Change Has Come to our World

Change has come not only to America but to the world. We should celebrate as the world celebrates the victory!!! Now we can truly say, the sky is the limit!!!

As many of us witnessed history, how many of us were thinking good thoughts? Did we give thanks to God for the change? Although we may not all agree with the choice of President nor his view and ideals but we have to admit that change was absolutely necessary for the continued growth of this great nation, the super power called America!!! Let me share with you my belief: The only Super Power is the One who is Superior to all of humanity and that is our Creator. He is the One Constant that does not change but allows us to grow as free-agents.

I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Malachi 3:6 (NLT)

Our obedience to please God should drive us to follow the guidelines and teaching of Jesus in order to unlock our assigned blessings. As we recognize our new President, let us not forget who’s in charge of this universe. Our Creator is our "Commander in Chief." President Barack Obama can only do what God allows. After all, nothing happens out of the will of God.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9

Since change has come to our world, how many of us are willing to embrace the change? During these perilous and trying times, we must begin to seek change by beginning with self. The change begins from within. If we begin to renew our minds, will shall become new creatures in Christ. Develop good Christian habits and embrace high morals and ethics. Begin to explore the true meaning of love then the other fruit of God's Spirit will begin to reign in our lives. Let us begin to turn our hearts from cold to warm and our minds from the trained thoughts and guided biases that we've grown up with, to God thoughts and healthy deeds. If you say you love God then why not embrace your neighbor. We may not always like our neighbors but as Christians, we are required to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Are we humane enough to refuse to accept hatred because of OUR beliefs and taught bigotry of any kind? Will our ill-trained thoughts and misguided biases get the best of us? Will we hope for a successful term for our President or his demise? After all, if he fails, we all fail.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.

"We should really begin to embrace this pledge...to really be that one nation under God! We should undergird President Barack Obama and support him as an American President not as an African-American or interracial President but.....an American. Sure it was a great day in history for many People of Color but it was also God's answer to many of our American prayers. The economy IS in a HOT mess but when we pray collectively for the same change, and then change comes. Maybe now our prayers could go a little something like this now....God, thank you for the change. Now God, we need to help our President get us out of the mess by doing OUR part. Help "ME" to do MY part Oh Lord, and if it be Your will God, bless me to bless another. Help us to redefine our lives, according to Your holy word, in Jesus' name, Amen, Amen and Amen!!!

We cannot point fingers at any one person. If we are not a part of the solution then one can only assume that we are a part of the problem. It may sound simple but it's evident that if each person would contribute their "fair" share, then we all can have a "fair" piece of the American Dream! There's only one condition though....God has to be at the forefront our lives.
Trusting God is the only assurance we'll ever need. If God declares it, you'd better believe it!!! God determines the outcome of our plans. If we would just learn to trust and hold on to God's unchanging hand and begin again with hope in God [first] then our "dreams" will come to pass according to God's will for our lives.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

We can begin change by changing how we view one another. We are all unique and wonderfully made in God's image; not only as Americans but as Citizen of the Promise. Worship & praise our Creator and serve one another in love. "After all, it is love, grace and mercy from God that keeps us, and nothing that we've done so well." dgd

Sharing the Promise....
- Rev

Move On....

Move on....."Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on."
- Exodus 14:15

Moses had brought the whole nation of Israel, approximately 600,000, to a dead end in the desert. The only thing between Israel and Pharaoh's pursuing army was the Red Sea. This was after ten plagues God had inflicted on Pharaoh to motivate him to free the Israelites. Finally, Pharaoh had freed Moses and the people, and they left Egypt. They thought they were home free. "Freedom at last," they said. But God did a strange thing. He directed Moses to take a route that led to the Red Sea, instead of the northern route around the Red Sea. God explained that He didn't want them fighting the enemies they would have encountered on this route. But still, there was the issue of the Red Sea.

They finally arrived at the Red Sea, and the people were wondering where they would go from there. News hit the camp: Pharaoh had changed his mind. He was coming after them with his army. Panic set in. The defenseless Israelites cried out, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (Ex. 14:11b-12)

God sometimes brings each of us to a "Red Sea" in our life. It may be a work problem that can't be solved. It may be a marriage that seems to be failing. It may be a debilitating disease. Whatever your Red Sea, God tells us one thing: "Keep moving." The Red Sea was before them, yet God was angered at Moses and told him to "Keep moving."

