About Us

The Crutch
Carol Condon

The first day of summer camp was in full swing. Friends were reuniting after a long year absence. Dorms were being aired out and crammed full of all their favorite things. Electrical outlets were claimed for the coveted fans and if truly blessed an air conditioner was resting on the windowsill ready for the first musty blast of cooled air. The sun was shining brightly blanketing the campground with humid heat, but it was not hindering the students. Activity was everywhere; after all it was finally time for camp!

He was excited to be back with all his friends. It all started with a bottle of water and ended in a chase. He tried to catch himself but after a few failed attempts he fell bending his foot in an awkward position. He felt the snap in his toe and knew it was broken.

I received the call that Jared had been hurt and needed to go to the hospital to be checked out. Needless to say he was quite bummed. All the plans he had made for the long awaited week of summer camp had crumbled.

The doctor confirmed our suspicions. His large toe was broken. They wrapped his foot, handed him a pair of crutches and told him to stay off of the foot as much as possible.

Mark and I went out later that week to check on Jared. The service was going strong and Jared was keeping right up with everyone crutches and all. During the altar call the evangelist stepped forward and held up a set of crutches as praise erupted. When Mark and I walked toward the front we saw Jared beaming with excitement over his new testimony. His foot had been healed! He put the crutches away and walked forward into what became a monumental week for him.

We all have had those moments in our lives where we are going along enjoying life to it’s fullest. When seemingly out of the blue we stumble and fall. We find our plans altered. We are left in a crippled state and in need of a “crutch” to even hold us up. Do we lean on the crutch beyond the required time of healing? Is it easier to lean on the crutch instead of learning to walk forward into our future?

What we thought was going to ruin Jared’s week of camp actually became the thing that took him to a new level of faith in his walk with the Lord. Is there a set of crutches under your arms? In order to regain our strength we will have to set the crutches aside and learn to walk forward into the future He has made for us. The new level of faith may be just out of reach of the crutch you are leaning on.

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.



What's Under Your Bed? by Carol Condon (used by permission)

by Darla Tovar  |  July 15, 2011
I was rinsing our dinner dishes when I heard the washer finish its cycle. On my way to the laundry room I remembered that tomorrow was trash pick up so I detoured to the garage to run the trash containers to the curb. As I headed back into the house I realized that I needed to put the laundry into the dryer before finishing up the dishes.
 
Going from one room to another I was suddenly aware that I had a little shadow directly beside my own. Chase was only about four years old at the time and he loved to be my helper, but tonight he was just sticking close to me not saying a word. I noticed that he had left the light on in his room so I asked him if he would run in and turn it off. He reluctantly walked to his room and as he turned off the light he bolted right back to me in a very quick manner.
 
I told him that we needed to go downstairs and tidy up before I tucked him into bed for the night and he gladly walked with me. Once downstairs I asked him to go into the playroom and turn off the light. He did so but this time as he ran back he made it no secret that he was afraid.
 
As I tucked him into bed, I questioned him about his fear. He admitted that he was afraid of the monsters that were under his bed. These “monsters” supposedly came in when we weren’t looking and they would hide out until bedtime. I began to explain how that was not possible because each night we prayed for Jesus to watch over him and keep evil far from him. I stopped then and said our nightly prayer together. I then asked him to climb out of bed and peek under the bed with me. He joined me and we took a look. I pointed out his racecar track that filled one half of the space. Then we looked at the long storage boxes that held all his “happy meal” toys. I asked him where the “monsters” were supposed to hide. He smiled up at me as he said, “Mommy, there is no room for monsters.”
 
How many times have we allowed fear to inhibit us from being what God has called us to be? Maybe we need to take a peek at what is under our bed. Do we have the space filled with “things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely” leaving no room for the “monsters” to hide out waiting to rob us of the things that God has for us? He has plans for us. Let us not miss out on them!
 
Philippians 4:8 NIV, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

14 Qualities of Leadership - Pastor Tom Foster

by Darla Tovar  |  June 21, 2011
 14 Qualities of Leadership - Pastor Foster ~ June 12, 2011
 
1. Justice: practice of being fair and consistent. Dole out rewards and punishment with equity and fairness. Be honest with yourself and treat all people the same.
 
2. Judgment: to think about things clearly and calmly. Avoid making rash decisions; approach problems with common sense and prayer.
 
3. Dependability: reliable to perform duties, relied on to complete the job, a willing and volunteer support.  Putting forth your best effort. Show up when and where you’re supposed to whether you agree or not.
 
4. Initiative: take action even though you haven’t been told to do it.  Don’t ever say, “That’s not my job.” Work on staying mentally and physically alert.  Do things in order.
 
5. Decisiveness: able to make good decisions soundly in a clear, firm and professional manner. Get the facts – with clear firm voice.  Practice being positive in everything you do.
 
6. Tact: the art of dealing with people in good manner; calmly, firmly, courteous and cheerful in everything you do.
 
7. Integrity: honest and faithful in everything you say and do. Never lying or being dishonest.
 
8. Enthusiasm: sincere interest in your duties.  Cheerful and willing to accept a challenge. Understand and believe in your mission.
 
9. Bearing:  the way you conduct and carry yourself: be alert, confident and be in control.  Hold yourself to the highest standard of conduct.
 
10. Unselfishness: avoid making yourself comfortable at the expense of others.  Give credit to those who deserve it.  Be considerate.

