Verse a Day

Friday, December 30, 2011

Who Are You?

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? (Exodus 3:13 KJV)

In the hesitations and excuses of Moses we see the second of five things here. In essence Moses is saying I don't know who you are what am I going to tell those people.

God identifies Himself as the I Am and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This was the first real revelation as The I Am. The self existing eternal God for all generations to know as the same God throughout eternity who is not only the creator but the sustainer as well.

So what stands out to for us here as a point of interest for us is this: In the middle of all the hesitations and excuses there is a great revelation of God for who He is and what He is able to do as well as what He will do in our callings.

As God calls us aside to speak to us and we have those hesitations and excuses really look for God to reveal who He is and what He will do. The revelation is there for us if we will grasp it.

Be encouraged today
Pastor Kitner

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Five Excuses Not to Serve God W/Answers from God

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. (Exodus 3:10-12 KJV)

Moses had excuses for not serving God at His calling unto him. Perhaps God is calling you to serve Him in some capacity and you have resisted. See how God dealt with and answered Moses over the next several entries in this blog.

The first of five excuses was "whom am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

Moses lacked in that he was not thinking of who it was that was talking to him and the power behind those words or calling. Moses was looking at himself, which is a tendancy we all tend to have. But it is not by power or by might on our part that wins the victory. It is God's calling and He will do it by His Spirit.

Be encouraged by God's answer to Moses, and some people miss this, "when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt you shall serve God on this mountain." what this speaks of here is an assured victory in the calling and service of God.

If God is calling you to a specific service, my only word for you is just do it. God is the same He changes not, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will be with you and do it!

Be blessed
Pastor Kitner

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Be Heavenly Minded!

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 KJV)

In my observance of the church in these days we are living in I don't see the affections set on things above. What I have seen is a church where the leaders are not heavenly minded and produce a people that don't have a clue about the life of Christ in them their hope of glory. People are so worldly minded that they are no heavenly good. The devil tried to turn that around and say don't be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. Unfortunately the church bought into the lie of the devil and I have heard that nonsense preached from the pulpit.

We are instructed by the Word to walk after the Spirit and make no provision for the flesh and we are instructed the be continuously filled with the Spirit. My question for the church and the leaders of the church is: What gifts did Jesus give the church and for what reason in Ephesians 4:11 - 12? What's your part?

Jesus has given us some awesome gifts and we need to set our affections on the things above and go after what we should be going after in our lives here on the earth for we have been blessed with all Spiritual blessings from the heavenlies in Christ.

Blessings on ya!
Pastor Kitner

Friday, November 11, 2011

What Are You Still Carrying? - Good Question

In the church it seems that people hold on to grudges and harbor ill will in their hearts and think it is OK to do so. Romans 12:1-2 should be the order of the day for the Christian.

What Are You Still Carrying? - by Alan Smith
Two monks on a pilgrimage came to the ford of a river. There they saw a girl dressed in all her finery, obviously now knowing what to do since the river was high and she did not want to spoil her clothes. Without more ado, one of the monks took her on his back, carried her across and put her down on dry ground on the other side.
Then the monks continued on their way. But the other monk after an hour started complaining, "Surely it is not right to touch a woman; it is against the commandments to have close contact with women. How could you go against the rules for monks?"
The monk who had carried the girl walked along silently, but finally he remarked, "I set her down by the river an hour ago, why are you still carrying her?"
One of the hardest things we must do is to let go of something from the past. Someone does us wrong and seeks forgiveness, but we want to keep carrying the memory. Or maybe we made a mistake and we can't seem to stop beating ourselves up, despite the fact that we have done what God says to do to be forgiven. We don't want to keep carrying the memory (and the guilt), but we do. In fact, it often seems more difficult to forgive ourselves than to forgive others.
Paul said, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14-15)
Paul had to forget his past achievements (as an esteemed Jewish leader). He also had to forget his past failures (which including persecuting and killing God's people).
What are you carrying today that you should have set down a long time ago?
This article by Alan Smith, Senior Pastor of the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina. You can visit his site at http://www.TFTD-online.com
Thanks Tim for your posting of this one.

Blessings On Ya!
Pastor Kitner

Friday, October 28, 2011

Good News in My Cancer Battle

God and Chemo - what a combo!
For all of the folks that have held me up in prayer over this round in the cancer treatment battle a little good news today. The doctor looked over the scan that I just had, showed the pics to me and explained that the cancer was not active and at this point it was time to stop the chemo because it only works on active cells. In other words the cancer cells are inactive or in a remission state. So... now every 2 months I will get a CT SCAN to check it out and make sure or verify that it is still inactive.

After 4 months of treatment and all the adverse reactions in my system, it will be great to get my taste buds back to normal, to have more stamina once again and to not have the imbalance of my sugar or the blood pressure. I was told that it will take about a month or so but each day will be an improvement over the last, I am sure.

I give praise to the Lord for this and acknowledge that without Him I can do nothing BUT I can do all things through Him who stregtnens me.
Thank you all for your many prayers and encouraging words... God bless you richly!

Serving Christ Together With You
Pastor Charles Kitner

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Grace to You!

Ephesians 1:2 grace to you and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is something to be received and walked in. This greeting by Paul is not just a trite greeting form a casual friend with no meaning. When people read over it this greeting is not thought about much because it is a familiar portion of scripture. When Paul says Grace to you, he speaks from the perspective of one who knows about the grace of God in depth and knows the power of it in his life. That's right I said grace is power and more power than we can imagine.
G R A C E = God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Jesus came full of grace and truth to this lost and dying people who didn't deserve anything from God - sinners separated from God - but God extended His hand of Grace and Mercy to us through Jesus Christ His only begotten Son.
Grace is truly unmerited favor but it is so much more. Grace is the power of God and His abilities released into the weakness and inability of our lives to do what we can not do!
So in the personal greeting that Paul used he was saying may the power of God be released to you. We should also greet others with this kind of greeting - grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. What we treat as a trite greeting can be a powerful release of the blessing of God into another's life if they will receive it.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10 (NIV) 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Grace and Peace unto each of you who read this, receive the fullest sense of God's power released into your lives now in Jesus name!

