Love by The City Harmonic (This song says it all! If you only watch one of these, pick this one!)

My Jesus by Todd Agnew (That's my Jesus! It's why I love Him! Why I serve Him! Why I want to be like Him! Such a great song about who Jesus really is.)

We Believe by the Newsboys (When you strip away everything else, this is the basics of Christianity.)

Manifesto by The City Harmonic (Love it! Love it! Love it!)

Secret Ambition by Michael W. Smith (I have always loved this song. And FYI, Jesus is not yelling at the boy but He is commanding a demon to come out of the boy.)

Fell Apart by The City Harmonic (For those who are hurting ... it's okay to fall apart in front of the One who can put you back together again!)

I AM by Crowder (He's always there holding onto us, calling us to hold onto Him.)

Forgiven by Crowder (Forgiveness is always available, no matter what you've done.)

Come As You Are by Crowder (You don't need to polish yourself up first, just come to Him as you are!)

Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew (Grace is raining down on us all ... will you stand in the rain or hide from it?)

Colored People by DC Talk (Because we need this song in our country right now)

God's Not Dead by Newsboys (Because ... He's not!)

The Champion by Carmen (A blast from the past)

And I am adding this Christmas one because I think it deserves to be played all year. It's so beautiful, it brings me to tears. And I imagine it's how heaven will sound - Christmas Canon by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. (Or for the more rockin' version - Christmas Canon Rock.)

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