Stand Firm 4 Christ

God's Not Dead - by Newsboys

2012-01-31T19:45:00.000-05:00

Soul Surfer

2012-01-31T19:27:00.000-05:00

I do apologize for getting this out late but I am still in school and I have a future graduate needing to get things done before she graduates from high school in May.

Anyways on Sunday, January 1/29/12, late in the day I watched an awesome inspiring movie called Soul Surfer. She never knew what road Jesus was going to lead her down.

In the movie you hear this scripture:

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

And this one was mentioned which is also one of the sweetest, dearest ladies I know favorite verse.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

You can read all about her at her website: http://www.soulsurfer.com/about.html

Just seeing what she went through makes my problems really small but Jesus handles all of them no batter the size. She even questioned "why me? "Why would God allow this to happen to me?"

I highly recommend watching this movie and reading about her. Jesus uses all types of people, no matter the circumstances, to do His work. Just trust Him.

Faith - Part 1

2012-01-22T09:38:00.000-05:00

Do you see it here?

or here?

What am I asking you to look for in these photos? FAITH

We are going to study faith in several parts and the types of faith we have and the ability to believe in it.

The easiest way to explain faith is "believing in something not seen."

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith, not by sight.

Mark 11:22
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

There are different types of faith. We have intellectual, Godly and saving. Intellectual faith anyone can have, Christian or non-Christian. It is a personal view point and you do not have to have proof to believe in something to be true. Godly faith is a confidence the the Lord will fulfill is promises and Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ, who forgives us of our sins, the son of God and gives us everlasting life.

The Pharisees had the intellectual faith. They knew the laws and decrees but did not believe in Jesus Christ. They had no faith.

Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

I have be listening to Dr. Charles Stanley and he has mentioned there are grades of faith. As I listened to each one, I realize how true.

No Faith: We question if God cares or not, it is a lack of faith. We see this when Jesus rebukes a storm and he asks his disciples: Mark 4:40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Little Faith: The disciples were worried for they did not bring any bread to eat and this is after Jesus fed the 5000, Matthew 16:8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?

Great Faith: Jesus and his disciples met a Centurion, Matthew 8:8-10 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Failing Faith: We all have some sort of failing faith, even the disciples have failed. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Saving Faith: the best gift we could ever get the receiving of Jesus Christ our Savior. Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

In order to have a saving faith, one needs to believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, the son of God. Like those pictures, what I see that God created everything from us to the universe. That is my FAITH and I am sticking to it!

Come back next week to learn more about faith. Until then.

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

2012-01-14T18:45:00.000-05:00

This is a quote from someone on Bibleknowledge.com:

The lyrics to the song is a great reminder to always keepour faith up in the Lord, even through the most trying of circumstances, as younever know when God will come in with the answer to your prayer and cause you to rise back up again.

Hebrews 11

Faith in Action

¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:6

⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

2 Corinthians 5:7

⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight

Where Do You Turn in the Time of Need?

2012-01-07T20:22:00.000-05:00

If you are in need where do you turn?

Our lives seem to go in so many directions that we seem to get lost in it.

We all eventually face situations or fall in tocircumstances in our lives and we do not know where to turn in the time of need.It can happen more than once in our lives too. Some people may turn to drugs,alcohol, sex, pornography, shopping, eating or something that can be ofcomfort. That comfort is only temporary and eventually you will have to faceyour situation or circumstance head on.

Let me say this, there is someone who you canturn to for comfort, direction, and strength.

Hebrews4:12, 14-16

NewInternational Version (NIV)

¹² For the wordof God is alive and active.

¹⁴ Therefore,since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly tothe faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a highpriest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who hasbeen tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace withconfidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our timeof need.

God came to earth as flesh and has suffered justlike we do.

Hebrews2:18

NewInternational Version (NIV)

¹⁸ Because hehimself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are beingtempted.

So God understands what we aregoing through and He is there for us when we are in need of comfort andsupport. His mercy is that He gives to us when we do not deserve it and Hisgrace is He gives to us when we did not earn it. He loves us so much that he isthere with us through everything and will never leave us.

Deuteronomy31:8

The LORDhimself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you norforsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Just talk to God and ask Him for courage,strength, direction and help. He will answer but in His perfect timing and inHis perfect way but no matter what He is always with us.

Negatives Vs Positives

2012-01-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

I don't see this as the positives out weighing the negatives, I see this as the negatives are on top of the positives. There are more negatives heard than there are positives in our world today. Let's see what we hear a lot of when we speak.

"I can't do it"

"I'm not good enough"

"I'm going to fail"

"I'm not healthy"

"I'm tired"

"I'm getting old"

"That is just my luck"

"I can't afford it"

(Stanley, 2011)

I am sure there are plenty more things we have heard that sound a lot like the small list above. Feelings of inadequacy drains the energy and the life out of all of us. Things like this are what is called a predator. It takes from us.

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

What we say does matter, whether we say it to someone else or to ourselves. It can be good words or bad words. The bad words disregards the sovereignty of God. Negative words and attitudes will make you feel unmotivated.

Here is where God can come in. Only he can come to the rescue.

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

With God we can reaffirm our statements from negatives to positives. Let's look at this list of positives.

"I will reach my goal"

"I am going to get well"

"I can do it"

"I am not tired"

"God provides enough"

"I choose to obey God no matter what"

(Stanley, 2011)

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves,

but our competence comes from God.

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on

to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

We can rely on God's power to work through us. Because of him, it is true and reliable, it is his promise. The promise of Philippians 4:13 is based on three things.

1. Where we stand in Christ and accepting his gift of salvation.

2. Who we know Jesus to be, he is Lord and Savior.

3. His promise is always with us. (Stanley, 2011)

God determines our future, he is in control at all times and he equips us with a positive attitudes over the negative attitudes.

References

Charles Stanley, (2011) Confidence that Conquers

www.intouch.org

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

As this New Year begins it is time to not only renew in the new year but to renew things in my life.

This is not a resolution but a work in progress everyday. Now is the time to take it to heart.

How Many Kings?

2010-12-25T09:15:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all.

I have posted this song before but here is a new video of it.

The Village Poem

2010-12-16T06:46:00.000-05:00

It was in a little village,

on a simple village night,

when a message for the Ages,

was sent in Timeless Light.

The Star that shone above -

the music Shepherds heard,

was all a song of Love,

that carried God's own Word.

Today we still remember.

Beyond the city's rush;

beyond the tinsel of December,

the Truth calls forth a hush..

Some will pause to listen,

beyond the noisy throng,

they'll see the Star that glistens,

and hear the old sweet Song.

Somewhere in a little village,

a simple scene recalled,

still - in simple mangers,

the wondrous Starlight falls.

The Cowboy, and the cattle;

the Shepherd and the flock,

may hear the Angels singing,

and the Truth is not forgot.

Today we still remember.

Beyond the city's rush,

beyond the tinsel of December,

the Truth calls forth a hush.

Some will pause to listen,

beyond the noisy throng,

they'll see the Star that glistens,

and hear the old sweet Song.

In a little village, Christmas poem © by Betty J. Curtis.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

2010-11-22T20:57:00.000-05:00

Psalms 136:1-9,23-26 (NIV)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Give thanks to the God of gods.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

to him who alone does great wonders,

who spread out the earth upon the waters,

who made the great lights~

the sun to govern the day,

the moon and starts to govern the night;

to the One whom remembered us in our low estate

and freed us from our enemies,

and who gives food to every creature.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.

Give our Lord the thanks for saving us,

and sacrificing His life for us.

Thank you my Lord, my King!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Time Management

2010-11-14T16:27:00.000-05:00

As some of you already know I have gone back to school. I started at Colorado Technical University (CTU) today Nov. 14 2010. My graduation date is 5/2012. I am excited to be going to school and I have to thank our Lord for getting me to this point in my life. I have to remember that it was all Him and have to maintain Him as the driver of my life.

Everyday I say out loud in my car or somewhere, "You are the Lord of my life, Lord, I trust you my Lord." There is no other way to be able to do all this without Him.

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.

Psalm 31:14 (NIV) But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."

So now time management plays a big part of my picture. There is work, classroom time, homework time, study time, tuning in assignments on time along with family time and as I say "me time" so I don't get burned out. But the most important time is "God Time". I need to make sure that I spend time with Him everyday even if it is a smidget, at least it is time with Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

That is a great verse to keep in my heart. Don't let human nature take control, lean on Him and acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight. It's His way not my way anymore and that's always a work in progress. Thank you Lord for what you are doing in my life. You are awesome!

Idols

2010-10-23T18:16:00.000-04:00

What is an idol?

Online Dictionary: an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.

Now mind you we don't necessarily have to get on our knees and bow down or kiss the feet of an idol. To have an idol is to put a person or thing in front of God Himself.

Ezekiel 6:9 (NIV) Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.

An idol could be a famous celeberty, a car, fashion, or anything made. When we put it in our hearts and set it above God then it is sin. Here is what one of the Ten Commandments say about having idols:

Exodus 20:3 (NIV) "You shall have no other gods before me"

We are to have no other gods/idols before Him. Have I ever had an idol? I'm sure over the years, especially in my younger years. I remember having posters on the wall of like Shawn Cassidy, Leif Garrett, and Andy Gibb just to name a few. Boy that kind of gives my age away doesn't it. Anyways if there weren't poster, then I had teen magazines. I really didn't have a nice car and I wasn't always in fashion with style. It's hard to be in fashion when you are a tom-boy.

Those who hang on to idols will never have the grace that God gives us. But he'll give all of us grace if we let go of the worthless idols and make Him the One and Only God.

Jonah 2:8 (NIV) "Those who cling to worthless idols

forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

He is our Lord and there is no other above or beside Him.

Isaiah 45:5 (NIV) He is our Lord and there is no other above or beside Him.
I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,

So we are to keep ourselves from having any kind of idols.

1 John 5:21 (NIV) Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

No matter how old we are, because He created us, we are His children. As for my idols now, don't have any, only God, my Lord, my King is my idol. He is my God.

Better Than A Hallelujah by Amy Grant

2010-10-20T15:18:00.000-04:00

Thanks Kelsey for singing this beautiful song Sunday morning. You did awesome!

Ezekiel 2

2010-10-19T16:07:00.000-04:00

1 He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you." 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

3 He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."

9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.

This spoke to me this morning. When it talks about "Son of man" that tells me it's talking about us. We are Son of man. The Spirit can speak to us whether on our feet or kneeling or sitting and so on. The Spirit does send us into the world to speak to those who are unbelievers. The world is obstinate, stubborn, and rebellious. We are to talk to them about our Lord and Savior. They may listen and they may not but we do live among them.

We should not be afraid but Satan likes to take hold of that and he's the reason why we don't speak out. We think the world will hate us and in actuality they hate Jesus Christ because they fear what He stands for. They don't want to change and Satan keeps hold of them that way. They will be thorns and briers but remember what all Jesus Christ went through for us. Our scroll is the Holy Word, the Bible. We are to use that when we speak to the world.

Thank you Lord for coming and saving me from this world. Thank you my Lord and precious Savior.

No Matter What

2010-10-17T07:38:00.001-04:00

Got this song from Ms. Debbies blog at Jeremiah 2911 and it's what I needed to hear this morning to get out of the slump I'm in because of things happening to me at work, which is not over yet. But I want to share this same song with you for it touched me and no matter what, I do need Him our Lord and Savior. Thanks Ms. Debbie for sharing and I hope you don't mind that I share it too.

He Is With You by Mandisa

2010-10-13T14:29:00.000-04:00

I heard this song this morning on the radio, when I really don't get Love 89 in a clear reception and it just really touched me, for how true it is that our Lord and Savior is always with us, even when we aren't always with Him. Just a great song and it's encouraging.

The Battle

2010-10-11T09:11:00.000-04:00

We are in a daily battle everyday of our lives as long as we are here on this planet earth. Our battles isn't really against our friends, family, neighbors, or other humans on this planet.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

When we were created, we were created in His image, another words God's image and He's not a person who likes to fight. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the devil has tried to take over the world to do his dirty work. So he gets to people and uses them to do his battles and that's where we have our fights and wars.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

He is constantly devouring us to do evil. There is a man in the Bible that used the most simplest tool to fight a battle. He fought with the Pharoh and his army. It wasn't a sword, spear and any sharp object that would hurt someone. It was a staff and the man was Moses.

Exodus 4:2-5 (NIV) Then the LORD said to him, "What is in your hand?" "A staff," replied he replied. The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. The the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. "This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers~the God of Abramham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob~has appeared to you."

The Lord appeared in that staff, to do signs and miracles for people to see. Besides the staff turning in to a snake, it also was used to have water come out of a rock, water turned in to blood and parted the Red Sea to give escape to the Israelites. But it really wasn't the stick that did it, it was our Lord who appeared in the stick who did all those things so people will believe. Today we have a tool that is just as simple as a staff, that will help us fight our battles.

It is God's Holy Words the Bible. We can use it everyday to help fight our battles. He gives us instructions on how to live and how to do our battles, how to trust him in everything. Only he can help us win our battles.

Ephesians 6:17 (NIV) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With Him by our side and the sharpest tool we can use, we can win the battle.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

It is all we need to fight this battle of evil that is spreading like a wild fire.

Psalm 149:6 (NIV) May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,

We have something that wasn't available to Mose in his days. He had his faith and had the opportunity to talk to God pretty much face to face. We too can talk to God and he hears us but we also have His Holy Words that we can read everyday. When we believe, trust, talk to him and read his instructions we will win this battle and there's nothing that will stand in our way as long as we lean on our Lord and Savior.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.

You won't win if you don't it on your own. Only the Lord can help you win as long as you trust him. Believe and trust Him today and he'll be there with you every step of the way to the end.

Let It Rise by Big Daddy Weave

2010-09-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

There are so many songs that I love and really enjoy listening to and this song is one of them.

There Is A God by 33 Miles.

2010-09-22T15:42:00.000-04:00

Heard this the other day in Tabitha's car when we went to my parents house to go look for a car for me. She had it on a CD she made. I really liked it and I hope you do too.

Secrets and the Judge

2010-09-19T08:35:00.001-04:00

Do you think you can hide your secret if you have one? You may be able to hide it from your family, friends, co-workers, church family but can you really hide it from God?

Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

You can't hide anything from God. We may try to hide in darkness but because He is the light of the world, it won't be hidden. He can see everything we do.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (NIV) For god will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing whether it is good or evil.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

The truth will come out sooner or later. Wouldn't it be easier to get it out now, and ask for forgiveness? Then it will be remembered no more by our Lord. But if you don't reveal it now it will be revealed later, for we all will stand before Him whether we are Christian or a non-Christian. No one will be excused from this event.

Romans 2:16 (NIV) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Acts 10:42 (NIV) He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom god appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

James 4:12a (NIV) There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the won who is able to save and destroy.

One Judge and he will decide the fate of all of us, unless you receive Him as your Savior and Lord, then your fate will be with Him forever. Which fate do you want, forever with Him or eternal suffering? Choose wisely as they say but it should be the easiest choice to make. What do you want to do? Blessing to all.

Romans 1:16

2010-09-17T18:26:00.000-04:00

Romans 1:16 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles.

Does not matter if you are a Jew, Gentile, American, African, Chinese, rich, poor, middle class, average Joe or some other ethnic back ground, Jesus Christ will save anyone who believes.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

If one doesn't believe then they tend to think that God doesn't exist and it's all stories in the Bible that aren't true. But true believers believe the truth. The Bible is the truth and it is the power of God. God Bless all of you.

Things seen and not seen.

2010-09-11T19:13:00.000-04:00

Romans 1:20 (NLT)
20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Romans 1:20 (NIV)
20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

See the proof of God does exist in all creation of things seen and not seen. How can someone not believe in God. You have to have a creator to create buildings, cars, appliances, etc.....and they are seen. So we have a creator who made things that we see everyday on earth and those things we don't see, it just didn't happen. Our whole universe is beautiful and uniformly designed and magnificent. Can't imagine not believing in someone who made all this. God Bless.

Remembering 9/11

2010-09-10T20:46:00.000-04:00

Another year has gone by and the anniversary of the attack on America is on us once again. This is the 10th anniversary of that tragic event. I just want remember all those who lost their lives in New York, the Pentagon and flight 93. They were just innocent by standers going about their day as if it were any other day. May God be with those families as they to will remember that day. May the Lord comfort us all on this day for it has affected not just us but many nations around the world.

Here is one of my favorite Scriptures which I think is appropriate for today to help remember and heal and find peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
Ecc 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecc 3:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
Ecc 3:3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
Ecc 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Ecc 3:5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
Ecc 3:6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
Ecc 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent j and a time to speak,
Ecc 3:8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

God Bless America.

History Tidbet

2010-09-09T15:36:00.000-04:00

When I started researching places for my past blog "Our Religious Freedom", I learned somethings I didn't know or didn't pay attention to in school way back when. I did some research on this stuff several months ago and couldn't find the words to type on Our Religious Freedom so it sat for awhile. Anyways I found out something interesting about our Pledge of Allegiance.

The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an oath of loyalty to the national flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. The Pledge has been modified four times since then, with the most recent change adding the words "under God" in 1954. The Pledge is predominantly sworn by children in public schools in response to state laws requiring the Pledge to be offered. Congressional sessions open with the swearing of the Pledge, as do government meetings at local levels, meetings held by the Knights of Columbus, Royal Rangers, Boy Scouts of America, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Freemasons, Toastmasters International and their concordant bodies, other organizations, and many sporting events.

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a Baptist minister, a Christian socialist, and the cousin of socialist utopian novelist Edward Bellamy (1850-1898). The original "Pledge of Allegiance" was published in the September 8 issue of the popular children's magazine The Youth's Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration of Columbus Day, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. The event was conceived and promoted by James B. Upham, a marketer for the magazine, in a campaign to encourage patriotism and the display of the American flag in public schools.

Bellamy's original Pledge read as follows:

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I didn't know that under God was not the original form of the pledge. Like I said I might not of paid any attention in class if they ever taught the history of our pledge.

In 1923, the National Flag Conference called for the words "my Flag" to be changed to "the Flag of the United States", so that new immigrants would not confuse loyalties between their birth countries and the United States. The words "of America" were added a year later. The United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge as the official national pledge on June 22, 1942.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

In 1951, the Knights of Columbus, the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization, also began including the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.[10] In New York City, on April 30, 1951, the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus adopted a resolution to amend the text of their Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of each of the meetings of the 800 Fourth Degree Assemblies of the Knights of Columbus by addition of the words "under God" after the words "one nation." Over the next two years, the idea spread throughout Knights of Columbus organizations nationwide. On August 21, 1952, the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus at its annual meeting adopted a resolution urging that the change be made universal and copies of this resolution were sent to the President, the Vice President (as Presiding Officer of the Senate) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The National Fraternal Congress meeting in Boston on September 24, 1952, adopted a similar resolution upon the recommendation of its president, Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart. Several State Fraternal Congresses acted likewise almost immediately thereafter. This campaign led to several official attempts to prompt Congress to adopt the Knights of Columbus’ policy for the entire nation. These attempts failed.