Pastor Kitner

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Meditate on the Word of God

It is imperative that when reading the Bible that one take time and think about what they are reading. That is to say meditate on it so you don't miss something important that is right in front of your eyes. Meditation is the chewing over again of the cud so to speak in order to get all that is in it.
I have found that a lot of folks read but don't really read for comprehension. They read like they are in a hurry. I learned how to scan things for fast reading in college but when one reads the Bible they should read it to get the most out of every word. God does not waste Words. He sent His Word to heal. When He sends the Word in does't return to Him void but it accomplishes what He sent it forth to do.
Ephesians 1:3 says a lot but it is read over fast because it has become a familiar passage and some things are missed because of it. (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.)
I just want to give a small example of what I am talking about here. The word "all" is read over as If it were not significant. It is a powerful word that brings something to mind if you don't rush by it. All not some spiritual blessings. God doesn't hold anything back but makes all that is in the realm of spiritual blessing available to us. Think about this and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into finding out what these blessing are.
I am awe struck at the fact that God makes "all" available to me. Such knowledge is encouraging to me and causes me to want to know more of what God has for me.
Are you hungry for the fullness of God's Word to nourish your soul and spirit.
I hope you are challenged to find more when you read of the un searchable riches of God!

God bless you richly

Pastor Kitner

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Lord Has a Plan!

On September 28, I was at the Arnold Palmer Cancer Center for my chemo treatment for stage 4 Colorectal cancer that has moved into my lung. A brother in the Lord, Paul form the Monroeville A/G church came and took me to the center. We had good fellowship going to the center (a 24 mile ride).
When we got into where the cubicles are we were made aware that there was another brother in the Lord there who had saved me a chair in the cubicle where he was. So now we were 3 talking and sharing testimony and the Word of God. This went on for several hours. Next another brother, from another cubicle that was there with his wife who was receiving chemo treatment for cancer also, came around the wall with his Bible and sat down. He said he had to come over because of what he heard us talk about, which was the Lord for the most part. He had had leukemia and is now cured complete with a new blood system because of a bone marrow transplant and stem cell replacement. He shared his testimony and we shared scripture the rest of the time we were together in one small cubicle. The great thing is that other people can hear us and even the nurses want to hear what the real God is doing, they linger as they get supplies all day long.
All this leads up to me sharing the Lord to my nurse of the day. Her name is Ann. She had heard us for 4 hours or so and I asked her, as she was fixing me to be connected to the chemo
pump for 46 hours as I was going home, had anyone ever told her that God loved her and had a
wonderful plan for her life? She answered with a weak answer and I asked her if I could ask
her another question and she said yes. So I asked her if she died tonight would she go to
heaven? She said she didn't know but hoped so. I then asked her did she want to know for sure?
She said yes, so I led her in a prayer for repentance, right there in my cubicle and she prayed a for real prayer with me. I watched her countenance change from death unto life and she said she knew now for sure.
There is a new name written down in glory because - where 2 or more are gathered in the name of Jesus He is there in the midst and he came to save sinners. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and I praise His name!

God bless!
Pastor Kitner

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Tangy Tomato Soup

I don't blog about food very often, but I came up with this recipe for a great lunch or light supper. This is tomato soup with a tang to it. Great with just crackers, grilled cheese or other sandwiches.

Ingredients:
1 - 26 oz. can of Campbell's Tomato soup concentrated.
8 oz. of Chuncky salsa. ( I used Tostitio's chuncky mild but go according to your taste both on the type and the amount.)
3/4 can of milk (1% or other) 1/4 can of water per the soup instructions to add to the concentrate.
1 - 3 quart sauce pan
Crackers and or bread, cheese and butter for the grilled cheese sandwiches.
(or others according to your taste)
Take the soup concentrate and place it in the sauce pan and add the milk and water to the concentrate. Add about 8 oz. of chuncky salsa mix to the soup now as well. (you can use the salsa of your taste choice) I used Tostito's salsa from the chip aisle.(15.5 oz jar)
Next place this on the stove to cook stirring often. Bring it almost to a boil where you can see movement of the soup in the pan. Turn the heat down so it simmers and stir it as it cooks to mix it well. Simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the soup mix and the milk are blended really well. This gives it better taste over all.
Remove from heat and serve. This makes about 4 to 6 servings depending on the bowl size that you use.

This is a great cool weather lunch or an ideal light supper meal.
This is my own recipe and I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy it.

Ba Blessed
Pastor Kitner

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Thunderstorms

As I sat here today listening to the rain and the thunderstorms going through our area this morning I began to think about some things concerning the church and all the things hanging in the spiritual air.
Rain washes the air of pollutants and causes the atmosphere to take on a cleansed smell. It also helps one to focus on some good things around them and perhaps even some things that need to be accomplished that are important.
Maybe the church needs a spiritual thunderstorm sent by the Lord, to come through to get the churches attention back to the important things of what church is supposed to be about and not what we have made it. We need a freshness of truth within the church. Men must become lovers of truth and not want their soiritual ears tickled. We need the thunderstorm, the mighty voice of God clearing the air of all the dirty particles hanging in the atmosphere of sidetracked teaching and false teaching and help us to focus back on the truth of the Word of God.
What the church needs is a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and an earthshaking, booming voice of HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES!

Be blessed
Pastor Kitner

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

How to Help Your Church #8 of 8

How to be a Helpful to Your Church
I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I have posted it here in this blog- spot over the course of a week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and all 8 of them have been included in our looking at church helps.
You can scroll the blog and get all 8 segments if you would like to do so.

Contribute to Solutions and not Problems
Every pastor would be thrilled if each of his flock got involved and helped the church in some way.However, they would rejoice if certain ones simply stopped being a pain in the neck! It's a shame that pastors spend so much time putting out fires, that is, squelching problems that could have a negative influence on the whole body, such as gossip, rumors, complaining, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, discontent and so forth. Regrettably, it has been said that 90% of these kinds of problems are generated among the same 10% of the people.

Spiritually mature persons who wish to help their church don't become a part of such problems - instead, they contribute to solutions. They avoid divisive people (Romans 16:17) and don't get caught up in the mischief or grievances of others (1Timothy 5:13). If they are aware of spreading problems in the fellowship, they will try to bring a resolution, or else they bring matters to the attention of spiritual leadership so that they can bring and end to it (Matt 18:15-17).People who wish to be an asset to their church don't participate with or spread problems - they help spiritual leadership resolve them.

