“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”   Hebrews 10:22

3 - EDITOR's CORNER  

Dear Friends and welcomed subscribers, 

Thank you to all who wrote and encouraged me through you loving thoughts & prayers.  These past few weeks have been better when it comes to the needed rest; however, the months of lack of sleep are still hovering me – but recovery does appear to be with me. 

A few months back I shared how our family took on the theme as “Family For God ~ 2005”.  Interesting how when a family takes on a challenge how the family is tested.  The children have gone through some personal struggles with their health and all.  Julee has experiences trials – some even with family back home, as we live far away and do not have the luxury of driving a few hours home when members are sick, ill, or need our assistance.  We all have had a few extra bumps along the travels in the road of life.  Yet, we are still pressing on and forward, by God’s grace, mercy, and love. 

A couple weeks back, during the family fellowship time, we shared from Colossians 2.  We came across verse 6 “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”  We shared the value and importance of having Christ in us and in our daily living… but the key we focused on came from the last 4 words…  “so walk in Him.” 

Walking in the Lord!  Wow!  Just think about it!  The very God, who designed, created, gave us life, and forgave us through an unselfish act on the cross… we can walk with HIM!  Maybe not in a physical sense, at this moment, but we can walk with HIM through the Word and with HIS fellowship. 

I recall back to my high school years, working at a Camp in Aitkin, MN.  Amazing how many problems a teenage, trying to grow into a young adult, can have.  As an adult with a few years under the belt, sometimes it’s easy to forget what life was like back then – maybe that’s one of the many reasons we have children, to remember we too were once young, growing, and discovering a large world before us.  And you know, other than the age factor, things really haven’t changed.  Maybe different circumstances, different problems & challenges, but it’s still the same now as it was then.  We still face life with all sorts of issues, struggles, and opportunities. 

I recall those years at camp, and when faced with issues that felt overwhelming, the peace and joy I received just by walking alone in the woods.  As I journeyed through the trees, I’d commune with the Father, talking aloud, as though there was someone standing right next to me the whole way.  By journey’s end, I often found a renewed sense of hope and peace as though my Heavenly Father listened and shared my burdens.  And you know what… I truly believe HE was. 

But you know, we don’t have to walk in the woods of a campground to talk, walk, and fellowship with our Lord.  We can do this every day at home, on our way to work, at work, sitting in traffic, or wherever we may be.  The Lord is always with us (Heb 13:5b), and HE desires our focused attention on HIM, our heart and mind being focused on HIS good things above (Col 3:2). 

I encourage you today; to take some a moment (or more) and walk with HIM… enjoy HIS fellowship… share in a rich and meaningful relationship with our Lord!

BATTLE FATIGUE

-= Daniel 
05 MAY 2005, 11:42PM

 Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight."

 … Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

 (Jos 10:25; 1Ti 6:11-12; 2Ti 4:7: Php 1:6 NKJV)

Most sincerely yours, 

Daniel
Phil 1:6  

4 - PICTURE of the DAY!!!

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COMMUNION
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Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place…  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?..  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you…  Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?..  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Pr 27:8; Mt 6:26, 33; Lu 12:24, 31

Photo by Daniel
Image is of a hummingbird feeding right next to living room window
McChord AFB, WA - May 2005
Barnabas Ministries/E.C.H.O.

Your comments, suggestions, ideas, and thoughts are welcomed.
Do you have an image (not copyrighted) you would like to share?
Please e-mail an image and feel free to suggest a verse/verses you think might go well with the picture.
(Photo's / images submitted become the property of E.C.H.O. and might be altered.
Images, requested verses, and topics are subject to display per discretion of E.C.H.O.)

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”   Hebrews 10:22

5 - DEVOTIONAL

(1 John 3:10-15)

WALK WITH HIM!

I.  By this we know (:16-19)

A. love (:16)

1. because He laid down His life for us

2. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren

a. But whoever has this world's goods (:17)

b. and sees his brother in need

c. and shuts up his heart from him

d. how does the love of God abide in him

3. My little children, let us not love (:18)

a. in word

b. or in tongue

c. but in deed

d. and in truth

B. that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. (:19)

II.  For if our heart (:20 – 22)

A. condemns us, (:20)

1. God is greater than our heart

2. and knows all things

B. does not condemn us (:21)

1. we have confidence toward God.

2. And whatever we ask we receive from Him (:22)

a. because we keep His commandments

b. and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

III.  And this is His commandment (:23-24)

A. that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ (:23)

B. and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

1. Now he who keeps His commandments abides (:24)

a. in Him

b. and He in him.

2. And by this we know that He abides in us

a. by the Spirit

b. whom He has given us

We know love and truth, and are able to experience confidence through God.  What a blessing and joy to experience such a wonderful opportunity, and all by having a sweet fellowship and walk with the Lord!  But we mustn’t stop there… we have such great good news for others to enjoy as well!  Love one another…  “this is His commandment.”  If we keep HIS commandments, we abide in HIM and HE in us….

ABIDE (dwelleth):  a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for)…

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.  As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  John 15:7-12

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“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands… and purify your hearts…”  James 4:8
.

6 - NEXT ISSUE

Join us in the next issue when we continue in the book of 1 John.

7 - PARTICIPATION

Please feel free to share your stories of encouragement with ECHO.  Share your letters of hope, your favorite verses … a web link you enjoy or have been blessed by… etc.

This spot is reserved for you to fill…..

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 6:00 PM

Subject: Fw: THE SECRET

I thought this was nice. Wanted to share...

--Vicky

The Secret

One day, one friend asked another,

"How is it that you are always so happy?

You have so much energy,

and you never seem to get down."

With her eyes smiling, she said,

"I know the Secret!"

"What secret is that?"

To which she replied,

"I'll tell you all about it,

but you have to promise to

share the Secret with others."

"The Secret is this:

I have learned there is little I can do

in my life that will make me truly happy.

I must depend on God to make

me happy and to meet my needs.

When a need arises in my life,

I have to trust God to supply

according to HIS riches.

I have learned most of the time

I don't need half of what I think I do.

He has never let me down.

Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."

The questioner's first thought was,

"That's too simple!"

But upon reflecting over her own life

she recalled how she thought a bigger house

would make her happy, but it didn't!

She thought a better paying job

would make her happy, but it hadn't.

When did she realize her greatest happiness?

Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren,

playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,

a simple gift from God.

Now you know it too!

We can't depend on people to make us happy.

Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.

Trust HIM!

And now I pass the Secret on to you!

So once you get it, what will you do?

YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!

That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!

But it's not really a secret...

We just have to believe it and do it.

Really trust God!

~~~~~

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 2:21 AM

Subject: Bible Bulletin Board

http://www.biblebb.com/  

~~~~~

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 5:42 AM

Subject: Daniel, thought you might like this one!

I found this page on a very nice site. Check it out at, http://www.fathershands.com/almighty/

~~~~~

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 6:35 PM

Subject: Rush!

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old,
this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside.
The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth
it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside
the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.
I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing
away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, sp! lashing so carefree as a child
came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom,
let's run through the rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked.

"Let 's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged
at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can
get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all
stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment
about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even
ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent
trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just
needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes,
through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked.
But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money,
and they can take away your health. Bu t no one can ever take away your precious memories...So,
don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there
is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

William C. (Butch) Wilson, MD

ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Sincerely yours,

Daniel
"Family For God ~ 2005"
Philippians 1:6
 

ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO