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a Non-Profit 501 (C) (3) Organization Founded by Award-Winning Christian Author/Speaker Lisa Freeman "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal…" Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
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~AWARDS~
Best New Book of The Year 2007 Writer of the Year, 2000 & 2007 Honorable Mention Awkward Romance Contest May 2006 All Time Best Award Fanstory.com 2006 Finalist in Chicken Soup Contest 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award, 2005 2nd Place Photo Say More Contest 2005 Top Story in Obadiah Contest 2002 2 Top Stories in Obadiah Contest 2003 Diploma from Guideposts for Teens, 2002 Merit Certificate from Writer's Digest, 2000 & 2001
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"STAY PURE" A Monthly E-Zine For Those Recovering From Addictive Behaviors
July 2002 "Filled To Overflowing!" Happy 4th! BE BLESSED!
A Special Thanks To All Our Writers!!!
Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."
Feature Article: "Are You Getting Your Fill?" by Elisabeth FreemanCouples Forum: "Are You Living The Devil’s Lie?" by Elisabeth Freeman"Renewal" by Paul Cook @ www.porn-free.org"Daddy's Day" @ 2000 by Cheryl Costello-Forshey (Father’s Day is passed, but this poem is touching) Single Victory "My Secret Shame" a poem by Dominique Thom "Our Ripple Effects" Insight From Bill Bright "Ain’t It Funny" author unknown The Laughing Corner: A few short jokes… Remember, laughter is the best medicine… A merry heart doeth good like a medicine! Prov. 17:22 Helpful Sites : http://www.porn-free.org; http://www.no-porn.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New E-Books Available!!! To Help All Who Are Affected By This Demon Of Pornography:
"Coming Out of Sexual Addiction" ~SAVE NOW~ Just $5 Get E-Copy Now! Also available in hard copy for $9.95 plus s/h ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "She Said, He Said, God Says" Marriage in Trouble? Porn got a grip on you or your spouse? Be set FREE today! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (if you are unable to click on the link, visit my website at atime2heal.org and click on the books section) Other Helpful Books are available at porn-free.org!!! ***The Bible tells us that "people perish for lack of vision". Don’t perish, get a vision of healing and learn how to BREAK FREE FROM THIS STRANGLING ADDICTION! Here at STAY PURE, we’d like to hear from you. What are your comments and thoughts, how could we better serve your needs. Without your input, we may never know. After all, this is a service for YOU.
Are You Getting Your Fill? By Elisabeth Freeman Are you getting your fill? Today, on my way home from church I noticed the needle on my gas gauge moving into the red. I realized that I needed to stop and get gas or else soon the car wouldn’t go anywhere. As I drove toward the gas station, I witnessed two guys pushing their car. They obviously had waited too long. We are like cars—we need certain fuel to keep moving. If we fill up on junk and don’t pay attention to what we really need, we’ll be pushing ourselves over the edge. Sometimes we’re trying to fill up on drinking, drugs, pornography, sex, lust… when really we need to be filling up on fuel that lasts… God’s Word, prayer, and going to church. Jesus wants to fill our tanks to overflowing, but, just like a car, we must come to the filling station and quit running the other way! Don’t run out of gas, be filled with the everlasting power that only a life in Christ can give!
Are You Living The Devil’s Lie? By Elisabeth Freeman It’s amazing how hundreds of different thoughts zip through our minds every day. One thought often leads to another, and soon, we can find ourselves in another world. Some thoughts can be good, yet, other thoughts can be very harmful. That’s why the Bible tells us to take every thought captive to the throne of Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 10:5) A single thought by itself isn’t sin, but only when we dwell and act on that thought. So, by taking our thoughts before the throne of Grace, we can be assured that God will sift out the bad, and fill us with His goodness and direction. However, even in that, the devil loves to play tricks on our minds, and make us believe things that aren’t really true. In fact, just this past week, John and I had a major difficulty in our relationship. I slept on the couch twice and we hardly spoke to one another. In my mind, I was being fed harmful thoughts about John. Satan misled me to believe that John had drifted away from God, didn’t love me anymore, and was probably having an affair. John was having many of the same thoughts about me. Satan used these thoughts to turn us against each other. Because we must remember that Satan comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus comes with the TRUTH to give life and more abundantly. When we listen to the devil’s lies, it only leads to death. Is your marriage dying? Have you lost the trust and love you once had? Are you having thoughts and doubts about your spouse? Maybe, you too, need to quit living the devil’s lie and take hold of the TRUTH of be set free. Communication is the best way to KNOW what’s going on in your relationship. Tell your partner how you feel, and be ready to listen to them. You’ll be amazed what is really going on! I know I was.