"But Lord, the Red Sea is before me." "Keep moving." When we live by sight, we act on what we see. God sets this stage in dramatic fashion. God is into the dramatic. There is no way out without God here. That is just the way He wants it. No one will get glory except God.

A friend once admonished me when I was in the midst of an extremely difficult time in my life, "You must not withdraw from being proactive in your faith just because of this trial that you are in. God's hand is on your life. There are too many who are depending on you to fulfill the purposes God has in your life. Keep moving! Keep investing yourself in others." I didn't feel like it. I was in too much pain. But I did it anyway. God met me at the point of my greatest need once I decided simply to be obedient. Getting past myself by investing myself in others helped heal the pain. There is great healing when we look past our own problems and seek to invest ourselves in others for the sake of Christ. This is when our own Red Seas become parted. We begin to walk to freedom. But we will never experience the miracle of the Red Sea in our lives if we don't first "Keep moving."
- Dina Dean

Please Join Church of the Solid Rock For Worship

Greetings Saints of God and Happy New Year! I pray the blessings of God be upon you and your households and that you are doing well. Church of the Solid Rock is a new church based in Dallas Texas. We are preaching, teaching and sharing the Gospel Message through bible study, prayer, pastoral care, evangelism and corporate worship.

Please join us Wednesday night, January 28, 2009 to help us kick-off our first Power Hour Worship Service. Worship will be held each Wednesday night at 2735 Villa Creek Dr. #290, Dallas, TX 75234-7454 (near 635 & Josey Lane). Our worship begins at 7pm central time.
Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm then we’ll move promptly into our worship hour.

God is doing a new thing in ministry and we hope that you are able to join us each Wednesday night for some uplifting worship and wonderful bible teaching based on the Inspired Word of God, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We are excited about this progressive journey in the life of our church and hope that you will help us share in the promises of God. If you have a specific ministry need or have any questions, please contact our church at www.crock4christ.org. If you would like to make a donation in support of our ministry, we would greatly appreciate your commitment in seeing this ministry grow to what God has designed.

Please mail your donations payable to:
Church of the Solid Rock
P. O. Box 765038
Dallas TX 75376-5038

Take care of yourselves and your blessings.

Sharing the Promise,
Rev. Doris G Deckard - Pastor
Church of the Solid Rock, Dallas TX

When Christmas Comes

When Christmas Comes
by Joshua F. Deckard

Christmas is the best time of year
It is the day when we all cheer
There is nothing but happiness and fun
Just playing with your presents all day in the sun
Some people don't get presents because they are poor
But God will give them presents and even more
Have a good Christmas, and make it fun
Because Jesus' work has been done

Published in the Excellence 2006 Poetry Collection by The American Library of Poetry.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Psalm 136
1- O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 - O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 - O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 - To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 - To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 - To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 - To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 - The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 - The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 - To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 - And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 - With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 - To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 - And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 - But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 - To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 - To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 - And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 - Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 - And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 - And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 - Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23 - Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 - And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 - Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 - O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

What Kind of Straw Are You?

What kind of straw are you? Are you a "Me" straw or a "Team" straw? When you see a glass of opportunity, do you stick yourself in it and sip without considering what you're sipping? Do you see the glass as half empty or half full? If you see the glass as half empty, will you replace what you've sipped from the glass or will you keep walking away leaving the glass empty, leaving nothing for the other straws to sip? If you see the glass as half full, will you sip only what you need or will you sip the glass of all its fluids, leaving only a slurp at the bottom for the other thirsty straws? Does it really matter if you constantly sip and sip and never replenish and restore what you've sipped out? As long as there is the attitude of "W.I.I.F.M"...... I don't see the wrong; and it must be OK because the other straws are not complaining...right??? WRONG!