Blessings on you,
Pastor Kitner

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Progress Explored

Progress is not stagnant!
Progress moves, changes, adapts, challenges, flows, establishes a thing and moves on in an unending quest to get something done. This is in the natural as well as in the spiritual.
Progress builds on the past and looks toward the horizon and the coming future always willing to do what is called for in the current times. Progress never digs in to stay entrenched in an unchanging rut, which is a grave with the ends knocked out, with no thought of even being able to change.
See Philippians 3:12 - 14

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

How to Help Your Church #7 of 8

How to be a Helpful to Your Church
I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I will be posting it here in this blog- spot over the course of the next week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and we will include all 8 of them in our looking at church helps.

Seek out and use your gifts!

According to the scriptures, the Lord distributes gifts to each in the body as it pleases Him. Spiritual gifts are not provided to you merely for your own gradification, but so the church would be edified or built up. God has given you gifts that will be a help to your church - it is up to you to discover them, develop and utilize them under the direction and cooperation with your spiritual leaders. By doing so, you will glorify God and be a great help to your church. "Even you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel." (1 Cor. 14:12)

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

Monday, August 8, 2011

Helping Your Church #6 of 8

How to be a Helpful to Your Church
I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I will be posting it here in this blog- spot over the course of the next week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and we will include all 8 of them in our looking at church helps

Apply the Teaching and Ministry to Your Life

There's not much that a pastor loves more than to see his flock practicing what he has preached, living a Godly, Holy life, and on their knees seeking the Lord. Learn to appreciate the spiritual values they try to instill in you and the congregation. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who walk, as you have us for a pattern. (Philippians 3:17)
It helps your church when you live and conduct yourself in a Christ-like manner. Whether you realize it or not, you're a waliking billboard for your church. What ever the people of your community see in your life, they will tend to identify with your pastor and his flock. Behave yourself and speak well of the church and your pastor. Eyes and ears are always open to the things you say and do.

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Helping Your Church #5 of 8

How to be a Helpful to Your Church
I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I will be posting it here in this blog- spot over the course of the next week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and we will include all 8 of them in our looking at church helps

Help Shoulder the Load of responsibility
Pastors and leaders of the church often feel much like Moses did when Israel fought with Amelek. Their arms became weary under the weight of so many responsibilities and they need brothers and sisters to stand beside them and help distribute the load. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands on one side, and the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (exodus 17:12)

The Lord never intended for the whole ministry fo the church to be carried solely by the pastor or a mere handful of people. It's said that 80% of the work gets done by 20% of the people, and sadly, this has caused the burnout of its many outstanding workers. If everyone would simply pitch in and do their fair share in helping, serving, and giving, all the needs would be met and no one would be overburdened. Be willing to volunteer with whatever needs done and don't be finicky about what you will or will not do.. Do as the scriptures says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.." (Eccesiastes 9:10) And don't help out just for strokes of attention, but do it for God's glory.

A church is like any other organization with human resources. No one ever starts out at the top. Everyone knows that we have to start at the entry level. But if a believer continues to grow strong in Christian character and proves faithful and responsible to the basic tasks given to them in the church, they will likely be promoted to greater responsibility and minisrty.
"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10)

Be blessed of the Lord!
Pastro Kitner

Monday, August 1, 2011

How to be a Helpful to Your Church #4 of 8

How to be a Helpful to Your Church

I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I will be posting it here in this blog- spot over the course of the next week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and we will include all 8 of them in our looking at church helps

Get to Know Your Pastor and Cooperate With Him.

The more you get to know him and his Godly lifestyle, the more you will likely come to trust his leadership. You will have a greater credibility in his teaching and counsel. (I thessalonians 5:12) Show respect and cooperate with his authority. Avoid challenging his right or worthiness to serve in his position, but accept that God has seen fit to place him in this role (Romans 13:1-2).

Beligerence or antagonism toward leadership may be acceptable in secular society, but there is no place for it in the lord's church. "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account..." (Hebrews 13:17)

God Bless you!
Pastor Kitner

Thursday, July 28, 2011

How to be a Help to Your Church ~ #3

How to be a Helpful to Your Church
I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I will be posting it here in this blog- spot over the course of the next week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and we will include all 8 of them in our looking at church helps

3. Pray for your church, it's pastors and leaders:

The Apostle Paul explained that it is the duty of the Christians to pray for all who are in authority, especially those in spiritual authority. "... exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (I Timothy 2:1-2)Your church leaders are on the cutting edge of the battle with Satan, and will face temptations and spiritual conflict unlike anything you could imagine.

The Devil knows that if he can topple a spiritual leader or get him discouraged enough to quit, it will have a domino effect on the rest of the church. You can be a tremendous help by praying fervently for your church, and especially for the pastor and his family.

It is especially helpful that you attend the church prayer meetings, and you can come into agreement with others. And, where the pastors and church leaders can see and feel your prayer support for them, and the church. God promised special strength through the combined prayer of His children.

"Again I say unto you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)

My additional comment:
Prayer is our connection and bond to God and to each other in the harvesting of souls for the Lord. We must first agree with Him and His Word and then with each other to accomplish God's will where we are at.

Be blessed of the Lord

Pastor Kitner

Monday, July 25, 2011

How to be a Helpful to Your Church installment #2

2. Commit yourself to the Lord and your brethren

How to be a Helpful to Your Church
I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I will be posting it here in this blog- spot over the course of the next week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and we will include all 8 of them in our looking at church helps

The Bible teaches that all the desires of God are condensed into only two cardinal commandments that Jesus gave to His followers. "He said, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)
By clothing ourselves in God's love, we help the church to reinforce this objective for every believer, and we also help to eliminate the elements of conflict and division which can hinder the unity of the church. "...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Saturday, July 23, 2011

How to be a Helpful to Your Church

I came across some helpful information written by Dr. Dale A. Robbins regarding helping your church. So I will be posting it here in this blog spot over the course of the next week or so.
I liked it so much that I shared it with my church already. There are 8 segments to what Dr. Robbins wrote about this and we will include all 8 of them in our looking at church helps.

