Shayna's first bus ride!

Shayna and Adrianna love looking out their bedroom window at the school buses when they pull up at the elementary to pick up and drop off the kiddos.  Well, Shayna got her "dream come true" when we took all the kids from church on a bus ride into town (she's sitting next to her little friend, Jacie).  We sang songs for the old folks at a nice little retirement facility and then passed out little ornaments they had made.  I asked Shayna what her favorite part was and of course, she said "the bus!".

Is the "power" within ourselves??

When someone tells you that world peace is possible "if we all just love", I say...that's true, but then I ask: If that's all it takes, why haven't we done it yet?  

How many of us really WANT to love and just be at peace with one another?  But then, to those same people...how many of us mess up on a daily basis and do UN-loving things?  

You see, love IS the only thing that will change this world...but it's not going to come from us and not because we don't WANT to love, but because we are living inside sinful, wicked bodies that we can't completely escape from in this life.  Don't rely on human beings to bring peace to this world, it's a nice thought, but sadly - it is not reality.  Wave the white flag and let God take over your life:

Jesus said in Mark 10:18 "...There is none good, but one, that is God."

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

Let go of hope in YOURSELF and then ask God to work HIS love in you.  Trust in GOD, not human beings to transform this world one day.

We aren't saved by faith alone??

What is James saying in James chapter 2?

Faith and works are results of salvation, not conditions or means for it.  James is talking of a person or people who are ALREADY saved or claiming to have saving faith without that faith producing any works.  True saving faith produces good works (but remember, you're ALREADY saved by that point).  James says we aren't saved by faith alone and he's right because we are saved by God's grace alone.  His writings in chapter two go in complete harmony with the plethora of "saved by grace without works" passages found in the Bible.  

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Epheisians 2:8-9

Even faith is not ours to boast of...it is a gift from God and the moment He gifts us with faith in Him, we are saved...and that doesn't mean "after all we can do."  We are "born again" and a saved child of God at that very moment.  God doesn't make salvation a gift to turn us into lazy spoiled brats, he does it out of love, mercy and ultimately for His glory.  If we can lay claim to any part of our salvation, that diminishes God's full sovereignty and glory.

Salvation = Eternal life with God

For thirty years I was taught that "salvation" was two-fold...the general resurrection and those who receive eternal life with God or "Heavenly Father".  So, I was told "saved by grace" meant everyone would be resurrected by the grace of God...but that in order to live with Heavenly Father, one must accomplish self-righteousness...that we cannot be in God's presence by God's grace alone (we must perform a long list of "to do's" to prove our self-worthiness to God and then hope it's good enough when we stand before Him so that Christ's atonement will "make up the difference.")

For the past year and a half, God has opened my eyes to His Truth through the Bible.  When the Bible speaks of "salvation", "saved", "eternal life", etc...it all means living with God after this life.  There is never a double meaning.

Acts 24:15 Paul says: " ...there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked."

Peter 4:18 says: "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Revelation talks about the second death for resurrected bodies who are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

So, since the righteous and wicked are both resurrected and only the righteous will be saved, then being resurrected is not the same as being "saved by grace" or the same thing as "salvation" or "eternal life".  A resurrected body cast into hell is the second death...not salvation.  Jesus said "it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.  A whole, resurrected body anywhere but with God is death, not salvation and the Bible only speaks of Heaven and Hell...nothing in between. (side note: 2 Corinthians 12 and 1 Corinthians 15 aren't talking about different levels of heaven either...something I was also taught growing up that I later found out was completely wrong after reading the Bible in context).

How are the righteous made righteous then?  "For he hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

So, when we stand before God as true believers in Jesus Christ, He won't recognize all the "good works" we've done (since they're dirty rags to him...Isaiah 64:6)...he'll see all the good works His Son did and that's how we'll be justified.  It's not about us and what we've done, it's about Him and what He did.  Praise God and let all the glory be His.

