Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Two hunters came across a bear so big that they dropped their rifles and ran for cover. One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave. The bear was in no hurry to eat, so he sat down between the tree and the cave to reflect upon his good fortune. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the hunter in the cave came rushing out, almost ran into the waiting bear, hesitated, and then dashed back in again. The same thing happened a second time. When he emerged for the third time, his companion in the tree frantically called out, "Woody, are you crazy? Stay in the cave till he leaves!" "Can't," panted Woody, "there's another bear in there!"
Ever feel like fear is giving us the run around? Although there are a lot of scary things going on in the world these days and perhaps even in our own personal lives, God has not called us to live in fear. He’s has called us to stand strong in His confidence, knowing that He is in control! He’s called us to live lives full of power, love and a sound mind!
Let's say no to fear! Let’s determine to put our hope in the Lord once again today! There’s so much work to be done!
February 28, 2007
February 27, 2007
Press Forward
Phil. 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus.
A life without a goal is like the captain of a ship without a map and a compass. His ship will just drift aimlessly from day to day hoping to arrive somewhere. The apostle Paul set for himself a goal! He pressed forward in search for his goal -- he pressed toward the mark of the high calling in Messiah! He had a clear direction of where he was going and he was focused on the Lord! How much more should we!
By setting a goal, we are making a decision to act. We are providing ourselves a map and depending on the Lord to be our compass -- to provide the direction He wants us to go! A goal is more than a dream -- it's a dream acted upon. It's not saying "oh, I wish I could" -- it's declaring what we want to do for the Lord-- it's a declaration of faith!
Let's make our lives interesting -- let's set for ourselves a goal! Let's make a clear declaration of faith, saying "This is what I am going to do for the Lord and then press forward! I can't wait to see where the Lord will take us!
Can Of Worms
A minister decided that a visual demonstration
Would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon?
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put
Into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put
Into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into
A container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into
A container of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon,
The Minister reported the following results???
The first worm in alcohol -
Dead.
The second worm in cigarette smoke -?
Dead
Third worm in chocolate syrup -
Dead
Fourth worm in good clean soil -
Alive.
So the Minister asked the congregation -
What can you learn from this demonstration?
Maxine was setting in the back,
Quickly raised her hand and said,
"As long as you drink,
Smoke and eat chocolate,
You won't have worms!"
Would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon?
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put
Into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put
Into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into
A container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into
A container of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon,
The Minister reported the following results???
The first worm in alcohol -
Dead.
The second worm in cigarette smoke -?
Dead
Third worm in chocolate syrup -
Dead
Fourth worm in good clean soil -
Alive.
So the Minister asked the congregation -
What can you learn from this demonstration?
Maxine was setting in the back,
Quickly raised her hand and said,
"As long as you drink,
Smoke and eat chocolate,
You won't have worms!"
February 26, 2007
Twinkies And A Rootbeer
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?
"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
~author unknown~
February 25, 2007
Tennesse 10 Commandments
Thought I would send a little humor.
Maybe this is the way to teach the 10 Commandments today! Maybe then people would "get it" and it wouldn't be construed as 'religious ed'.
Tennessee Ten Commandments Some people in Tennessee have trouble with all those "shalls" and "shall nots" in the Ten commandments. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some folks in middle Tennessee got together and translated the "King James" into " Jackson County " language.... no joke, read on...
The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro, TN. )
(1) Just one God
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(3) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
(5) Put nothin' before God
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
(7) No killin'
(8) Watch yer mouth
(9) Don't take what ain't yers
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff Now that's kinda plain an' simple, don't ya think? Y'all have a nice day.
Maybe this is the way to teach the 10 Commandments today! Maybe then people would "get it" and it wouldn't be construed as 'religious ed'.
Tennessee Ten Commandments Some people in Tennessee have trouble with all those "shalls" and "shall nots" in the Ten commandments. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some folks in middle Tennessee got together and translated the "King James" into " Jackson County " language.... no joke, read on...
The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro, TN. )
(1) Just one God
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(3) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
(5) Put nothin' before God
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
(7) No killin'
(8) Watch yer mouth
(9) Don't take what ain't yers
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff Now that's kinda plain an' simple, don't ya think? Y'all have a nice day.
February 24, 2007
Something To Think About
Dear all,I thought, this was so interesting .... read and let me know what you think!!!
Life in the middle ages. The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500's:
Most people got married in June, because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children! Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."
Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold."
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."
And that's the truth... Now, whoever said that History was boring!!!
Life in the middle ages. The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500's:
Most people got married in June, because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children! Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."
Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold."
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."
And that's the truth... Now, whoever said that History was boring!!!
February 22, 2007
Fearing God
And they shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good, and for the good of their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.