1. Be faithful to attend and participate.
Commit yourself to the church And let them know they can count on you. Obviously You can't be of much help if you don't show up or take part. Some people underestimate their value of simply being present. Joining together with others adds to their encouragement. And, it encourages the pastor and ministries leaders who have prayed and prepared all week to minister to you. Hebrews 10:24-25. It helps you'd pastor and the whole church for you to come faithfully, and start on time. And don't merely sit there like a bump on a log. Be friendly, put a smile on your face, and enter into worship with singing and thanksgiving.
Dr Robbins eve says, you can utter an audible Amen or two when the pastor makes avoid point. Go ahead, it'll make his day!

This is some good advice from a pastors point of view and makes sense if one just thinks about how they would like it if they were a pastor or even another person in the sanctuary.

Stop back for the next installment and collect all 8 of them.

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

Friday, July 15, 2011

Right Questions! - click here

I am reading about the last 100 years of the church "The Charismatic Century" by Jack Hayford and S. David Moore. I understand the importance of history but something struck me in the reading of it all. Are we in the looking into history asking the right questions and answering the right questions in the writing of all the books? Azusa Street and the move of God there was a key to the Pentecostal "move" in our country. I look at the events as important for sure but I also look at the result in the church and in the lives of men as well. Why is it that out of a mighty "move" of God men still could not meet, fellowship, eat or work togethe?. The church did not address the matters of the heart with the committment to the Lord that the early church and it's leaders had. Why is there still a black church and a white church and a Korean church etc.? There is only one church and that is the one Jesus is building and it knows no boundaries or the politics of men.
The right questions must be approached by the church, the body of Christ today. Is the Gospel changing men's hearts to conform them into the image of God's dear Son or is it in name only Christianity? Jesus Christ is coming back for a church, a "bride" that is without spot. Or wrinkle. I have heard a lot of different excuses about why the church is like it is but as a pastor I see a lack of committment to the Lord and the kingdom of God by church members. It seems like Romans 12:1-2 have lost their meaning as the church has endevored to be camoflauged in this world.
Politics have become the ruling factor in the church and not the leading of the Holy Spirit through prayer and fastings as in Acts 13.
The body of Christ has a directive to come out from among them and be ya seperate and we as God's people need to do that today?

Ask Right Questions church!

Be blessed
Pastor Kitner

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Week After

In this week after my first major dose of CHEMO I have experienced some fatigue that comes on you unexpectedly. My appetite is not bad but I have experienced some nauzea and some diarreha. I have to dring a lot of water and other liquids so I stay hydrated. Coffe, I found out actually makes you dehydrated because of the caffene in it.
I try to stay busy and study lots during this time so I have something good from the Lord for Sunday morning. God is good - all the time.
If you have cancer too, tell me how you are coping with it and the problems of your life because of it. I would like opportunity to pray with you.

Be Blessed
Pastor Kitner
sonforu@verizon.net

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance by Red Skelton

Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance
by Red Skelton


As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.

I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.
Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.

To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United - - That means that we have all come together.

States - - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic - - Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation - - One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All - - For All--which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.


And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?
Red Skelton

Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Test Results are in!

I had a biopsy done on Monday of this week on some growths in my left lung. The results have come back positive for the same cancer that I had in the colon before.
It did not go through the liver or other organs, in fact they are fine and so is my blood work. But it went to the lung area and the doctor is surprised about the way it has worked in an unpredictable way in my body. The only way it showed up was in the CT Scan.
I will start chemo treatments next Wednesday to see if the cancer shrinks. If it does then they can operate to remove it, if not then they can't operate. So if you think about it keep me in your prayers. Hey, God is good - all the time, and all the time - God is good!
Things like this give you a whole different perspective on life and what it is all about.
Has anybody ever told you that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for you life..contact me if you need to know more...


James 4:13 - 15 (KJV) 13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

PS I am always open to have a miracle done in my life.. by HIS stripes I am healed.

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A Journey of Faith

James 1:2-3(KJV)
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Over the course of the last 3 years I have been dealing with cancer that was found in my body, aging, being a pastor, the truth of the Word of God and people in many different stages of life and belief. This past week I had to have a biopsy done on a nodule in my left lung because it showed up on my yearly CT scan as something that increased in size from the last scan. My Oncologist had a look of concern on his face when he told me about this change.
So here I am a "great man of faith" who preaches to others concerning their faith. What does this man do with what is on his plate? Well I have a pastor friend who also has cancer and has been dealing with it for several years and he has been given the medical prognosis that he has only a short few months to live. He has a saying that I like and I am borrowing too and it goes this way: "you can't threaten a Christian with heaven". In other words even a death sentence is just a going home soon message.
The Lord gave me scripture before cancer was found in my body and it is Isaiah 54:17,
Isaiah 54:17(KJV)
17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

That is still my scripture and I am believing God for His Word of truth to be worked mightily in my life always.

My life is lived in God's perfect peace that passes understanding just as the scripture says it would be in Philippians.

My word for those that are going through the hard things of this life is Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and HE WILL direct your paths. This truly is a journey of faith and we must stand fast in the power of His might always.
Be encouraged today and God bless you richly.

Pastor Kitner

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Acts 13 churches needed today!

Acts 13:1-3(KJV) 1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.


There seems to be a lot of learning opportunities with classes, conferences, studies etc. but where are the praying Spirit lead churches of today. Is there any less need for the guidance of the Spirit today?
With all of the predictors and false things of all sorts out there we need the Spirit of truth who knows the real will of God to help us more today than ever.
I would call all who read this to prayer for the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest everywhere!

God bless you richly!
Pastor Kitner

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Life Cycles

Gleanings from the Garden

As a person observes what a garden does, they cannot help but see how everything has its own time for its life cycle or season.

A time to be planted – covered.

A time to spring up – breaking through.

A time to grow – strengthening.

A time to bloom – a fragrance released.

A time to produce fruit (if fruit is a part of it) - productivity.

A time to complete its life cycle – dying.

There is such a thing as the fullness of time when all things are just right to bring forth the plan of God that is locked up within each seed, each plant, each bird, each critter each person and it is just the right time.