False Christs

When I hear people say they love, believe and follow Jesus Christ, but then turn around and discredit and/or disregard the Bible, it's as strange as if someone were to say they love the Harry Potter character, but they really don't like or agree with what J.K. Rowling said about him....they like the Harry Potter that was described by some other person.  If you say you believe in Jesus Christ, but you question or disregard the Bible and believe what someone else says about Him you better evaluate which Jesus Christ you believe in because the Bible lays claim to the true Jesus Christ...whether you like what it has to say or not.

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."  Matthew 24:24

Modern-day revelation?

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines." Hebrews 13:8-9

Jesus always taught and answered with scripture.  Not only that, the scripture he used to teach and answer questions were in some cases, as old to Him as the New Testament is to us today.  If anyone could have changed scripture and doctrine with "modern-day revelation", Jesus Christ surely would have been the person to do that, but He didn't.  What makes us think we can?  Truth doesn't change to accommodate "modern times".  

My little "Cutie Pies"

I have to add a picture of my little girls all dressed up for Halloween this year.  Adrianna is Minnie Mouse  and Shayna is "Angelina Ballerina"...a cute little costume she got from Grandma Sharee.

Having fun being "creative"

Little wall decorations I made for our baby boy's room and the girls' room.  I found stuff around the house and printed the quotations from my computer.  It was fun and didn't cost a dime! 

Why the Bible?

The Bible in and of itself has no “owner” here on earth. The sole purpose of the Bible is to point people to Jesus. It doesn’t point to any specific institution, church or mortal man. The same things cannot be said of any other book. Even if another book speaks of Christ, the rights of that book belong to only one specific institution and in the end, point people to that particular establishment. Many people like the thought of receiving holy writings from God by some mystical singular event. It’s appealing to the flesh. However, God has shown that He works over time, through real, historical, actual ways, and from real, historical, actual people and places. Just think about it, God doesn’t “magically” deliver a full-term baby out of thin air and yet the real ways, real people and real time He chooses to create a child is still a miraculous event. God worked the same way when He delivered His Word to all mankind. The Bible contains sixty six different books, written by over forty different writers, who lived on at least three different continents, and spoke in at least three different languages.  They wrote over the course of no less than a time span of one thousand five hundred years. What’s even more amazing is how the separate writings support each other. Many of the writers didn’t even know one another, which made a conspiracy to deceive impossible. God doesn’t tell us to search, test and prove truth (Deuteronomy 13) and then leave us with no evidence. No, through the Bible He has left us a mountain of evidence to search, test and prove. Does the divinity of the evidence we find come down to faith? Yes, that’s the same scenario found when Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus and when Simon Peter professed Jesus to be the Christ. Jesus told Thomas: “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed”. But, let’s not forget that right before Jesus said that to Thomas He had allowed him to feel the prints in his hands, feet and side. Thomas was genuine in his request for proof (unlike the scribes and Pharisees in Matt 12) so Jesus granted his request, but it was the unseen Spirit that witnessed to the divinity of the evidence Thomas was seeing that made him believe. Same thing goes with Simon Peter. The Messiah was standing right in front of him when he confessed that He was the Christ, but Jesus said “flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Evidence alone does not witness of divinity, the unseen Spirit does and God uses both (Romans 1:19-20). Jesus said: “no man has seen God at any time…” (John 1:18) So, faith in God (divinity), himself is what we believe without seeing. Thus, we walk by faith in the unseen God. This is not the blind faith that any other religious book asks of its reader. Blind faith is dangerous because just like the dangers of feelings (Jeremiah 17:9), anything goes. Search the Bible, test it and compare what you find with any other religious book and you’ll see that it is incomparable. Will you find things that scholars and scientists disagree on? Yes, but the evidences that are proven and agreed upon by reputable scholars and scientists (both secular and religious) will blow your mind. When you decide where to put your faith remember that, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” (Proverbs 14:15)

"My grace is sufficient for you: " Restoration or Jesus?

• "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38-39

• "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."  Galatians 2:16

• "And by him [Jesus] all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:39

• "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Romans 4:4

• "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" Romans 11:35

• "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:5

• "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Galatians 2:21

• "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4

• "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:   Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

• "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;" Colossians 2:14

• "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" Romans 3:24

• "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20

• "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Romans 11:6

• "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith." Romans 3:27

• "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:28

• "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

• "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

• "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 9:9

 
Who are we going to believe, Jesus Christ or men that say His shed blood was insufficient to guarantee eternal life with God by saying MORE needed to be done?  The need for a "restoration" mocks what Christ did and denies the sufficiency of His sacrifice.

