A Blessed Stallion

A Blessed Stallion

Like a stallion
You were wild and strong

You lived with passion
As you roamed along

You had no desire
To live life in a boring pen

Though, your time was short
You charged through it, yet taking it all in

You touched many lives
As you ranged about, so inexhaustibly

Upon many hearts
Your mark has been etched permanently

The beauty of your joyfulness
Was a wonder to behold

It seemed you were one
Who would age but never grow old

Now that you are gone
My tears shower down as rain and drop like dew

I pray you knew
Just how much I loved you

I am glad God gave me
You to be my little brother

I thought we had more
Time to continue to live, learn, and love each other

But, the Lord called your name
And you had only one option - to reply

God opened up the gates to heaven
And called you to dwell in greener pastures on high

I miss and I love you and so I mourn
Yet I rejoice that I will see you again on that great gettin’ up morn’

For Now, Rest In Peace Larry DeWayne Reed
Forever your brother, and Brother in Christ, indeed!!!

RevLarryDaleReedSr
I Owe Jesus
2/16/08

Rest In Peace My Brother

Larry Dewayne Reed
01/18/71 - 02/08/08
Fare Thee Well My Baby Brother.
I will see you on that great gettin' up mornin'


Love Buut

When Facing a Financial Famine

When Facing a Financial Famine

When facing a financial famine
God has some wise counsel that you should examine
Trust in Him to supply all of your need
By faith, He will sustain you if you will follow His lead

I, myself, have survived a financial famine or two
God always made a way; He led me right on through
I had to learn to walk by faith in the face of my dire plight
Depending upon Him fortified me; my burdens got light

The load was not as heavy; my perspective was changed
By seeing things His way, my priorities were rearranged
He directed the use of the finances He entrusted to my care
As I needed more, I trusted Him for the how, when, and where

I did without things I thought I could not live devoid of
For, life’s must-have possession is Jesus and His wonderful love
I learned a more meaningful definition of what is true success
Success is also in having little and making of it what is best

I learned that I could start over even from just about nil
I learned to swallow my pride and humbly seek His will
I grew to disregard mockers-their looks and things said
I put one foot in front of the other and marched straight ahead

I stopped stressing by confessing, in faith, what the Word fed
Joy and peace grew within and I slept well when I went to bed
In my financial poverty, I acquired great spiritual wealth
For in my fall, I came to pursue and know the Lord in greater depth

Through your financial famine, I encourage you to pray
Unity with His will braces you against the pull to go astray
In your financial crisis, let His peace bind your stress
Believe He is God Almighty and to Him all things acquiesce

Bear in mind, you are not alone; most have suffered at times
Fiscal setbacks do not mean you are guilty of moral crimes
However, own up to it, if your condition is due to your sin
Admit your fault, forsake it, God will clear and cleanse you within

Do not be too proud to seek out supportive specialized assistance
We make things worse because of our prideful reluctant resistance
If creditors are unyielding to aid, strive to keep your composure
Consider two angry parties can hardly act as one to bring real closure

Keep in mind that in every start there will spring forth a finish
Your need may be severe, but, know that God can more than replenish
Many saints have suffered penury and found tough times do not last
In His truth, God pours out timely blessings, so you just holdfast

God may not deliver you through a quick fix or a sudden cure
You may travel the long road to recovery; by Him, you will endure
Believe that God is working to bring about His higher good
You will see His grace and mercy, just as He said you would

If you have more than enough, to meet your particular needs
Be your brother’s keeper; let your life be full of merciful deeds
Never forget the eternal riches that await us on the other shore
The mess we face now ought to make us long to go there, more

Let me remind you that down here, even for the wealthy, trouble abounds
We should base our lives on material that matters, things forever sound
I desire to sway you to trust Jesus as you triumph over economic strife
He can do more than fix your money; He can endow your soul eternal life

Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when
[suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make
themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
Proverbs 23:5 (Amplified Bible)

But the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His
unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive
in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and
our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:18-22 (New Living Translation)

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
2/1/08

And Go Said, "NO!"

