Crystal Cathedral

Birthday greetings from Port Coquitlam, Canada. May life continue to richly bless you. What a legacy you have created for positive Christians. As you sit back and reflect on your life, may you feel God's presence and goodness. Congratulations to you on your 80th birthday. In Christian love, Karen Larson

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"The important thing is in "how" the game is played in the end that brings satisfaction. Life works in the same way. Living with the notion that the "glass is half full" rather that "half empty" enable one to enjoy God's blessings." Well my friend that more depends on half full or half empty which can be positively negative !! ha ha. I agree with lyverbird ( UK ?) My hope and trust is in Jesus Christ, not in my feeling positive. I am positive that He will keep that which I have committed unto Him again. The old hymns says it so well My faith has founda resting place Not in device or creed. I trust the ever Living One His wound for me shall plead I need NO OTHER argument I need no other plea, It is rnough that Jesus died, and that He died for me. SECURE AND SAFE IN HIM "We must continue in Faith in God rather than just possessing a positive attitude. Even Satan has that!" Well said Lyverbird Amen

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"Life gives what you expect! " Hmm. Not sure I totally agree. Faith has the edge on a positive attitude. My expectations from the Lord over the last number of years, (a large number) has not changed things THOUGH, I will say, it has so refined me and driven an awful lot of dross out of me. I continue to expect from God. My hope is in Him. I used to have many hopes. All for naught until one day, I realised that my one hope was secure in God. We must continue in Faith in God rather than just possessing a positive attitude. Even Satan has that!

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I think a positive faith equals positive health -- good health in body, mind, and spirit. Positive faith helps us to stand up against all the negativity of this world; and it helps keep us strong no matter what problems we are facing on any given day. It also helps us to be a good example for others, so that they too can have hope; plus, it a good witness as well -- bringing Glory to our Loving and Merciful Father, GOD and Saviour, Jesus Christ, especially in the eyes of our families and others. My positive faith fills me with Joy and Gladness, so I can share GOD's love to others through my positive spirit ...

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I so believe that "how" one thinks determines one's view of life experiences. A positive outlook in life, as described in today's devotion, creates positive outcomes in one's expectations. I also believe that the athletic coach who inspires and instills a positive attitude in his players to do their best, brings a sense of accomplishment in that they had a good game, regardless if they "won" or not. The important thing is in "how" the game is played in the end that brings satisfaction. Life works in the same way. Living with the notion that the "glass is half full" rather that "half empty" enable one to enjoy God's blessings. I recommend giving the 30 day trial suggested in this devotion. My personal experience has proven that indeed there is "truth" in this Christian believe or attitude. I think also that to understand the holy scriptures, it is helpful to consider in part the historical time period to which they pertain. These are my thoughts. Take care and Peace to all - Amen!

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Nice comments Mr Maxwell. Not so sures about "Ask a coach before a big game whether his attitude and that of his players will make a difference in the outcome of the game" If both teams have the attitude of winning one IS going to be dissapointed. The apostle Paul said "I have learned what ever state I am in to be CONTENT. Personally I am not so sure of the truth of this " Hyped up" type of Christianity . There may be an "element of truth" in it but how does it stand in the light of comparing scripture with scripture? Any way that's my thoughts. Have a really blessed day and seek his will and His way first Dave

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Dear Arvella, May your 80th birthday be as special as you are. As i watch you come down the isle each sunday and take your seat in the front of the cathedral, i can't help but think what a compliment you are to your husband all those years. God has truly blessed you all these years with a wonderful husband and beautiful children who serve him. What more could a mother ask for.Hope to see you at your party. childofgod-1 and her husband rollie.

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What a wonderful blessed message that Sheila gave and the good news Praise the lord for aawsome year at crystal cathdral and all that is going on . Give God the glory for sheila's message inspired me and I have had a great week so far because of her message. Patty Carroll

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I love this devotion because it is just what I needed today for encouragement. I'm at a time in my life where I have to focus on a new means of earning an income and unfortunately, I have experienced many broken dreams. I don't know where to start, where to go. Therefore, to think about: "What would I do if there were no limits on my life?" will be a great help in figuring out the answer. I will fill in the blanks ["If I had --- I would ----."] and consider the sentence in my reflections this week. Thank you. Amen!