Galatians 4:4 says to us concerning Christ, - But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

If things seem to be in a holding pattern in your life, if nothing seems to be coming together, wait on the Lord. There is that “fullness of time” for your life. Like a seed planted in the ground and out of sight for a while. There are some great mysteries taking place in you until the time that you are brought forth to be seen and enjoyed because of who you have been becoming during the covered over time. Great mysteries make for great reading……God makes everything beautiful in its time………You are an epistle to be read of all men.

Ecclesiastes 3:1(KJV)1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

God bless!
Pastor Kitner

Friday, April 22, 2011

The last seven expressions of Jesus Christ from the cross.

Here are the last seven expressions of Jesus Christ on the Cross recorded in Scripture. His Seven Words of expression are so important to us even to this day.

THE FIRST WORD
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Gospel of Luke 23:34
THE SECOND WORD
"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Gospel of Luke 23:43
THE THIRD WORD
"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son".
Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."
Gospel of John 19:26-27
THE FOURTH WORD
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34
THE FIFTH WORD
"I thirst"
Gospel of John 19:28
THE SIXTH WORD
When Jesus had received the wine, he said,
"It is finished";
and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit.
Gospel of John 19:30
THE SEVENTH WORD
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit":
Gospel of Luke 23:46

Because He was obedient.

Romans 10:8 - 13 (NIV) 8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The Cross And Crucifixion

About The Cross And Crucifixion

A medical doctor provides a physical description:
The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement.
The cross is then lifted into place. The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed.
The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain - the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet.
Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled.
He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenching cramps, inter-mittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber.
Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level-the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues and the tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...Finally, he can allow his body to die...
All this the Bible records with the simple words, “and they crucified Him”, (Mark 15:24).
What wondrous love is this? Many people don’t know that pain and suffering our Lord, Jesus Christ went through for us...because of the brutality, crucifixion was given a sentence to only its worst offenders of the law. Thieves, murderers, and rapists would be the types of people who got crucified. Yet, here Jesus is being crucified between two hardened criminals...What did Jesus do? Did he murder anyone? Did he steal any-thing? The answer as we all know is NO!! Jesus did nothing to deserve this type of death, yet he went willing to die, in between 2 thieves, so that we might be saved. And there, in between the sinners, was our slain savior for our sins.
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obe-dient unto death, even the death of the cross.

By Author UNKNOWN to me

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Survey

Individual Survey and Poll
Dear Friend,
Please take a few short minutes to complete this survey and return it to the person who issued it to you.
1. Has anyone ever told you that God loves you and that He has a great plan for your life? oYes oNo
2. If today were your last day here on earth, do you know for sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt that you would go to Heaven? oYes oNo
3. If you answered, "yes" to question #2, is that because you are a good person and/or because you attend church regularly? oYes oNo
4. Have you ever heard that the Holy Bible reads, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." And "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." And "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved?" oYes oNo
5. Did you know that you are a "whosoever"? oYes oNo
Here's a quick prayer for you: Lord, bless each person who reads this with long and healthy lives. Jesus, do a quick work in their heart and make Yourself so real to them. If they have never called upon Your name, I pray that they will do so right now.
If you would like to receive the gift that God has for you today, say this with your heart and your lips out loud:
Dear Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive me of my sin. Set me free. Jesus, thank You that You died for me. I believe that God raised You from the dead. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, the peace of God, and the joy of the Lord. Give me a passion to reach the lost, a hunger for the things of God, and a holy boldness to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm saved. I'm born-again. I'm forgiven and I'm on my way to Heaven because I have Jesus in my heart. Thank You Jesus!
When you asked Jesus to come into your heart and to forgive you, He heard you and did so. All of your sins are now forgiven. Always remember to run to God and NOT from God because He loves you and has a great plan for your life. That's VERY good news.
6. Did you say the above prayer? oYes oNo
My Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ________________
Phone: ( ) ___________________________________
Name of person who issued you the survey: _______________________________
Thank you for completing this survey.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Walk as He Walked!

Walk as He Walked!
1 John 1:6-7(KJV)
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 2:3-6(KJV)
3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
If we are to walk as Jesus walked and be in fellowship with God and man then we must consider how He walked.
Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and He never did anything but what He saw the Father doing and He didn’t say anything except what He heard being said from the Father. Can you imagine yourself doing that?
In order for you to walk in the light as He is in the light you MUST be filled continuously with the Holy Spirit so much as to have the connection of the Holy Spirit both in you and around you. This way you will live and move and breathe and have your being in Him. This is how people will see Jesus in you. PS it will also bring persecution because you will walk in truth and the world cannot stand truth.
This is just a thought that I felt that I should share with you. Be blessed of the Lord in your day.
Pastor Kitner

Thursday, April 14, 2011

On Earthquakes

NOTE: Many who read David Wilkerson's 1974 book "The Vision"
are amazed at just how much of it seems to have already come to
pass. But in the same book, Wilkerson also prophesied a huge
earthquake coming to the USA - seemingly after a major quake in
Japan. Below is the warning in his own words-

JAPAN & the COMING USA EARTHQUAKES
-by David Wilkerson. (1974).


The United States is going to experience in the not-too-distant
future the most tragic earthquakes in its history. One day soon
this nation will be reeling under the impact of the biggest news
story of modern times. It will be coverage of the biggest most
disastrous earthquake in history.

It will cause widespread panic and fear, Without a doubt, it will
become one of the most completely reported earthquakes ever.
Television networks will suspend all programming and carry all
day coverage.

Another earthquake , possibly in Japan may precede the one that
I see coming here. There is not the slightest doubt in my mind
about this forthcoming massive earthquake in our continent.

I am not at all convinced that this earthquake will take place in
California. In fact, I believe it is going to take place where it is
least expected. This terrible earthquake may happen in an area
that not known as an earthquake belt. It will be so high on the
Richter scale that it will trigger two other major earthquakes.

-Certainly food for prayer. Please comment on this prophecy of
"Earthquakes in the USA" at the website below-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

Blessings to you,
Pastor Kitner

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Thinking Related to Values:

This is from John Maxwell's book "Thinking for a Change". I suggest that you get the book and read it from cover to cover. There are a lot of good principles on "thinking" given for your help.
When you think about something reflectively, ask the right questions.
Important questions that help you stay focused and keep you moving to improve on your life and actions.