And God said, "NO!"

I asked God to take away my pride, and God said, "NO!"
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, and God said, "NO!"
He said, "Her spirit is whole, and her body is only temporary!"

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said, "NO!"
He said, that patience is a by-product of tribulation; it isn't granted, it's earned!

I asked God to give me happiness, and God said, "NO!"
He said, He gives blessings; happiness is up to me!

I asked God to spare me pain, and God said, NO!
He said, "Suffering draws you apart from wordly cares, and brings you closer to Me!"

I asked God to make my spirit grow, and God said, "NO!"
He said, I must grow on my own, but He will prune me to make me more fruitful!

I asked God if He loved me, and God said, "YES!!!"
He gave His only Son who died for me, and I will be in Heaven someday because I believe!

I asked God to help me love others as much as He love me,
And God said, "Ahhhh, finally ~ you have the idea!"

~ Claudia Weizs ~

More Than Mere Pawns in a Game

More Than Mere Pawns in a Game

God save the children. There are so many children in such insecure situations throughout this world that it is overwhelming to consider. The ravages of war, poverty and economic inequality, familial fracture and the resultant friction, sinking societal morality, governmental indifference, token responsiveness, or prejudice; and sometimes just plain poor parenting have left many children longing for fundamental things. Every child should be loved, have a sense of belonging, possess emotional, material, and physical security, and have someone to guide and help him or her grow into his or her fullest potential.

Through no fault of their own, many children are stuck in the middle of mess created by adults who should be looking out for their wellbeing. It often seems that they are mere pawns in a game.

Children’s lives are hanging in the balance between parents at war with each other; between feuding political leaders battling for power; between community agencies stretched thin trying to be everywhere, doing everything on shoestring budgets or grossly mismanaged resources; and sadly between churches with apathetic members whose idea of ministry is just being at church on Sunday morning. There are ministries in sheep clothing who are more hell bent towards building brand image doing token things to net big bucks for decadence making it hard for legitimate entities to make a greater impact.

Some children feel voiceless, valueless, and possess a deep void within. Internal agony and external eruptions stem from a variety of factors. Some have seen and experienced violence firsthand. Some have feelings of powerlessness and a desire for greater control arising from being tutored by an environment where you dominate or you will be dominated. There some have had every ounce of drive to move forward in life wrung out of them. Some have been often promised more, most of the time received much less, and are weighed down with feelings of betrayal, neglect, and insignificance.

Some have been torn by the gut wrenching demand to choose between mommy and daddy and sometimes the best choice would have been neither based on the scarcity of true affection, meaningful interaction, and emotional, material support given. Those ever so close to them have harmed some to their core. Drug, physical, and sexual abuse and physical and emotional abandonment have left lasting scars.

Our children deserve so much better, so much more from us, adults, who should know better since we were once children ourselves and desirous to grow up in a good environment, a stable home with loving parents free from unnecessary hardship. Though we, ourselves, may have had it hard, we should want and strive to do better by and for our own children.

All adults, whether they be parents or not, should be concerned about the welfare of all children everywhere. If we live, long enough, these children will have to manage the world where we live and care for us when we are in a stage of life where we may no longer be able to care for ourselves. We should do better, because we can do better and if for no other reason than that it is just the right thing to do.

Parents, stop using your children as a way to exact vengeance on one another. Recognize that whatever you pour into your child sooner or later will be poured out-good, evil, or indifference. Failing to promote achievement, morality, responsibility, and dependence upon God will make you cry in the end and most likely damage the welfare of another generation to come.

Understand that being there for your child, means more than being in the same house. Make yourself available for meaningful dialogue to connect with them. If they need help that you are not equipped to give then you get up and you get out and find them the help they need.

