The Bitter Truth About Sugar by Dr. Mercola

    This is a great time to be reading this article which is posted on Dr. Mercola's site because most of us are making New Year's resolutions to eat better.  This is added encouragement to stop the sugar consumption.  But don't be fooled into thinking that using a sugar substitute is a good alternative because it is even worse than sugar.  See earlier blogposts on Jan. 21, 30 and Nov. 11, 2013 on aspartame and Dec. 13, 2013 on Splenda for information on their effects on your body.  The solution is to stop consuming sugar (and white flour which is turned into sugar) so that our bodies can recover.

The Bitter Truth About Sugar

December 31, 2014 | 

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By Dr. Mercola

Dr. Robert Lustig, a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at UC San Francisco, has been on the forefront of the movement to educate people about the health hazards of sugar and fructose in particular, for a number of years now.

In the video above, he discusses how low-fat recommendations have led to a dramatic increase in sugar consumption, and it is in fact sugar, not fat, that drives heart disease.

Excess sugar is also a primary factor in countless other chronic disease states. This is a topic he delves into in-depth in his new book, Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease.

The excessive amount of “stealth” sugar in processed foods has quite literally become the backbone that supports America’s disease care business.

According to the Credit Suisse Research Institute’s 2013 study1 “Sugar: Consumption at a Crossroads,” up to 40 percent of US healthcare expenditures are for diseases directly related to the overconsumption of sugar! 

Sugar Masquerading as Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner...

A major problem with processed food is that when you look at the label, you have no way of knowing how much of the sugar is natural to the food itself, versus the sugar that was added.  

Even foods that are typically considered “healthy” can contain shocking amounts of added sugar or fructose, typically in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Clinical trials have shown that those who consume HFCS tend to develop higher risk factors for cardiovascular disease within as little as two weeks, so if I had to pick out the worst culprit among sugars, it would be fructose.

According to Dr. Lustig, it’s important to distinguish between natural food-based sugars versus added sugar.

For example, he notes that a small serving cup of plain yogurt has about seven grams of sugar in the form of lactose, a natural sugar found in dairy, which does not cause any major harm.

A fruit flavored yogurt on the other hand, contains about 19 grams of sugar, 12 grams of which is added sugar. This equates to eating a small cup of plain yoghurt with a bowl of Frosted Corn Flakes.

According to Dr. Lustig, we “abdicated rational nutrition when we went to processed foods.” The low-fat craze has been particularly harmful, because when the food industry removed the fat, they had to put lots of sugar in. Without either fat or sugar, the food is unpalatable and no one would buy it.

We now know that good nutrition includes healthy fat, and quite a bit of it, and that sugar is a primary driver of chronic inflammation and related health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

In short, by removing fat and adding sugar, the processed food industry has created a smorgasbord of made to order disease... Besides enormous amounts of sugar, processed foods are also loaded with ingredients that have been banned in other countries, such as trans fats, artificial sweeteners, genetically engineered ingredients, and glyphosate.

Soda Companies’ Secret Business-Building Strategy—Soda Increases Thirst!    

Continue reading here.