Thinking Related to Values:

1. Personal Growth: What have I learned today that will help me grow?
How can I apply it to my life? When should I apply it?

2. Adding Value: To whom did I add value today? How do I know I added value to that person? Can I follow up and compound the positive benefit he or she received?

3. Teamwork: What did I do with someone else that made both of us better? Would the other person agree that it was a win/win? Can we do something else together to continue our mutual Success?

4. Leadership: Did I lead by example today? Did I lift my people and organization to a higher level? What did I do and how did I do it?

5.Physical Health: Did I exercise at my optimal heart rate for thirty-five minutes today? Have I exercised at least five times in the last seven days? Did I stay on my low fat diet today?

6. Personal Faith: Did I represent God well today? Did I practice the Golden Rule? Have I "walked the second mile" with someone?

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

Thursday, April 7, 2011

All Things

2 Corinthians 5:17(KJV)
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

All things are become new Stuck out in this passage of scripture and prompted me to see what is "NEW". The following is a look at some things that are new in a new life given to the Lord.

1. One becomes a new creature indeed. Washed in the blood of the Lamb and born of His Spirit.
2. You are under a new covenant - paid for by the body and blood of Jesus Christ in redemption - you have gone from ritual to reality. Hebrews 9:15
3.You are able to approach God in a new and living way. Hebrews 10:20
4. You have a new access to God yourself. You can draw near to God.
5. You have a new way to worship God - in spirit and in truth. John 4:24
6. You have a new heart - one of love and compassion. Romans 5:5
7. You can have a new mind as you submitt to God. Romans 12:1-2
8. You have a new and clear conscience. Hebrews 9:14
9. You can have a new song. Ephesians 5:18-20
10. You have a new ministry - one of reconcilliation 2Cor.5:18
11. You have a new light as Jesus Christ dwells within you. John 1:4
12. You have a new commandment - Love one another. John 13:34-35
13. You have new life. Romans 6:4 and need to walk in it.
14. You have newness of spirit. Romans 7:6
15. You have a new name. Revelation 2:17
16. You have a new destination. John 14:1-3

These are a few of things that are "new" if any man be in Christ. I hope this is a blessing and encouragement to all who read this.

Blessings to you.
Pastor Kitner 4-7-11

Friday, April 1, 2011

Saturday, March 26, 2011

What is your Goal?

What is your Goal?

I used to dread hearing those words when I was younger and just going with the girl that was to be my wife. Her father would constantly drill me with endless questions and lectures and one of his favorite questions was "What's your goal boy?" Over and over again I would hear that question. He would tell me you will never be anything boy....you'll never have anything....you can't make a patch on my &%$#*.(he wasn't saved and neither were we at that point) In a way his little tirades actually did the work of reverse psychology. I was determined to show him he was wrong.

I set a goal to own a home quickly and we did in less than 2 years we moved in to a brand new home that I helped to build with sweat equity.

I became a sales trainer and department manager for a company and we were doing good in the world's eyes....but there was an emptiness that had to be filled in our lives.

That void was filled when we both received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

Little did we know the path He had marked out for us to follow...and that is the thrust of this Thought for Today.....His purposes.

My goals changed rapidly as I started to see that God had a plan and my heart was being drawn closer to Him. Everything else is growing dimmer and dimmer in the light of His glory and grace.

My goal began to be and still is to go always toward His goal for my life. He called me for His purpose and I need to find that purpose so at the end of my life here on earth I will hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant........enter in to the joy of the Lord."

Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

What's your goal? --Pastor Charles Kitner

Friday, March 25, 2011

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Ephesians 4:11 - 16 Church

I am Praying for God to send an Evangelist (the one that is His gift to the church) to use our church as home base for both evangelism and training in evangelism, to flow with the vision of the church here to build up the kingdom of God. Evangelists are to train up and also go out.

I want to be functioning as a 5 fold ministry where Ephesians 4:11-16 is the key scripture from which we operate to see that the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world for a wittness and then the end shall come........ it is time to move out NOW!

This is part of the vision for the church here at Blairsville Pa. We are to be a place from which people that are trained up shall be sent out as a witness unto the Lord in all the world.

Blessings on you,
Pastor Kitner

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Looking Ahead

A mirror is not a window and looking in the mirror or what you see is a hindrance to moving ahead with vision for the future.

Blessings on You!
Pastor Kitner

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

More traumas that have affected my life

Some things that were traumas in my life have left their marks on me and in me. They have become a shaping and moulding influence for me in several ways. I have been sharing them with you and here is a third ordeal that had a lasting effect on my life.

This third thing was a near tragic accident that our family was involved in one Sunday afternoon as we were out for a drive. A young man ran a stop sign and hit my dads car full force throwing my mother out the door of the car for about 25 feet and my brother into a culvert on the side of the road. There were no seat belts in those days in the 1950's.

The most vivid thing for me, as an 8 year old boy, was the waking up in the arms of a stranger with my dads white shirt wrapped around my head and it was soaked and all red with my blood. I looked up into the face of a lady that helped to comfort me until an ambulance could take me to a nearby hospital. I had two gashes in my head from the broken glass inside the car. One was by my temple and one in the back of my head. I remember being on an operating table and them sticking a needle into the gash in the back of my head, both to probe for glass and to apply some medication so they could stitch me up.

My mother was hurt the worst of all of us having flown some 20 plus feet out of the car landing in the cinders along side of the road. It was winter time and they used cinders to spread on the roads then. She remained in the hospital for two weeks or so after the accident. My aunt Dot stayed with us for those weeks while my mom was in the hospital and my dad worked. My brother, who had a big bruise on the lower middle of his back, and I missed over a week of school at that time as well. My aunt taught us to crochet while we were home from school.

I remember that before the accident my dad couldn't talk because he had laryngitis but afterward he could talk fine. All he got out of the accident was a banged up knee as far as injuries go.

There was a lady at the scene of the accident that asked my father if anybody was hurt. He was standing there in the freezing cold with his jacket unzipped and no shirt on because it was around my bleeding head and the ambulances were there loading up people to take them to the hospital. He just walked away from her because as far as he was concerned it was a very dumb question.