• "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: " 2 Corinthians 12:9

• "It is finished." John 19:30

Good Works

I heard a great quote at church today:

"We aren't saved by good works. We are saved for good works."

What is the Bible?

I read a wonderful quote by an author of a children’s Bible storybook, that I think sums up the Bible in a beautiful and simple way. “The Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes.  The Bible is most of all a Story.  It’s a story about a young Hero [Jesus Christ] who comes from a far country (Heaven) to win back his lost treasure (us!).  It’s a love story about a brave Prince [Jesus Christ] who leaves his palace, his throne – everything – to rescue the one he loves [us!]. Every story in the Bible whispers Jesus’ name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle – the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.” 

Pretty little three-year-old

My beautiful little Shayna turned three-years-old on April 13th! She is growing up so fast, I can't believe it! She is such a sweet, big sister to Adrianna. I often catch her rubbing Adrianna's head and saying, "Okay, sweetie?", or "I love you so much!" coupled with lots of kisses. She loves nursery and singing about Jesus. She has a sweet personality, but is also feisty and strong-willed...just like I've been told I was at her age. I see a lot of me in her (sometimes that can be scary! Just ask Brad...hehe). I can't praise the Lord enough for giving me the amazing opportunity of being a mother to one of His beautiful, miraculous creations. I love you more than words can say Shayna and am soooo happy to be your mommy!

God centered life

Caution: don't reduce Christian faith to a set of moral standards. There is a temptation to think that God is most concerned about your behavior. HE IS NOT. He is most concerned about His glory. He created you to worship Him. He really wants you to love Him with all your heart. The point of the whole Old Testament is that people could not fulfill the Law. Jesus came and did that. So if your faith is based on trying to be a good person you will fail in your purpose. If you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength He will meet you there and help you live this life to the fullest (which incidentally includes living morally).

Have a great God centered day!

~Jeff McAnally

Happy Birthday to my little Shayna! THREE years old!

Pictures and post coming soon!!...

Happy Resurrection Day!

Here's a beautiful worship service for our Lord, Savior and God - Jesus Christ on Easter morning. I wish I could share how cool it is to hear the congregation sing with Zach and actually be a part of the congregation singing out LOUD to Jesus Christ...amazing! Praise God! This little church is very special to my heart. The singer, Zach has a wonderful story about how God changed his life and now he sings his heart out for God and has given up everything he had before to spread Jesus Christ's gospel through song and word. Here is the link for anyone interested in listening - make sure you listen to the whole thing, it's well worth it:

http://cpmassets.com/audio-player.php?audio=http://s3.amazonaws.com/churchplantmedia-cms/cross-stone-church-tx/4-8-12-cross-stone-church-marble-falls-texas.mp3

The flowers are bloomin' in Texas!

God's Word to wives and husbands

Word Study

HELP

(Hebrew = ezer) aid: -- help
(Hebrew = azar) azar = prime root: to surround, ie, protect or aid: help, succour

MEET

(Hebrew = kenegdo) corresponding to, counterpart to, equal to matching

The traditional teaching for the woman as help (meet) is that of assistant or helper subservient to the one being helped. However, if you look at the context of every other use of the word ezer in the scripture, you will see that ezer refers to either God or military allies. In all other cases the one giving the help is superior to the one receiving the help. Adding kenegdo (meet) modifies the meaning to that of equal rather than superior status.

In Genesis 2:18, the Hebrew expression ezer kenegdo appears, meaning "one who is equal to the other and who surrounds, protects, aids, helps, supports." There is no indication of inferiority or of a secondary position in an hierarchical separation of the male and female "spheres" of responsibility, authority, or social position.