Myers Briggs Personality Indicators

       Have you ever taken the Myers Briggs personality test?  Country Guy & I took it a couple of times probably 30 or more years ago.  If you aren't familiar with the test, answers to questions are sorted into 4 categories: Introverted(I)/Extroverted(E), Sensing(S)/Intuitive(N), Thinking(T)/Feeling(F) and Judging(J)/Perceptive(P) and then combined into 16 combinations of these categories.
      My results indicated I was an INFJ.  Country Guy was an ISTP.  Once I realized we only had the "I" in common I began to understand many of our conflicts.  It was really an eye-opener for me!  I had thought we were very much alike but it became apparent we had the same values but went about making decisions in entirely different ways.  Before the test I had thought the things I found irritating about him were choices he was making--probably to irritate me.  :o)  He wouldn't make a decision until it absolutely had to be made.  I, on the other hand, wanted it made immediately so I could begin making plans.  The test revealed those characteristics were part of our personality and the way we processed things.  I was a J.  One of the descriptions of a J is that they like decisions to be made and consider a bad decision is better than no decision at all.  Country Guy was a P.  P's are described as wanting to keep their options open.  Once I saw this I began realizing how good it was (even though frustrating) that we looked at things from different perspectives.  There was much more balance in our relationship than there could have been if we saw things exactly the same.
       I was discussing this test with our granddaughter last week so I decided to see if there was a free test online to help her discover a little more about herself.  I found one at 16personalities.com.  Once you get the results of your test some excellent information is included about each personality.  It is amazing to me how someone figured this out in such an accurate way that I feel understood and understand myself better as I read the description of my personality.  I took the test again once our granddaughter had taken it to see if my personality had changed over the years.  (Is that possible?  I don't know.)  It hadn't.
      If you are curious and decide to take the test I would love to hear the results or insights you receive from taking it.  It is so fascinating to me--but then that curiosity is part of my personality! I love it!

Leonardo da Vinci Quote

“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death”

― Leonardo da Vinci

A Time To Make Something Wonderful Happen by Gary Elkins

An excellent word from Gary Elkins which was posted on the Elijah List today:

"A Time To Make Something Wonderful Happen"

Garris Elkins, Medford, OR

Recently, I was helping a family prepare the memorial service for their son who had suddenly died. As we put together the elements of the service the mother of the young man began to tell me stories from his life.

The young man had experienced a challenging season in his life. He ended up living on the streets. When he got enough money together he rented a storage unit and turned it into a place to live against the regulations of the storage facility. Each night he would enter the storage unit and quietly pull down the door and spend the night.

Early one morning the security personnel were making their rounds and saw this unit without a lock. To protect the contents and thinking the owner forgot to secure the unit, the security officer placed a lock on the door and walked away. When the young man awakened and tried to leave he found himself trapped in the steel-sided unit. The storage facility was vast. This could become his grave if he was not discovered.

The young man had a cell phone, but its battery had run down. He only had one bottle of water. After a few days he knew that he would die if he did not get help soon.

While sharing her son's life story, the mom talked about his talent and ingenuity. At the deepest point of his desperation he surveyed what he had on hand and was able to craft a very crude charging unit for his cell phone out of old batteries, wire and parts from other electronic equipment. As soon as his phone had a minimal charge he called his mom to let her know his dilemma. Within a few minutes help arrived and came to his rescue.

Creative Solutions

As I sat listening in amazement to this unusual story, I began to sense something prophetic was being released into my heart. The story of the young man's rescue was given to me as a template for the coming year. 2015 will be a year when creative solutions will emerge and unlock what is held captive behind thoughts of impossibility.

Our need for supernatural solutions for major issues of life in the areas of health and technology will be released through Spirit-inspired innovation. In the coming year answers will rise to the surface of our thinking that were previously hidden beneath the complexity of the problems we face. (Photo via Pixabay)

As I pondered the potential for 2015, I heard the Lord say:

"This will be a year when supernatural solutions and deliverance will take place as My people survey their circumstances and in faith apply their limited resources to overwhelming need. I will bring solutions.

"As I did when I fed the 5,000, I asked My disciples to bring Me the potential hidden within a boy's lunch and with it I fed the multitude. Look around. Gather what you have and bring it to My hand for My touch. My touch will be the release point for your innovation and invention. As you step in faith, I will release you from prisons of want and fear and set you free to experience My coming provision."

Garris Elkins, Author and Prophetic Minister
Prophetic Horizons
Email: info@prophetichorizons.com
Website: garriselkins.com

John Quincy Adams Quote on Islam

Merry Christmas!!