In the other car a teenage girl had gone through the windshield of the car and her face was messed up quite badly. I did not see her but heard the people talking about the terribleness of it all.

Both cars were totaled and had to be towed to the junk yard. I went with my dad to get our stuff out of the car after about a week or two. We had some fishing rods and a few other things that were still OK after all the crunching of the metal and slamming up against a telephone pole when the car finally came to a stop.

I know most people have read the Footprints Poem or at least heard of it. Well through it all I believe the Lord carried me because He had a plan for my life and it didn't include going out into a Christless eternity. My life was preserved to allow me to get to the place where I received the Lord as my Saviour and He called me to preach the unsearchable riches of God.

Reflect on your life and you will see the hand of God all along the way as He kept giving opportunity to receive salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. GOD IS GOOD!

Be blessed
Pastor Kitner

Friday, February 11, 2011

More traumas that have affected my life.

Some things that were traumas in my life have left their marks on me and in me. They have become a shaping and moulding influence for me in several ways.
Trauma number two in the line of things that have affected my life growing up even until now is also as a young child. We lived in the Homestead area of Pittsburgh at that time. Some neighbor teens were hitting a basketball with a baseball bat and as children do things without thinking of any consequences, I went in to close to the fellow swinging the bat. I was behind him and he was not aware that I had wondered in. Needless to say this is not a good combination and as he swung the bat it connected with the ball and as the bat came around it also connected with my head. It knocked my silly and as I recollect even now everyone there was so concerned with me and wanted to help and/or see if I was OK. People were talking to me, looking into my eyes, putting ice on my head and holding me.
In those days there was no 911 emergency number to call and I never went to the hospital or saw a doctor.
I have a bump on my forhead to this day and I am 66 years old now. It serves to remind me to be cautious and also to walk in obedience. I was 3 or 4 at that time and did not listen to my parents who had told me not to go to close to the kids that were hitting the ball....but...
I guess it can be a reminder to walk in obedience as I follow after the Lord because there are some consequences that will follow if you don't. Obedience is always better than sacrifice in our life.

Be blessed in your day
Pastor Kitner

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Traumas of Life

Traumas of Life

I want to share some of life's traumas with you that still have some affect on my life. I was prompted to do this as I am reviewing the book called "Soul Print" by Mark Batterson. Things that happen to us in the course of life affect us in so many different ways, some good and some not so good. Trauma always has the "right now affect" and is right there in our faces but as I reflected on some points in the book I began to see that I still have some things that not only had the "right now affect" but also still has some input into my life today.

Over the course of the next week or so I will blog about some of the things that were brought to my mind's eye as I reflected on my past. I thought I would only have one or two things but it turns out to be quite a few more than I thought.

The first traumatic experience that came to me as I began to reflect back on my life was the recollection of how my dad, who was then a very strong steel worker and ex Marine, used to hold me up on the railing of a bridge when I was about 4 years old. I was afraid and it affected me into my adult life. I had looked at it as a negative but as I write this I see something that I missed for all these years. My father always had a strong grip on me and I was not in danger of falling. It reminds me of our heavenly Father who takes us to new heights that sometimes cause us to be fearful but as we look at Him and understand just who He is,we see that He has a strong grip on us and He will never leave us or forsake us. We can trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths. The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord. His perfect love does indeed cast out all fear.

Be encouraged in the Lord today and His peace be unto you. As you reflect on some of your own traumatic life events allow God to bring a fresh revelation to you of how what seemed like negatives can be positives as we see not only the event but perhaps a spiritual truth of how God is involved with us.

Blessings
Pastor Chuck

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels

I just finished The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels. It is a book of both testimony and stepping out in faith by following the whispers of God. On the cover of the book I have it says "Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond", thus laying out the idea of challenge in the life of those who would read the book.

What I see in the book is the process of a growing relationship with the Lord by acts of responding in obedience to the whispers of God, often called promptings but none the less hearing the voice of God in one way or another. God speaks so the question is: Are we listening? How we respond determines our testimony or lack of one.

The book presents the fact that God wants to guide us through every area of our life. We must build our relationship and trust in God as we walk with Him day in and day out. There are examples throughout the book for us to gain insight from showing us the blessing that comes from obeying the voice of God.

Revelation 12:11(KJV)
11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The book is about dying to self and living unto the Lord becoming a source of encouragement to others as they see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Both informative and instructional this book brings a challenge to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Saviour with helpful insights for daily life.

I would recommend the book to both those more mature in their faith for encouragement and to those that are seeking answers as to how to be led of the Spirit as sons/daughters of God for instruction.

Be Blessed
Pastor Kitner

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Groundhog Day ~ Click here

Punxsutawney's way to stimulate the economy. Check this 125 year old Pennsylvania tradition out at the web site above.

Book Review

I am reading Mark Batterson's book "Soul Print" now for review. I will publish my review on this book in a few days hopefully. So far it is a good read. It is a book about you but not about you at all he says. We'll see.

I received this copy of "Soul Print" for free from WaterBrook Multnoma Publishing Group for this review.

Book is sent free for my blogging about it Click and find out more here.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Radical by David Platt - Part 2

Chapter two of the book causes one to see the vast difference and the tremendous gulf between the USA believers and others from other countries.

When the believers want to cram into a small place - read and study God's Word - not for 15 minutes a day, not for an hour a day, and not even for three hours a day but for 8 to twelve hours a day and excited to plann to do it all over again the next day - I would have to say they ARE hungry for God's Word.

For these people worship is indeed different than the way we expect worship to be here. Picture this for a three hour service:
60 or so believers crammed into a small room shoulder to shoulder, right tight up against one another with their Bibles in their laps, no fancy padded seats, no sound system, no guitars, no band, no heating or air-conditioning, with just the people of God and the Word of God. The author remarked "and strangely, that's enough".

The author then raises the question - "Is His Word enough for us"?

The chapter is dealing with getting to know God - discovering the truth of the Gospel and the beauty of it.

It definitely speaks to the following: WE NEED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE LORD OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

Everything that we place a high priority on is called into question as we see the Lord and the treasure we have in Him.