11. Courage: the ability to remain calm by recognizing fear. Inner strength to stand for right and accept blame when something is your fault.  Learn to control your actions. Have faith that you can do it and you can.  Face fear, look it in the eye and overcome it; learn how to control it.

12. Knowledge: understanding people.  Know the policies – keep up with current events.  Remain alert when you don’t understand; study what will make it work.  Learn what everyone else is doing in similar situations.

13. Loyalty: devoted to your ministry and those over and under you.  Always be there and show it by never discussing it with anyone outside.  Execute it.

14. Endurance: physical and mental stamina to sustain.  Strengthen your body, exercise and get in shape! Finish every task to the best of your ability.

DO YOUR BEST IN EVERYTHING!

 


Heart & Soul (written by Gayla Foster)

by Darla Tovar  |  June 1, 2011
Heart & Soul
 
The Bible has it right: “A merry heart does good, like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Then sings my soul…when my soul sings it ALERTS my body and tells it what to do. The combination of an “in tune” voice and body is a key to good health. The voice is a powerful instrument: physically, spiritually and emotionally.
 
We hold our emotions in our throats and in the pit of our stomach; singing and breathing from deep within the soul with positive thoughts releases stress and sick feelings. When JOY is deep within our soul there is a song in the heart!  It comes up and out of the well of our soul. What is in the well is going to come up in the bucket, be it bitter water or sweet.
 
King Saul was angry, full of hatred and tormented by evil spirits. He called on David to play his harp and sing the evil spirits away: it’s difficult for the body to stay bound when the soul sings! Workshops, group meetings, hospitals, etc., have tapped into the power of singing, jumping, shouting, tears and laughter: expressing emotions in any of these fashions aids in healing the body as well as freeing the mind.
 
Research has proven that a good belly laugh reduces levels of the stress hormone Cortisol and increases levels of ‘feel good” hormones. Laughter also boosts the immune system. Joy is infectious!! Choose to do everything with a current of joy running through your soul.
 
Singing in the Rain…because the JOY of the Lord is my STRENGTH! What joyous liberty we have in the Presence of God! CHURCH is our group therapy of choice! As we allow God deep within the inner sanctums of our soul and worship our Maker the body is healed and our mind is set free!
 
Studies show higher levels of immunity building proteins are produced and lung function is enhanced as a result of singing. Singing encourages deep breathing and improved posture. Singing releases endorphins into the body which, in turn, relieve pain and reduce stress. Singing relaxes, promotes relaxation and is good for the heart! Slaves had an unspoken language; when they could not SPEAK their pain they could SING it: it came from the soul, “Soul Music.” Their souls were released when they sang their message.
 
Weight carried on the shoulders or body is not healthy for the heart or the soul. We must not blame God for our self-inflicted ignorance and poor choices. We fool ourselves with intellectual egos and quality-deprived lives, spinning out of control into an early grave.
 
Stress slows down the gallbladders effectiveness in eliminating toxins which can lead to the formation of gallstones. When we’re under stress, the walls of the gall bladder and digestive tract relax; this slows the elimination of toxins into the bile allowing them greater opportunity to be absorbed by the body.

Four ways Emotional Stress affects the body:
1. Nervous system with painful impulses
2. Muscular system by changing the tension of the muscles
3. Glandular secretions – stress produces excessive disease-causing hormones
4. Circulatory system by changing the amount of blood flow to vital organs

Bitterness contributes to obesity. Bitterness produces stress which upsets the hormonal balance and stimulates the appetite, resulting in obesity. Harboring bitterness is like drinking the poison and waiting for our offenders to die. Embrace a new attitude!!!

Our attention must not be focused on having better health but completing our life’s purpose with the JOY of the Lord being our strength! Total health is not perfect health. Perfect health is not possible because we are all in the process of dying physically but the soul will live on! Total health is the ability to fulfill the purpose for which God created you.

Force yourself to have a grateful heart! David demonstrates this throughout Psalms: a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. By taking control of our own “health care” we secure the responsibility and accountability.

Overwhelmed? Outnumbered? PRAISE GOD!

by Darla Tovar  |  May 4, 2011
“The Lord said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands." Judges 7:7 (NIV)

The Midianite army of 135,000 badly outnumbered the Israelites, who only had 32,000 men ready for battle. But even that was too many. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army to only 300 men! Before the battle, Gideon worshipped God and then divided his men into three companies. Their weapons were only trumpets and empty jars with torches inside them! 

God wanted Israel to know that victory does not depend on strength or numbers, but on obedience and commitment to Him. As proof, the Midianite army fell before them without the Israelites drawing a single sword. 
 
What in your life seems too hard to conquer? "Midianites" sometimes come in the form of challenges, trials, afflictions, or temptations that outnumber and overwhelm us. Whatever you are facing, remember that the battle is God's. 
 
Goliath was one of David’s “Midianites.”  He was just a teen in his stand against a man almost twice his size!  David acknowledged the giant came to the battle with a sword, spear, and a shield.  But, he told Goliath, “I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” 1Samuel 17:45 (KJV)   David prayed and worship God beforehand.  God gave David strength, courage, and confidence. 
 
"And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.” 
1 Samuel 17:47 (KJV) 
 
Don't let fear overcome your faith.  Instead, pray and praise God!  Worship God with some praise singing!  Let God equip you as He did Gideon and David when they praised Him.  Like these men, remember that we are never prepared to do battle until we bow in prayer and worship to God.
 
Make a choice today to trust God and have faith that He will fight for you!