     We went to a beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service last night.  I couldn't resist taking a photo.  But of course, there is no way to capture the beauty in a photo because part of the reason it was so beautiful was the atmosphere of worship that permeated the place as the candles were lit.  Nevertheless, I still wanted a picture to remember.  The room was lighted only by candles--a significant lesson in itself--when we consider that as each candle (which represented the light of the world--Jesus--in us) was lit the room became brighter and brighter.  We should never consider that we are insignificant.  Each light was important and needed to bring the darkness into light!

      I have attached this wonderful celebratory song of the birth of Christ by the Sidewalk Propthets as my gift to you.  I was not familiar with it until last night.  As a surprise, David Frey, the lead singer of Sidewalk Prophets was home for Christmas and participated on the worship team.  They began the service with this song.  I love it!

Mychal Massie: Put Christ Back In Christmas

This is an excerpt from Mychal Massie's column yesterday.  I agree. We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

"David C. McCasland wrote: “Jesus was born into our world and gave His life so that we can be forgiven and transformed through Him. This is the heart of Christmas.” (The Heart of Christmas; Our Daily Bread; 12/19/14)

The true “Reason” for this season unveiled the gift of eternal life with His Father in glory. The advertising age offers items that have durability that is as limited as their warranty.

Believe it or not, and people are certainly permitted to not believe it, this could be the last opportunity to celebrate the “True” reason for this season. It could be the last opportunity to confess, believe, and accept Him we sing “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.”

I know there are those who will say, I’m just a Christian engaging in fear-mongering. These are the very same people who fasten their seatbelts; the same people who have smoke detectors even though they’ve never had a fire. The same people who carry a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk even though they have a road service plan.

The bottom line is that responsible people prepare for unexpected eventualities. They have life insurance, they have wills, they even make plans for their funeral and what’s more, this preparation is looked up by their peers and families as commendable.

But how many view accepting Christ for the forgiveness of their sins as being the most important form of life insurance? How many people are truly concerned about their relationship with “He” who is the real reason for this season?

I love Christmas and the time spent with friends and family. But, therein lies the difference for me since becoming a Christian. Today I love Christmas whereas before I enjoyed it. Loving Christmas, is to be in love with “He” who is the reason we celebrate it.

Ask yourself; Do I look forward to Christmas more for the gifts and good times than I do the family celebration of the Savior who was born that day?

I wish you and yours a blessed and spirit-filled Merry Christmas. I pray that “He” who is the real reason for celebrating this season is the most important part of your holiday celebration."

Free Books

     I have been fascinated by our Jewish roots and the Eastern way of seeing the Bible ever since I watched the first Ray Vanderlaan (FollowtheRabbi.com) video "That The World May Know."  Because of that video we ended up going to Israel on a tour with Ray which ignited a life-long quest to see the world as Jesus walked it.  I recently came across these two free ebooks from Lois Tverberg's Our Rabbi Jesus website.  I downloaded them and have begun reading The Syrian Christ.  Even though I have only read a few pages I have already gained a new perspective on some things.  I thought you might like this info, too, so I'm posting the links.

Here are the links with an explanation of the books from Lois Tverberg's article"

The Syrian Christ

Abraham Rihbany 

If you liked Ken Bailey’s books about Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes, here’s a free ebook that you’ll enjoy. Rihbany shares oodles of insights on the gospels from a Middle Eastern perspective from living a lifetime in Lebanon. (Bailey quotes from this book.)

Rihbany wrote this book in 1916, so it’s a bit outdated – read it with a grain of salt. But it has lots of little “ah-hahs” for your next Bible study discussion.