A word from the wise.....please STOP sipping from every glass, thinking it will alleviate your arid and parched pallet for thirst. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Mat. 5:6) So straw, what are you thirsty for? Why are you constantly sticking yourself in every glass just to fulfill your own fleshly desires and then put God's name in it just to make your sip sound convincing to others?? Stop fooling yourself. No one can outdo the other. Whatever is meant for a person, God will see to it that the person will have it....
get it....obtain it....achieve it....be blessed with it and never allow anything nor anyone take it away. BUT, if your straw is in every glass, you'll never notice how unique the other straws are and how they add to the decor of the glass. And, you will consistently struggle to achieve the highest quality of living you seek because you are too busy sipping from every glass, hardly enjoying the finer beverages of life.

It's not all about your straw but about the special glass that is designed for you to sip from. Will you keep taking the plunge into every glass then somehow end up witnessing your opportunity go "SPLAT" as you've sipped every glass empty and dry??? Will there be nothing to sip the next time you stick your straw in the glass. Will you only see selfish "Me" at the bottom? Is your straw stuck on "Me"? Will you only see a reflection of "Me" at the bottom of the empty glass or will you seek for the "Us" glass or "They" glass at the bottom?

Food for thought: How about giving another straw a chance to taste victory because not every straw can sip from a possible glass of opportunity if your straw is found in every glass.

Share the flavor of success by being a team straw because there is no "I" in "Team."

Rev. Doris G

America Has Spoken

Well folks, American has spoken. The racial barrier has been broken! The "we can't possibly" to "all things are very possible." Yes we did! Yes we have! Yes we will! We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to make a brighter day so let's start to live, dream and hope again!

Thank God for the victory because the world will be forever changed! Not because of an African-American elect President but because of a fair, just and loving human being who took a chance at hope and said yes WE can. Yes America did! With God's help we all did it-- be it African-American, Anglo, Hispanic, Asian, Native-America or just plain old American!!!

Yes, Americans elected (not selected) the best candidate to lead the USA and the world into a new day of promise, hope, prosperity and most of all -- love for our neighbors. Not that I'm being political or anything like that but, I'm able to recognize the obvious reality and truth. It was time for a change but all in God's timing and not that of our own. That change has come for all of God's people therefore we should all celebrate the victory in Jesus!

The road has been tough. The journey has been an up-hill battle! We've climbed the rough side of the mountain and if the mountain wasn't rough, we wouldn't have been able to climb it but slide right back down to bottom. God made a way out of what most people thought "no way" - not in "my life time" but God.....He is still in control of our world and our nation, our lives and our destinies. God will only allow His people (Believers) to suffer for so long. Look at how God stopped the Enemy from torturing Job.

No more self-inflicted suffering due to ignorance and hate. No more bias and practiced exclusivity. No more lies that have been passed down from generation to generation. The status quo has now become passe. No, I'm not suggesting that life will be a bed of roses but exclusivity and unnecessary suffering will soon dissipate as life unfolds. We can begin to embrace souls and not the color of ones skin.

Congratulations President Elect Barak Obama! May God bless you and your family. May God cover you with the blood of Jesus and send forth His angels to protect you where ever your feet may tread. May God bless our world and heal our land!!!

Rev. Doris G

VOTE!

"Without change there is no growth and without growth there is no life" dgd

VOTE: Exercise your right! Be a part of the solution and not the problem. Don't complain if you don't vote. No regrets because you didn't vote. Take your citizenship serious because not all of us are free. Some of our brothers and sisters are incarcerated, unable to exercise their right but YOU who are free must do YOUR part and truly embrace your American status along with your civic duty and VOTE.

VOTE: Not because you are Democratic or Republican but because you embrace real change.... embrace truth...embrace the idea that all humankind, created by God, are equal and treated with fairness, dignity and respect. Embrace the idea that every person should be able to feed themselves and their families. Not one person should be impoverished! There is plenty of resources to feed the world because God made sure of it! Let's stop the attitude of greed. Let's discontinue the attitude of selfishness and share the wealth! What good will it be for a person to gain the whole world yet forfeits their soul? Or, what can one of us give in exchange for our souls? When Christ comes back in his Father's glory and with His angels, He will reward each person according to what they have done. (Mat. 16:26-27 )

VOTE: Let's toss aside our bias opinions and look closely at reality; not just ersatz facts but take a closer look at the "real world." The economy is every person's responsibility (young, old, rich, poor). What we sow into the economy, we have a right to reap from the economy; and what we take out, we must replenish or else there will be sparse selections. Don't bite off more than we can chew and don't attempt to hold that which our hands cannot carry. Let's stop buying into greed, gluttony and bling. The only Super Star is Christ!

VOTE: Let us all be a part of American history by making a positive change in the lives of our families, our neighborhoods, our schools, in the workplace and God knows we need to make a positive change in our churches (small, medium and mega). Let's stop hurting our neighbors and start helping each other achieve our highest potential. Change is inevitable but how many of us are willing to embrace change? Stop bickering over "whom" and start asking "how". What can "I" do to help instead of what can "YOU" do to help "ME"???

VOTE: Sure, change can be uncomfortable and even scary but God is still in control of this universe. In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him.
Heb 2:8 (b)

VOTE: As long as God is your Leader, do not fret when humankind does evil because eventually God will stop the evildoers in their tracks and they will be cut down like the grass....(Ps. 37:1)

VOTE: Be strong and of good courage because God's hands are directing the traffic of this universe. Ride with ease but plan carefully and strategically for YOUR future. Go ahead and make the necessary adjustments so that YOU are able to withstand in the evil days.

With God, ALL (which leaves out nothing) things are possible... (Mat. 19:26 (b)

Rev. Doris G

Spotting A Fake

A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs never grow on thornbushes, nor grapes on bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.Luke 6:44-45
The British Museum in London received an ancient artifact, a painted rock, in 2005. Titled "Early man venturing towards the out-of-town hunting grounds," it featured animals, a man, and a curious tool. After being on display for three days, the museum removed the artifact from its exhibit. It turned out that the "curious tool" painted on the rock was a shopping cart! A notorious hoax artist was responsible for getting it into the museum, where it remained until experts realized the piece was a fake.
People have the ability to show a certain personality on the outside while being something different internally. And just like the museum's "artifact," one's outward personality can be seen as legitimate if concealed well enough. However, there will come a time when something—a phone call, a speeding driver, a crisis—will expose the person’s true identity. The hoax-life will be revealed. Unless our outward appearance matches our inward appearance, we will be exposed for who we are inwardly. Jesus said, "A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit" (Luke 6:43).
Likewise, a person claiming to know Jesus as Forgiver and Leader should not go around berating or threatening his or her coworkers. These attitudes diminish one's potential witness for the Lord, giving those who don't know Jesus "valid" reasons not to believe him. Sooner or later our outward appearances will drown out our inward claims. We should be doing our best to exhibit Christ in the most positive light we can. Otherwise, our words and actions will be revealed as hypocritical.
Let’s be real—to ourselves, to others, and to God—and help others to be the same. That way, the only inward thing that will be exposed is the Lord we love and follow.
Amen!

The Cost of Following Jesus

FALL SPIRITUAL REVIVAL
October 23-25, 2008
Church of the Solid Rock
D. G. Deckard Ministries, Inc.
Location: MCC of Greater Dallas (Josey Lane and I-635) www.mccgd.org

IT’S HARVEST TIME: WHAT SEEDS HAVE YOU SOWN?

THURSDAY, Oct. 23
Congregational Hymns of Praise
Opening Prayer
Scripture
Praise Team Selection
Praise Team Selection
Sermonic Selection
The Spoken Word: Rev. Doris G. Deckard - Pastor
Church of the Solid Rock, Dallas TX
Scripture: Matthew 10: 17-34; 37-42
Sermon Title: The Cost of Following Jesus: Are You Willing To Be Persecuted Before You Receive Your Reward?
Prayer & Prophecy: Pastor Margarette Phillips (Tabernacle of God, Fort Worth TX)
Benediction: Rev. Doris G Deckard

FRIDAY, Oct. 24
Congregational Hymns of Praise
Opening Prayer
Scripture
Praise Team Selection
Praise Team Selection
The Spoken Word: Evangelist Angee S. Dickens
Let It Shine Bible Institute, Little Rock AR
Scripture: Luke 19: 1-10
Sermon Title: Desperate for Jesus
The Invitation (altar call)
Closing Remarks/Benediction