In 1952, Holger Christian Langmack wrote a letter to President Truman suggesting the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Langmack was a Danish philosopher and educator who came to America in 1911. He was one of the originators of the Prayer Breakfast and a religious leader in Washington, D.C. President Truman met with him along with several others to discuss the inclusion of "under God" and also "love" just before "liberty and justice".[citation needed] At the suggestion of a correspondent, Representative Louis C. Rabaut of Michigan sponsored a resolution to add the words "under God" to the Pledge in 1953.

President Eisenhower, though raised a Jehovah's Witness, had been baptized a Presbyterian just a year before. He responded enthusiastically to Docherty in a conversation following the service. Eisenhower acted on his suggestion the next day and on February 8, 1954, Rep. Charles Oakman (R-Mich.), introduced a bill to that effect. Congress passed the necessary legislation and Eisenhower signed the bill into law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

The phrase "under God" was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance June 14, 1954, by a Joint Resolution of Congress amending §7 of the Flag Code enacted in 1942.

And now we have: 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. I like how it sounds with under God for there is only one God and no other.

Ephesians 4:6 (NIV) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Our Religious Freedom!

2010-09-06T08:39:00.002-04:00

Slowly I see our freedom of religion fading away. Especially when it comes to other peoples views and opinions. I see the Muslims, Islams, Hindu's, and many other religions acting out their beliefs and it being accepted and the Christians (believers of Jesus Christ) getting stomped on. Found this on a website called Jeremiah Project.

Hatred and Discrimination of Christians
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. [Matthew 24:9-13]

Reaping What We've Sown

Because we have allowed the censorship of our public officials, our teachers, our elected representatives and our judges of expressing their faith in public, the predictable is happening: a generation of young people growing up with very little understanding of the spiritual principles on which our country was founded.
Our culture has taught them that right and wrong are abribrary - subjective - changing. (Jeremiah Project)

My daughter and I have talked about this a lot. She feels that her Christian beliefs are being discriminated against. She's asked why can't she express her beliefs and other religions can? She thinks it is just not fair and I'm with her. Look what has happened. An atheist found a way to take prayer out of school. Another person found away to take the 10 Commandments out of government buildings that up hold the law. Now there are people who want to take away "in God we trust" and "under God" off our money and out of the pledge allegiance.

A couple of years ago a petition went around my kids high school where a gay student wanted to start up a club for gays/lesbians so they would have a place to go. Now you see girls making out in our schools and maybe even boys doing the same. Yet the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a not-for-profit evangelical Christian organization founded in 1954 and that has been based in Kansas City, Missouri since 1956. Members are encouraged, but not required, to be athletes.

A religious organization, FCA uses the influence of coaches and athletes as a means of Christian evangelism. The group operates chapters based in schools, and operates camps, workshops and conferences.),
in my kids high school is not endorsed by the high school for something that happened. The can't have the school name printed on their t-shirts and their picture won't be in the annuals. They can come together before or after the school at the school but not during school hours. I remember that club as being one of the largest group on campus when I was in high some 25 years ago.

The men and women who came from the other world as they say back in the day they discovered America believed in God and our Lord. They held those Biblical principles. But we have an evil roaming about deceiving all people who don't believe in our Lord and Savior.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Job 1:7 (NIV) The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

Assault on the First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
- The Bill of Rights

Anti-American collectivists have been chipping away at the First Amendment for years.
Today it is hardly recognizable as an American right!
Today, we are living in a time where deceit, deception, and suppression of the truth has become an art form and the Courts across our land have become a breeding ground of termites eating away at our Constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech. (from Jeremiah Project)

How much longer sisters and brothers are we going to stand for this, being run over by other peoples beliefs and non-beliefs?

Separation of Church and State

Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in the area of "religious liberty," where godless collectivists in our society have redefined the First Amendment to mean a "wall of separation between church and state."

At the forefront of the religious liberty issue is an organization called Americans United for Separation of Church and State. In the name of religious liberty, Americans United (AU) has systematically fought to eliminate the acknowledgment of God in all areas where government is involved. AU has used "religious neutrality" as a vehicle to remove prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Bible and biblical moral values, the scientific evidence supporting creation, etc., from the public schools.

The First Amendment has been used to forcibly remove religion from not just our classrooms but all government institutions and to dilute the religious content of much of American life. The way liberals are interpreting the First Amendment today is that it prevents anyone who is religious from being in government. They say that violates the prohibition against church and state.

Today the so-called separation of church and state in America is also used to silence the church. When Christians speak out on issues, the hue and cry from the humanist state and media is that Christians, and all religions, are prohibited from speaking since there is a separation of church and state. (from Jeremiah Project)

As Christians we need to stand together and fight for our Lord and Savior. Here is what Jesus says:

Matthew 10:22 (NIV) "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Matthew 12:30 (NIV) "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."

Here's what our Lord says in the Old Testament.

Amos 8:11 (NIV) "The days are coming" declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land~not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD."

I believe it's happening, the signs are there. Are you going to stand to the end with the Lord, even if it might cost you your life? If it does cost you your life, at least you know where you are going, to a place where we will be renewed and no more of this growing old stuff and no more of this evil going around. I will be standing how about you.

(and if you want to read more about this study our Constitution, Amendments and even find websites like this Jeremiah Project. His Scripture he uses for his site is Amos 8:11.)

We need to be prepared and ready for what is coming. God Bless.

Out of My Hands by Jars of Clay

2010-09-03T19:56:00.001-04:00

I heard this song on the radio today driving my daughters new/used car. She can't drive a stick yet but she is learning. Great song.

I wasted the rescue,

Abandoned the mission.
I've failed by my own hand
And watched it all go wrong

You said You could save me
That I couldn't save myself
you said that You loved me
No matter what I've done

When the light is gone
And life is just a day we take
Still the fight goes on
To give my heart away

And It's out of my hands
It was from the start
In light of what You've done for me
In light of what You've done for me

You lifted my head
Set me apart
In light of what You've done for me
This is what You've done for me
It's out of my hands

You grow where the light is
Like trees in the highlands
We're bent by our own plans
To keep us in the dark

And I act like an orphan
Forget that You found me
But you came like a whisper
And saved me with a spark

When the light is gone
And life is just a dare we take
Still the fight goes on and on
To give my heart away

And it's out of my hands
It was from the start
In light of what You've done for me
In light of what You've done for me

Recall Notice

2010-08-30T19:34:00.000-04:00

This was sent by one of my friends and I don't know who wrote it. Here it is:

RECALL NOTICE:

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or Year,
due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve,
resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality,"
or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect,
is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS,
has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN
through the REPENTANCE procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is,
Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self Control

Please see the operating manual,
the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action
will have to be scrapped in the furnace.
The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter his Kingdom
so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention! GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible
by notifying others of this important recall notice,
and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!

Because He Lives

I Am He!

2010-08-27T10:59:00.000-04:00

Isaiah 41:4 (NIV) "Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD~with the first of them and with the last~I am he."

Deuteronomy 32:39 (NIV) "See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand."

Stumbled across these Scriptures and just thought of how it explains about the only God we have and all that He can do. Blessings!

Who's Plans

2010-08-19T16:05:00.000-04:00

Did you make plans for your life when you were in middle or high school? One of my friends and I made plans in elementary school to go look for the sunk ship the Andrea Doria, when we grew up. Don't know why or how we ever got the idea to look for it.

Then there are the should of, could of, would of's and the "if's". My childhood dream was to become an astronaut. Love outer space but did I bother to ask how to get to that point. No. Didn't know I had to go into the Air Force to go to the moon back in the day. One thing I do have that I was going to do if I ever had a baby girl, was name her Tabitha spelled with an i not an a. I watched a lot of Bewitched back in those days and just loved that name. And I have that girl and have had her named picked out since about the 5th grade.

Then those "if's" come into the picture of my life sometimes. If I only did this or if I had done that, where would I be today if I had done those "if's". But you know what, our plans we make or have made may not be the plans God has for us. We can plan but we may never take those steps on our own, God may determine those steps instead.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Only He knows our future. He is our hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

There may be nations and governments that make plans for their country but guess what? The Lord has His own plans and there is nothing that is going to stand in the way of His plans and not a single person will stand in His way either.

Psalm 33:10-11 (NIV) The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generation.

But if you commit your life and work to the LORD, then your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) Commit your work to the LORD and your plans will be established.

What ever your plans are in your life, the Lord may change them for He knows best.

Starting to Shape Up

2010-08-18T15:11:00.000-04:00

If you really knew me you would know that I have this complex about my belly. It just has to be flat. I know I hear you all saying you are skinny. Even skinny people have problems about their size too. Long ago I could eat whatever I wanted and I would go outside and burn it off. That's being a "tom boy" for ya.

But after having my beautiful kids and not getting younger, I can't do that anymore. So I have been kind of working out thanks to my beautiful daughter, who is a manager trainer for the Sevier County Football team and is a Junior this year. During the summer we have done some work outs but have not stuck to them whole heartedly. I have been eating right for the most part. Lots of fruit and veggies have come into my life this year for I have had some internal problems. Won't go into detail. My legs have been more tired but I discovered by exercising, they don't feel tired like they have been.

Anyways I have been shopping for exercise equipment. Here's what we got a few months ago from the New Hope Thrift store on 66, next to the Christian Book Store (Family book store).

So as you can see it's in my daughers room. This would probably cost anywhere from $500 to $1000 and we got it for only $150. Couldn't pass it up. She works out on it too. Then I wanted an exercise bike. Walmarts has one for about $99 but here's the one I got and I also just got it today from the New Hope Thrift store on DollyParton Parkway.

It was only $5. It's a start to building a small home gym so I can work out. Who needs one of those fancy ones, this one works great. Didn't really want to go to a gym and work out because I don't know how to work those computerized ones and I would feel unintelligent if I approached one. I really don't like to bother busy people, asking them how do you use this. Maybe one day I'll get there. Now I'll be looking for a treadmill but I'm in no hurry for that.
I'm content with what I have gotten and again I can say it's a start. This is going to be new beginnings in building my life physically and spiritually for God is always with me through my endeavors. Thank you Lord for allowing me to have these things to get myself healthy and to stay healthy. God Bless all of you. :)

P.S. I tried it out and it seemed like it took forever to get to 1 mile. Yes it does have a mph/rpm odometer on it. Don't think the rpm works well for when I peddle it goes up to 40 or higher and I don't think I'm going that fast. It goes crazy! But I believe the mph is right, I hope so for that's what I want to keep track of everyday.

Kindness

2010-08-13T20:33:00.001-04:00

Love this weeks Sunday school lesson. It's called "Demonstrate Kindness". It brought some things to my mind that has happened recently a few months ago. My best friend called me one night. She lives near Tallahassee FL, divorced, with 2 little children. Ex-husband lives somewhere out of the states and won't help her support their children. Any ways we talked for awhile. Then she broke down and asked if I could help her with a bill by sending her some money. She had a high electric bill for she was behind on it. I said I could send a little but it would not cover the whole bill. She said she would pay me back and in payments and I told her no, maybe one day I'll need the help of some sort and you can repay me that way but not right now. She felt relief over that. She did get the rest of the money from her Aunt who lives here in TN also.

Anyways while my son was down visiting she called again. We talked again, which I do miss talking to her and enjoy it every time she calls. She needed to borrow money again, for the house she is living is was sold and she was being evicted. Her car only drives in 2nd gear because the transmission is going, she has lost her job and has no place to go there. I couldn't help her this time as far as money goes for we are having car problems ourselves and other things going on. She told me about this church that helped her before, which she attends but can't get there now because of her car. She called them and they said if she would come back to church by showing up a few Sundays and Wednesday then they might consider helping her. I was surprised by that response. But here's what the lesson says:

"What obligations do we have to those around us? Aren't we required to do what we can to give them opportunities to hear the gospel so they can receive Christ? Aren't we under compulsion to help meet their needs if it is within our power to do so? Because we are in a covenant relationship with the Lord and He has blessed us so greatly, we are obligated to let others know of God's love for them through words and deeds.

David help Jonathan's son by giving him a place at his table to eat every day for the rest of his life and restored all that Saul owned in land and also had his own servants tend the land for him. David wasn't concerned about Jonathan's son being lame. Didn't even think twice about it. You can read if for you self in 2 Samuel 9.

Here's another kindness: God sent His Son to die for us.

John 3:16-17 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.."

Did God have to send his son to save us? No but because he loves us, he showed this act of kindness to save us and gave up his only son for us. He wasn't selective about who he was going to save. It was for all, not certain ones. Here is one of the many ways he responds to us.

Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV) "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

He shows his love to all for he wants all of us to know him and follow him. He provides the needs for us by providing things on His planet that we need to survive. So we are to be like Him. It doesn't have to be money it could be resources. Granted maybe that church didn't have the financial resources for my friend but they could of maybe provide other types of resource to get her on her feet like maybe someone in that church could help her fix her car so she can get a job or maybe someone can give her a job or something just to help her. It isn't all about money. It's about helping others with what we have as far as pointing the way to a resource or helping them if we have the abilities to fix, work, cook, whatever we can do to help. Most importantly by showing the love of God in us to them and planting the seed so maybe they want to be like Christ who is love.

I like what Paul says in Romans.

Romans 1:14 (NIV) I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

We are obligated. We are to help those in need with whatever ability God has given us. As it states in our lesson: "Kindness begins in the heart of God". Can you show kindness just like God has shown you. It is a great feeling when you do show kindness. There is a lady on my mail route who had some kind of surgery. Her husband discovered e-bay and lots of packages have been coming in for him. She can't bend over just yet so when I take the packages to the door, she is either there waiting with the door open or I ring the bell but either way I hand her the packages if they aren't heavy so she won't have to bend over for them. She told me today that she will be able to got back to work at the end of the month. She has been out of work for awhile and I'm happy that she is healing well.

Kindness is one of God's fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Let's be kind to all who have needs even if it is something so simple. It's a great reward. God Bless.

Sacrifices

2010-08-08T09:47:00.003-04:00

What are sacrifices? In the Old Testament, they had to make sacrifices (offerings) to be forgiven of their sins. They scarified animals, flour, money, things what ever was required of them to give to the priest.

Hebrews 10:3 (NIV) But those sacrifices are an annul reminder of sins,

Leviticus 16:34 (NIV) "This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites."

Here's what the dictionary states: the offering of an animal, plant, or human life or of some material possession to a deity, as in propitiation or homage.
or
the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.

I want to talk about the latter definition. The "surrender" of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a "higher or more pressing claim". What do a lot of us have in common with each other that probably considered a higher or more pressing claim that we don't surrender?

Answer: TIME

We live in a world that claims "time is money". A world that works longer, fast paced and shorter breaks. Even vacations are shorter. Now you are probably asking what does time have to do with me? One of the best sacrifices we can make is giving of our time. We as Christians need to do that. We could make a huge statement to those who are searching for something in their lives if we would joyfully offer them the gift of time. We rub shoulders with these people everyday, whether at work, grocery shopping, out in the park, at restaurants, Starbucks, or anywhere we go in our day to day living. Now you are probably asking why should I give these people my time, can't someone else do it like the pastor, deacon or other church worker? No, Christ calls all of us to spread His word and message.

Mark 16:15 (ESV) And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole
creation".

Look at Luke 19. Zacchaeus new Jesus was coming to town and he wanted to see him. He was a tax collector and wealthy. He was short in size, like myself so he climbed a tree just to see Jesus over the crowd because he heard so much about him. Jesus stopped in the crowd and called out to Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree for he was having dinner with him tonight. See Jesus knew Zacchaeus was searching for something better then he had in his life and took some "time" to spend with him.

A lot of us underestimate the effect we could have on people's eternities if we would just take the time to spend with these people. If you know someone who isn't a Christian invite them to breakfast, lunch, go to a gym/workout, a walk or something the both of you can do together and talk to them. And when we are standing in line, or eating at a restaurant or somewhere in our daily travel, talk to a person even though they may be strangers. Pick the longest line in the grocery store, go to a restaurant after lunch rush (2pm) to talk to that server or when you are sitting at the Dr's office but just talk to people about Christ. Here's what the Bible says and I love how the ESV puts it:

Ephesians 5:16a (ESV) making the best use of the time,

Share what it means to know Christ personally. Have you given anybody the gift of time lately? When was the last time you took time out of your busy schedule and spent a few minutes, an hour or two talking to someone about Christ? There are people out there who are searching for something better in their lives.

Let's get out of our over worked life, slow down our pace and talk to people who are seeking. Even if it's just to plant the seed. We may never know the out come but it could be worthwhile for someones spiritual life. Let's find those Zacchaeus and spend time with them.

From Becoming a Contagious Christian pg 85:
"Sometimes authenticity fails to grab people's attention; compassion is occasionally written off as the opiate of do-gooders who may have some ulterior motive. But sacrifices motivated by genuine love and concern is extremely difficult to discount."

The Answer by Shane and Shane

2010-08-04T06:18:00.000-04:00

Love Shane and Shane and here is a song that reminds me of more of Him and less of me. He is the One.
Hope you enjoy this song.

People Get Ready

2010-08-03T16:55:00.000-04:00

I heard this song sung by Newsong on comcast christian comtemporay station and I remember it in the 80's song by Rod Stewart and guitar by Jeff Beck. So here is that version. I like this song then and now.

People get ready

There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board

All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

People get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
From coast to coast

Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's room for all
among the loved the most

There ain't no room
for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just
To save his own

Have pity on those
whose chances are thinner
Cause there's no hiding place
From the Kingdom's Throne

So people get ready
for the train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
you just get on board !

All you need is faith
to hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
you just thank, you just thank the Lord

Yeah
Ooh

Yeah
Ooh

I'm getting ready
I'm getting ready
this time I'm ready
this time I'm ready

You Are Not Alone

2010-07-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

We are not alone, ever and I love that about our Lord for no matter what we go through in our lives, we are not alone and He'll never leave us. Got to love that!

What Kind of People are Suppose to Be?

2010-07-17T07:00:00.001-04:00

Have you ever thought about it, what kind of people should we be? I haven't until I got this book called: Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg. It has some interesting stuff in along with good Scriptures. But I read these verses:

2 Peter 3:10-11a (NIV) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?

See, even God asks that question in the Bible. The earth as we know it won't be here anymore. It will be destroyed. No cars, no houses, no businesses, no buildings of any type or statues or anything that we have made while we have been on this planet. No trees, flowers, grass, animals or even the ocean. And the sun will be gone too. Do you really want to be here when all that is destroyed, poof gone? So again what kind of people are we to be? The answer is in the second part of 2Peter 3:11b:

2Peter 3:11b (NIV) You ought to live holy and godly lives.