Set a good standard for them by the way you live. Be a person of decency, honesty, self-discipline, and productiveness. Remember that your actions, your decisions have consequences and could put your family in unnecessary unstable positions, whether it be management of your personal finances, career choices, or your dating habits. Be aware of the character of the people you allow to be around your children, their friends and yours, too. Be involved in their educational process. Tell them you love them and show them that they matter by showing the love that you profess.

Bring them into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and rear them by His teachings for you will not be able to find a better foundation than that of Jesus Christ.

Children are awesome little wonders from God. Yes, they may tax us with their seemingly endless energy, their constant chatter, and the immaturity of their age. But, let us give them what we desire, love, which is manifested in patience, compassion, and appreciation.

There are some things so obvious that you don’t need another test to measure it. I sometimes consider whether God, in His infinite wisdom, may be using our children as a mirror to show us what is really within ourselves. Though we may be more affluent, we are struggling due to blindness. We have blindness of heart to see reality because we don’t have the time, we don’t have the patience, and we have on our rose colored glasses which provide for us a more desirous alternative view which is only a mirage, it is better to lookout for number one and let others fend for themselves, even one’s own seed.

We don’t really care to come to the realization that many of are children are failing to cope and failing to make the grade because we are failing them. We are failing our future by failing our children today.

The key to tomorrow is in the hands of today’s children. What are we storing up and leaving on the other side of the doors that they must open and enter a future of hope or havoc?

God, in Your great mercy, save Your children! Your word teaches that they are gifts to be treasured from You. (Psalm 127:3-5) In Jesus name, Amen.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
1/22/2008

God or Bust

God or Bust

There have been those who measurably did shun
God for a life filled with frolic and fun.
Having loads of fun makes life seem like a blast
But, the feature on fun is it does not last.
To God, one quickly ought now to run.
Fun here ceases, but the hereafter’s joy with Him will never pass.

There are others who, all for a worldly name,
Ignored God and tried to beat the world at its game.
Having a worldly name today may seem all the rage.
But, a name built on a passing world is not a wise gauge.
Trust in God for an identity that will not end in shame.
A name given by God will ever shine, no matter the changing age.

There have been some who became members of a local church
Who trusted not in God and were blind to their precarious perch.
To be attached to a local church without true knowledge of God
Is to be ignorant of God’s will and judgment’s pending proving rod.
The Lord delights not in fanciful falsehood for it elicits besmirch.
Be real in your walk so you will not miss Heaven being spiritually unshod.

There are many who have lived life with a hatred of all things holy
Who refused to acknowledge God using logic that was holey.
Though, each day the mirror showed the image of God so clearly,
Blindness blocked the view due to failing to embrace God dearly.
If one, would only open up and listen to the Gospel solely,
They would come to know the love of Jesus shown at Calvary so sincerely.

There are others who have known the Lord but strayed down a fleshly route
Who realized that peace and joy withered away due to their sinful pursuit.
The believer should ever praise God for His mercy, His Spirit, and His Word.
Though we stray, repentance will come, once our heart has truly been spurred.
Saints let us ever trek upon the righteous path and be resolute.
Let us follow Him so close that our faith, by His power, He will gird.
`
A life devoid of or un-devoted to God will end in a woeful bust.
Your time is running out, for you to seek Him now is a must.
Do not put off until tomorrow what you should do today.
A tomorrow is coming which will be void of words you would normally say,
For it is appointed unto men once to die and his body to return to dust.
If you desire to be with God ever, believe on Jesus now, He is the only way.