Renewal By Paul Cook This week I've had a chance to enjoy some renewal on vacation at our parents' lake house. One of my favorite times of day is the early morning. I usually sit out on the deck overlooking the water and have my quiet time with God. This week my morning retreats have been especially pleasant, as the weather has been perfect. Let me take a moment to describe what it's like here, so you can enjoy it with me. The sun's soft rays are peeking through the cool green foliage of the many trees surrounding the house. A cool breeze delightfully blows in from the lake and makes a soothing "shhhh" sound in the trees around me. The breeze spawns ripples in the water that reflect the sunlight in a
million points of quiet, shimmering brilliance. Birds are playfully singing
a variety of summer songs. Above, two squirrels are chasing each other
across the canopy of trees, precariously balancing, climbing and leaping. Every now and then a fish will jump out of the water for an early morning
snack. A nearby group of ducks occasionally flaps in spirited conversation. Activities like taking a walk, playing with our kids, sitting by a lake,
riding a bike, laying out under the stars, visiting a park, and many others
can help us discover the beauty and peace of God. This is a different kind
of pleasure from what we may be used to from worldly lusts. It doesn't bring the
addictive side effects and guilt that keeps us away from God.
Daddy's Day Cannot be copied or reproduced in any form without the written consent of the author Her hair up in a pony tail, One by one the teacher called, as seconds slowly passed.
He loved to tell me stories And when she dropped her hand back down, Who knows what they saw before them, they saw him at her side. *Daddy's Day has been published in "Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul" and "Stories for a Teen's Heart 2." My Secret Shame By Dominique Thom There I did it again My past a monster In the dark I did not see I long just to be free Electronic places Nameless people Blank faces, multi online faces Numbers on the double A voice over the phone When I am home alone Conversations intimate Sin I am bout to commit I am alone I am on my thrown I need answer to no one I want to tell every one "I love you," I say "Here with you I’ll stay" Our emotion’s bodies meet Lust now must be a feast Climaxes ring out loud Yeah for a moment none more proud I have done what many sadly do I have betrayed my "Only You" Shameful disgrace now fills this space Tears now run over my face I hang my head in shame Beat my chest just the same Never in my wildest dreams Could I bear how my heart screams, I live, I love, I lie, I die Now tell me should I try? I get up from these ashes Torn battered broken places I am through, gone, done. From this I forever want none There came a life into mine My "Only You" better than wine She fought a battle hard Now she owns my heart She took me as I am Molding me into the man The man she knows I am I told her the lot Fearing again, empty my plot She smiled and looked at me And said, "I will pray for thee" "Your past now is your past Walk towards the future With me, strong and fast Though we will stumble and fall I will be here To help you stand tall You are the man that I want Forever in love till we are not Hold me close and look at me I am all you want me to be For in me love so much The point you can only touch Now forget about what is behind And let, me fill your mind With all the love a life could give A future together, only if We draw close to each other Thanking GOD for one another Together a future we will build Helping others out in the cold Bring them in to where it’s warm Allow GOD in them to be born I looked at her to smile Now I remember for a while My life, empty and lost And how much it really cost Forever I will be To Those stuck, a Light from THEE For I was lost without a clue THEE my SAVIOUR YOU came through YOU sent me a life so pure To help me, others to lure To a Life free from shame No more secrets, no more pain!
Our Ripple Effects From Dr. Bill Bright Founder and Chairman Campus Crusade for Christ International Dear friends: Have you ever noticed the ripple effects of a stone thrown into a lake or pond? The effects of that stone seem to just keep on going and going and going. It is the same with our lives. The ripple effects of who we are and what we do and say also keep on going and going and going, in ways we could never imagine. Several years ago I read an interesting example of this in a bulletin from Family Concern, J. Allan Peterson, Editor. Max Jukes lived in New York. He did not believe in Christ or in Christian training. He refused to take his children to church, even when they asked to go. At last count, he has had 1,026 descendants; 300 were sent to prison for an average term of 13 years; 190 were public prostitutes; 680 were admitted alcoholics. When this story was written, his family had cost the state in excess of $420,000. They made no contribution to society. By contrast, Jonathan Edwards lived in the same state, at the same time as Jukes. He loved the Lord and saw that his children were in church every Sunday, as he served the Lord to the best of his ability. He has had 929 descendants, of these 430 were ministers; 86 became university professors; 13 became university presidents; 75 authored good books; five were elected to the United States Congress and two to the Senate. One became Vice President of his nation. His family never cost the state one cent but has contributed immeasurably to the life of plenty in this land today. There is one big difference between the ripple effects of a stone thrown into a lake and the ripple effects of our lives: The ripple effects of the stone thrown into a pond keep getting smaller and smaller and smaller, whereas the ripple effects of our lives can become bigger and bigger and bigger! Consider the amazing and increasingly large ripple effects of Abraham's life. "God said, 'Abraham, through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed'" (Acts 3:25). Our own salvation and the explosion of the gospel throughout the world today can be traced to Abraham's decision to trust and obey the Lord. Ain’t It Funny?
Ain't it funny how small our sins seem, but how big "their" sins are. Ain't it funny how we demand justice for others; but, expect mercy from God. Ain't it funny how much difficulty some have learning the gospel well enough to tell others; but, how simple it is to understand and explain the latest gossip about someone else. Ain't it funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray; but, don't have any difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend. Ain't it funny how we are so quick to take directions from a total stranger when we are lost; but, are hesitant to take God's direction for our lives. Ain't it funny how so many church goers sing "Standing on the Promises"; but, all they do is sit on the premises. Ain't it funny how people want God to answer their prayers; but, refuse to listen to His counsel. Ain't it funny how we sing about heaven; but, live only for today. Ain't it funny how people think they are going to Heaven; and, think there is no Hell. Ain't it funny how it is okay to blame God for evil and suffering in the world; but, it is not necessary to thank Him for what is good and pleasant. Ain't it funny how when something goes wrong we cry, "Lord, why me?" but, when something goes right, we think, "Hey! it must be me!" Oh wait -- maybe all of this just isn't so "funny" after all. Well, I took the time -- will you? *Nervous Bride* A woman in her 40s got married but was a bit nervous about her honeymoon. The people in the church wanted to encourage her by sending a telegram with a verse of Scripture: 1 John 4:18 ("There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear") But someone omitted, by mistake, the 1 before John and the telegram just read: John 4:18. ("The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.)" *Ah, Newlyweds, There are never any secrets!* A young couple decided to wed. As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive. Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. The Groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice. "Father," he said, "I am deeply concerned about the success of my marriage. I love my fiancée, very much, but you see, I have very smelly feet, and I'm afraid that my future wife will be put off by them." "No problem," said dad. "All you have to do is wash your feet as often as possible, and always wear socks, even to bed." Well, to him this seemed a workable solution. The bride-to-be, overcoming her fear, decided to take her problem up her mom. "Mom," she said, "When I wake up in the morning my breath is truly awful." "Honey," her mother consoled, "everyone has bad breath in the morning." "No, you don't understand. My morning breath is so bad, I'm afraid that my new husband will not want to sleep in the same room with me." Her mother said simply, "Try this. In the morning, get straight out of bed, and head for the bathroom and brush your teeth. The key is, not to say a word until you've brushed your teeth. Not a word," her mother affirmed. Well, she thought it was certainly worth a try. The loving couple was finally married in a beautiful ceremony. Not forgetting the advice each had received, he with his perpetual socks and she with her morning silence, they managed quite well. That is, until about six months later. Shortly before dawn, the husband woke with a start to find that one of his socks had come off. Fearful of the consequences, he frantically searched the bed. This, of course, woke his bride, who, without thinking, immediately asked, "What on earth are you doing?" "Oh, no!" he gasped in shock, "You've swallowed my sock!" *Medical Term Needed* The man told his doctor that he wasn't able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. When the examination was complete, he said, "Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me." "Well, in plain English," the doctor replied, "you're just lazy." "OK," said the man. "Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife."
A little child in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed the offering plates. When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster piped up so that everyone could hear: "Don't pay for me Daddy. I'm under five." *George and Moses* George W. Bush, in an airport lobby, noticed a man in a long flowing white robe with a long flowing white beard and flowing white hair. The man had a staff in one hand and some stone tablets under the other arm. George W. approached the man and inquired, "Aren't you Moses." The man ignored George W. and stared at the ceiling. George W. positioned himself more directly in the man's view and asked again, "Aren't you Moses". The man continued to peruse the ceiling. George W. tugged at the man's sleeve and asked once again, "Aren't you Moses". The man finally responded in an irritated voice, "Yes I am". George W. asked him why he was so uppity and the man replied, "The last time a bush spoke to me I ended up spending forty years in the wilderness". |
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