Which means to me to be striving for the goal of Jesus Christ, living for Him and by Him. Accepting Him as Lord and Savior, reading our God given instruction on life, The Holy Bible and talking with Him through prayer. Living according to His standards which is based on the 10 commandments. It's always a work in progress but as long as that progress is towards Him, then it should work. Nobody says were perfect because we are not and yes, we do fall off the wagon but you just pick yourself up and get back on. But here's a Scripture I'm adding into this.

2Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Eventually there will be only to places you can go when He returns or if you die before that happens. Heaven or hell. This scripture to states that he is not slow but waiting on everyone to make their choice. He wants everyone to come to heaven and live with him for ever. He doesn't want to send anyone to hell but unfortunately that will be one of the choices.

1Timothy 2:4 (NIV) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

So won't you consider the choice of heaven, celebrating and worshipping Him and see all those who have gone on before? I can't wait to meet some of those people along with Jesus Christ himself. He's waiting for you, come on an join me and others.

You see according to these Scriptures the Lord is coming like a thief. We don't know when that day is but He is coming to take His church home. Then everything on the earth will be destroyed, even heaven for a new heaven and a new earth is coming.

Revelation 21:1 (NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

My Help Comes from the Lord

2010-07-16T13:18:00.001-04:00

What this says to me.

2010-07-14T13:29:00.002-04:00

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is one of my most favorite verses. I have been crucified with Christ, another words my old nature my sin was nailed to the cross with Christ. Gone because of His sacrifice. I no longer live meaning my old nature gone and my new nature here and with that Christ lives in me. The life I live is not for me but for Him and by Him, it's not my body no more. I live by faith believeing that Jesus is the Son of God who saved me, who loved me and who died for me.

He can do all this for you too. Lose the old man and get a new one. Love it. God Bless! :)

Roommates

2010-07-05T10:55:00.003-04:00

This thought came into my head yesterday in Sunday School class. Ms. Thelma was teaching and she said something and what ever she said triggered this thought. Roommates. Yes I admit my mind does wonder. I'm sure a lot of people can say that too. I have this gift of multi-tasking. My husband thinks it's crazy but I can be reading, watching tv, listening to something, search the net and so on all at the same time and still keep track of it all. I try not to do that when I spend time with the Lord. I work at giving him all my attention.

Anyways this has got me thinking and I couldn't wait to research information on it. What are roommates? Two or more people who live together in one house or under one roof. Right. That about sums it up. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are reborn. Born again, not physically but spiritually.

Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

When we believe that Jesus Christ died for us and we accept him as our Savior, he gives us a gift that will be with us forever. It's a gift that helps us out, teaches us, convict us, brings us joy, peace, humility, a Counselor and a reminder and so much more. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles received it when Jesus appeared to them before his ascension.

John 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

When we repent we will get that same gift, we'll be baptised with it. No not the water baptism but the spiritual baptism.

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

So do you know what that means? Think about it. We get a roommate who moves into our house. But get this, when that happens it's not our house anymore.

Hebrews 3:6a But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house,

1Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

And once he has moved in he will never leave us. He'll always be with us no matter what the circumstances are.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Psalm 118:6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Matthew 28:20b And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

So when the Holy Spirit moves in, he does things for us and with us. He is a counselor, a teacher, reminds us of things that we should or should not do, comforter, encourager, warns us, gives us hope, love, joy, peace, guard and a voice and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Luke12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 20:23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

2Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Heb 3:7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice,

Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

But we have to be careful for we can hurt the Holy Spirit and put out it's fire.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1Thessalonians 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;

So just like having a human roommate we can encourage them, love them, speak to them, help them and they can do the same to us but we can also hurt them and they us. The same goes with the Holy Spirit. We love him, encourage him by reading God's Words and Praying and He does do the same for us. He is a living being, believe it or not.

So let me ask you "Did you receive your roommate, the Holy Spirit when you believed or have you received Him at all?" Paul asked the same to some disciples in Ephesus.

Acts 19:2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

I know I did back about 1979. I didn't live right for our Lord then but He never left me and in 2003, He finally brought me back to where I belong and have been going forth ever since serving our Lord and Savior. I don't do the best job at it but the Holy Spirit keeps working on me. I do know one thing, if it wasn't for having Jesus Christ in my life today, I wouldn't have the peace and joy that I have. I can't make it without Him in my life. Probably wouldn't have any hair on my head and I do have a lot of hair. Soooo glad that He is in my life and that He travels with me where ever I go and gives me encouragement and warnings. Those warnings aren't gut feelings they are God feelings another words the Holy Spirit.

Life is Good with God! Do you have Him?

Gentiles

2010-07-02T20:19:00.006-04:00

What is a Gentile? Well here is what I found on an online dictionary. It gives a noun definition and an adjective definition.

A person who is not Jewish, esp. a Christian; a heathen or pagan; of or pertaining to any people not Jewish; Christian, as distinguished from Jewish.

Now you are probably wondering why I brought this up. I have been reading the book of Ephesians and Scripture just popped out at me and stuck in my mind. That's a God thing for ya.

Ephesians 2:12-22; 3:6

remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

What does that mean to you? To me it tells me that I was not a part of God's family before I was saved and I was a foreigner without hope for God was not in my life at that time.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Until I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was far away but through His blood that He shed for me, I am now saved.

Watch this!

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two into one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Because Jesus took our old nature (the sinful man) to the cross and gives birth to the new man; we are two made into one. We still have our old bodies but Christ as our Savior, our old sinful nature should be gone and the new spiritual nature has taken it's place. See two made into one and He reconciled us to the Father because of the cross. Now He is our intercessor to the Father.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

See the Israelites are God's chosen people but we who were not part of that group who chose to accept Him are apart of God's chosen people too. We are no longer foreigners or aliens. Yay I like the sound of being fellow citizens with all of God's chosen people and being a member of His household.

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by the Spirit.

See the body of the church is joined together and we rise together to worship and praise Him while becoming His holy temple and individually we are being built (a progress always at work) becoming a place for Him to live in so He can teach us and convict us and love us.

Here's the best part of all this.

This mystery is that through the gospel (the good news) the Gentiles (us who are not of God's original people) are heirs together with Israel, members together of "one" body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Even though we weren't the original members of God's chosen people, He still wants us to be apart of his family. We are heirs. Do you see that? Heirs with Israel, "members together", of "ONE body. Together! I just love the sound of that "heirs", "members", "one" and especially "together". Doesn't that sound neat to you? Don't you want to be apart of this one big happy family? Come join us, it's simple just ask God to forgive you, admit that you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and ask Him in and you'll be apart of this family.

What Do We Want?

2010-06-26T20:42:00.002-04:00

I just read my Sunday school lesson this morning before going to work. While driving to work it got me thinking. Well maybe not the lesson but God got me thinking. Now the question of "What do we want" is not really an individual question. I want to make it for a Nation as a whole. What do the people in our country really want?

I'm sure a lot of us would say better jobs, better wages, improvement in our government, less taxes, and so on. Look as this: choices have great power. Got that out of the LifeWords lesson for June 27. Those are powerful words. And it's true. The choices that we make have great power. For instance, we choose a president to run our country. We choose a governor to run our state and a mayor to run our cities. Those are people we put in power. Here is what the people wanted in 1 Samuel.

1Samuel 8:6a But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us

And we as a nation want a president to lead us. We vote for one every 4 years. When we vote for one what kind of qualifications do we look at to see if he can run our country? What kind of life did he lead before he ran for office? Do we really look at things like that or do we just look for what they say that sound good? Do they just say things we love to hear? When we make the choice are they for good or bad? What do we desire for a president or some kind of official leader? Here's the bottom line, people trust man then God. Why? Why can't we as a nation put all our faith in God and allow Him to run our lives, country etc....?

Here is what the Lord did for those people back then who wanted a king.

1Samuel 12:13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you.

See, our Lord wants to be our leader. But because he is not here in a physical sense, people won't let him be the leader. But you know what, no matter our decisions, God is still in control. Even when we make poor decisions, He can still achieve His purpose.

Have you ever wondered why are nation is in the state that it's in? I have. Could all these situations be because as a nation as a whole, we don't turn to God? He wants us to turn to him.
And it is so simple to do.

1Samuel 12:20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.
1Samuel 12:21 Do not turn away after useless m idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.
1Samuel 12:22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.

I like this paragraph in our lesson: "We too have made wrong choices, but we can return to God. As God sees us admitting our sin and seeking His Mercy, He will act to spare us from the worst of sin's consequences. Yet many time we still must reap bitter fruit from the poor decisions we have made. God may forgive the sin but leave the scar as a reminder."

You know I wonder about the decisions I have made in my life. This statement has also made me think about my choices. Our nation may feel like they have wandered away from God, so far that they feel they can not return to Him. But you can return to Him. God will not abandon you if you have repented.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Here is another statement I like in this lesson: This kind of grace is God's way. It always confronts the sin but still loves the sinner unconditionally.

He just loves us and wants to be the leader of our lives. It is something so simple if we would just let him in.

Job days

2010-06-16T15:58:00.001-04:00

Have you ever felt like Job and have his kind of days? You know,when you feel the world is collapsing around you or the hole you dug seems so deep that you can't get out? Boy I have! So this is how it starts with Job.

Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

Job 2:3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

Have you wondered if the Lord talks to Satan and asks him have you considered my servant Robin, or Debbie, or Rhonda or who ever he decides to name? We work at shunning evil and work at being upright. For us it is always a work in progress. We by all means are not free from sinning but we are forgiven when we ask.

Job lost everything he had including his children. He was a wealthy man and all that was gone. He even suffered physically. Mind you I haven't lost everything, but I am not wealthy with money and belongings. I am wealthy spiritually. But there are days that I suffer physically. Some of those days I call it getting old. Older then I was 20 years ago. Those aches and pains just come with age. Other times I think, maybe it's God getting my attention. Him saying Hey, I'm up here, seek me and I am there for you, let me help you, lean on me. Ever have those kind of days? Now don't deny it we all have them here and there, from time to time or more often than other.

Jobs wife even said curse God and die. She was tired of all this and just wanted to throw in the towel. She was suffering to for she lost her children, can't really blame her. But doesn't sound like she had faith in God like Job.

Job 2:9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

This is what Job says and he doesn't blame God.

Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Then Jobs friends came and tried to comfort him during his suffering. Didn't really sound like they encouraged him. They didn't have faith in God either. Do we have friends like them? They try to comfort us but their words aren't positive and encouraging. They even try to put the blame on God. Job says this:

Job 6:21 Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.

Job 12:4 "I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered —

Job 16:2 "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters n are you all!

Then Job questions God as to why. Why are you allowing this? Why did you give me life if later I'm going to suffer? What have I done wrong?

Job 10:18 "Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before any eye saw me.
Job 10:19 If only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!

Have we ever questioned God? Don't we ask why when bad things happen? Do we sometimes blame God? Do we wish sometimes we weren't born? It seems like in the book of Job it's ok to question the whys. God probably won't answer back the way you want for answers but if we ask him to resolve that why, he will answer in his own time and if we only truly trust and believe in him. It also may not be the response that we want, but it's the response that God feels is right for us. So it's ok to ask questions to God and even have a conversation with him. I do and I'm sure people have seen me talking to nobody and probably think I'm crazy.

So Job explained to his friends about God.

Job 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
Job 19:26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
Job 19:27 I myself will see him with my own eyes —I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

How we should be just like Job in this area of our lives. He is our Redeemer and he does live. And one day we will see him. Then the Lord spoke to Job and asked him questions. Here is his response when the Lord was done.

Job 42:1 Then Job replied to the LORD:
Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. l
Job 42:4 "You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’
Job 42:5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
Job 42:6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

If God responded to our questions and said to us that we are to answer his questions, how would we respond? I definitely would be stuttering for I wouldn't have any answers probably. I'd be a, a, a,............

And the Lord responded to his friends in this way.

Job 42:7 After the LORD had said these things to Job , he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

God told his friends to make sacrifices for burnt offerings and Job would pray for them. We in a lot of ways should be just like Job. Never to speak evil against the Lord or to have our friends convince us to speak evil against the Lord. We will have trouble in our lives but in the end when we come through we should thank the Lord for everything, even the trials we have.

God or Gut

2010-06-14T15:17:00.002-04:00

Now you are probably wondering about this topic and what does God and gut have to do with anything. I know you have probably heard that saying "gut feeling" or "gut instinct". We all have at one point or another. Now people will say follow your gut, which means how you are feeling towards something, especially if it is bad.

Now here's how I look at it. For me I don't believe that it is gut feeling or gut instinct. I would like to call it "Godstinct" or "God feeling". How does that sound to you. Today I have had just this overwhelming sensation inside of me of pure excitement, exhilaration, and all around good feeling. As my friend Ms. Debbie would put it, it's a God Thing. Love that phrase too. She would type God Morning on her e-mails to the church family and she put it that it was a God thing that changed what we would call a typo error for it was suppose to be good morning.

But as we know it is God morning, God afternoon, God evening for He created it all and then some. So this is why I think of it as God feeling.

Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you (NIV)

1Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? (NIV)

See, God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are not our own anymore, we belong to Him.

1Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; (NIV)

So you see the Holy Spirit in us does talk to us. Not in normal conversations even though I just talk to him normally. Course people will think that I'm talking to my self if they see me in public or think I'm crazy. LOL But anyways he gives us impressions on our heart and in our minds. He can make us feel good, and excited or he can convict us if we do wrong. He does steer us in the right direction to and verve us off the wrong path. So yes God speaks to us in his own way.

I just love this feeling and I hope and pray it doesn't stop. I just have to learn to listen to it better for which is a work in progress. I just love God feeling over gut feeling. Don't you?

My People

2010-06-13T20:25:00.002-04:00

Our youth Pastor gave a message this morning using this verse and the message really touched me.

2Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV)

It says my people which means us Christians. Those of us who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. He is suppose to be Lord and Savior over our lives. We are to humble ourselves before Him. I had to think do I do that in my Christian walk? I'm suppose to humble myself before Him, but do I do it or do I just quickly brush it off and go on with my life? The life that He gave to me with everything that I have.

Do I pray like I should or do I go through the quick motions of it and really mean it? Do I actually get on my knees and honor and worship Him and pray? I had to really look at myself and the message really pulled at my heart.

For in the message it talked about problems in our lives, home, relationships, marriage and so on. I had to look at my self and ask am I the problem in my marriage? My husband likes the worldly pleasures and I don't. It's a fine line that I walk in my house. But how do I treat my husband? Do I love him? Do I show him the actions of Jesus in my life or do I treat him like he treats me. You know that saying: "do unto others as they do unto you". He tells me that he loves me but what are his actions? I tell him I love him but what are my actions towards him?

We are to look inside of ourselves to see if we are the problem. Do we blame others for our problems and not blame ourselves? So today I have turned my face towards God and I will keep seeking him. I will humble myself before Him.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (NIV)

I do feel lifted up by our loving Savior. So how is your Christian walk? Do you blame others for your problems? Are you treading water and don't know which way to turn for a life preserver?
Is there a spiritual war in your house? There is one here and its an everyday struggle to maintain my faith in Jesus Christ and to walk in His light. I could throw in the towel and let Satan have his way but I would not be a happy person. It would be pure misery and I am not
fond of that idea. I love the peace I get from Him for He gives it to me and becaues of His love He forgives me when I sin. He can do the same for you no matter what your situation is in your life. He has changed mine and I absolutely love this change and how He keeps working in my life.

The one thing I can count on in my life as a life preserver is Jesus Christ. He won't let me go and I won't let go of Him. I have done that in my life years ago and it was not fun and I won't do it again. I love my Savior and can't live without Him. How about you? Do you want peace or misery? Do you want a warrior by you side in your battles? Just invite Jesus into your life and He will stand beside you through thick and thin.

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. (NIV)

All I can say is that I'm just so amazed by Him and I am in awe of Him and very thankful that He is in my life for I don't know where I would be today in my life without Him.

Thank you Lord for being in my life and for working in my life. Can't imagine a life without you and wouldn't want to go back to that past life before I was reborn. Thank you for dying on the cross and paying the price for me. You are worthy Lord. I pray that my walk with you will keep growing and that it is seen by others that are in my life or who you send into my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:29:00.004-04:00

Mother's Love

Her love is like
an island in life's ocean,
vast and wide
A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the wind, the rain, the tide.
'Tis bound on the north by Hope,
By Patience on the West,
By tender Counsel on the South
And on the East by Rest.
Above it like a beacon light
Shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;
And thro' the changing scenes of life
I find a haven there.

Author Unknown

The Hungry

2010-05-05T13:19:00.002-04:00

Leviticus 25:35 (NIV) "If one of your countrymen become poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you."

The Lord was speaking to my heart today while on the mail route. Between today and tomorrow we are putting cards in all the mail boxes telling everyone of the USPS Food drive coming up here, this Saturday May 8. Yes, it is nationwide. He brought this verse to mind.

Matthew 25:35 (NIV) "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,"

And I have actually seen this happened. When I first started at the Post Office 5 years ago, I did a route that had farm fields and there was a farmer who didn't plow the edge of those fields. I saw zucchinis, squash and other vegetables all along the way and I remembered this verse.

Leviticus 23:22 (NIV) "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God."

I truly thought it was neat that a farmer of today would leave the edges for whomever. I just smiled and thought of God and how he revealed that to me. But there will always be people who have needs. It is not for us to question their circumstances but to help them out. Especially in today's economy, for how many people lost jobs in the last 2 years and aren't making ends meet? Too many to count for me but they need help.

Deuteronomy 15:11 (NIV) There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

This is telling me the Lord is commanding me to open my hand to these people and if giving a few cans of goods to help feed them is the way, then that is what I am going to do. I enjoy this day of the food drive for I enlist my family to help me and we do it together even though they follow behind me collecting cans while I deliver the mail. I feel blessed when I do this and I pray my family feels the same way too. I know my kids enjoy it.

Proverbs 22:9 (NIV) A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

We Christians will get a reward for opening up our hands or cupboards. It doesn't have to be a whole bunch, it could be just 2 or 3 cans, or a box of cereal or what ever nonperishable food you find. Please be sure that it's not expired.

Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

And back in Matthew 25, those of us who have read it knows what Jesus was talking about when he talked about being hungry and thirsty. I'd like to think that I did feed Jesus and gave him a drink when He was thirsty because I am helping to feed the hungry. I pray that He is pleased with me.

But I do ask all of you to just put a few cans or what ever in your mail boxes on Saturday May 8 and help feed those that are hungry. Let your mail boxes over flow with goodness this Saturday. Blessings to you all.

Dear Friend (part 2)

2010-04-30T17:10:00.004-04:00

Dear Friend;

How is your faith today. Do you believe in me yet, Jesus Christ? Let me tell you more of my life.
As I have said in my earlier letter, my disciples are having trouble believing in me, yet I believe in them that one day soon they will.

On with my story, the Pharisees and Sadducees new the law but their hearts were cold and selfish. They watched me as I traveled and preached, they even tested me on the law. I knew my time was getting close and I tried to tell my disciples that I had to leave, go away to my Father's house and that they knew the way there.