Now, in Ephesians Chapter 5 Paul admonishes wives to submit to their husbands in the Lord and husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. If this passage brings any feelings of pride, anger, resentment, discrimination or oppression, then we're not interpreting it in context with the rest of the Bible. I say that because all these feelings derive from sin. Christ said a "good tree" (Christ) cannot bring forth evil fruit (sin) - Matthew 7. Also, this topic shouldn't be thought of as a "test" to see if we can overcome those feelings to be more "Christlike". James 1:13-14 says that God does not tempt us with evil: "...God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."

So, to get things back in check - I decided to look at what the greatest teacher of all time had to say:

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ~Jesus Christ ( Matthew 20:28)

"Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." ~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:10-12)

These scriptures are just skimming the surface of how amazing and beautiful our Lord and Savior is.

When I read the words of our Lord and God and learn about His character, this is what I see: If a husband is to treat his wife as Christ treats His church, then the husband's role is as the wife's ... to SERVE. This keeps both parties humble and submissive to the Lord and will never bring any sinful feelings as mentioned above. The role of the husband and wife will naturally fall in order with each other...which order is always in equality and Love and service to one another...always looking to Christ and ONLY Christ as our mediator to God (1Timothy2:5).

It's amazing how it all goes hand in hand and how God is truly no respecter of persons. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

I thank our Lord, our God for such miraculous inspiration and clarity.

Fan the Flame

Thought I would pass this great message along to my friends and family out there.

http://crossstonechurch.org/media/sermon/fan-the-flame

Wide open heart for God

Genuine Christianity is not a spectator sport. I've always hated the analogy: "Why can't Christians get as excited about God as they do the Super Bowl?" Because we are not supposed to sit on the sidelines watching a good game between good and evil. We Are Players! Get in the game!!!

- Life is very temporary which should change our priorities dramatically. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

- God loved us greatly therefore gave us salvation and faith in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

- We are thrust forward through life doing the work of God by the most powerful force ever-the Love of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

- God's great plan, which includes every believer, is to make disciples by being ministers of reconciliation and Ambassadors of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

- This is the Day of Salvation - Serve God no matter what with a Wide Open heart! 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

God is active in this world. If you are missing that you have been a spectator way too long.


~Jeff McAnally

08 Without You

08 Without You

Lyrics to “Jesus (Without You)” by Zach Huckabee (click on link directly above to listen)

Jesus, don’t understand how you love me

How a boy like me could be the center of your attention

Jesus, not a day I didn’t do you wrong

How come I only praise you in my songs?

What’s wrong with me, what’s wrong with me?

I am not strong enough to make it

I am not wise enough to fake it

I am not bold enough to take it

Without You

Without You

Without You

Jesus, oh you amaze me

How you died for me

And how you’d do it again

Jesus, turn my heart around

Make the trumpets sounds

Tear down these walls, tear down these walls

I am not strong enough to make it

I am not wise enough to fake it

I am not bold enough to take it

Without You

Without You

Without You… are not an imaginary friend

You are earth, you are fire, you are thunder, you are wind

And nothing can be done and nothing can I do

Without you

Without you

Without you

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ADRIANNA!

My sweet little Adrianna turned ONE YEAR OLD today!! I absolutely cannot believe I've had this little baby girl for a whole year. She has brought so much love and light to our home. She's always so happy and good-natured. She's our little socialite and loves people. She has been the perfect playmate for her big sister Shayna. We love you so, so much pretty little Adrianna and we're excited to spend many more birthdays with you. Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Aunt Coley and Baby Cayla's visit

Eleven Months Old!

Adrianna turned eleven months old yesterday...and she's officially walking today! She has been practicing for a couple of months now, but finally decided she was done with all those "practice runs". She's a careful observer of her mommy and sister. I catch her mimicking things we do often. She'll copy noises Shayna makes and then they both end up making each other laugh. I just can't say enough about how much I love this little girl...BOTH of my little girls. God has blessed me beyond belief! Praise Him! :)


Our beautiful girls on Christmas day. To me, they are proof of God's endless grace, which is all around us. I haven't done anything to deserve such amazing blessings - but yet here they are. Thank you God.