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What does a positive faith look like to me? - It looks like seeing the potential good in the faces of adversity and looking at failure as an opportunity to begin again. Having a positive faith has given me courage to endure in times of trouble, for with God, all things are possible. It is knowing that out of darkness comes light, for God is my light and my salvation. My personal experience has taught me that through positive thinking, if an idea or if a decision to follow a certain path is part of His plan for me, then doors open. When it is not, doors close. If I should go astray, my positive faith gives me confidence that God will help me find my way back. What difference has a positive faith made in my daily life? - Having a positive faith has helped me find my own inner spirituality and reading these devotions has become part of my daily prayers. Having a positive faith helps me greet each morning with joy. I praise God for this gift to me. Amen!

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Amen Robert!

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First, I lift up my prayers to our Lord on behalf of chrismiranda for healing. I believe Jesus hears our silent cries and so when we bring all our wounds to Him, we will be comforted. Second, I believe that sometime it is hard to recognize which of the many talents the Lord has given us, will be our life long goal to develop. I have been blessed by God with the gift of singing and I knew at a very young age, of four or so, that singing would be a part of me no matter what. From this notion my life's mission was created and it has been my guide throughout my life. It is: "Music defines who I am and inspires all of my professional and personal endeavors." Amen!

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Being positive in our attitude as Christians is just God's way of looking at things! When we have His attitude about what affects us day by day, then we are positive, too. Negativism is only destructive to dynamic spiritual growth. Thanks for this meditation; it is excellent. Let's Close Ranks! Warriors in Christ, let's close ranks! Th'enemy is encroaching on us ever To make us weary and defeated, But Christ is our Lord and Savior. Let's close ranks, bonding together. Let's wield God's sword, His Holy Word, And strike down all evil forces As they close in to create chaos. Let's close ranks as a might hedge, Surrounding each other, and others, To claim victory through Christ's blood, Shed to spell doom for Satan. God's Word is all we need To speak victory to Satan, our foe. We can't rely on ourselves 'Cause we're but flesh, and weak. Let's not fail in our mission To shout that victory with the ram's horn, That Christ is victor, eternal victor, And in His name we too are victors. Halleluia! Our hedge is of God, He has erected in and around His own To ward off all th'arrows of th'enemy, To see His bride saved and blessed. We cannot fail, we shall not fail, God's promises to keep us are sure. Come what may, He is with us, He is all we need. Amen and Amen. rdo.

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I believe that positive can always help you to remain strong in the face of adversity.

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Dear Shelia,I read the comments also ,however I do know life will always have challenges and it is how we handle those challenges is what really counts . For those who would be critical please wait ,I believe if we refrain from critism ,and PRAY for the ministry that GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED and the GOSPEL WILL BE PREACHED we will all see GODS HAND AT WORK in all situations. I have just finished reading BILL HYBELS book "HOLY DISCONTENT".What a challenge to me , also I have recently read "THE GREAT WEAVER" by RAVI ZACHARIAS an amazing book ,I could relate of many others that I came to know and my life has been challenged and enriched through the CC and through HOP . Please continue to help your Father, I am excited about the future of this ministry and also for Robbies and Robert A Schullers ministries . They are all in the seed sowing arena. Our GOD IS FAITHFUL , morning by morning new mercies I see . JMC.

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I am learning to ask for Jesus' Love to love as He loves. This scripture teaches me why divisions abound in the Church of Jesus Christ. I didn't know why divisions are there between me and others but now I do; it is because I do not love with Jesus' Love but with my own which is conditional. Shalom, Anne

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Sometimes we all are "noisy gongs" or "clanging symbols" some time or other. Sometimes we get wrapped up in our own needs and frustrations and inadvertently be another person's "noise." Christ died on the cross for our redemption, for our salvation. He has taught us to forgive and trust in Him. Therefore, we can choose to change and become "listeners" for others instead. I believe this is a form of loving and giving of ourselves as true Christians, even in small ways, can help others experience God's love first hand. Amen!

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Worry equals no faith! I definitely have to work on this one... we are suppose to leave our cares at the foot of the cross and not take them back. I am prayng for "peace that passes all understanding" and trying to wait on the LORD for the anwser.