Get the book and get out of your comfort zone!!!!

I received this copy of Radical for free from WaterBrook Multnoma Publishing Group for this review.

Download Chapter one here

Several other websites associated with the book are as follows.

http://www.operationworld.org
http://www.lifebiblestudy.com/radical

http://www.radicalexperiment.org/

Monday, January 17, 2011

A review of "Radical" by David Platt

This is my blog report on the book “Radical” by David Platt – Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream.

Don’t read this book if you want to stay in your comfort zone and feel good about your accomplishments to fulfill the American dream for you and your family only. This may consist of a house, a car or two, an upwardly mobile job, two children and a gym membership, a retirement fund and perhaps church for an hour a week on Sunday morning if you have time etc.. BUT if you want your mind and spirit to be put in a brown paper bag like fresh fried dough and shook up in the sugar so that what makes it taste good is applied, then you need to read this book. It will shake up your life’s goals and dreams and cause you to rethink and reset some of your life values.

The question is made very vividly apparent as you read: How much do you love Jesus? This is a fair question that must be answered by all of us.

The following scripture comes to mind as a part of the question.
Philippians 2:5-8(KJV) 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Is this same mind in us or not? Will we obey what He says by taking up our cross daily and denying ourselves or not?
This book could be hazardous to the complacency of the American dream life and it could cause you to be stirred to action enough to get up and “GO YE”. The imperative command of Jesus is speaking into the life of the believer.
Matthew 28:18-20(KJV) 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The opening chapters deal with several scriptures with one being found in the Gospel of Mark chapter 10:17-22. It is the account of the rich young man who missed it with Jesus for his riches sake. It begs the question: Where are you in this matter of what it takes to follow Jesus and your riches?

Then the account of some folks that are truly grateful for their relationship with Jesus and the extent that they are willing to go to take the Gospel message to others. The hunger in the hearts of those who have nothing compared to the American dream and what we have in our country is amazing to me. Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled, the Bible says. The accounts of the people meeting even when their lives and families and everything else could be in jeopardy and tears soaking the floor when they pray may make you hungry for what they have. They are shown to want the WORD of God to be taught to them and are willing to spend all day to get the teaching. This should cause the reader to really consider what it is that God is saying to them.

The last chapter which is chapter nine lays out a challenge to all who read the book with some guidelines to walk you through each of the five steps of the challenge issued. The following are the five steps of the one year challenge:

1. Pray for the entire world.
2. Read through the entire Bible
3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose
4. Spend your time in another context
5. Commit your life to a multiplying community

The author says “I believe – no I know that if you stick to those challenges for a whole year, you will find yourself coming alive like never before. You will know the incomparable thrill of being a part of what God is up to where you live and around the world. You will be ready to shed forever the unworthy parts of the American dream and hold on to the beautiful and lasting dream that God has designed for you. ”

I recommend this book to the church at large as a challenge in the time we live in to live for the Lord and not for self only.

I asked the congregation where I am pastor this question: What is it in this life that you work so hard for that you will take with you when you leave this world? Your money, your car, your house, your 401K etc. will all stay here and perish. What treasure are you laying for yourself?

I received this copy of Radical for free from WaterBrook Multnoma Publishing Group for this review.

Download Chapter one here

Several other websites associated with the book are as follows.

http://www.operationworld.org
http://www.lifebiblestudy.com/radical

http://www.radicalexperiment.org/

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Coming Soon

I am donig a blog segment now on David Platt's book called "Radical" I will be posting it soon. This is a book worth getting a hold of to read. It will challenge you and your Christian walk.

Be Blessed
Pastor Kitner

Monday, January 3, 2011

Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus

New Year's begining week of prayer for 2011.by Charles Kitner

New Year's begining week of prayer for 2011.by Charles Kitner

To start the New Year off right for all of us, I have a prayer and fasting challenge for all to participate in.

I called our church to a time of prayer and fasting as the Lord would lead them individually. This year the prayer and fasting is to build relationship with the Lord, seeking His face and not His hand, to get in tune with the Lord better. Fasting can be complete fasting for the week, a month, 40 days or as long as God would lead you. Caution is necessary for those that take medications get and Ok from the doctor if necessary. I gave out a guide for each day that is to be just that a guide and not the letter of the law. It can be added to and one should be of the mind to be led of the Holy Spirit according to what He shows you in addition to what is given.

I am posting each days prayer guide for all who want to share in seeking God together with our church.



Read Matthew 6:1-17 prayerfully in preparation for the entire week. Ask God to give you a right heart and motive in your prayer time so you will benefit from the week and throughout the entire year. In this prayer from Jesus the heart of God is to be seen. God open our eyes to see and our ears to hear and our hearts to receive what you have for us.



Monday, January 3, 2011: Read Isaiah 58:1-14. Pray and ask God to show you what to do with what is written. How does this apply to me Lord? What would you have me to do God?

Tuesday, January 4, 2011: Part 1 read Philippians 2:1-4 meditate on it and see how God speaks to you as an individual. Listen for the Holy Spirit and the still small voice even. Part 2: Read Philippians 2:5-13 and prayerfully seek God for how this applies to you as an individual.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011: Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 pray ask God who you are and how has He placed you in the body of Christ for the work of ministry.

Thursday, January 6, 2011: Read Ephesians 1:1-14 prayerfully and ask God to show you how this applies to you...look at verse 3 and let God speak to you individually and then as to the relation with His church.

Friday, January 7, 2011: Paul's prayer for the Ephesians found in Ephesians 1:15-23 - read and then in prayer ask God to apply all of this to you personally. Pray this prayer for as long as you like even each day. It is a powerful prayer if you let God do it for you.

Saturday, January 8, 2011: Read Ephesians 6:10-20. Read and pray it for yourself. This is God's designer series of clothing for you as His soldier of the kingdom. Thye never go out of style.

Sunday, January 9, 2011: Read Matthew 9:32-38. Read and do as Jesus has asked us to do. Pray for the Lord to send forth laborers into His harvest. Then ask God what is my part and where?



It is my hearts desire to see each one that engages in this prayer time with God to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.

Testimonies of how God blesses you in this week would be appreciated afterward.

Thank you and be blessed!

Pastor Kitner