John 14:2-4 (NIV) "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I wouldn't have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

They asked how can we know the way? I told them this:

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

They still didn't understand but I knew that soon they will get it. The time was drawing near so I planned a Last Supper with them. So I told them to see a certain man in the city so they can make preparations. In the evening, I washed their feet and we sat at the table. I told them that one of the will betray me and they began to question each other.

I broke bread with them, gave thanks and we ate as I said this is my body, do this in remembrance of me. I did the same with the cup as we drank, this is my blood of the new covenant and we sang after wards. I talked with Peter. I told him he would deny me three times before the rooster crows. In Gethsemane my betrayer came, Judas of Iscariot, with the soldiers, who arrested me.

The high priest charged me with blasphemy and tore my clothes. The witnesses punched me, slapped me and spit in my face. Peter did deny me three times but I still love him. I stood before Pilate with Barabbas and the crowd wanted Barabbas set free and crucify me. It hurt my feelings that the crowd was saying that but I had to obey my Father, who sent me. So Barabbas a murderer was set free.

The soldiers took me away. They mocked me, beat me, spat on me, put a crown of thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews. They even had a sign made with The King of the Jews on it. I was tortured and beaten so bad that nobody could hardly recognize me. I had to carry my cross to Golgotha and the soldiers pulled a man out of the crowd to help me for I kept falling.

They nailed me to the cross and I was placed between 2 robbers. The crowd hurled insults at me. That sign King of the Jews was placed above my head. One of the robbers believed in me and he went to paradise. I finally said it is finished and bowed my head and died.

John 19:30 (NIV) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I was placed in a tomb, which was cold. But three days later, I got up, rolled the stone away and walked out of it. An angel stayed behind to give the good news. The first people I met were the woman who were just at the tomb for the angel told the good news to. The recognized me.

I met 11 of my 12 disciples for Judas hung himself. This is what I told them:

Luke 24:44-49 (NIV) He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

See I knew they would believe for I believed in them. I loved them all along the way. Do you believe. I am the only way to heaven and like the robber who I took with me, I want to take you too. Do you believe in me? If you believe in me and admit that I am the Son of God and confess all your sins , I will love you and forgive you and bring you into my kingdom forever. I am waiting but there will be a day will I won't wait no more. So as they say for now my door is open, please open yours and let me in.

With all my love,
Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior

Dear Friend (part one)

2010-04-29T15:57:00.002-04:00

If Jesus were to write a letter, telling about himself, what would it say? Would it go something like this?

Dear Friend;

My name is Jesus Christ. I was born about 6/5 B.C. My parents told me some shepherds came to see my when I was born. I was in a manger. They told me there was no room at the inn for the census was being done. About a couple of years later, Magi came to see me at my house. I was with my mom. They brought me gifts. My father was a carpenter. I learned a lot from him. I love to create things. See, I was there at the beginning of time, creating.

Genesis 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

I'll explain that more later in my letters. Every year my parents went to the Feast of Passover. When I was 12, I went with them. When they left, they didn't realize I wasn't with them. I was in the temple with the priest learning and asking questions. They came back for me after 3 days when they discovered I wasn't with them. I returned home with them.

When I was much older (about 30), John the Baptist, baptized me. Satan also tried to tempt me, but he didn't succeed. I told him away from me Satan. About that time I began to preach. I saw 2 men fishing. Their names were Simon (Peter later) and Andrew. Asked them to follow me and I'll make you fishers of men. They dropped everything and followed. Saw also James and John of Zebedee and asked the same of them. They too dropped everything and followed.

I started to gather my Disciples, little did they know at that time they would become my Disciples. As I was gathering men to be my disciples, I was healing the sick, driving out evil spirits and so on. I eventually gathered 12 men. That's all I needed to train to become my disciples. I began to teach them about the things of life that you can and cannot do. While I was teaching them, I also was raising the dead, done more healings, changing water to wine and so forth. I kept doing the work of my Father.

I also preached and taught large crowds of people and they kept following me. There were times I needed to get away so I would get in a boat to go to the other side of the lake. I have calmed storms and walked on water. My disciple had little faith still, even after all they had seen.

Matthew 8:26a (NIV) He replied, "You of little faith,

Matthew 14:31 (NIV) Immediately Jesus reached out hishand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why do you doubt?"

See, Peter asked if it was me (Jesus), call me to come to you. I was walking on water. So I said come. He got out of the boat, walked on water until the wind came and he was afraid and he started to sink. His faith was weak.

While these large crowds were still following me, they must eat for they would not go home. So I fed many with a few loaves of bread and fish and still had leftovers after everyone had enough. As for my disciples, I believed in them. So I kept teaching and preaching knowing eventually they will understand their faith and believe.

My question to you is how strong is your faith? Do you believe in me? Will you follow me to be fishers of men? I believe in you and I too will teach you the very same things I taught my disciples. Will you listen and learn? Let me talk to you. I'll close for now so you can think of all the things I have written. I will write another letter soon. But if you truly want to learn, just pick up My Words and I'll show you and teach you.

With all my love,
Jesus Christ

When It Is Time

2010-04-18T15:30:00.001-04:00

I just read an article about a mom getting ready to go wireless with her computer. She has been dreading the moment, the uncertainty of what this technology will hold for her. Then as she was starting the process, she thought that she to would dread the moment of going wireless with her 2 high school and 1 college teenage boys. And I thought, we all that have children will have to go through that moment too. That's when we can hold on to our Lord, when the time comes.

John 14:1 (NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

So let me tell you about my story. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior back in 1979/1980. I remember the day as if it just happened. I was 15 years old. I went home excited to tell my parents about the whole experience and they turned around and told me don't bring that religion home. I was in high school. I tried to live my life as I thought was right. It was a strict southern Baptist church, who didn't believe girls should wear jeans, so I thought I would wear carpi's (back then called gauchos) and dresses (I don't normally wear dresses being a tom boy), went to church Sunday day/night, Wednesday night, Thursday visitation and Saturday youth group. Nobody really took me by the hand and showed me as a new believer what I should be doing. Don't get me wrong there were a lot of good messages being taught by the preacher and youth pastor.

So one day during school my friends approached me, for they seen the change in me, and told me that I had to choose between them or the church. Talk about the devil working things to his advantage: parents and friends. So I choose my friends and left the church. I turned away from God.

Isaiah 53:6a (NIV) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;

To make a long story short as a teenager I did the things teenagers do because it was the things to do. Partying, drinking, tried getting high, sex (at age 16). Everyone was doing it so I just followed. In my late 20's I got married, had kids, divorced and my ex-husband went to prison for drug trafficking. He was going to get out about 9 months after 9/11. So between 9/11 and him getting out I started searching and kept hearing this very small voice in my ear.

Isaiah 28:23 (NIV) Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.

Finally when I did listen to that voice, it was telling me it is time for me to come home. It took over 20 years before I stepped foot in God's house but I did it Easter Sunday 2003. I returned home to Him.

Malachi 3:7 (NIV) Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you.

Isaiah 44:22 (NIV) I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

So the point I want to make is that our children will eventually leave us parents and will be making their own decisions. Those that have Christ will make decisions too. Some will turn to Christ for those decisions and others will decide for themselves with those decisions or turn to family or friends. That's when we as parents need to lean on the Lord and trust Him with their lives.

Hebrews 2:13a (NIV) And again, "I will put my trust in him."

Psalms 37:5 (NIV) Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

They too may fall away from our Lord. Just keep praying for them. It may take them 20 years or more to hear God's voice and hear Him say it's time to come home. Don't ever lose hope that the Lord is not working in their lives, for He is for, He does care what happens to all His children.

Nahum 1:7 (NIV) The LORD is good, a refuge in time of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

The Lord never left me, yet it was a tug-of-war between Him and the devil. And look who won. Our Lord and Savior won and I am glad. Glad that I accepted Him Lord and Savior so long ago and that it was real back then. If you child is saved they too will go through this tug-of-war. If they were real about their salvation. Jesus will keep working on them. My son is living with his dad this school year. I know his dad doesn't go to church but I pray the Lord keeps working on my son so he doesn't go through what I went through for that long of period. I trust my Lord and I have peace while my son is away. Eventually both my children will leave and go their own way but I know the Lord will keep working on them. I'll end this with this Scripture that everyone can hold on to.

Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Renew

2010-04-14T16:43:00.003-04:00

Spring time is the time of year when the earth wakes up from a long winters nap. The snow is like a blanket that puts the earth to sleep and the cold keeps things a sleep. So when God sends the Spring in, the trees bud and the leaves come out green, flowers bloom and critters give birth to new critters. Some of them are cute too.

Psalms 104:30 (NIV) When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

There will be times when we need to renew ourselves. We get caught up in ever day life and Jesus ends up on the back burner. That's when we need the Lord to revive us, just like He revives His creation. We need Him to renew us too.

Psalms 85:6 (NIV) Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
(You can put your name where the word us is and your people. Will you not revive Robin again, that Robin may rejoice in you?)

Psalms 51:10 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I don't know about you but there are times I need to have my mind renewed too.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We need, at least I know there are times that I need to get those worldly thoughts and ideas out of my head. We need to place Jesus high above ourselves and humble ourselves way below Him.

Isaiah 57:15 (NIV) For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose names is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."
(contrite- filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement.)

We need not lose heart and we can be assured that we are being renewed everyday as long as Jesus is high above us and we aren't selfish.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

And if you read that verse like I do, wasting away is not getting any younger or simply put old. Eventually we all will get to that point if we aren't gone before then. Good thing we have that hope, the hope of Him and our new selves is the gift of a new person inside when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit works on us daily.

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Colossians 3:10 (NIV) and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

So we too can be like the Spring that our Lord sends every season. The Spirit comes and works on us daily, renewing us to be in the image of Him, our wonderful Creator. We aren't perfect but because of Him we are always a "work in progress" as long as that progress moves closer to Him.

It Is Well With My Soul.

2010-04-11T16:11:00.001-04:00

Just love this song, we sang it this morning in church. Here's a little history behind this great song.

This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled,
'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words,
"When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of
Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.

Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because
of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close
friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only
son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio
had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was
wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.

Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four
daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was
traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in
late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French
steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development
forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned.
He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford
returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read:
"Saved alone."

On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only
12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters
Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being
torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a
plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had
been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her,
"You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful
and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."

Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved
wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's
voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and
I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio
then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.

The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite
woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still
maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers
was.

It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those
experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.

No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...

Glorious Day by Casting Crown

2010-04-04T20:17:00.001-04:00

Let's finish this beautiful Easter Sunday with a song that explains it all.

"Oh Glorious Day"!
"Oh Thank You, Lord".

Verb!

2010-04-01T15:36:00.002-04:00

Now you are probably wondering about the title. So let me ask, what is a verb? We are taught that it conveys action or a state of being (exist, stand). Now you are wondering where I am going with this. Let's take a look at Scripture.

Isaiah 53:2-7 (NIV) He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up or infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Now let's take a look at Isaiah himself. He is the author of the book Isaiah, he is considered a prophet and this book was written between 700 to 680 B.C. Isaiah didn't know Jesus personally, never even met him for Jesus didn't come until about 6/5 B.C. But this portion of Scripture is speaking about the servant who suffered and that servant is Jesus Christ.

So now do you see the verbs? And when you add "ed" to the end of those verbs, it becomes past tense. God did amazing work here by revealing to Isaiah what will happen to his own son when he is born and does his ministry. Jesus died about c. 30 A.D. Can you imagine knowing something that happened and it hasn't happened yet?

God revealed in the Old Testament the future. The future of salvation. The Lamb that is slain. The true meaning of Easter starting with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died for all of us. He came to save us.

John 3:17 (NIV) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 12:47 (NIV) As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

Can he save you? Yes. Did he save you? That's between you and Him. Will you be going to heaven? I am and I pray you are. Will you see Jesus when you die? Again, I am, will you? I can't wait for that day. And for the part that says I am the worst, we all sin and one sin is bad. I have sinned and still do, but I am forgiven when I confess. Are you forgiven? Think about it.

Our youth Pastor pointed this past tense stuff out last night at youth group and I haven't really paid all that much attention to the wording of the Bible. I just absolutely find it fascinating that God revealed it in the Old Testament and I didn't see it. That's why we have to study His Words and learn.

I pray that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and I hope I will see you in heaven when the time comes, for it will come for all of us and we can celebrate together with our "King!"

Rediscover You by Starfield

2010-03-20T15:20:00.006-04:00

As you can see, I have a radio again in my car and catching up with the music I have missed.
The songs that I have been picking is the Lord talking to me and showing me where my feelings and emotions have gone.

Sometimes my faith is weak and the devil likes to get in when I am at my weakest and make some chaos. But even when that happens, I know and He always shows me that I'm Forgiven. And then the message is, it is time to come back and rediscover Him and build up my relationship with Him even more, better and stronger.

So I hope you enjoy all this music as much as I have. Thank you Lord!

Joshua's Journey

2010-03-20T14:42:00.003-04:00

Well I've decided to change things up a bit. Seeing how I can't keep up with the blogging because it seems like life got busy, again and I am barely keeping up with reading the Bible through the year, just hanging on by threads with that, I will be directing you to my friends blog, Ms. Debbie and I'll just be commenting on the things we read.

Her blog is: http://nanabananadesigns.blogspot.com/
Ms. Debbie does really good with her blogs and has interesting things on it too. She is also a very crafty lady and she shows the things she makes.

The Lord was with Joshua because Joshua pleased the Lord. So the Lord made sure that no one would stand against them. They crossed over Jordan on dry ground, that means the Lord made the walls out of the water. The Israelites were circumcised for these were the children of the ones who came out of Egypt and had not been circumcised while they traveled in the desert.

The Lord made the walls of Jericho fall after Joshua did everything he instructed and allowed him to defeat 31 kings. The Gideonites lied to them so they wouldn't be attacked by Israel. They feared them and thought that if we lie, maybe they will make a treaty with us and that is what happened.

Joshua divided up the allotment of the land for each tribe and clan after they subdued it and took possession of it. Towns were set a side as a refuge so someone who accidentally or unintentionally killed some one they can go to that town. After the division was done Joshua reminded them to obey the Lord, walk in his ways and serve him with all their heart and soul. Joshua died and was buried in the land of his inheritance. They also buried the bones of Joseph, that the Israelites brought up from Egypt in the land that Jacob bought.

Forgiven by Sanctus Real

2010-03-17T13:06:00.002-04:00

Here's a song I've listened to several times and even with all the things I have done in my past, and yea at times it keeps me awake because the devil keeps playing it in my head and with my failures, it's really nice to know that I am a treasure to Christ. Love this song too!

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

2010-03-16T17:37:00.002-04:00

I heard this song the other day and thought it was beautiful and it was what I needed to hear.
I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Journey through Deuteronomy 17-34

2010-03-14T18:55:00.002-04:00

Let's continue our journey through Deuteronomy, Israel's journey.

Do not sacrifice an animal that is flawed or defected. Purge yourselves from evil, example like worshiping other gods. To appoint a king he must be among your brothers, can't have a lot of horses or make you return to Egypt for more, must not take many wives or accumulate silver and gold. He must make a copy of the law, read it all the days of his life.

Priests live on the offering made to the Lord by fire, first fruits, grain,new wine, oil, and wool. The Lord is their only inheritance. They must not do detestable things and must be blameless before the Lord. The Lord will raise up a prophet from among the brothers.

Three towns will be a refuge for people who accidentally kill some one. As you grow in numbers then add three more towns. Just like court today, one must have witnesses to prove a crime was committed. When men go to battle, a priest will address the army. If a man in pledged to be married, built a new home, planted a vineyard or is faint hearted, don't send him to war. Try to make peace before engaging in battle.

Atonement can be made for an unsolved murder. An Israelite can marry a captive woman but there are things she has to do first. If you have more than one wife and don't love the first one but have a son with her, he gets the rights of the firstborn. If a son is rebellious against his parents and parents can't do anything with him, take him to the elders at the gate and he'll be stoned to death by the men in the town.

If a man is hung on a tree, must be taken down by evening. If you find something not yours return it to the owner and if they live to far away, take care of it until they return. Parents must prove their daughter is a virgin if a man accuses her of not being one. If it is proven, he must pay the father and not divorce her and if it can't be proved, she'll be stoned to death at her father's house. If a man sleeps with another man's wife, they'll both be stoned to death. If a man rapes a girl out in the field and no one rescues her and it's discovered, he has to marry her and pay the father.

There are certain people who can't enter the assembly of God. An unclean man or woman must go outside the camp until evening, then they can wash themselves and come back into camp. If a slave takes refuge, don't return him. No prostitute money is to enter the house of the Lord. Don't charge a brother interest and a vow made to the Lord, don't be slow to pay it.

A woman can have a certificate of divorce handed to her by 1st husband and 2nd husband but if 2nd husband dies, she can't return to 1st husband. If a man kidnaps a brother, he must die. Must do as the priest says in cases of leprous diseases. If a loan is made, don't go into the person's house to get it, wait for them outside. Don't take advantage of the poor and needy.

Disputes go to the judges of the court. If one brother dies and leaves a wife, the next brother in line must marry her to fulfill the duty of the dead brother to continue his line. If the brother doesn't do the duty, he can be known as the family of the "unsandeled". Be honest in weights and measures.

First fruits of the promised land should be presented to the Lord. Follow all the decrees and laws carefully and observe them.

Keep the commands when you cross the Jordan. Set up large stones and write on them all the words of the law. Cursed is the man who: makes idols, dishonors father and mother, moves his neighbors boundary stones, lead the blind astray, with hold justice from the alien, sleeps with fathers' wife, has sexual relations with an animal, sleeps with his sister, sleeps with his mother-in-law, kills his neighbor secretly, accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person, doesn't uphold the words of the law and all the people said "Amen".

If you fully obey the Lord, follow all his commands, blessings will come upon you, you'll be set high above all nations. Your enemies will be defeated. The Lord will establish you as his holy people. If you are disobedient, all the curses will come to you. Many hardships will come.

They have seen all that the Lord has done in Egypt and during their 40 year journey. The Lord supplied all their needs. A renewal in the Covenant is made. Don't think you'll be safe while you do what ever you want because if that is the case, all the curses will be on you and your name will be blotted out from under heaven.

Take them to heart the curses and the blessings when you are among other nations. The Lord will gather you up and bring you back, even if you are banished to the farthest distant land. He will bring you back to the land that belonged to your fathers. Obey the Lord and follow his commands and he'll make you prosperous. What is being commanded is not difficult or beyond reach. Set before you is life, prosperity, death and destruction. Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways and keep his commands, decrees, and laws. You will be destroyed if you turn from God and worship other gods. Choose life, the Lord is life.