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. John 14:6 (Amplified Bible)

This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12 (Amplified Bible)

RevLDReedSr
IOweJesus

State of Rage

State of Rage

Have you ever been in a state of rage?
To rage is to go on a volatile emotional rampage.
What did your demonstrative outburst resolve?
Being enraged forces your dignified demeanor to dissolve.
Does extreme fury dominate you, ruining while ruling your life?
Being terribly angry provokes friction, spiraling downward to strife.
Do you become incensed, bursting with mean looks and words spoken?
When infuriated, people lose control and relationships are often broken.
Does being very riled up cause you to forfeit joy, peace, and rest?
Becoming too upset robs you; mind, body, and soul health, rage will arrest.
Can you, at this time, grasp how excessive anger brings you harm?
It is akin to a lethal discharge of passions from an emotional firearm.
Are you quick to blame others for the vile behavior that you display?
In the end, your behavior is a result of your choices to do things your way.
Is it difficult for you to accept responsibility for your destructive angry actions?
Admit your fault; seek help before someone is hurt by your hot overreactions.
Have you truly tried the power of God to calm the raging storm within?
Jesus can save, sanctify, and settle, if you earnestly call Him, The Prince of Peace will come in.


When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32 (Amplified Bible)

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
1/10/2008

God Said Go!!!

God Said Go!!!
Matthew 28:19 Go Ye

He said in Luke 4:18-19 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus said in Luke 19:10 The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The church-the called out body of baptized believers-have been commissioned-that is we have been granted power and authority to transact God’s business here on earth. In a parable in Luke 19 He said, “Occupy till I come.” He said that to His 10 servants to which He delivered 10 pounds or 10 minas which is money.

Now occupy till I come means to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade. God has invested His resources in us and He is looking for a return on His investment. He has given you, as a Christian, Spiritual gifts, personal skills, talents, and abilities, and other resources such as time and finances to accomplish His will of lifting up the name of Jesus that He may draw all men unto Himself. We are to let our little light shine for Christ. God made an investment in us and Jesus is coming again to see how much every man has gained by trading.

Now many of us in the body of Christ have gotten hung up on ourselves. Many have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Being ignorant of God's righteousness, and have gone about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted ourselves unto the righteousness of God. Churches have become man centered, rather than Christ centered. Meaning we are catering to people by allowing them to dictate church operation rather than catering to God by obeying His commands.

A church is a people who are associated together for the worship and service of the Lord. We want to worship but we don’t want to work. We like to sing but we don’t like to serve, unless we can be the boss. We like doctrine but we don’t like doing it. Faith without works is dead. We want God to work for us-like a personal slot machine and body guard. God was not created for us. He created us for Himself. John the revelator records in Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.

People are bold to tell folk off in the church and scared to offer Jesus to someone as a personal Savior. We like to hear the Word, but we have fear to carry the Word to the ones who need it…The sinners-the unsaved-the lost-the one’s that sin has held captive. They need preaching to. We spend most of our time preaching to the choir. God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. These tools should make it easy to evangelize. Evangelism has been put on the shelf. We have left off building God’s Heavenly kingdom with souls to build our earthly kingdoms with stuff…

I have been commissioned…you have been commissioned…The church has been commissioned…The deacons, the mission, the ushers, the choir, the mothers, the youth…all Christians have been commissioned… To Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel men and women, boys and girls, doctors and lawyers, the workers and the unemployed, teachers and students, black, white, yellow, and brown men…Go and compel them to come in, that God’s house may be filled.

Some of us worry about insufficiencies…I don’t know what to say…I don’t know what to do…Jesus has the answer for your problem…Acts 1:8 says ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. God the Holy Spirit is your vehicle, your translator, and your motivator…Lo, I will be with you. God said Go and we all ought to be on the move…

God said G.-O. God Ordered Matthew chap 28 says Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. por-yoo'-om-ahee – means depart, go (away, forth, one's way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk.

