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Mission
True Life Family Ministries was founded to offer Christian encouragement, support, teaching, and empowerment to individuals, youth, and families. It's mission is to deliver a message of love, grace and hope in a heart-felt, life-touching way. To accomplish this, it is the goal of TLFM to provide practical teaching, life coaching, encouragement, resources, and spiritual guidance, based on principles taught throughout the Bible and in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Bible offers a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and instruction. It is God's story of His love for humankind. Within its pages we discover valuable teaching and insights that are both practical and relevant to the circumstances which characterize our lives today. I believe God created every human being to be unique and special and that He loves each and every one! Through Jesus Christ, His Son, God's desire is to empower all those who seek Him to discover who He created them to be and to teach them how to live abundant, purposeful lives, filled with His love.
TLFM has a heart-felt desire to assist people of all ages in discovering God's deep and everlasting love for them and to help them grow toward becoming all God created them to be. If you or someone you know is seeking Christian guidance for life's difficult challenges or is perhaps in need of practical resources for spiritual growth or ministering to others, TLFM is here to help. Jesus Christ has promised an abundant life to all who believe and who call upon Him. It is both our mission and desire to minister the truth of God's love by sharing Christ's life-changing message and example with others. Working both independently and in cooperation with other ministries, by God's grace, this mission can be accomplished... one person, one family, one community at a time! Please read our Statement of Faith below.
If TLFM can assist you in any way, please contact me. I will be happy to serve you. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly!
Love in Christ,
Angela Dobbins
Angela Dobbins, Founder
Discover Jesus today...
and change your life forever.
TLFM is a Family Ministry
What is a "Family" and what are "family values"?
What does it mean to be a Christian?
Statement of Faith
� Having faith that the writers of the original Holy manuscripts (our Holy Bible) were inspired by God and that all scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. That Jesus Christ was and is the living Word of God and that God's Holy Spirit grants us discernment of the Holy scriptures, as well as instruction, guidance, wisdom, and vision for today. (John 1:1-14, John 14:26, John 16:7-8, John 16:13, Rom. 5:5, 1 Cor. 2:10-14, 2 Cor. 3:15-17, 2 Pet. 1:21)
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� Having faith that there is One God, eternally existent in three facets: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That these three comprise the God of all power and authority, Creator of the universe. (Gen.1:26, John 1:1-3, John 10:30, John 15:26)
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� Having faith that our Lord Jesus Christ was God in human form, in His virgin birth, in His perfect life, in His miracles, in His atoning death for the sins of all humankind through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. Salvation is given to ALL those who believe and receive Him. (The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, John 1:12-13, John 3:16)
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� Having faith that Jesus Christ came to earth, as God in the bodily form of man, to fulfill the Old Testament Law; to reveal to us, by His life's example and teaching, the fullness of God's unconditional love for humankind; and to introduce to us the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. In so doing, He set into place a new dispensation under which we are now living today- the dispensation of Grace. Therefore, we are no longer living under the Law but under God's Grace, by which we are saved through Jesus Christ. (John 15:12-14, Rom. 3:10, 23-24, Eph. 2:7-9, 1 John 4:8-10)
� Having faith in the divinely given Baptism of the Holy Spirit, as well as the ceremonial baptism in water for public professing of our faith in Christ Jesus. That the Holy Spirit offers guidance into all truth for those who believe and who seek to know the will of the Father. And that the Holy Spirit was given to us, in addition to the Holy scriptures, that God's Spirit might dwell among us- teaching us, encouraging us, comforting us, enlightening us, revealing to us what God would have us know, in His time. (Mat. 3:11, Mat. 28:19, John 3:5, John 14:16, Acts 2:38, 1 Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:27)
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� Having faith that those who know and love God will exhibit love toward their fellow humankind as an outward sign. That the lives of those who know and love God will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, which includes: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. That those who know and love God will show love to others. (Mat. 22:37-40, John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:8-10, Gal. 5:22) .
A Definition of "Family"
(Please scroll down to also read "In God's Family there is Love".)
A Family Is...
A Family is a Place
To cry
To laugh
To vent frustration
To ask for help
And tease
And yell
To be kissed and hugged and smiled at.
A Family is People
Who care when you are sad
Who love you no matter what
Who share your triumphs
Who don't expect you to be perfect
Just grow with honesty
In your own direction.
A Family is a Circle
Where we learn to like ourselves
Where we learn to make good decisions
Where we learn to think before we do
Where we learn integrity and respect for others
Where we are special
Where we share ideas
Where we listen and are listened to
Where we learn the rules of life
To prepare ourselves for the world.