Read/Download The Syrian Christ at this link.

~~~~~

.

The Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages Upon the Christian Church

Edwin Hatch

Here’s how this provocative book begins:

It is impossible for anyone, whether he be a student of history or not, to fail to notice a difference of both form and content between the Sermon on the Mount and the Nicene Creed… The one belongs to a world of Syrian peasants, the other to a world of Greek philosophers.

Hatch then goes on to explains how Christianity interacted with the Greek world as the church grew and often absorbed its ideas, sometimes to its detriment. Hatch was an eminent scholar who died shortly before this book was published in 1888. If you’ve studied the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), you’ve likely used his massive concordance.

I thought this book was balanced, scholarly, but quite readable. And free!

Read/Download The Influence of Greek Ideas at this link.

The Christmas Story--This is Cute!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Pudding Cake

I cut this recipe out of a magazine recently and decided to try it today.  It was a very easy and excellent dessert served with ice cream.  (I made homemade ice cream to serve with it in my favorite Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker).  I am posting this on the Recipes #2 page of this blog, also.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Pudding Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pour 1 (13 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk into a lightly greased 9x13 pan.
Spoon 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup brown sugar over milk.
Scatter 1 (20 oz.) box brownie mix over the top.
Pour 2 cups boiling water on top (do not stir).  Bake 30 minutes.
Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. coarse salt on top.  Serves 10.

*Note:  I plan to also add pecans the next time I make it.

What is the Real Cause of Heart Attacks?

 Dr. Mercola had a very interesting article on new discoveries relating to heart attacks.  There seems to be significant proof that the conventional way of treating heart patients is becoming obsolete and has been based on a wrong interpretation of data.  I am posting the beginning of the article.  If you are interested you can continue reading it on the website linked at the end.

What’s the Real Cause of Heart Attacks?

December 17, 2014 | 73,361 views

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By Thomas S. Cowan, MD

In a previous article in this journal ("What Causes Heart Attacks," Fall 2007), I presented the case that the spectrum of heart disease, which includes angina, unstable angina, and myocardial infarction (heart attack), is better understood from the perspective of events happening in the myocardium (heart) as opposed to events happening in the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply the heart).

As we all know, the conventional view holds that the central event of heart disease occurs in the arteries, with the buildup of blockage called plaque

In this follow-up article I will go into more detail about the conventional theory and why it is largely misleading; then I will describe the precise and well documented events that do lead to MIs (myocardial infarctions or heart attacks).

This understanding is crucial since during the last fifty years, the pursuit of the coronary artery theory has cost this nation billions of dollars in unnecessary surgical costs, billions in medications that cause as much harm as allow for any positive benefits, and, most seriously, has led many to adopt a low-fat diet, which only worsens the problem.

Newer twists on this theory only serve to further obscure the real cause. In contrast, by understanding the real patho-physiological events behind the evolution of MIs, we will be led to a proper nourishing traditional style of eating, the use of the safe and inexpensive heart tonic called g-strophanthin.

Most importantly, we will be forced to look at how heart disease is a true manifestation of the stresses of modern civilized life on the core of the human being.

To overcome the epidemic of heart disease, we literally need a new medical paradigm, a new economic system, a new ecological consciousness; in short, a new way of life. The coronary theory misses all of this, just as it misinterprets the actual pathological events.

In writing this article, I am indebted to the work of Dr. Knut Sroka and his website heartattacknew.com. For all interested in this important subject it is advised to read the entire website and watch the video on the website. The video above shows how the collateral circulation nourishes the heart even with a severe blockage of a coronary artery.

For health professionals and researchers, your understanding of this subject is incomplete without reading and studying the two articles found in the print version of the website.