Moses is no longer to able to lead Israel. The Lord will go ahead of you. Moses told Joshua to be strong and courageous, for he will go with the people into the land. The Lord will be with Joshua. At the end of every 7 years, the priests will read the Law, when Israel gather together. God told Moses he will rests with his fathers. He also told him these people will worship other gods, will forsake Him and break the covenant. God said he will be angry with them and forsake them and hide his face from them and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come. God knew all that was going to happen. He had Moses write a song.

Song of Moses. After Moses finished reciting the song to Israel, he told them to take all the words to heart and to command their children to obey them carefully. These words are their life.

Moses blessed each tribe.

Moses died in Moab and he was buried there. Israelites grieved for Moses for 30 days.

Journey through Deuteronomy 1-16

2010-03-07T11:48:00.002-05:00

Instead of recap I've decided to call it a journey. This has been a long week, kept up with my reading while I've had this cold which is still with me. So here we go.

Moses addressed Israel. Leaders and Judges were chosen, one from each tribe. Because they rebelled and complained against God, they won't enter the land promised. Caleb and Joshua are the exceptions. Moses won't be going either.

God had them travel in a circle for 40 years. They went through land of relatives and were not to start anything with them. God handed the land of the Amorites over to them, and with no survivors of those towns.

Just like they did to the Amorites, they did as well to other towns east of the Jordan. The Reubanites, Gadites ad half of Manasseh were given this land as long as they helped Israel take, subdue and settle in the land promised on the other side of Jordan. God only allowed Moses to look at the land from a mountain.

They are to live by Gods rules and regulations and teach them to their children. The Ten Commandments were spoken and written by God on stone tablets. In times of trouble seek God with all your heart and soul. Don't veer left or right. (Where have we've gone wrong here? We have veered.)

Follow and obey these rules and regulations, they would have a good life full of abundance. Remember the Lord when you take these towns. Serve the Lord, don't follow other gods. The Lord will drive out many nations. Breakdown altars, smash sacred stones, cut down Asherah poles and burn their idols.

Remember the roads traveled in the 40 years. God put them through hard times, hunger, thirst and took care of them too. Clothes and shoes never wore out. Don't forget God. He gave them the strength to produce the wealth. God gave them a warning if they worshiped other gods.

God destroyed and drove out nations because they were wicked. Israel was rebellious and angered God but Moses fell face down and asked the Lord not to destroy His people. Moses broke the first stone tablets, so two new ones were made and placed in the Ark. Aaron died and his son Eleazar became head priest.

Israel's children did not see or experience what God had done. If they fully obeyed the commands of the Lord, He will bring the rains for the crops. But if they disobeyed, He would stop the rains.

Seek the Lord as he chooses a place to dwell so offerings, sacrifices, tithes and special gifts are to be given. Animals can be slaughtered to eat but don't eat the blood, pour it out on the ground. Don't eat the town tithes of grain, new wine, oil, firstborn herds/flocks or whatever vowed gifts to be given to the Lord, only eat them in His presence.

Don't follow ones who tell of signs and dreams. It is a test from God. If a family member or neighbor entices you to worship other gods, they must be stoned to death. If a whole town is led astray, the whole town is destroyed and everything burned.

Don't eat unclean animals, sea creatures and insects. Tithe 10% of all produce to the Lord. End of every 7 years cancel debts among Israel but still allowed to collect from foreigners. There must be no pour among them, help them out. Lend money to many nations but don't borrow from them. (Sounds just like us even today. How many nations borrow from us and how many do we borrow from?) You'll rule over nations but none will rule over you. (Is that us today too?) Free your slaves unless they want to stay with you, and mark them as yours.

Celebrate Passover, Feast of Weeks and Feasts of Tabernacle at there appointed time. Enjoy these celebrations. Appoint judges and officials. Don't pervert justice, take bribes or be partial. Be fair.

That's just through Chapter 16. I'll post the rest when I get finished reading them. God Bless!

Calling All Watchman

2010-02-28T16:59:00.004-05:00

I feel it is important when God shows you something more than once. He's trying to tell you something (or me). Anyways as I started reading our next chapter in our Bible study of "Me, Myself, & Lies by Jennifer Rothschild", the title of the first day concerns about "The Watchman At Your Closet Door". I get articles from certain Christian websites and one came from Dare2Share (for teenagers), but it's title is "The Watchman".

So I asked ok God, what are you telling me. I looked up watchman and in the Bible they are men who are stationed by the gates of Jerusalem on the wall and may be located else where to keep watch and sound a trumpet when danger is coming. Now I thought for the Watchman at our thought closet door would be the Holy Spirit. He gives us warnings of Satan's attack. So I also read the article and listened to the sermon on it by Greg Stier. Interesting!

Now there are watchmen in the Bible. Ezekiel was a Watchman for Israel, Paul was a Watchman for the Gentiles and guess what, we are a Watchman to everyone we meet.

Ezekiel 33:7 (NIV) "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me." (the same verse in Ezekiel 3:17)

Here's what a watchman may have looked like in Biblical days:

It's not just these men who were watchman, we are to be watchman today in this world, giving a warning about the danger that is around and not the physical danger but the spiritual danger. We should be sounding the alarm system, warning people before it's to late, making sure that trumpet is blowing loud, I mean really loud.

So let me ask you, Are you being faithful? Are you sending out the warning? It's easy to leave it for the preachers, missionaries, evangelists and others but it is our responsibility too.

Mark 16:15 (NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

How else would our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, even strangers know about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 4:4-6 (NIV) Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

See we are to tell everyone. Opportunity always knocks for God sends people in to our lives everyday. Places like restaurants, grocery stores, neighbors, co-workers, etc..

Romans 10:14 (NIV) How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

They need to know that their lives are in danger and they also need to know there is eternal life and only through Jesus Christ. We are to take responsibility to tell. Let me show you what happened to the watchman in Jerusalem when they didn't sound the trumpet of danger.

Ezekiel 33:6 (NIV) "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood."

Here's more questions. Is there blood on your hands? Did someone you know die that you did not share the Gospel? I'm probably, more than likely in that boat, are you? See if you don't tell someone that God brought in to our lives about the good news of Jesus Christ and they die, their blood will be on our hands. God gave us that opportunity when he sent that person in our lives.

So as the title says, He is Calling All Watchman and the military does say, "This means you"

Are you that Watchman that sends out warnings? I'd like to get better at it how about you?

Finishing Numbers 21-36

2010-02-26T13:37:00.002-05:00

Now let's finish Numbers so we can continue our journey through the Bible. I left off with Numbers 21.

The Canaanites were handed over to the Israelites because the Lord heard their plea but again they grumbled for there was no food or water. So the Lord sent a venomous snake that bit them and some died. So Moses had to make a snake out of bronze and put it on a pole so when those bitten by the snake looked at it they would be healed.

They camped along the Jordan. Balak saw what the Israeliltes did to the Ammorites and he was afraid. He summoned Balaam. God told Balaam not to go and not to curse the Israelites. Finally God told Balak to go but to only do what I tell you. Balaam got on a donkey and went. God was angry when he went and God sent an angel that only the donkey could see. I see it being 3 times the Lord tried to get Balaam's attention. How many times does it take Him to get our attention. Finally the donkey talked and that got Balaams attention. They had a conversation and Balaam finally saw the angel and he fell face down. The donkey only did what she did so Balaam wouldn't die.

Balak did what Balaam said building altars and making sacrifices and offerings. Each time after building altars and making sacrifices Balaam told Balak that he couldn't curse the Israelites. He said he can only speak what the Lord told him to speak.

Balaam realized that God wanted to bless Israel so he didn't use his sorcery. Balak was mad at Balaam and he told Balaam to go home and that he's not getting paid and blame God for that. Balaam told Balak I was interested in your palace stuffed with silver, gold etc... He warned Balak what Israel could do.

Men began to have sex with the Moabite woman and they also worshiped their gods. God got mad. God told Moses to kill all the leaders by hanging and expose them in daylight before the Lord so the Lord's anger will be turned away. Eleazar's son killed a man who took a Midiante woman into his tent. God made a covenant with Phinehas, Eleazar's son.

A Census was taken again for a lot of Israelites died. It was done in the same manner as before. Land was divided by inheritance depending on the size of the groups. It was assigned by lot.

Even the daughters of Zelophehad got their fathers inheritance because he was dead. God showed Moses the land for he wasn't going into it. God put the Spirit in Joshua who will take Moses place.

Israel had many daily, weekly and rituals of offerings and feasts. Even there was a Feasts of Trumpets. I would need a pen and paper to remember all these offerings and feasts and what we do at each one.

When a man vows to do something to the Lord or binds himself to an oath, he must not break it and do what he says. Even a woman can do this. But if her husband or father speaks up about it she will be released from this vow. If it is a widow or divorced woman that makes this vow, they have to follow through with it. These sound like promises that we as human now a days should keep but we tend to break them.

The Lord had men recruited to carry out His vengeance on the Midianites. During this battle Balaam was killed. They took the plunder, woman and children back to Moses who got mad for these woman lead the men astray. He had the woman killed unless they were virgins. The military were reward. Part of their reward went to the Levites as an offering and the gold taken was also given as an offering.

Tribes of Reuban and Gad wanted to stay on this side of the Jordan. They didn't want to cross over. So they can stay as long as they helped the Israelites drove out the enemies of that land and subdued it. Then after all that is done they would be released from their obligations to the Lord and Israel. But if they failed or backed out of this, there would be punishment.

On their journey they had many campsites. When they got to the land on Canaan they had to drive out those people, destroy their idols and level their worship mounds so Israel can take over the land and make it their home. They divided the land accordingly. There are borders just like we have borders around each state and country today.

Israel gave the Levites part of their total inheritance of towns to live in with plenty of pastures for their livestock. 6 towns were set aside to be a place of refuge. If you accidentally did something to a person and they died, they could run to this place of refuge from the avenger. If this person leaves the refuge and the avenger meets them and kills them for it is his right, he's not considered a murderer. But if they stay, they stay until the high priest dies. If they are tried, they are to have witnesses and it has to be more than one.

Daughters of Zelophehad can only marry someone from their father's Zelophehad tribe. That way the land stays in their father's tribe and doesn't go to someone else's tribe. That's just like our airlooms they we hand down from generation to generation. We don't want them to disappear into someone else's airlooms to become theirs.

That's it for Numbers. Again not an easy book to read, lots of repetition. So next week if not sooner will be going into Deuteronomy.

Recap on Numbers 1 - 20

2010-02-22T15:24:00.006-05:00

Now mind you I'm not behind in my reading, just behind in my blogging. Had a busy week last week at the post office. And again this isn't one of my favorite books to read.

In chapters 1 and 2 a census is taken. We today are going to be counted in the Census this year, don't know when that will come in the mail and they do go door to door in some areas but I've never seen them at my door. The whole Israelite community is being counted. All men 20 years of age and older will be counted so they will serve in the army. All the tribes were counted too accept the Levites. Each tribe has a designated area to camp.

Chapter 3: The Levites were presented to Aaron to assist him in the work of the Tabernacle in the Tent of Meeting. They will help take care of all the furnishings and are the only ones to move them to after they are prepared to be moved. Now Levites are counted by clans and all males a month old and older are counted.

Chapter 4: Each clan have specific duties to fulfill. Each carry specific items when the camp moves.

Chapter 5 and 6: There are steps to take in purification for someone who becomes unclean. Purity in the camp is important. Restitution is to be made to a person who was wronged. There is also a test a man can have done if he suspects his wife is being unfaithful. If you want to become a Nazirite for a period of time a man or woman can separate themselves from the Lord. There is a special vow to be made along with other things to do. They must be holy until the period of separation to the Lord is over. Then they go do their offerings.

Chapter 7: Offerings are brought to the Tabernacle for dedication. Each day during dedication a leader from each tribe is to bring his offering. It lasts 12 days and 12 things of the same group item are brought from each tribe. Things like silver plates, sprinkling bowls, gold dishes etc...

Chapter 8-10: There are 7 lamps to be set up in front of the lampstand. Moses took the Levites and made them ceremonial clean. They are set apart from the Levites. Passover is celebrated at it's appointed time. Those unclean can still celebrate but those clean who don't celebrate Passover are cut off from their people. Even an alien can celebrate Passover but only according to the rules and regulations. The camp moves when the cloud is lifted from the Tent of Meeting and they stay when it covers it. 2 trumpets were made of silver. The 2 together are used to call the community together, 1 is to call the leaders and heads. Trumpet blasts when they go in to battle, appointed feasts, rejoicing, and burnt/fellowship offerings.

Chapter 11-13: The Lord got angry and sent down fire and burned the out skirts of the camp because the Israelites grumbled. People asked Moses to pray and the fire stopped. Again they complained because they wanted real food. So the Lord sent in quail but this is where the phrase "be careful what you ask for" comes in because before they could eat, the Lord sent a plague. Moses was getting tired, he cried to the Lord that he can't carry the heavy burdens of these people. So the Lord had Moses bring 70 elders who were leaders/officials and the Spirit of the Lord was put on them so they can help Moses. Aaron and his wife talked against Moses. So the Lord called all 3 in to a meeting. He explained things to Aaron and Miriam and his anger burned against them and then he left them. Miriam got leprosy and after Moses cried out to the Lord she was taken outside of camp for 7 days but eventually she died. Some men were sent out to explore Canaan and they came back and told Moses and the community about it. A land flowing with milk and honey but people who were much stronger then they were.

Chapter 14-15: Of course the people grumbled again but Joshua explained to them if the Lord was pleased with them he will give them the land. The Lord asked Moses a question. "Why don't they believe and trust me"? How often does he ask that kind of a question when he knows the answer. The Lord forgave them but they won't be entering into that land he promised. Only their descendants. When the Israelites enter the land have them present to the Lord offerings by fire whether burnt or sacrifices for special vows or free will offering or grain offering. Unintentional sin occurs, must present a burnt offering, if one person they must bring a female goat for sin offering. If someone breaks the Sabbath, they are stoned to death.

Chapter 16-17: Some men and 250 Israelites rose up against Moses. Moses fell face down and told them the Lord will show them who belongs to Him and who is holy. Israelites were told to stay away from certain tents. Moses talked with these men and when he was done the earth opened up and swallowed them and their families. A fire came down and consumed the 250 Isrealites too. Moses and Aaron made atonement for the community so the plague would stop. 12 staffs were gathered, one for each leader of their tribe. Names were written on them and Aaron had one too. They were placed in the Tent of Meeting and Moses checked on them the next day and Aaron's not only sprouted but budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Aaron's staff was kept as a sign to the rebellious.

Chapter 18-20: Aaron, his sons and father's family are to bear the responsibility for offenses against the priesthood. They and Levites had duties to do in the Tent of Meeting. Cleansing process starts with a red heifer without defect or blemish and never been under a yoke. It is to be slaughtered, blood used for sprinkling. It is to be burned with certain wood and hyssop. The ashes are gathered when it's done and will be used in water for cleansing by sprinkling it. Oh again the people grumbled. Do we count how many times we grumble? It is probably just as much if not more like the Israelites. Why aren't we ever satisfied with what the Lord provides for us? I know, I can hear you all now it's just a question to ponder. They were thirsty. Didn't they trust the Lord knew they would be thirsty? The Lord had Moses use the staff to bring forth water from the rock but the mistake Moses made was he didn't trust the Lord to honor him as holy in the sight of the people so Moses and Aaron won't lead the community into the land that was promised them. Aaron dies and his son Eleazar the next in line did what Aaron did as a priest.

I'll end for now. Hopefully I'll get back on track and add more to another blog a little later. Just think about all the grumbling and complaining the Israelites have done and then think do I do that too? I know I do, I won't lie about that but as for material things, I'm content with what I have. I don't need a fancy house or car just one that runs and a roof and warm place I can lay my head at night to sleep. As for food and water I can handle what I have for I have had to be tight in those areas many of times and still have a decent meal. Thank you Lord for you have always been there, even when I haven't.

Abandoned

2010-02-17T15:33:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been abandoned by people who you thought were your friends? Or have you been the one to abandon someone because of an accident or circumstances that happened to someone?

The reason why I bring this up, I have been sitting on this for a few weeks, my daughter has this friend who had lots of friends. He was able to do all sorts of activities and hang with his friends. Anyways, he got in a car accident and now he is paralysed.

None of his friends have gone to see him, they really don't text or even call him. My daughter texts this young man every day. They are always texting and they'll be times they'll talk on the phone. She went to see him once and the only thing that made it awkward is his family speaks Spanish. That would probably make me feel uncomfortable to, if I couldn't understand what people were saying but I'm proud that she went over there to visit and stayed awhile.

I know one of my co-workers who got injured at work feels abandoned by the employer. But the employees show that we cared and took up some money to help her out for she hasn't had a pay check since before Christmas.

A lot of people do feel abandoned when something goes wrong in their lives. Most of the time it's circumstances that they couldn't control. But there is truly one person we can count on who will never abandon us. Our Lord Jesus Christ.

God never abandoned the Israelites in the desert no matter how much they grumbled against him and no matter how much they disobey him.

Deuteronomy 4:31 (NIV) For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

He also stands with us when things aren't right or the trials that we go through. He goes through them with us and He still won't abandon us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

See those words strong, courageous don't be afraid or terrified. He's telling us to be strong and courageous no matter what and to not be afraid or terrified. Look at these beautiful words, Lord your God goes with you, never leave you or forsake you. Oh, how wonderful is that. He goes with us no matter what and he won't leave us no matter what. Here's another passage.

Joshua 1:5 (NIV) No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

There will be people who will stand up against us or at least that is what we think, but in actuality it's not us they stand against, it is Jesus they stand against. See the world doesn't really hate us, it's just they hate Jesus.

John 7:7 (NIV) "The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil."

So if the world does abandon us for whatever reason, it's comforting to know that there is one person who will never abandon us. Jesus Christ our Lord. He was hated, persecuted, beaten, spit at and so forth and yes his disciples did abandon him towards the end of his life. They didn't have the strong faith or the courage that they were taught to have. They were afraid. Even Peter denied him when people said or asked if he hung around Jesus. Yet Jesus still didn't abandon them nor will he abandon us.

I'd like to think people can count on me for things. And when I say I am a friend to someone I'll always be a friend or someone who a person can turn to for an ear or shoulder or whatever that is in my power to help. I may not be close to some of my friends as I use to be like from school but if they needed an ear or something, I would be there. I just hope and pray that I never abandon anyone in my life for unforeseen circumstances. There are a lot of things I just don't remember from long ago, so if someone feels that I abandoned them, I am truly sorry and if you need an ear or something please don't hesitate to let me know.

Thank you Lord for always being there even when I am not always there.

Finishing Leviticus

2010-02-12T16:37:00.003-05:00

Here we are ready to finish Leviticus. Leviticus 11-27 I have read these chapters in the NIV and have also resorted to the Message. So here we go.

There are certain animals that are only allowed to be eaten, especially back in those days. We still eat a lot of these same animals. The only animals to be eaten are those that chew cud and with split hoofs completely divided. The only sea creatures to be eaten are those that have fins and scales, and only certain birds can be eaten. You can also eat bugs but only those that walk on all fours and some with wings. Yuk, bugs! Can't eat already dead animals too. You'll be unclean if you don't follow these regulations God has set.