God said G.-O. Grand Opportunity Men everywhere need to be saved.
Isaiah said All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way
Peter said The Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Paul said God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth

God said G.-O. Get Out Your Comfort Zone, that pew, your rut, small dreaming, narrow mindedness, church stunting, laziness, pettiness, selfishness…Moses had issues with going…the church today has similar issues…Young Jeremiah- thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

God said G.-O. Get Onward Now is the time…don’t put it off until tomorrow, don’t wait to see who will help, don’t call a meeting and take a vote, move now…today if you hear His voice harden not your heart…Arise, take up thy bed, and walk…families are starving for salvation, fatherless children-need mentors, bosses need Jesus, enemies need Jesus, robbers, addicts, murderers, need a sanctified, Holy Ghost filled witness…Arise and Go Jonah to folk that treated you wrong…Arise and Go…

God said G.-O…God Owns You…God said G.-O…Good Occupation… God said G.-O…Great Obligation…We’ve been bought with a price…The reason I like to G.O. is because Christ went for me…He went out on Calvary when God the Father said GO!!! And you know what He did??? He died!!! They Got Him Off the cross and put Him in the grave and 3 days later He Rose…Do you know He rose with ALL Power…All Power…All Power in His hands…Hallelujah…Hallelujah…Thank You Jesus.

RevLDReed
I Owe Jesus
10/12/07

Lord, Make Me Wholly Thine

Lord, Make Me Wholly Thine

Ever enrapture my heart
And mature my mind.
Make me holy; make me Thine.
Make me wholly Thine.

Lastingly legitimize my walk with Thee
And harmonize my talk by Thy decree.
Make me holy; make me Thine.
Make me wholly Thine.

Forever fill my existence with Thy essence
And thrill my being with Thy presence.
Make me holy; make me Thine.
Make me wholly Thine.

Endlessly endear me unto Thy heart.
And steer me unto Thee, all, not just part.
Make me holy; make me Thine.
Make me wholly Thine.

Incessantly impregnate my will to bear unto Thee holy fruit
And truncate any desire within to err from Thy holy route.
Make me holy; make me Thine.
Make me wholly Thine.

Unendingly un-tangle me from fleshly fleeting carnal cares
And entangle me for eternity with Thy virtuous unending heavenly affairs.
Make me holy; make me Thine.
Make me wholly Thine.

Eternally empower me to perform Thy pure pleasure
And scour me within, without to be found to be Thy true treasure.
Make me holy; make me Thine.
Make me wholly Thine.

And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (Amp)

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
1/4/2008

Tips for a Great 2008

Be Diligent in your loving devotion to God-worship, bible study, fellowship, stewardship, prayer and loving service to men, being a light in this dark world

Beware of falling into error by compromising your faith to fit into the world or satisfy personal desires that are contrary to the will of God

Be earnest in growing, maturing in your faith and in personal heart knowledge and greater understanding of Christ-His person, His work, and His will for your life.

Read 2 Peter 3:14-18

Don’t Return the Wrong Gift

Don’t Return the Wrong Gift

John 1:11. …His own received Him not.

One of the hallmarks of Christmas is gift giving. Some make known that they are following the pattern of the Original Gift Giver, the Originator of all things, God Almighty. Judgment will tell the tale of whether that is true in the end.

Some gifts are long lasting and are passed down to another generation and others may be rendered useless before nightfall on Christmas day. Some gifts are for gags, for laughs and some are the entranceways into life altering lifetime relationships. Some gifts are expensive and some come from ‘Everything’s a Dollar’.

In the gift giving transaction, there is a giver and a receiver. Givers can give with the very best of intentions, but a gift given has no guarantee of a receiver’s approval or acceptance. A receiver can reject the most fitting gift given to them, and do so, sometimes with something as simple, yet powerful as a look.

After Christmas, we stand in line to take gifts back for refunds or swap, substituting one item for something else. Gifts may be returned because ‘it was not the one I wanted’ or a gift may be defective or ‘I thought I wanted it but now I don’t’.

To turn one’s nose up at a multicolored Christmas tree tie or the umpteenth Christmas Santa mug or bag of new socks is one thing, but to reject the only gift leading to eternal life is another.

Jesus is the gift that God gave to take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29, 3:16) Peter boldly declared, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

The toys, trinkets, and turtleneck sweaters of life have their place, but in the process and pull of time, they teeter, totter, fall down and apart, and then disappear forever.