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I personally feel that God wants a true relationship with us. A voluntary relationship is the one thing we can give to God that HE does not already have... Just as we would visit our other friends, God wants us to visit HIM. A visit not of Thee's and Thou's, but simply talking with HIM as we would each other. When I go on a trip, for instance, I simply ask HIM to travel with me. When I am ill, I tell HIM that I hurt and would HE help me. HE said that His followers would be as little children who look only to HIM. I LOVE JESUS WITH ALL MY HEART, MY MIND AND MY SOUL! HE has prepared for us a win, win situation. We live here on earth as HIS extention or HE takes us home to live there with HIM. Paul said to live is Christ and to die is gain... JESUS keeps saying in the WORD... TRUST ME! Our redemption draws near... Love HIM as your dear friend... He is Wonderful!!!!

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I too grew up on a busy high street in the uk where buses thundered past all the time. I too got accustomed (didn't even hear them). Now I'm in a wooded quiet cul-de-sac and the lack of visual or hearing life "out there" has caused over th yars, lack of motivation. Reminds me of my dog who is now stone deaf. This lack of stimulation causes him not to think. He doesn't even "know" when he "needs" to go out! Now a clanging bell is v. different 'cos the awful sound goes on and on and on! Hence the saying "dropped a clanger". Continually showing love is the honourable thing to always do. And if the person on the receiving end doesn't ever see or hear it, thank God, because God does!

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When I think of the people who have left the biggest impression in my life, it was rarely by what they said, but rather by how they live their lives. It was the LIGHT they emanated from them, not the sounds they made.

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To love others in a way that lets them experience God's love first hand is to die on a cross for them. How many will take on that challenge?

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I have always admired people who could verbally recite bible passages. I just don't seem to be good at memorizing. What is left in my mind after reading the bible is more like a painting more than a mathematical formula. Who would think to go up to a painting and instead of looking at the picture instead analysing every molecule of ink pell for pell if you will. Why? Because they would be missing the whole point of the painting. It is a wholistic beauty far beyond it's word for word, letter by letter study. In fact I am compelled to notice that in doing the microscopic inspeciton those who tend toward that seem to come awy befuddled about what it means to them as a would be image of God. And, it's more than "doing it". In fact, it's not doing it at all. There are many robots on spiritual missions to change the world and all the world sees is a robot. No. It is not in the "doing". It's in the "being" regardless of all evidence to the contrary including acts.

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How true "biblical dissection" yet no real help as to the how to's! God says "my people perish from lack of knowledge". Just for instance the scripture "taking all thoughts captive". Yet again, no one teaches HOW to do this. It's shameful. It's like the pharasees telling us what we should be doing but not telling us HOW! Thankfully God will give understanding on anything that we would ask Him for. I could say more..........

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Today's devotion is so very necessary for us to remember. So many times, having been rejuvenated spiritually during the worship service, when we get home to reality, we let the "spiritual fire" burn out. Therefore, how do we DO what we "hear" in church? Where does the commitment and the courage come from to "live" the life Jesus calls us to do? I believe it takes one step at a time through faith in our Lord. I also feel that it takes relying on the strength and guidance He gives us, taking a scripture verse, reading it, studying it, praying about it, and seeing how its message can be incorporated into each day of the week. It's the little steps, one at a time, that turn into big ones. For example, making an effort to do something as little as giving a smile or a giving a kind word to someone is a first step. Another point to remember is that, as members of a faith community, part of our responsibility as believers is to be involved. Amen.

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Juan, I appreciate what you are saying here. That is why I consider the weekly Bible class I teach, a LABORATORY. We put our Bibles down and figure out how to apply these eternal truths to our lives. If we cannot figure out what to DO with what it says, and practice doing it, what good is it to be able to recite the words?

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Sheila, It is wonderful that you have expressed love and encouragement for your brother Robert. All who watch Hour of Power have wondered what happend and why he left. We will pray for reuniting of your family and that he too grows and continues to bless others with the work of God. Your way in your sermon it just what was needed to get the HOP going once again and continue the ministry of your Father. He is a wonderful man and has survived many trials during his lifetime. You will be just what he needs to know that the seeds of christanity continue to grow in Orange County and beyond ! Good luck and God Bless all of you, Sherry

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P. S. I could send you photos of actual figs to replace the kiwi fruit in the photo.