When a woman gives birth she is unclean for at least 7 days and up to 2 weeks. There is a purification process to go through before she becomes clean again.

If someone has a swelling, rash, bright spot or some kind of skin disease that may be infectious must be brought to a priest for inspection. Then there is a process to go through there to see if it is infectious or not. There is also a process for mildew too. Wow, God cares about mildew, isn't that just amazing. Mildew can really be harmful and he want to protect us.

So God keeps giving Moses instructions to pass on to Aaron and his sons and the community. Many instructions that I couldn't even remember. What to do when there is someone with an infectious skin disease, to when a man has a discharge, to a woman who has their period and so on. It would take a lot of paper for me to write all these instructions down to maybe to have a chance to remember.

When God appears, the cloud is over the atonement Aaron can't enter the Most Holy Place whenever he chooses or else he'll die. In order for Aaron to enter the Most Holy Place, he'll have to bring offerings for Sin offering and Burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen with the garments. There are things the community must bring to have atonement which are needed for Sin offering and Burnt offering. When Aaron is done with all this, he is to take off those garments, bathe and get into priestly garments. Ever hear of the term Scapegoat, well it came from God. When atonement is made for the community, 2 goats are used. 1 is released while the other is sacrificed.

If a man slaughters an animal other than those required and outside of camp is guilty of bloodshed and is cut off from his people. Sacrifices are presented before God and to God only.

There are unlawful sex and basically that means you can't have sex with a relative of any kind. And must not have sex with the same sex or animal. There are also various laws to follow. Ten Commandments are some along with offerings, harvest, not cheating, not being deceitful, and so on. Many, many laws which a lot of our laws today are based on.

There are punishment for breaking these laws or sinning. You could be cut off from your people, be childless or even make some kind of restitution. Even priests have rules that they must follow or they will be punished. There are appointed feasts that have to be celebrated and the Sabbath must be observed. A blasphemer can be stoned and that could mean death. There is also a Sabbath year where the land will have rest, the vineyards rest but you can still eat the food from it but not harvest or plow.

There is a year of Jubilee, where in the 50th year where again lands not plowed or harvested but can still eat from it and everyone is to return to his own property. There are other things that follow in the Jubilee. You will rewarded for your obedience. Then there is redeeming what is the Lord's. If it was given to the Lord and then the person wants to redeem it, that person usually has to add a fifth to its value. I'm not the best in math, especially fractions so to add a fifth to a value of something would not be good for me to figure out. Every value is set according to the sanctuary shekel which is 20 gerahs to a shekel. Again that math thing, huh? Of course don't forget the tithe. Doesn't necessarily mean money, back then it could be land, animals, whatever they could use to tithe.

As I have stated before, Thank you Jesus for being the ultimate sacrifice. Don't think I would be very good at remembering all these instructions and I'd probably die for doing one step wrong.

I haven't forgotten Numbers, will be blogging those in a day or 2. And if you visit Ms. Debs site, she has some of those added to her blog and she's a bit ahead of me. We might be doing 2 different yearly plans but we are excited about these readings. www.nanabananadesigns.blogspot.com

Flesh vs. Spirit

2010-02-11T18:39:00.003-05:00

We had a good lesson in our Sunday school class this past Sunday. It was about the flesh vs. the Spirit. It was about the carnal (which means worldly) living vs. the Spiritual living. As I read the lesson, God showed me what He wanted me to see out of it. I know that my house is a war zone, a house divided between good and evil and He just emphasized it more.

Romans 8:5-8 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind of controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

See, my husband likes and lives as the world lives according to the sinful nature. My kids and I work at living in accordance with the Spirit. There is a war zone in the middle of my house.

The thing that is disturbing is he doesn't see anything wrong with what he does. He doesn't feel guilty about it, but when he is caught doing what ever he does, he doesn't even feel guilty but he tries to act if nothing happened, like a little child who gets caught doing wrong things.

Here are the acts of the sinful nature, which we are all guilty of doing at some point during our lives. It only takes doing one of these to be sinful.

Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

He probably considers this his friend. He has friends and family members that are the same way.

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

I know that him and others don't know Christ and they really don't see anything wrong with what they do. I myself have accepted Christ long time ago and finally got right with Him back in 2003. These next Scriptures are probably my favorite ones, so far.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Can you just imagine your self putting Jesus on like a T-shirt? I think that is a neat image to have in the mind. Pulling him over my head like a T-shirt.

Here is where my husband and I stand in our lives. At youth group this past week, we had guest speakers, a young couple who spoke about dating and they did a pictorial of how you and a spouse/date should be in a relationship.

Picture a triangle. At the top of the triangle is Jesus Christ. At the bottom you in one corner and spouse/date in the other. As your relationship grows, first and for most Christ should be the center of it, and as the relationship builds, it is traveling up towards the top of the triangle where Jesus Christ is at. But my triangle is not doing that. Yes, I am traveling upward towards Christ but my husband is either stationary or traveling downwards. So another words Satan has a strong hold on my husband.

I know Satan tries to use my husband to get to me but it doesn't work. Here's why.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

As long as I keep working at my relationship with Christ, reminding my self of Scripture, I will keep going up on the triangle. I have prayed for my husband and have talked with him about Jesus but he doesn't want to do anything about it. Satan has blinded him and closed off his ears to the truth. So pray for an intervention for my husband that Christ will snatch him out of the hands of Satan. Won't that be a wonderful praise to see Christ snatch him out of Satan's hands?

End of Exodus into Leviticus Recap

2010-02-05T14:50:00.002-05:00

Let's finish Exodus.
Exodus 37-40: The Ark, the Table, the Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense were built exactly the way God had instructed them to make it. Also the Altar of Burnt Offering, Basin for Washing and the Courtyard were done too. They used all the materials the God also instructed them to use. They followed directions. How often do you follow directions? Do you read them or do you listen to what someone is directing you to do? It's easier to read them then to follow what someone tells you. They also made the Priestly Garments: the Ephod, Breastpiece and other priestly garments. Moses inspected the Tabernacle and everything in it and for it. The Lord told Moses to set up the Tabernacle, place everything where it is suppose to go and consecrate everything, including Aaron and his sons. A cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifted they could travel and when it didn't they had to stay where they were.

Leviticus 1-10: This is one of the hardest books to understand. I have read further then 10 but for now that's what I'll just blog too. If you're anything like me, when my brain reads things that are hard to understand, it just shuts down and screams "SIMPLE, SIMPLE, just make it simple!" So we'll just shorten this overview and to the best that I can explain it.

Leviticus was written to the Levities specifically and to the Israelites in general. It addresses religious issues of worship, sacrificial system and people's responsibility to maintain moral and ceremonial holiness--a requirement for the worship of God.

So here are where we learn the different kinds of offering and what is to be offered.

Burnt Offering: use bull, ram, or male bird (dove or young pigeon for the poor), wholly consumed, no defect: Voluntary act of worship, atonement for unintentional sin in general.

Grain Offering: use grain, fine flour, olive oil, incense, baked bread, cakes or wafers without yeast, salt, no honey: Voluntary act of worship, recognition of God's goodness and provisions.

Fellowship Offering: any animal without defect from herd or flock, variety of breads: Voluntary act of worship, thanksgiving and fellowship.

Sin Offering: young bull for high priest and congregation; male goat for leader; female goat or lamb for common person; dove or pigeon for the poor; tenth of an ephah of fine flour for the very poor: mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin, confession of sin, forgiveness of sin, cleansing from defilement.

Guilt Offering: ram: mandatory atonement for unintentional sin requiring restitution, cleansing from defilement, making restitution.

That's just a shorten version that is in my Bible. The priests do a lot of the act of the offering. That would be laying of the hands on the heads, sprinkling of the blood and so forth.

They were not to allowed to eat the fat of the animals or eat the blood (another words meat is to be well done) or they would be cut off from their people.

The Priests get part of some of these offerings. Part of the offerings are sacrificed and the other part the priests are allowed to keep, some have to be eaten that day no later.

Aaron and his sons are ordained to their priesthood. On the 8th day after ordination Aaron and his sons and elders did all the offerings that we went over.

Two of Aaron's sons were killed by God for they didn't follow instructions, which I could understand if they were confused or couldn't remember them all. They offered an unauthorized fire before the Lord. Their cousins had to remove them to the outside of the camp. Aaron and his other sons couldn't not mourn them, only the community. They were still being ordained and the Lord would kill them to if they didn't continue their journey into priesthood. Aaron and his sons can't drink wine or anything fermented when they are in the Tent of Meeting.

Their job is to distinguish between holy and common, unclean and clean and teach all decrees besides doing all the offerings. I don't think I could live in this time period. So thankful that Jesus Christ was the last sacrificial attonement for all of us so we don't have to do all these steps to get forgiven for our sins. Thank you Lord for sending the one and only Lamb of God.

Exodus 25-36 Recap

2010-01-29T15:57:00.011-05:00

So I left off with Exodus 24 for to me it was a lot of info to absorb. And now we continue onward as they say.

Exodus 25: In order to make the Tabernacle, The Ark, and other furnishings, they needed supplies so the Lord told Moses to bring offerings to Him. Those offerings are gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, scarlet yarns, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, olive oil, spices, fragrant incense, onyx and other gems. When they made the Ark and Table they used; acacia wood overlaid with gold, gold rings, gold mouldings. The Cherubims and lampstand is made of hammered gold and all plates, dishes, etc.... made with pure gold.

Exodus 26: The Tabernacle is also use acacia wood overlaid with gold, gold rings. Cross bars are overlaid with gold too. Then there are curtains made of goat hair, loops and bronze clasps. The frames that are made with acacia wood stand in silver bases. There is also curtains made blue, purple, scarlet, and finely twisted linen. There is to be cherubim worked into it. They hang on gold hooks.

Exodus 27: Altar of Burnt Offerings: again made of acacia wood with 4 horns all overlaid with bronze. All utensils are made of bronze. There is to be a courtyard that will have curtains made of finely twisted linen on posts, with bronze bases and silver hooks and silver bands. Entrance to courtyard will have a curtain made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted line with embroidery. The oil for the lampstand is made of pressed olives.

Exodus 28: Aaron and his sons are to have priestly garments. The Ephod and Breastpiece are made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarn and finely twisted lines. They will have gem stones put on them. There are to be gold filigree settings, braided chains of pure gold. The robe of the ephod is of blue cloth, pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet yarn, gold bells too. A plate if made of pure gold with engraving on it and will be on the turban. Tunics are of fine linen, so is the turban. Sash is made by embroider. There are to be tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons. Undergarments are to be made too.

Exodus 29: The priests are to be consecrated. Young bulls and rams without defect, fine wheat flour without yeast for bread and cakes mixed with oil and wafers. Dress Aaron in his garments and anoint him at the entrance of Tent Meeting. Bring bread and cakes in basket with bulls and rams too. Then the rest of the process of consecration. There's a lot to go in to for the instructions of consecrating. My mind just stumbles through it and I still look at it and think "huh?". I think I would be one of those people that would say repeat it to me again and again. May have to draw pictures for me too.

Exodus 30: Altar of Incense is also made of acacia wood, with horns and overlaid with pure gold, gold rings, poles of gold. Aaron must burn incense in the morning and at dusk every day. Atonement money is when a census is taken. (which this year the census will happen) Money must be paid by each person as a ransom for his life to the Lord. A basin is to be made of bronze with a bronze stand. Anointing oil is made from fine spices: liquid myrrh, cinnamon, fragrant cane, cassia. Incense: fragrant spices: gum resin, onycha and galbanum and frankincense.

Exodus 31: Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with the Spirit of God, with skills, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. There are other craftsman who were given skills too. The Sabbath must be observed, so no work is to be done.

Exodus 32: So while Moses was on the mountain which was 40 days and 40 nights the people started to get restless. They approached Aaron and asked him to make them gods who will go before them. Aaron asked for their gold jewelry and he made a gold calf. The people said "these are your gods." I don't think I would be a part of that crowd after seeing what God himself can do. Anyways they built an altar in front of the calf. The next day they held a festival. The Lord told Moses to go down to the people for they have become corrupt. God was angry. Moses returned to the people with the Tablets. Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and he threw down the Tablets and broke them. He burned the calf to the ground. The Levites did as Moses said and killed about 3000 people and now they are set apart. Moses said he would go to the Lord to make atonement. The Lord told Moses he would blot out those who sinned against him from the book. There will be punishment when it's time.

Exodus 33: Moses and the people were to leave this place and go to the land the Lord promised but the Lord wasn't going to go. Moses made a make shift Tent of Meeting outside the camp. The people all watched Moses go in the tent and when the cloud came down around it, they worshiped the Lord, each at their own tent entrance. Moses talked with the Lord and the Lord's presence will go with him. The Lord said he would do the very thing that Moses asked. Moses asked God to show his glory, and God covered him with his hand so he can pass in front of him. Moses wasn't allowed to see his face, but he go to see God's back.

Exodus 34: New Tablets of the Law and Commandments were made. A covenant was made with Moses and God. He will drive the other people out of the land the Lord promise them. And they were not to make any treaties with those people nor bow down to their gods. They are to celebrate those Festavil as planned, work 6 days rest on the 7th and so on and Moses was to write all this down. When Moses came out of the tent his face was radiant. The people saw his face. Moses had to wear a veil except when he spoke to God.

Exodus 35 and 36: Now the materials were gathered for the Tabernacle and Bezalel and Oholiab taught people certain skills so they can get this built. So everything was made for the Tabernacle. The craftsman told Moses there was to much stuff so Moses had the people stop bringing it. So instead of going back into detail of building the Tabernacle, I will show you a picture of what it should look like from the instructions told a few chapters ago. There was to much materials so Moses had the people stop bring it.

Now with only a few more chapters left, I'll do those a bit later before we get into Leviticus, which again is the one book in the Bible that I definitely stumble through and is probably my least favorite book of the Bible. I hope this picture of the Tabernacle gives you an idea of how maybe it was suppose to look according to God's instructions.

Butterfly Circus

2010-01-27T20:23:00.002-05:00

If you have time, watch this short film, it's about 20 minutes long. The man that plays the part of Wil is a man that has no limbs. His name is Nick Vujicic. I have seen this man and some of our youth at my church has seen him and heard him speak at a YEC youth conference a few years ago. This man God is using amazingly. This film is about hope and transformation of lives. The same way God gives us hope and transforms our lives. Please take time to watch it.

Exodus 16-24 Recap

2010-01-26T14:13:00.003-05:00

I am breaking this recap in half. We have gotten to a portion in the Bible that I stumble through. We'll get to that portion shortly.

Exodus 16: While traveling in the desert the Israelites grumbled a lot. They thought their life was better in Egypt where even though they were slaves they had food. So because they grumbled against God, he heard them and provided them with meat at night and bread (manna) in the morning. He did this so they would see his glory. There were instructions to this and not everyone followed them. How often do we grumble when we don't have what we want and do we always follow the instructions. My husband put a swing set together years ago and because he didn't follow all the instructions he left a piece out.

Exodus 17: Still traveling the desert they quarrelled with Moses because they were thirsty. Moses did what God told him to do to strike a rock with the staff and water flowed. Amalekites attacked them so Joshua took some men to fight the Amalekits. Moses went on top of a hill and raise his arms. While his arms were raised the Israelites were winning and when his arms came down the Amalekites were winning. So men made a seat out of stones and they help Moses hold his arms up and the Israelites won.

Exodus 18: Jethro, Moses father-in-law came for a visit and brought Moses' wife and sons. He was delighted to hear the stories but he also watched Moses take on everything. Moses was a judge. So after a while he gave Moses advice. Appoint men, teach them the decrees and laws, show them how to live and the duties to perform so they can take on some of the work. Let them serve as judges and bring the difficult cases to you. So Moses took Jethro's advice and did exactly that.

Exodus 19: Moses told the people what the Lord said about how He carried them on eagles wings out of Egypt, and brought them to Him. If they obey and keep his covenant they will be for him a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. They said they would. They prepared themselves to face the Lord. The Lord came down by fire and the mountain trembled. I believe I would have trembled too.

Exodus 20: The 10 Commandments:
1. You shall not have other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything for I am a jealous God.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD you God.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days work, seventh day rest.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, wife, servants and possessions.

Now comes the part where I stumble through and try to understand but find it hard too. Have you ever seen the show called Stargate on SciFi? Any ways Colonel O'Neal, if he didn't understand something, especially if it is complicated, he'd say: eh eh eh, English! I get that way wishing it was more simpler to understand.

Exodus 21: If a Hebrew servant was bought he is to work 6 years and the 7th year he is free. Same if he has a wife with him when he was bought. If he finds a wife during his service then when the 7th year came he still is free but she's not nor his children. If he dosen't go then he goes before a judge with his master and pierce his ear with an awl then he's the masters forever. Anyone kills a man then they die. If God allowed the death, then that man flees to a designated place. Here is what you will die for: attack parents, kid naps and keeps or sells them, curse parents. There is punishment for other wrongful doings too.

Exodus 22: Restitution is to be made: stolen livestock that is slaughtered or sold, theif steals something but he must be sold himself if he doesn't have money, stolen animal is found alive with him, livestock grazes on anothers field, a fire breaks out and shocks of grain is burned, if a thief takes goods and it was there for safekeeping, and if borrowed, borrower makes restitution.
If a theif enters house after dark and owner kills him, defender not guilty of bloodshed. Wild animal kills livestock that was for safekeeping then no restitution is to be made. There are some cases that will go before a judge. Don't take advantage of widows and orphans, lend money but put no interest on it.

Exodus 23: don't lie or be malicious, don't follow crowds in wrong doings, return things found if you know who it belongs to, don't deal with false charges, don't put an innocent man to death, don't accept a bribe, don't oppress anyone. 6 years sow field, 7th year don't plow field, allow pour and wild animals to eat from it along with yourselves, 6 days work, 7th rest. 3 annual festivals: Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, and Feast of Ingathering. Angel guard you along the way, listen to the Lord, don't rebel against Him, Worship the Lord your God, He'll bring you into the land promised.

Exodus 24: Moses told the people of the laws and word's of the Lord and they said they will do everything the Lord said. Moses wrote everything down. Then he built an altar with 12 stone pillars (represents 12 tribes), they offered burnt offerings and sacrifices and Moses read the Book of Covenant. He sprinkled the blood on the people (blood covenant). God asked Moses to come on the mountain and write the laws and commands on tablets. He stayed on the mountain for 40 days and nights.

I'll stop there for the next chapters will deal with The Tabernacle. So once again my brain is full of information and it feels confused so I will have to ponder all this. I just don't know how they understood all those laws, I would definitely have trouble with them my self. I don't even know all of the amendments for they are confusing to me too.

Exocus 1 - 15 recap

2010-01-22T15:00:00.004-05:00

Now I am traveling through Exodus.