10 Months Old!

Adrianna turned 10 months old yesterday! She has taken at least four steps all on her own up to this point. It shouldn't be much longer before my baby will be walking all around! I can't believe it! She is our little-miss-easy-going and fun-loving baby girl. She LOVES Shayna and always looks at her with the admiration a little sister usually has for a big sister. They both have fun together. Shayna loves it when I bring Adrianna in with me in the mornings to get her out of her bed. If I want a happy Shayna in the morning - I wake her up using her cute little sister Adrianna. It's so much fun to watch this little relationship develop. Happy ten-month "birthday" Adrianna! We love you!!

Adrianna turned nine months old yesterday! She is pulling herself up to everything and can even push her little toy train around the house. She'll even stand on her own for a few seconds at a time. She has started giving kisses too. It's so cute because she'll stick her tongue out and lean forward. When she does Shayna gets a kick out of it and they both end up laughing. It's so fun to watch them together. To me, nothin' beats being a mommy! I thank God for giving me the opportunity.

Aunt Nicole and cousin Cayla's visit to Texas

Eight Months Old!

Little Adrianna is now eight months old and is full fledged crawling. She is also waving hi and goodbye to everyone. We didn't teach her to do it - she just picked it up from watching us wave bye to Brad every morning when he leaves for work. She sticks out her arm and moves her little fingers up and down. It's adorable. In fact, I was outside with the girls the other day and when our neighbor passed by, Adrianna stuck out her little hand and waved at her. Our neighbor couldn't believe a little baby as small as her could be waving. She still continues to be our happy, fun-loving little sweetie pie! Love you Adrianna baby!

Seven Months!

Adrianna is getting soooo close to crawling on all fours. She's really good at scooting around like a little inch-worm. She likes to drink from a sippy-cup too...just like big sister. She's still nursing, but has tried rice, oatmeal, sweet-potatoes, peas, pears and applesauce. It's funny because it seems like her favorite is the plain old baby rice. She is also our little socialite. Every time we're in public, she smiles at everyone that we pass by. It's fun to see her smile and then watch everyone, no matter what mood they look like they're in, smile right back at her. You can tell it just lights them up inside. Happy seven-month "birthday" Adrianna! We love you little sweetie-pie!

Our Girls

As I walked down the hall to our bedroom yesterday, I caught a glimpse of Brad playing with the girls in their room. I hurried for the camera. He said Shayna wanted to dance with Adrianna. As I watched them and took pictures, I couldn't help but get choked up and teary-eyed. I love these little girls more than I could have ever imagined.

1/2 year "birthday"

Well, Adrianna had her 1/2 year "birthday" yesterday. She is growing up so fast!! She can sit up all by herself, get on her hands and knees and is working on crawling. She loves her walker too. She gets a kick out of her big sister and laughs hysterically at her every time Shayna does something funny. She ate rice cereal for the first time and wanted to take her bib off and feed herself. It was so cute! Adrianna is still our sweet fun-loving little girl. We LOVE our little 'anna (as Shayna would say) so much!

Once again, another month has come and gone. My beautiful, sweet Adrianna is five months old!! She's growing so fast. She can roll from her tummy to her back and her back to her tummy with no problem. If I'm holding her while I eat or drink anything, she will reach for whatever I have or watch me very intently as I take bites. She enjoys hearing herself make noise and has become very vocal, gibbering and gabbering away. She has a tender little heart. When Shayna cries or throws a tantrum, she'll pucker up and cry too... as if she's worried about her big sister. she's a little giggler too and is easy to make laugh and smile. We love our little Adrianna and are SO blessed to have her a part of our family.

FOUR MONTHS OLD TODAY

Another month has come and gone! Adrianna keeps growing and getting stronger and stronger. I can get her to laugh and she loves to smile all the time. She likes grabbing at things that are in front of her and she'll hold on to little toys now and chew on them. I'll keep saying it over and over... she is soooo much fun!! I have thoroughly enjoyed having this little bundle of joy. Happy four-month "birthday" Adrianna!

Good Mix!

Okay, I have a few friends and family that are skeptical about Adrianna looking so much like me. So, I pulled out Brad's baby pictures and I have come to the conclusion that she's just a good mix! I think she has the best of both worlds! Such a cutie pie!