The first is by G. Baroldi, "The Etiopathologies of Coronary Heart Disease: A Heretical Theory Based on Morphology," and the second by K. Sroka, "On the Genesis of Myocardial Ischemia." Both articles are reprinted in full on the website.

Rebuttal of Conventional Theory

Until recently I believed, along with most physicians, that most heart attacks were caused by the progressive blockage caused by plaque buildup in the four major coronary arteries leading to the heart.

Continue reading here

Arnold Ahlert

Columnist Arnold Ahlert: "The assault on Christmas is part of the effort to fundamentally transform a nation for which leftists express skepticism at best, and outright contempt at worst. And perhaps nothing animates that contempt more than the reality that the greatness of this nation is derived from 'dead, white, slave-owning Europeans,' animated by a Judeo-Christain culture. It is that culture that must now be deconstructed by any means necessary, because it rests on two foundations utterly anathema to the American left: individual liberty and free-market capitalism. Instead, the left prefers equality, or more precisely a radical egalitarianism where ambition, talent and desire must be held in check to accommodate laziness, stupidity and sloth. It is the ultimate zero-sum game that, at this particular time of year, assumes those who enjoy Christmas must accommodate those who are offended by it, lest our commitment to 'social justice' is found wanting. Thus 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Hanukkah' must be cast aside for 'Happy Holiday,' and the Christmas season must become 'Winter Solstice.' That is not tolerance. It's totalitarianism with the ultimate goal of making everyone equal, even if it's equally miserable. Few things undermine that ambition more than the so-called Christmas spirit that is the essence of happiness, generosity -- and live and let live."

From Graham Cooke's "Brilliant News"

The Greatest Gift of All Have you made your Christmas list yet this year? Carefully thought of what gifts you most  hope to receive from your loved ones? Did you know that you already have the greatest gift you could ever hope to receive? Even in your worst moments, even when you’re stranded and alone, even on your best, most memorable days, you have this gift on hand and no one can take it from you. It’s a gift that grows all the time; it’s the gift of grace. Through grace we are given permission to explore our passions, reach out in new directions, and never dwell on past mistakes. In Graham’s latest release, The Fullness of Grace, he says, “The truth of who Jesus is in me and for me becomes mine by means of a new gift of empowerment. Everything God shows you, He empowers you to become. What he opens up, He causes you to inherit. He shows you stuff, He gives you stuff, He pushes you into it. He loves you in such a forceful pleasant way that you grab hold of it and you want it and so we are always overwhelmed by Grace. It's all around us. It's thick with Presence and permission. Literally grace is the gift to become what God sees and knows about us in Christ.“ The gift of grace is also the gift of peace; The Father wants us to be free from worry to fully explore our potential in the Kingdom. How can we explore new territory if we are caught up thinking about the past? We can’t! And He knows that. God’s grace is so extravagant that even when we sin, He has no plans of punishing us, or even letting us punish ourselves! He just hands out more and more grace so we can step into our true identity and calling in the Kingdom. What if you are the key to changing someone’s life, to being the catalyst for change for a whole group of people, what if you are called to speak out about injustice or shed light on issues that people aren’t talking about? If God’s grace wasn’t so all-encompassing, you might never find these things out! You might never know who you are really meant to be, and our Father wants the whole world for us. He wants us to do everything and be everything that we could have ever hoped to be. So, this Christmas when you are making your Christmas lists, just remember that you already have the greatest gift of all.

Our Hometown Christmas was a huge success!

      What a wonderful Christmas celebration we had yesterday!  It began with Our Hometown Christmas in the Linn Park at 5:00.  The weather was perfect--about 45 degrees and no wind.  Hundreds came out to participate in the fun and watch the festivities.  While they were there they also enjoyed free hot dogs, cookies & hot chocolate.
     The children's Live Nativity was precious!

Scott Price provided Christmas music on the keyboard.

      The spectacular Firemen's Auxiliary Light Parade followed at 6:00!  The last I heard there were 37 entries in the parade.  I didn't count them so I can't say for sure but there was such variety and creativity of entries that it made for a wonderful parade!  It was beautiful!  

     Here are a few of the best pictures I could get.  It is very difficult for me to take good night pictures--especially when the objects are moving--but I tried because I don't want to forget them.