Exodus 1-3: There was a new Pharaoh who didn't know Joseph so because he hated the Israelites, he made them slaves. He tried to have the males born killed but instead he threw them in the Nile. Moses was found in the Nile by the Pharaoh's daughter. He fled when he killed an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew. Moses saw the burning bush and God talked to him. He was told to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. It won't be an easy task.

Exodus 4-6: Moses doubted his ability to convince the Israelites that God will lead them out of Egypt. Aaron helped Moses. They went to the Pharaoh to ask to let his people go. Moses cried out to the Lord when Pharaoh made them work harder asking "why?" God also heard the groaning of the Israelites and remembered his covenant. Don't we question God like Moses did?

Exodus 7-9: God told Moses of his plans and that the Pharaoh won't listen. God brought on some plagues that the Pharaoh's magician could do as well. Staff into a snake, water into blood, and lots of frogs but the couldn't turn the dust of the ground into gnats. (pesky little things!) They told the Pharaoh this is the finger of God. God also sent a plague on the livestock which died and boils on the Egyptians and hailstorm that killed off half of their crops. Did the Pharaoh listen? No and he still wouldn't let the Israelites go.

Exodus 10-12: God performed miraculous signs: such as sent locust that ate the rest of the crops, it turned dark for 3 days, so dark that you could feel it and the Pharaoh's heart was still hardened and didn't let them go. One last plague that he was warned about where the firstborn male, human and animal will die. The Lord told Moses to get his people ready. To kill a year old male lamb without defect and put the blood on the sides and top of the door frame. They did this. So when God came with this last plague, any house that had that blood around the door frame, he passed and the Egyptians firstborn were killed and they cried. Pharaoh told them to leave.

Exodus 13-15: Israelite went into the desert to the Red Sea. Pharaoh realized he had no slaves to work for him so he went after them and met them at the Red Sea. God divided the waters so the Israelites could escape by walking on the sea floor while the water was a wall on each side of them. When Pharaoh came through the water collapsed and they died. Israelite celebrated with song, worship and praise. But then as they traveled into the desert there was no water and what water they found it was bitter. Moses threw a piece of wood into the water to make it sweet. Of course that was a God thing too. The Passover which is what they celebrated was to happen every year on that day and the story of why of this celebration to be told from generations to generations.

While the Israelite left Egypt they grumbled most of the time. They grumbled about being slaves, they grumbled about dying in the desert, they grumbled about not having water or bitter water. Aren't we much like the same way, never satisfied with what we have and the situations that we may not be in because of one reason or another? Have we really changed since the beginning of the Bible? Think about it.

Like Exodus 15:26 states we need to listen carefully to the voice of our Lord, pay attention, keep all decrees and he will heal us if we do so. There is still more to come that when we look at it, it won't seem much different as today, so until the next recap, God Bless you all.

Sheep

2010-01-20T19:53:00.003-05:00

Sheep are not the brightest animals. They seem to get in to terrible situations a lot. Does that sound familiar, that we as humans tend to find ourselves in terrible situations, a lot? Sheep are also defenseless. If they are attacked, they can not fight off their attacker.

John 10:12 - "The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. The the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it."

When we are attacked we try to run away. But when we are attacked by things we can not see, we like the sheep can not fight it off.

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Sheep also don't have a sense of direction. Sometimes I feel that way! If they wander off, they have a hard time finding their way back.

Isaiah 53:6a - We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;

I have been one of those sheep's. If you read my last blog, towards the end I mentioned that Jesus brought me back to the flock. I wandered away a long time ago. I lost my sense of direction and had a hard time finding my way back. But thank God for the Good Shepherd.

Here is what a good shepherd does.

Matthew 18:12-13 - "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?"

Jesus Christ is that good shepherd.

Ezekiel 34:11-12,16 - "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice."

Look at that. Our Lord will search for us when we wander away, in to the deepest, darkest places. That's what He did for me. He searched for me and when He found me, He brought me back to the flock. One thing about sheep's, is that they do know their shepherd, they do know his voice and they listen to it, and the shepherd knows his sheep. And Jesus being the "good shepherd" knows us, but do we all know him?

John 10:14 - "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--

If you have that personal relationship with Jesus, then you will know him, like he knows you. And he will collect all his sheep's that have wandered away.

John 10:16 - "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."

So if you have wandered off, do you hear Him calling for you? He is searching for you, that I can promise from my own experience. Just listen to Him.

Blame and Lies

2010-01-18T08:05:00.005-05:00

As you know I have started to read the Bible through the year. It wasn't a New Years resolution but if it was, I think I'm doing a pretty good job. Any ways while reading God has pointed things out that yes I have seen before but haven't really thought about it. It's interesting to see how far back things go in life, like blame and lies.

For instant: Blame

Genesis 3:12-13 - The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." The the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, " The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

How much different are we from Adam and Eve? We aren't. Don't we too try to blame someone else for things we have done wrong? Don't we want to make ourselves look good and others look bad? The best thing we can do is take responsibility for our selves and be accountable for our own actions. Someone didn't take our arms, twist it and make us do the things we do. All in all it is our own fault and we will have to account for our actions to our Lord one day.

Now how about "Lies". As I was reading through Genesis, a song came to my head from the 80's by the Thompson Twins, "Lies, Lies, Lies". That chorus keeps running through my head, "lies, lies, lies,yeah".

Now we know the serpent deceived Eve into eating the fruit because he told Eve "You will not surely die," if she eats the forbidden fruit. That's a type of lie to deceive someone. But here's the lie I want to show you, the one that is an actual conversation.

Genesis 4:9 - Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" " I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

God knew what Cain did to Abel but he wanted the truth to come out of his mouth. How many times have we lied? Even if we think it is doing good.

In Genesis we also see the lie that Abraham told about his wife being his sister, and how Issac did the same lie about his wife also being his sister, how Rachel lied by sitting on her dad's household gods when he searched for them, how Joseph's brothers told their dad that he was killed by a wild animal, and along with many deceptions just in this first book of the Bible.

Are we really any different from these people? Don't we do or say things to get out of being caught or getting into trouble? We are God's people, he created us and like the first creations, we are just like them. Human and we sin. We are born into sin but that can change if we would except Jesus as our Savior. He will forgive us from our sins, past, present and future as long as we ask him too. I have accepted him as my Savior and is very thankful for the change that he has done in my life. So thankful that he has brought me back to the flock, for I was one of those sheep who wandered away for a long time.

Thank you Jesus for being my Lord and Savior. Thank you for forgiving me when I do things wrong and I know I shouldn't. Thank you for putting me back on the right path. What about you, don't you want to be forgiven? Don't you want a bright future in eternity? Just ask Jesus to come in to your heart and he will. He's knocking!

Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Won't you open the door and let him in?

Genesis recap chapters 28 - 50

2010-01-17T16:22:00.002-05:00

We'll make this a quick recap to catch up to the point I am at now. I have caught up with all my reading. Start Exodus tomorrow.

Gen 28 - 31: We have the battle for babies between Rachel, Leah and their maid servants. I'm happy with the 2 kids I have and wouldn't want to be in their positions. That's not a battle that could be won by either side. Jacob tricked Leban and flees with his family and all his possessions, while Rachel took Leban's house hold gods before they left and lied about why she couldn't get off the camel.

Gen 32 - 34: Jacob got ready to meet his brother Esau even though he was afraid Esau was going to attack him. Esau met him and hugged him. Jacob introduced him to his family. Jacob's daughter Dinah was violated and her brothers got revenge on the man that did that to her.

Gen 35 - 37: Jacob had his household get rid of the foreign gods and to purify themselves. He built altars on their journey to Bethel. Rachel died giving birth to Ben-Oni (Benjamin). Esau is the father of the Edomites. In chapter 36 we find the account of his lineage. Joseph was born to Jacob who was his favorite. His brothers plotted to kill him but instead sold him to the Ishmaelites who in turn sold him to Potiphar who lives in Egypt. They sold him because in interprets dreams and he said they would bow down to him. They hated him. They told Jacob a wild animal killed him.

Gen 38 - 40: Judah, son of Jacob got married had sons. One married Tamar, well God put him to death. The next in line was suppose to fulfill the duty as a brother and be with Tamar. He displeased God and He put him to death too. Eventually Judah laid with Tamar thinking she was a prostitute and she got pregnant. She had twins. Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household until Potiphars wife accused Joseph of trying to rape her. He was sent to prison where he met the Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker. They each had a dream and Joseph interpreted them. Cupbearer was restored to work for the Pharaoh and Baker was hanged.

Gen 41 - 42: Pharaoh had a dream and the cupbearer told him about Joseph. Pharaoh called for him. Pharaoh told him of his dreams. Joseph told him that these dreams meant 7 years of abundance and 7 years of famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt. He organized where the fifth of the harvest from everyone was put in storage. That was 7 years and now the famine came. Joseph's family felt the pinch of the famine and his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain. They didn't recognize their brother Joseph. His brothers had to go back to their father and get Benjamin who is Joseph's brother through Rachel, and return to him.

Gen 43 - 45: Benjamin returned with his brothers because they had to buy more grain. Joseph asked them about their aging father. They said he will die if they don't go back. So they started back but Joseph had his steward put in their sack of grains all the silver that they brought with them including the silver from the first trip that he sent back before and to put a silver cup in Benjamins sack. The steward caught up to them and searched their sacks. He said the one with the silver cup will be a slave to Joseph. They returned to the city. Joseph finally revealed who he was, their brother, the one they sold. Pharaoh heard this and invited his whole entire family to come stay in Egypt.

Gen 46 - 47: Jacob was told by God not to be afraid to go to Egypt. Jacob took his entire family and possessions there. When they arrived Joseph told the Pharaoh. He introduced some of his brothers to him. He asked their occupation and they said shepherds. People ran out of money to buy grain so they exchanged livestock for grain. Then they ran out of livestock so they sold Joseph their lands for grain. Finally the famine was over and they could plant seeds. They were to give a fifth of the crops to the Pharaoh.

Gen 48 - 50: Jacob blessed 2 of Joseph's sons. Again the youngest got the blessing the oldest should of had. Jacob also blessed each of his son's which are the 12 tribes of Israel. He also asked to be buried with Abraham in the cave that Abraham bought to bury Sarah. Joseph wept when his father died. He took him to that cave along with a huge caravan. It included his family and the officials and dignitaries of the Pharaoh. Joseph's brothers were afraid of Joseph now for they thought that he would seek revenge for the wrong they did to him. But Joseph told them that they did intend to harm him but God intended all that for good which it was for good. Joseph told them that God would help them and lead them out of Egypt and they were to take his bones out to when he died. He died and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

Whew that was fun and very interesting. God showed me things that I didn't pay attention to before. Exodus should be just as exciting.

Genesis 16-27 - recaps

2010-01-13T14:27:00.003-05:00

Gen 16 - Sarai decides to give Hagar to Abram to get pregnant because she still didn't have children. Hagar got pregnant and pretty much rubbed it in Sarai's face. How much can we be like Hagar when we get something and another person we know doesn't and we rub it in their face. Sarai made Abram choose between her or Hagar, so he told Sarai to do what ever she wants with Hagar. Hagar is to name her son Ishmael.

Gen 17 - God made a covenant with Abram. He told Abram he'll be the father of many nations. His name changed to Abraham and Sarai was changed to Sarah. God also told Abraham that Sarah is going to conceive and it will be a son whose name will be Isaac.

Gen 18 - The Lord appeared to Abraham with angels. He hurried to greet them and he gave the food and water and a place to rest. The Lord told Abraham this time next year I'll be back and Sarah will have a son. Sarah heard this and laughed for she was not young anymore. Both Abraham and Sarah were well up in their years. Lord heard Sarah laugh and asked why but she denied it. How many times do we deny things we have done in our lives? The Lord told Abraham that he will destroy Sodom. Abraham asked the Lord that if he found 10 righteous men in that city don't destroy it. But 10 could not be found.

Gen 19 - The angels that visited Abraham went to Sodom. Lot convinced them to stay at his house. All the men of Sodom wanted the angel that were staying at Lots house. They wanted to have sex with them. When Lot wouldn't give them the angels they demanded it instead. Lot offered them his daughters but they didn't want them, only the angels. The angels blinded the men and told Lot to get his family and leave immediately and don't look back. But Lots wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. How often do we look back on our pass? Do we have any regrets or wish we could go back and do it again? Can't go back but we sure can go forwards.

Gen 20 - Any time Abraham and Sarah moved to another city, they had this "she is my sister" routine. Abraham always had the fear that he would be killed because his wife is beautiful.

Gen 21 - Sarah gave birth to Isaac. She wasn't young anymore. Hagar and Ishmael were sent away. Ishmael will be a great nation only because he is Abraham's son, promised by God. They lived in the desert and God was with Ishmael while he grew up. Hagar decides to get a wife for Ishmael.

Gen 22 - God tested Abraham. He told him to take his son Isaac near the region of Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. He did as he was told and just as he got everything ready and reached for his son, God stopped him The test was to see if Abraham would do anything he was asked by God. What do we sacrifice for God? Is He first in our lives? God blessed Abraham.

Gen 23 - Sarah died and Abraham went to mourn and weep over her. He asked the Hittites to sell him a burial site. After some talk Abraham bought a field with a cave and some trees on it. He buried Sarah there.

Gen 24 - Abraham asked the chief servant to go find Isaac a wife but not from a Canaanite but from his relative in his country. The servant asked the Lord to show him which female to choose from, and it's the one who gave him water when he asked and she also watered the camels too. He stayed with her family and he told him why he came there. Rebekah went back with the servant and married Isaac.

Gen 25 - Abraham left everything for Isaac but did give gifts to all his other sons before he died. He sent his other sons away. Abraham died and was buried with Sarah. Isaac and Rebekah gave birth to twins. Esau was hairy and a skilled hunter. Jacob was quiet and stayed near the tents. Esau gave Jacob his birthright for a bowl of stew. Do we sell ourselves out for things we need? Have you ever given somebody something important for something you really need?

Gen 26 - Isaac also did the "she is my sister" routine. Isn't it ironic that sometimes we do the same things our parents have done?

Gen 27 - Before Isaac died, he had to give Esau his blessing. Rebekah heard Isaac tell Esau to go hunt game, prepare it and bring it to him to eat so he can give his blessing. Rebekah devised a plan where Jacob will get it instead. She had Jacob get 2 choice goats and she prepared the food the way Isaac likes it. She also put the goat skin on Jacobs hands and neck for Isaac's eyes weren't seeing well so he touched everything. Jacob took him the food and Isaac touched Jacob and thought it was Esau so he blessed him. Esau came back with the food and found out that Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob. Isaac did give Esau a small blessing. How are we like that taking something that actually belongs to someone else for our selfish desire? Rebekah sen Jacob away for fear Esau might kill him.

When you read these recaps from Scripture, put your self in their shoes. Would you do the same thing they did? Think of how they are feeling at that time with the things happening. Our world today is much the same way as theirs. Selfishness seems to take over. What can I get, how much can I get, will I get caught? It's all about me, me, me. It needs to change and be all about our awesome Savior and Lord and He will take care of things as long as we let Him do the work and not ourselves.

Reading Bible thru 2010, my recap.

2010-01-08T15:23:00.002-05:00

I am reading along with Ms. Debbie at: www.nanabananadesigns.blogspot.com

Now mind you I am a little behind in this by about 3 chapters which I hopefully will make up this weekend. Had things to deal with like getting our heat fixed and had to clean my kitchen because of ugly little creatures crawling around.

Anyways, here is my recap: God created the a good world, sin corrupted that creation and God inintiated a plan of salvation to restore it.

~~God created everything from plants, trees, animals, birds, sea creatures to humans. I mean everything. He created for a purpose, it was intentional and ordered. It's amazing how He created everything in six days and then rested on the seventh. I know how he feels, I work six days and rest on the seventh. The seventh day is a holy day. A day we worship and praise Him.~~

~~The serpant was a crafty who tempted Eve to eat and then she gave to Adam. How are we so like them. Someone tempts us and we take and then like Adam and Eve, we put the blame on the person who tempted us when all we have to do is say "NO". Because of this sin, woman have child bearing pain, and men must labor for their food.~~

~~Ms. Debbie mentioned the first murder. There is also a lie here when Cain was asked where his brother was and he says I'm not my brothers keeper. He knew all along where Abel was. God knew too but wanted Cain to admit it. Just like he wants us to admit our sins to him too.~~

~~Then we go through the lineage of Adam to get to Noah. Noah walked with God. He was told by God to build an ark, a huge boat. He's to take animals, birds and other creatures with him, 1 male and 1 female along with his family. God destroyed the first human race except Noah and his family. After the flood and when the ground was dry, God promised not to destroy the entire human race again. His promise is shown by a rainbow which we see today.~~

~~The Table of Nations consists of Noah and his 3 sons and their children. This is where some of the tribes come in like the Hittites, Jebusites, Amanites and so on.~~

~~ The whole world at that time had one language and common speech. A city was built and in that city they were also building a tower towards heaven. The Lord saw what they were doing and wasn't pleased so he confused the language and scattered all thosse people. That is how we got all these language from different countries. Do you know any other language? I know bits and pieces of Spanish but not enough to hold a conversation.~~

~~Shem a son of Noah fathered Abram Haran fathered Lot. Abram married Sarai and they left Abram's father and country to go on their own as the Lord had asked. We when we grow up are to leave our father and home too. Abram asked Sarai to lie, to say she was his sister when they got to Egypt. How many of you have been asked to lie? I admit I have been asked. The Pharoah took Sarai in to be his wife and he got sick because of that. He asked Abram and Sarai to leave.~~

~~Now Abram was wealthy and where he goes he always builds an altar to the Lord to worship (back then burnt offerings) We don't need to do burnt offerings, all we have to do is lift our eyes to Him or fall on our knees to worship Him. Don't think I could put an animal up for an offering, I love animals.~~

~~Now Lot travels with Abram. They both have very large flocks and herds. They decide to split. Lot goes one way with his stuff and Abram goes another~~

So that is as far as I got. With Ms. Debbie, I will post recaps too. Let's see how the Lord reveals to each of us the things He wants us to see. We'll read the same information but will come out with different ideas and thoughts. And that is how God works in each of us, He shows us different things for we may be going through different issues and teaches what He wants us to learn from Him.

The Legend of the Candy Cane

2009-12-26T13:35:00.001-05:00

I received a late Christmas card on my mail route today and this is what it says:

The Legend of the Candy Cane

A humble man wished to use his candy making art to make a Christmas gift for Christ that came straight from his heart.

First he shaped the candy into a shepherd’s staff, a “J”—to stand for the name of Jesus, who was born on Christmas Day.

He used white stripes to symbolize Jesus’ virgin birth, and His sinlessness and purity during His time on earth.

Finally, he colored the candy with stripes made out of red to represent the scourging and the blood that Jesus shed.