The one thing left is the soul of man. The soul is inextinguishable, for it came from an inextinguishable God who made it thus. How shortsighted, we are to focus more on the temporariness of this life and fail ourselves by allowing our obsession with satiating our hunger for happiness today to blind us from considering more the huge hereafter, and especially our particular place in it.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” (Matthew 16:26-27)

There is no real substitute for Jesus. It is not possible to swap Him for something better, for there is nothing better. He who made us in His image and likeness, came down to save us, by sacrificing His body, shedding His blood at Calvary’s cross to give us the gift of eternal life.

Sadly, I have hurt the feelings of others by my former far from righteous callous conduct in rejecting their heartfelt gifts to me. Now some people may be as I used to be, very finicky, downright picky, or even arrogantly particular. To be honest, I was proud, selfish, and ungrateful. The proper diagnosis would be a heart void of love, because my life was truly void of Christ.

I thank God, for Jesus and His healing mercy and gracious delivering power, for He healed my wayward will when He delivered my soul from the grip of sin. Even He, was a gift that I once rejected when I heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, about His great love for me and did not act on it because I was errantly enamored with things that could not eternally satisfy. How foolish I was to return the wrong gift in rejecting God’s Son.

I praise God that He called and sent preaching preachers, who kept proclaiming the Gospel, until that day when I said in the words of this song,

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching o’er me,
I can sing though billows roll.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.

Take the world, but give me Jesus;
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see.

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

In my own words, “In the morning when I rise, at night when I close my eyes, just give me Jesus. No food on my table or fancy clothes with designer labels, just give me Jesus. No toys or no tree, I can be happy as I can be, if you just give me Jesus, the One who died for me.”
Don’t return the wrong gift, keep Jesus forever in your heart.

RevLDReed
I Owe Jesus
12/24/07

Take a mortgage reality check

Take a mortgage reality checkBy Julie McAdory

STRONG AND POSITIVE holiday memories are forged in most people's hearts. Meals around the dining room table, stockings hung by the chimney with care, the opening of gifts and the sharing of stories - all activities that take place at home.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater New Orleans wants to help consumers avoid foreclosure at any time, but particularly during this holiday season. In today's uncertain economic environment, George Bailey of "It's a Wonderful Life" fame would have plenty of company. Mr. Bailey didn't anticipate the run on his bank, and undoubtedly would have done some things differently had he known.

More fortunate

Today's homeowners are more fortunate in that they can protect themselves from financial surprises surrounding their mortgages by using the National Foundation for Credit Counseling's Mortgage Reality CheckSM. This self-diagnostic tool is a predictor of the likelihood of foreclosure.

Continuing its five decades of financially educating and assisting consumers, the NFCC, of which CCCS is a member, created the Housing Crisis Resource CenterSM, an online consumer resource available in English and Spanish. The English site can be found at www.HousingHelpNow.org, with the Spanish site at www.nopierdastuhogar.org.

Within each site, consumers can find a wealth of resources including the Mortgage Reality CheckSM quiz. After answering a few questions, the consumer is placed into one of three categories:

· Immediate advice or assistance recommended
· Review the responsibilities of homeownership
· No apparent risk

Get help now

Consumers at risk can immediately connect with a NFCC-certified housing counselor by phone or online, and begin constructing a plan to save their home. Others can use the resource tools on the site to improve their knowledge of the homeownership process and responsibilities.

"Homeownership is a dream worth preserving. Every consumer would benefit from visiting this site and taking the Mortgage Reality CheckSM," said Tom Collens, executive vice president.
Consumers can receive immediate assistance by calling CCCS at (800) 880-2221 or visiting www.cccsno.org. For more than 50 years, the NFCC has provided consumers with sound financial advice as the recognized leader in financial education and counseling services, assisting more than 2 million consumers a year.

Housing counseling is a core service of nearly all NFCC member agencies and most are HUD-approved housing counseling services.

· Julie McAdory is the Mississippi Education Director for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater New Orleans.