The walking ear of corn with the Littlejohn Grain float amused onlookers.

This snowman was made out of various sizes of stacked tractor tires.  Below is a back view so you can better see the tires. 

This giant semi which had tractors (also decorated) from the Antique Power club was impressive!

And how could a Christmas parade be complete without Mr. & Mrs. Claus!

Our Finshed Float

This is what our float looked like when we finished with it.

      My sister loaned us the two old people to illustrate an audience.  We thought they were perfect!!  And then we found a walking doll and bought her a guitar to be the entertainer.  

     We had such fun working on this float and were thrilled with the finished project!

And here is how it looked in the Light Parade

Another Exciting Word from Doug Addison

"Prophetic Word: Time For a Sudden Turnaround!"

Doug Addison, Los Angeles, CA

God is releasing something powerfully new starting in December. He is revealing the assignments that are coming to you in 2015.Watch for prophetic dreams and words of confirmation that will give greater insight into the promotions you received recently. You will find yourself getting deeper, better results with less effort as you enter into God's rest. It's a time to pull back and look at what happened in 2014, as there are clues that will give you more understanding. Strategic new alliances are coming to you that will help you get to a new level.

11/11 Turnaround

I release Daily Prophetic Words that I get a month in advance and I often do not remember them once we load them onto my website and social media. My Daily Prophetic Word on 11/11 was, "Expect to see repayment in all types of ways as God is giving new recognition and favor to your efforts."

We are entering into a time of extended repayment for the extreme losses we have experienced over the past seven years (since 2008). It will take effort, and in some cases a battle, to get it. So don't back down.

My ministry has taken some financial losses, and I also lost many key relationships and favor over the past few years. We are now seeing a rapid repayment coming through many different streams.

Proverbs 13:12, The Message Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.

This is a time of "sudden good breaks" and life-turning events; in other words: rapid turnaround!

East and West Connection

I woke up from 1:00–3:00 a.m. on November 11 (11/11). God showed me that there was a changing of the guard over us. Angels are being reassigned right now based on your new assignments. There are angels who have been assigned to you and your family. Some will be assigned for the rest of your life, while others are those who are on assignment only for a season.

Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

God is also assigning angels to bring unity in the spiritual realm to the United States. At 1:00 a.m. on 11/11, I saw a new angel now assigned to the West Coast of the US. The angel was sitting in a chair, facing east, not saying a word, but watching. I knew this angel was a watcher (Daniel 4). This angel has been assigned to watch and call things in for us from the East.  (Photo by Marybeth Stafford "Fear Not" via elijahshopper.com)

Psalm 103:12 ...as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Some people in the East have looked at the West Coast with words of judgment. Cities like Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Seattle might seem like the least likely places for God to move, but that is exactly what He has in mind. God is releasing the West Coast to be a birthing place of another revival greater than the Jesus People Movement of the 1970s (the last major revival in the US).

Spiritual Constipation

I was speaking at the East Coast Elijah List Prophetic Conference in Maryland with Jane Hamon and Steve Shultz. As prophet Jane Hamon was speaking, the Holy Spirit spoke to me that many people are suffering from spiritual constipation.

There are things that are backed up and a release is desperately needed. This includes things like unanswered prayers, unfulfilled prophecies, healings, and financial breakthroughs, to name a few.

In my case, the Holy Spirit told me that I was prophetically constipated. If you follow my ministry and blog you will see that I release a lot of prophetic words: daily, weekly, and monthly, usually too much to articulate. So how could I be prophetically backlogged?

Then I remembered there were a handful of words and dreams that I got for certain people that I had not shared. I stood up immediately at the conference and went to the back to "relieve myself," so to speak. I texted as many as I could and posted some on the Internet. Notice that it was only a few areas where I was urged to make adjustments. Small steps done in obedience release greater blessing than we may realize!

When I returned to my seat Jane Hamon had me stand up while she gave me a life-changing prophetic word unlike anything I have gotten in decades!  This is a prophetic word for others as well. What have you not completed or shared that God has spoken to you to do? No matter how small it may seem to you, do it or release it and see what happens!