The world is a Place
Where anything can happen.
If we grow in a Loving Family
We are ready for the world.
~ Author Unknown
In God's Family There Is Love
by Angela Hall Dobbins
I like the little prose above, "A Family Is...", and wish I knew who wrote it because it conveys so much of what I believe a godly family should be. When I say this, I am not only referring to individual families, but to our church and neighborhood families, as well. It would do us great good to consider the author's words in describing what a family should be.
When you think about it, there are all different kinds of families. There are biological families, blended families, adoptive families, extended families, school and work families, organizational families, team families, community families, and more. Each of us belongs to a family, whether it be small or large. Most of us are part of more than one family. But the most wonderful thing is that we are ALL part of God's Family!
It is in God's Family that we have refuge and find strength to face the day-to-day challenges life brings. In God's Family we are accepted, loved and cared for as His children. Each and every one of us is unique and special to our Heavenly Father. In His Family we find shelter, comfort, guidance, strength, and peace, as we learn to receive God's love and to love Him and others in return.
In God's Family, there are children with many colored faces, differing characteristics, and from all walks of life. We are all different because He created us that way. He delights in our differences and loves each one of us with a love that is everlasting and unconditional. It is here in God's Family that we discover what a loving Father our Creator really is and that we learn and grow in grace and wisdom, as we receive and share His love.
In today's world, we are faced with so many challenges and external forces which threaten to destroy our families. At a time when there is so much talk concerning "family values" and what an "ideal family" should be, it is important that we remember who we are as God's children and that we strive to uphold the loving values taught in His Word. By "His Word", I am referring not only in His written word, the Bible, but to the true Word of God- Jesus Christ His Son. He is the Living Word of God to us and the ultimate example of God's love for humankind.
Always remember... in God's Family, there is Love, first and foremost. True "family values" are those taught in the book of I Corinthians, chapter 13, in the Ten Commandments, and in the words of Jesus found in Matthew 22:36-40*. Individual families are as different and unique as the members who belong to them. And an "ideal family" is one where God is honored and where love abounds!
May God Bless You Abundantly!
Love in Christ,
Sister Angela Dobbins
Our home is built
with the light of God's love,
caring and sharing
His gifts from above.
*Scripture References:
Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." ESV
Joshua 24:15 "...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." KJV
Matthew 22:36-40 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." KJV*
*Note: See God's Laws of Love below for illustration
John 1:12 "To all who did receive him [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" NIV
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" NKJV
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." NIV
Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. KJV
I Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..." NIV
I Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." NIV
I John 3:1 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God." ESV
I John 3:16 "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." NIV
The Ten Commandments...
God's Ancient Laws of Love
Consider this-
Jesus said...
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matt. 22:37*
The first 4 Commandments in the Old Testament are about loving our LORD God and honoring Him:
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make unto you any graven image.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.
and...
"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matt. 22:39*
The 6 remaining Commandments are about loving and honoring one another:
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not kill.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet...any thing that is your neighbor's.
Jesus concluded, "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. 22:40*
Think about it, if we love God and, in turn, love one another, our actions are going to reflect that love. A person who loves God has no desire to anger or hurt Him by worshipping false God's and idols. Nor does he or she wish to dishonor God by failing to show respect for His ordinances, like observing the sabbath and honoring the position He has given to parents. A person who truly has the love of God in his or her heart will show love toward others, as well. When considering the acts of murder, adultery, theft, lying and covetousness, we must agree they are all very unloving acts.
Therefore, we might well consider these ancient Ten Commandments to be God's "Laws of Love" for humankind. Jesus summed them up in just two. Today, it might do us well to consider teaching these once again, both in our homes and in our schools, and to again inscribe them on the walls of our public buildings. Because what we can certainly use more of, in a world that's filled with acts of hatred and violence of every kind, is not more of man's laws... but more of God's LOVE.
*Verses from KJV
What does it mean to be a Christian?
It seems, sadly, that the label of "Christian" in today's society has come to have a much different meaning than that of being a true follower of Jesus Christ. The life of Christ, compared to the lives of many, which demonstrate arrogance, indifference, self-righteousness, hatred, and even acts of violence in His name, reflects the spirit of God's love. I believe the following poem, written in 1988 by Carol Wimmer, says so much about what it truly means to be a Christian. It is in the spirit, portrayed in the words of Carol's poem and reflected in the life of Jesus Christ, that we should endeavor to live our lives.
,
When I say "I am a Christian"
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it
When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name
When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved
Copyright � 1988 Carol Wimmer
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