SATURDAY, Oct. 25
Processional Hymn
Call to Worship
Congregational Hymns of Praise
Opening Prayer
Scripture: Rev. Colleen Darraugh (MCCGD)
Praise Team Selection
Solo: Shelly Torres-West "Blessed"
A Time to Share (Testimony Moment): Annette M. Deckard
The Spoken Word: Elder Penny L. Willrich
Spiritual Directions Ministries, Inc., Gilbert AZ
Luke 10:1-2; 25-37
Title of Sermon: It's 2 by 2 Harvest Time! - Who Are You Paired Up With?
It is time to get intense in our movement to take the message to the people, but don't think that this is an unplanned campaigned. God has appointed us to go out, to plant and to harvest. And, in doing so, he has given us example after example, IT'S HARVEST TIME - Who are you paired up with?
Communion
Closing: Rev. Colleen Darraugh (Pastor of MCC of Greater Dallas)
Benediction: Rev. Doris G Deckard

The Inspired Word of God

The Inspired Word of God (Holy Bible)
What shall we say of it? There is no other book like it. Throughout the centuries no book has affected mankind quite like this one. At first, reading the Bible may seem to speak of many things [and it does] but if the eye is enlightened, it will discern but one central theme in those pages and that is Jesus the Christ. In this Blessed Book, we find the promised, foreshadowed, foretold Christ; the born Christ, crucified, and the resurrected Christ; the ascended, the Savior, Jesus Christ that came to dwell with His believers, and finally, the 2ND coming of Christ to return and receive His bride, which is the church.

The Bible refers to respective collections of religious writings of Judaism and of Christianity. The exact composition of the Bible is dependent on the religious traditions of specific denominations. Modern Rabbinic Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew or Jewish Bible. It comprises three parts: the Torah ("Teaching", also known as the Pentateuch or "Five Books of Moses"), the Prophets, and the Writings. It was primarily written in Hebrew with some small portions in Aramaic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible

The Bible consists of 2 testaments:
Old Testament (old covenant – Before Christ)
New Testament (new covenant - Salvation/Grace)

It’s important to understand the bible but it’s equally important to understand how to receive God’s revelation as you meditate on God’s Inspired Words. Seek God for your answers and the mysteries will eventually be revealed, if your heart is sincere and open to receive. Humankind looks at the outer appearance but God looks at the heart. Acts 1:24; 1 Corinthians 2:9

We see the examples of Judas, who misunderstood scripture, and as a result, he caused chaos and destruction. We must get an understanding (Proverbs 4:7). When we are not sure of our understanding, it’s best to acknowledge our finite wisdom then do an extensive search for our answers with the help of the Holy Spirit. Do not completely rely on the preacher; God speaks to YOU TOO! You just have to know His voice...

During meditative bible study, the scriptures will come alive and settle into your spirits, through the interpretation of the Holy Spirit. Once this manifestation takes place, you will be able to strategically defeat the tactics of the Adversary each day you arise; and to receive the promises of hope in Christ. You'll be able to speak the "language" in order to protect youselves from dangers seen and unseen. You WILL have the VICTORY!

"Each day we awake, our spirits will embrace the divine freedoms of salvation and not be consumed with the cares of this world. Our fleshly desires will begin to dissipate more and more; yielding our will completely to God's will. With our yielding to the Spirit, we can truly wear the full Armor of God effectively, and act as dunamis [dynamite] Christians in a world that is full of uncertainty, evil and strife." (dgd) Be blessed this day then go out and bless another!
Peace and Love,
Rev. Doris G

Ready for some abundant living? Live the Word of God through faith in Chist….

IT'S HARVEST TIME.....

Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?

1 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NIV)

REVIVAL…REVIVAL…REVIVAL
IT’S HARVEST TIME: WHAT SEEDS HAVE YOU SOWN?
D. G. DECKARD MINISTRIES
CHURCH OF THE SOLID ROCK
SPIRITUAL REVIVAL OCTOBER 23-25, 2008 FROM 7-9 PM
MCC OF GREATER DALLAS

DALLAS TX

www.mccgd.org
THE SPOKEN WORD WILL BE DELIVERED BY POWERHOUSE PREACHERS EACH NIGHT! YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO MISS IT!

SEE YOU THERE!