Treasures Hidden in Darkness

While at the conference I got several prophetic words that further confirm the new time we are in.

Isaiah 45:3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

I have heard this verse so many times as people have prayed itbut I am declaring it right now. God is giving insight for "secret place" riches of wisdom and revelation. (Photo via Wikimedia)

The Vault of Heaven is Now Open

In December of 2011, I had a spiritual experience in which I heard a tumbler lock, like the kind from a big bank vault, click into place. I heard God say that the vault door is not just unlocked but, "It is now open."

Watch as wisdom, revelation, strategies, and finances for the Kingdom open at a greater level, including finances for new media and creative business projects. This is a direct result of God reallocating resources and finances from people who are not currently sharing them with the Kingdom.

Hoarding the Wood Dream

I had a prophetic dream in November that I was on a beach with a group of people who had gathered there to wait for something new. We needed to build a fire so we gathered a small amount of wood and lit it. I blew on it and a long deep prophetic wind came out of me that ignited the wood into a small fire. We got the "new fire" going but needed more wood.

We asked other groups who had an abundance of wood—even extra lying around—but no one would give us any. These groups represent individuals, churches, and businesses that have the calling to help start new Kingdom projects but are hoarding the wood for themselves out of fear.

This is a prophetic word right now: there are groups starting new things and need Kingdom resources.

There are people and groups that really need to give into something new. This may be a comparatively small investment for them, yet it will ignite many and even release promises to the givers as well. God is igniting a flame on Kingdom projects for new media, businesses, and radical new churches.

Get ready for 2015 to bring a major shift. God is bringing fulfillment to the promises we thought were lost.Getting a clear vision is a key to major turnaround and will help you see the breakthrough that you need. God is releasing a new way to do things for you that will help maximize your impact with less effort. (Photo via Wikipedia)

Unity is so important right now! We need to agree together for change! Bless and do not judge. Talk to God about what offends you and release it to Him. Ask Him for His perspective about the conflicts you face. I agree with Heaven over the breakthrough that you need in your life!

Blessings,

Doug Addison
InLight Connection
Email: respond@dougaddison.com
Website: dougaddison.com

Our 'Light Parade' Float

What a busy week!  I have had many extras this week in addition to working on preparations for Our Hometown Christmas on Saturday, so it seems I haven't been keeping up very well--though I'm sure the important things will all get done in the end.

Our Hometown Christmas is such a great way to celebrate the Christmas season.  We will be having a bonfire to keep us warm, a live nativitiy, horse-drawn wagon rides, a Christmas carol sing-a-long, free food and a tree decorating contest.

Besides planning and sponsoring the event at the Linn Park, two of us from Martinsville on the Move are working on a float to enter in the Light Parade which is sponsored by the Firemen's Auxiliary in conjunction with Our Hometown Christmas.  We had what we considered a great idea for a float so we asked one of the teachers at the high school if his class might want to build the structural part of it.  He was enthusiastic, but things came up and as of yesterday had not begun the project.  We were getting a little anxious since we needed the structural part before we could do anything else.  We weren't sure (still aren't) how to complete our part so we were hoping for a couple of days to think about it and to work on it.

Yesterday I decided to talk to Dan Smith, the builder who built our house, to get some advice on how to proceed and what supplies were needed.  After drawing it out and talking it over with me he said, "Just bring me six 10 foot long 2x4's and we'll get it done."  That certainly was an answer to prayer and much more than I was asking for!  What a relief!!

Today, while I was on my way home from Terre Haute he called to say it was done and he was  delivering it to the shed where the wagon has been parked waiting for us the decorate it.

We are ecstatic!  It is perfect!!  We can't wait to put on the rest of the trimmings and the lights!

I'm posting photos of the structure so you can see what a wonderful job he did. (He even used plexiglass for braces so the braces won't obstruct the view.)  Probably only those of you who live around here and know about Martinsville on the Move's project know what it is.  I will post pictures of our finished float when we get to the parade.