He had created the Candy Cane, to remind us during this season that Christmas is a sweet gift of love—Jesus is the reason.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T17:12:00.002-05:00

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Remember the reason why we have "Christ"mas. The first Christmas was when the wise (Magi's) men found Jesus at his home and they brought him gifts for they knew he was the King.

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[b] and have come to worship him."
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ[c] was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'[d]"

7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east[e] went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

So that said: MERRY "CHRIST"MAS to all.

It's called Christmas,

2009-12-21T21:53:00.002-05:00

I just heard this song tonight while watching the light show at the Smokey Stadium with some of the youth group and I love this song. It is called Christmas with a capital "C". If it weren't for Jesus Christ, we wouldn't even have Christmas and yes, our founding fathers believe in God and that's what our Nation is founded on, Christ.
So people can call it what they want but in reality it is called "CHRIST"MAS! So MERRY "CHRIST"MAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary Did You Know - Kutless

2009-12-21T14:00:00.002-05:00

The first time I heard this song Clay Aiken's sang it after his thing with American Idol. I thought it was a pretty song. But now I have found an edgier version of it and it is still pretty.

Birthday number 2

2009-12-16T13:49:00.001-05:00

On this day back in 1992 my son was born. Now if you look at yesterdays blog, it was titled birthday number 1. My son was born 364 days before my daughter Tabitha.

That is my son a handsome red head with blue eyes. I also thank our Lord and Savior for allowing me to have a son too. He is the first born of the two.

So, happy birthday Jonpaul and I pray that you to will have many more. So that is the continuation of yesterdays blog. They both now have their drivers license, one has a job and soon my daughter will be looking too. I just can’t believe that they are 17 (Jonpaul) and 16 (Tabitha). Time sure has flown.

Love the both of you very much.

Love Mom

P.S. My daughter will tell the story as to why she came early for she was tired of Jonpaul sitting on her and she’s sticking to it! There’s a pic of him at his first birthday, with his very own cake, sitting on my tummy!

Birthday number 1

2009-12-15T13:16:00.001-05:00

I just want to wish my daughter a Happy 16th Birthday.

She is turning into a beautiful young lady. Believe it or not, she is a preemie. She was born 2 months early (that’s why it says birthday number 1, continuation tomorrow).

Thank you Lord for giving me a beautiful daughter. So here it is Happy Birthday Tabitha.

Love you Tabitha and I hope you have many more.

Love Mom

Alvin and the Chipmunks!

2009-12-14T15:44:00.003-05:00

Here's another good memory. My mom use to have the Christmas album of Alvin and the Chipmunks and while we decorate our tree, she would play Christmas albums and this being one of them. The album has to be at least about 40 years old. Tried looking for it over the summer and couldn't find it. We think it got sold at the garage sale before they moved here. Enjoy this fun tune from Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Christmas Decorations

2009-12-11T19:18:00.001-05:00

When the time comes and my parents pass away all I ever wanted was the Christmas ornaments. I don’t know what they have left me in their will but the ornaments are the memories I want to have of them. Now don’t fret they are still with me here on earth.

Anyways last year mom decided to give my sister and I the ornaments when my sister was up here visiting for Christmas.

Most of these ornaments are hand made either by one of my grandmothers or an aunt.

This next picture, I made these when I was little.

About 3 years ago my kids and I each made one of each of these ornaments. I love them but boy those pins hurt your fingers after pushing them into the Styrofoam.

Now our youth pastor just gave each one of us in the youth group Wednesday night this ornament and it has become my favorite.

Then this last item I bought from Wal-Mart's about 3 years ago and I love it and I just keep it out all year long.

I hope this Christmas as you are decorating that each item you put up brings back memories of Christmas past that is pleasant and memorable to you. These are just some of those things for me. I still have things my kids made when they were young in school. I do miss those days when they made me things. Over the years not all of those precious things have survived but I still remember.

P.S. Mom still has 4 bells of different colors that she still puts on her tree. As a kid (and I still do when I go over there) I would ring each one of them. I’m hoping one day to add them with this collection.

Do You Hear What I Hear

2009-12-09T18:20:00.003-05:00

Here is another Christmas song I remember listening to when I was little. Mom and Dad always listen to contemporary classics (guess that's what I would call them) like Bing Crosby, Andy William, Sammie Davis and etc..... Bing Crosby has that recognizable voice. This just brings back a lot of memories of many Christmas'.

The Little Drummer Boy

2009-12-05T20:26:00.002-05:00

Here is my favorite Christmas show that I remember watching when I was a child and always cried when the lamb got ran over. But this demonstrates that all Jesus wants is our love and our hearts, a simple gift to bring to Him and He will save you. They don't show this one on tv anymore and I'm just sad that they don't.

Leave a comment at:
casiphia_dew@msn.com or
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Thanks.

731 Years Prior

2009-12-03T18:49:00.001-05:00

Did you know that the prediction of Jesus’ birth happened 731 years before His birth? How neat is that! The LORD told Isaiah about the birth of His son.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.

Can you imagine the Lord telling you about the birth of his own son? Can you imagine being the one to spread that news? A child to be born of a virgin. You know what people were thinking, that’s impossible. And to have the name given meaning God with us. I don’t know if I could be the one to spread that kind of wonderful news.

Then Isaiah goes on to say in chapter 9:

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be now end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Did you read that carefully? A child born given to us. He is the one that should be the government of our lives. Look at all those names he has! He is wonderful and a counselor, a mighty God, everlasting and our Father and gives us peace, so yea he should be the Prince of it.

He is already on the throne in His kingdom that He is preparing for us. He will establish it and uphold it in the end. He is just and righteous. And this wonderful note, once He is in your life, it starts from that time to forever.

And that last sentence in the Scripture, He will accomplish it. Even the end is foretold here. All will be done by Him, because of Him.

What a beautiful message of long ago, before it happened. What would you think if you were one of those people back in those days? How would you respond? How do you respond now, hearing it? I think it is absolutely amazing and glad He came to earth in the flesh, lived like us and finally went to establish His kingdom. I know one thing, I can’t wait to get there to see it, and yes I will be going there.

I am a believer and I love our Lord and Savior.

Oh yea, if you want to do something neat, put your name in place of the us in the first sentence.

For to Robin a child is born, to Robin a son is given,

How cool is that, makes me feel special and that is how compassionate our Lord is to all of us. He is not selfish.

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casiphia_dew@msn.com

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The Christmas Shoes

2009-12-02T16:45:00.004-05:00

Over the next few weeks, I'll be putting up blogs on things I love about Christmas and things that bring back memories from the past.

The Christmas Shoes became my favorite song for Christmas when I heard it a few years ago. I love it and yes it always, and I mean always brings tears to my eyes. Our church is doing this drama, so I'll probably cry through it too. I even just bought the movie of it, so I'm ready to cry and just fall in love with this song over and over again.

P.S. haven't figured out why the comments doesn't work anymore, it's in the process of finding out but if you want to leave a comment, here is where you can go.

e-mail: casiphia_dew@msn.com
facebook: Robin Keller Blankenship

Thank You

2009-11-25T17:32:00.001-05:00

Here's a song by 33 Miles that I think is appropiate for Thanksgiving and thank our Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus.

Cry Out To Jesus

2009-11-24T13:47:00.002-05:00

Today when I heard this song, my ears heard the words more clearly and it's true, all we have to do is cry out to Jesus. He gives us hope, rest, and love. He forgives us, heals us and most of all no matter what, He will meet us where ever we are in our lives. Don't you just love our Lord and Savior. I sure do!!!!!

Selfish Ambitions

2009-11-20T20:25:00.001-05:00

Last weekend I went and saw the movie 2012. It wasn’t a bad movie to watch, it did have neat effects in it. The movie is about how the world would end as we know it according to the Mayan predictions. Anyways in this movie like a lot of other Hollywood movies it was all about money.

Why Hollywood portrays people that have money, would be able to save themselves because of the money. Some of the characters in the movie have money and they buy a seat on the ship and one of the other sells these seats, course he works for the government who built this ship. So you kind of know where that is going.

James 3:16 (NIV) For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

When it was time to board this ship, there was disorder and chaos. The evil practice was dislodging the ship before the people that paid got on because time was running out. Is this what will happen when the end is near, selfishness? Do people really think that money is going to save them or get them out of deep situations? If you look around, this is what is portrayed to people.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

The world is not content on what they already have. They need more, more and more. It’s keeping up with the Jones’ syndrome. All the money in the world can’t save you. When this world ends, and I didn’t say if, there is nothing on this planet that can save you. No car, ship, space craft, submarine, bunker or whatever, that will save you.

Proverbs 11:28 (NIV) Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

We can’t depend on money. Fact is, it is only a piece of paper that is used in a trade of some sort for goods to help us survive in everyday life. We need to be content with what God allows us to have and nothing more.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Jesus Christ is the only one who can save you. You can have eternal life with Him, if only you would receive Him as your Savior. Then you won’t have to worry about saving yourselves in the end for He will return for His church, which are those who are believers in Him. So don’t depend on money to save you.

Psalm 62:10 (NIV) Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set you heart on them.

God didn’t say we couldn’t have money, just don’t let it be the priority in your life. If you have money, use it to help others who don’t have any. As this last Scripture says:

Philippians 2:3 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Man

2009-11-13T20:24:00.001-05:00

The one question that is always asked by a lot of people is, How was man made?

Let’s take a look at Darwin’s theory of “evolution”. He said that we came from a “warm little pond”. Modern evolutionist updated this warm little pond to a “hot briny liquid cauldron”. They believe we are one with fish and evolved into primates from the sea.

These are some articles found behind the story of Darwin’s warm little pond:

It is often said that all the conditions for the first production of a living organism are now present, which could ever have been present. But if (and oh what a big if) we could conceive in some warm little pond with all sorts of ammonia and phosphoric salts, - light, heat, electricity &c. present, that a protein compound was chemically formed, ready to undergo still more complex changes, at the present day such matter wd be instantly devoured, or absorbed, which would not have been the case before living creatures were formed."

Nobody has yet to create these conditions to prove that we came from this warm little pond.

When taken alongside other comments Darwin made on this theme, it is clear that his public stance was to be cautious. The science of his day was unable to say anything positive about spontaneous generation. He felt the power of Pasteur's experiments which brought to an end all the earlier speculations about life emerging from non-life. The authors of a paper reviewing Darwin's thinking summarizes the "big if" in this way:

"In the absence of any real corroborative evidence, it is impossible to guess what Darwin thought about the nature of the first living beings. In any case, Darwin's remarks should not be read to imply that he was thinking in terms of periodic chemistry, but rather that he recognized that the chemical gap separating organisms from the non-living was not insurmountable."

Also to be considered is the reference to a "Creator" in the last sentence of all the editions of his magnum opus bar the first:

"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." (Source on page 490 here)

Can you see that Darwin was thinking that it may have been a Creator but didn’t pounce on the idea to spread this news. Here’s one more:

to Hooker] But I have long regretted that I truckled to public opinion & used Pentateuch term of creation, by which I really meant "appeared" by some wholly unknown process. - It is mere rubbish thinking, at present, of origin of life; one might as well think of origin of matter."
[to the Athenaeum] "Now is there a fact, or a shadow of a fact, supporting the belief that these elements, without the presence of any organic compounds, and acted on only by known forces, could produce a living creature? At present it is to us a result absolutely inconceivable. Your reviewer sneers with justice at my use of the "Pentateuch terms", "of one primordial form into which life was first breathed": in a purely scientific work I ought perhaps not to have used such terms; but they well serve to confess that our ignorance is as profound on the origin of life as on the origin of force or matter."

See that sentence that refers to life was first breathed. Science has long argued the facts of how man was made. Only one person was ever there at the beginning and no one else was. Nobody can get that information of the first day of creation. We just have to believe that God is the Creator.

Genesis 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:2 (NIV) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

See God was the only one there. I think this is where Darwin gets his warm little pond too. We are made in God’s image. So we have an idea of what God kind of looks like.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

If we did evolve from something like a chimp, don’t you think we would see them driving, talking on cell phones, going to work, making a living, etc…?

But it isn’t so. Each species is of their own kind.

Genesis 1:24-25 (NIV) And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals to its kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kids. And God saw that it was good.

Did you pay attention to the part that said the land produces? See along with us, the animals are also made from the ground.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Do you realize that when we die, and are buried, we eventually go back to dust. We don’t go back to being fishes, or amino acids or any other version of what ever but dust.

But because God made us, He gave us life and He remembers where we came from.

Psalm 103:14 (NIV) for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Job 10:9 (NIV) Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?

Ecclesiastes 3:20 (NIV) All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.

All go to the same place and we all return to the same place, our physical beings. I just like that last verse there. All, means everyone, even those who read this. Then I really like these 2 last verses.

Isaiah 42:5 (NIV) This is what God the LORD says—he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who give breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NIV) and the dust returns to the ground it came from and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

My spirit will return to God and I am joyful over that for when it is my time. So I don’t know why people believe in a “theory” but they do. I think a lot of our science get information from the Bible but then find ways to make it work in a scientific factor, for they want to prove the Bible wrong and knock down an intelligent designer Created all life. Another good example is the earth is going to pass or as some say die out. Someone has found that information in the book of Revelation, how else would they figure out the earth is going to die out.

God is the Designer and it is written all through out the Bible. If you don’t believe in the NIV or the KJV, go find someone who may know how to read the original documents that the Bible was interpreted and research, learn, study for your self. How else do we have the information we have of the best selling book in the world. Science researches and researches and so on, so why not go on a digging expedition your self and learn for your self. Your discovery may surprise you.

Interceding for Our Land - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

2009-11-08T12:03:00.002-05:00

Interceding for Our Land - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

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Until the Whole World Hears

2009-11-05T13:02:00.001-05:00

Love hearing Casting Crowns new song - Until the Whole World Hears
The whole world needs to hear about our amazing Lord!!!!

GPS/OnStar

2009-10-30T19:32:00.001-04:00

What does a GPS mean? Global Positioning System.

What does it do? It is a US space based radio navigation system that provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to civilian users. Another words, we can program this thing to give us turn by turn directions.

Do you realize tat we have a GPS we can use in our everyday living? I like to consider this GPS as: God’s Personal Service. He provides us with a GPS system that was written thousands of years ago, starting from the beginning.

John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Word is living, active and we should do what it says. As we read and study God’s Words, it will show us how we should live and make us think of the attitude of our hearts and thoughts.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

You see, when accept Christ as our Savior, He gives us his own personal GPS system that we don’t even have to program. That’s included. He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:13 (NIV) But when he the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

The cool thing about God is, he doesn’t need technical support for He never has trouble, His system never has power failure and just goes much further than our earthly computerized GPS. He can strengthen us, He gives us water and as I have said, He never fails.

Isaiah 58:11 (NIV) The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Then we have the OnStar system.

OnStar pretty much watches over you and let’s you know if something is wrong. It, too, has a navigation system. It also can help you find your car if it gets stolen, has roadside assistance when needed and also assists in crisis.

Here’s a story that was told to us by Ms. Donna about 2 Sundays ago in Sunday school. One of her friends and her were going to go some where and Ms. Donna was driving. Ms. Donna buckled up and her friend didn’t. Ms. Donna even asked her to buckle up and she still didn’t. All of a sudden a voice was heard. It said: “Ms. Gray, is everything ok?” Ms. Donna said yes. The voice said: “Ms. Gray, your seat belt is not buckled.” Knowing Ms. Donna, she turned to her friend and in a low voice saying buckle up. I believe she was kind of laughing at the situation, and we all did that day.

The thing that got my attention out of it was that OnStar called her by name. Our Lord knows us by name too.

Isaiah 49:1 (NIV) Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.

Our Lord Almighty does much better than OnStar. He is our guide, He leads us in the right direction, comforts us, and holds our hands.

Psalm 48:14 (NIV) For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Proverbs 4:11 (NIV) I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

Psalm 23:4 (NIV) Even though I walk through the the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 139:10 (NIV) even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

So as long as He is our GPS, He will provide for our needs but only what we need.

Leviticus 25:18-19 (NIV) Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety.

Acts 14:17 (NIV) Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.

Don’t you love the fact that God’s GPS is more personal, warm and really cares for us. The others are just cold hard ware and wires. Ours knows everything much more then the other ones. Those you have to program and if they make new streets after they go to stores, you have to manually program that in too. I love the more personal, compassionate, loving, all knowing and heavenly GPS then these earthly ones. Thank you Lord for being the only GPS system we need.

Vacations and Rest

2009-10-22T12:03:00.001-04:00

I haven’t been on vacation for many years, but have taken a much needed break. I have had to regroup and to get my priorities straight. Some day I will take a vacation, but financially now is not the time.

Anyways, if you get the opportunity to take a vacation, where would you go to relax and get some rest? I have always been fascinated with Egypt. I like the mystery of the unexplainable, like the Pyramids. History of Egypt, I find interesting. But God does reveal parts of the mystery of life to us, when we seek it His way.

The most exotic place I have been to was Hawaii. I was a travel agent and had the opportunity to go with a group with a tour company. So while I was there, we had to work a bit but had time to enjoy it too.

We visited 3 islands in 7 days. It is a lush and beautiful place.

So, why do we take vacations?

We take vacations to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday busy lives, to regroup physically and mentally. Are vacations good? Yea, as long as they are taken for the purpose of what they are intended for.

Does God take vacations? Not at all. You will find Him always working but He does rest.

John 5:17 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”

Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV) By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

He rested from the labor of work. Because He rested on the seventh day, He made it one of the Ten Commandments. We are to rest but we are to keep it His day which we call the Lord’s Day.

Exodus 20:11 (NIV) For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:9-10 (NIV) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animal, nor the alien within your gates.

Leviticus 23:3 (NIV) There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.

As you see here, we may work six days, doesn’t mean we have to work all six days, but we are to rest on the seventh day just like God did but we are also called to come together in assembly. That basically means to go to church and worship, praise and be in fellowship with one another.

Going to God’s house to worship is not work. Actually it is away of rest but God’s way. Our hearts will be at rest in His presence.

1 John 3:19 (NIV) This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.

When we come to Him, we will find rest.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

To find rest, we don’t have to be in a house of worship, but any time we need to rest our souls, all we have to do is come to Him and ask Him, trust and believe that He will give us rest. He will give you rest, just ask and believe. Only in God alone will we find the rest that we need.

Psalm 62:1,5 (NIV) My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

We can be at a crossroad, but if we choose correctly, we will find rest.

Jeremiah 6:16a (NIV) This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

His promise still stands today that we will find rest as long as we believe Him, who is the truth, putting Him first and foremost in our lives, building a personal relationship with Him, we can be sure to find rest.

Hebrews 4:1,9-11 (NIV) Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us , therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

Did you see that in this Scripture: a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. That is His promise, rest. I may not always feel rested physically, even with a few day off, but spiritually, I can find that rest and I feel it too. My soul does rest as long as He is in my life and that I am working on my personal relationship with Him everyday and not to be distracted by what the world considers rest. Vacations are good physically, but spiritually because of the war we face everyday, we need to find rest and it is only found in God alone.