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Glad to get news about Robert A. Thanks. I had just come in from picking figs from my blessed fig, a delightful and nutritious morning treat which I pick early in the morning and in late afternoons to ensure I get to them before the birds. The few that hit the ground nourish the soil for next year's figs. The ones the birds eat keep me from buying bird seed for them. The seed as metaphor was a great idea, but very poorly represented by Sheila's fig tree story and her black thumb. YUCK! I felt like I was being lectured to as a kindergartner. Hope Sheila survives in new job longer than her fig and lemon trees did at her hands. THe HOP audience is full of fig trees, lemon trees, and other flora and fauna which must be nurtured, not lectured to. The "tight end" comment by the Pastor also a bit shady. And "the voice of light" instead of "devoid of light" in the scroller under a song was egregious.

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Sheila, I commend you on your efforts. Your father looks very tired. He doesn't have the energy and excitement that he has in the past. It's almost as though people have worn him down. I have watched the Hour of Power for years. I have read, and still have many of his books. Whenever I have strayed from God, your father's books and ministry have brought me back. His is still a great ministry. Keep up the good work. If Anthony had a different direction for the church, then it is best that he has left. On another note, I am appalled at some of the comments here. The people like NancyNJ777, are exactly the type of people who made me leave the church. Judgemental, not willing to help, and definitely not paying attention to the bible and Jesus's teaching of love and forgiveness. Perhaps she is the one who should leave the church. She is a rotten apple amongst the fresh fruit. I enjoy seeing and listening to the "guest pastors". You can learn new things from these pastors.

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Once again A very timely message , it is true fear of failure can hold us back from what we should be doing,yes if we get out of our comfort zone and listen to GODS voice and obey and move forward sowing precious seed, HE will take us places we would never think possible. Thank you HOP for your continuing commitment to the seed sowing of the GOOD NEWS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST . This world needs this message . JMc.

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Change is a part of life. However, some of us resist change by living with "what used to be," fearful of "the new," and thereby find it difficult to grow in faith. I believe that If we truly put our faith and trust in the Lord, we can grow and welcome change as His faithful servants. We, collectively, ( as the Universal Church) have to put God first in our lives, not man's will. The church in which I am involved, I am proud to say, is moving with the times. The leadership of the church is moving in a direction of relevancy and spiritually we are alive. I am so glad to be a participating member. I pray it continues. Amen.

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I'm not sure about the "organized" church but certainly God's church (His people) are continually moving and growing no matter what. One of the things I love about God is His faithfulness in the midst of our unfaithfulness. In God, nothing is wasted and He is so totally committed to us as He continually "stays" with us where we are. Just like when we went to school as children of this world and were moved into higher grades depending upon what had been established in us, so it is with God. He waits and loves us into our higher learning.

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p.s. you don't need a business manager dr. schuller, you need your son with heart and vision back. what is the church lacking today? Honesty, feeling. We don't need grandiose sermons, we need someone with heart sharing life today. We don't need silly seed metaphors, please, do not look down on your audience. We are not stupid people. How about, here's what's happening in our family, we're human too. not sure whether i'll watch again next week, after today, not sure i'll ever watch again. what channel will robert a. be on? sad. very very sad.

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just watched the hour of power. just read many comments on the web. most people do not like the parade of guest pastors. so how do you answer that, you put yet another "guest pastor" sheila in the pulpit. how about some honesty here. i would recommend you not put sheila in the pulpit ever again. heal the rift with robert a. and allow him to lead the church in a new direction. i've met robert h. schuller, i did not know him to have a big ego. however this appears to be all about ego right now and third parties who all want a piece of the pie. fire the third parties, get the family biz back to the family and allow robert a. to take the church in the direction of his new vision. i enjoy robert h. schuller's sermons too, but i'd much prefer his son carry on the family legacy rather than a host of others with varied visions. if you truly hear what God is telling you, you would not have sheila in the pulpit. praying for your vision and your ability to accept THY (not MY) will.

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