Jeremiah 32:38-40
Why do you think God wants us to fear Him? Perhaps because there are benefits to us for fearing Him.Just look at the verse above. Here we see that God wants to do us good, and promises He will not turn away from us. But He also does not want us to turn away from Him. Let's look at a few reasons why:First, the fear of God is the fountain of life for the believer. Proverbs 22:4 says the fear of God, along with humility, leads us to wealth and honor and life. And Psalm 111:10 says that it gives us skill in life and provides wisdom. A healthy respect and fear of God is the key to life.Second, the fear of God builds faithfulness in the believer. That passage in Jeremiah tells me that the fear of God has been riveted into our souls by the Holy Spirit to keep us faithful. The true test of a man or woman is not what you do when everyone is looking. The real test of a man or woman is what you would do if you knew no one would find out.Fearing God means I practice His presence in my life daily-nothing is hidden from Him. He sees everything. He knows everything. I can't hide in the darkness and sin. I can't sneak away from His all-seeing eyes or omnipotent mind. And, yes, that does keep me faithful.Third, God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him. Psalm 145:19 says, "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them." Fearing God doesn't just keep me from sin, it leads me out of trouble.May God etch the fear of Him on my heart so that I may not turn away from Him.
Jeremiah 32:38-40
Why do you think God wants us to fear Him? Perhaps because there are benefits to us for fearing Him.Just look at the verse above. Here we see that God wants to do us good, and promises He will not turn away from us. But He also does not want us to turn away from Him. Let's look at a few reasons why:First, the fear of God is the fountain of life for the believer. Proverbs 22:4 says the fear of God, along with humility, leads us to wealth and honor and life. And Psalm 111:10 says that it gives us skill in life and provides wisdom. A healthy respect and fear of God is the key to life.Second, the fear of God builds faithfulness in the believer. That passage in Jeremiah tells me that the fear of God has been riveted into our souls by the Holy Spirit to keep us faithful. The true test of a man or woman is not what you do when everyone is looking. The real test of a man or woman is what you would do if you knew no one would find out.Fearing God means I practice His presence in my life daily-nothing is hidden from Him. He sees everything. He knows everything. I can't hide in the darkness and sin. I can't sneak away from His all-seeing eyes or omnipotent mind. And, yes, that does keep me faithful.Third, God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him. Psalm 145:19 says, "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them." Fearing God doesn't just keep me from sin, it leads me out of trouble.May God etch the fear of Him on my heart so that I may not turn away from Him.
February 19, 2007
The Guest Minister
AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS,
THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,
WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND
BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING,
HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER
WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.
IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE
CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS
ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND
THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS
TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER
HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.
WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE
PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.
"A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE
SAILING OFF THE
PACIFIC COAST," HE BEGAN.
"WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY
ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE.
THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE
FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT
KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT
INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED."
THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT,
MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE,
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,
LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.
THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY,
"GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE
MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY
WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE?
HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.
THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND
HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT.
THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY
THE TORRENT OF WAVES."
"AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!'
HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND.
BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK
TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH
THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.
HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED."
BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP
STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT
WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.
"THE FATHER," HE CONTINUED, "KNEW HIS SON WOULD
STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT
BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO
AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED
HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND."
"HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE
SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO
ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS
THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE."
WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN
HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.
THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND
DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE
END. SAD TO SAY, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL AND NO ONE ACCEPTED THIS
INCREDIBLE OFFER TO BE RESCUED!
WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO
TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.
"THAT WAS A NICE STORY," POLITELY STATED ONE OF
THEM, "BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A
FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT
THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN."
"WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE," THE OLD MAN REPLIED,
GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED
HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS
AND SAID, "IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT?
BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES
ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD
TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.
YOU SEE...I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND."
THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,
WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND
BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING,
HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER
WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.
IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE
CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS
ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND
THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS
TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER
HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.
WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE
PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.
"A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE
SAILING OFF THE
PACIFIC COAST," HE BEGAN.
"WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY
ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE.
THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE
FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT
KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT
INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED."
THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT,
MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE,
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,
LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.
THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY,
"GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE
MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY
WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE?
HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.
THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND
HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT.
THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY
THE TORRENT OF WAVES."
"AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!'
HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND.
BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK
TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH
THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.
HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED."
BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP
STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT
WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.
"THE FATHER," HE CONTINUED, "KNEW HIS SON WOULD
STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT
BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO
AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED
HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND."
"HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE
SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO
ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS
THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE."
WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN
HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.
THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND
DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE
END. SAD TO SAY, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL AND NO ONE ACCEPTED THIS
INCREDIBLE OFFER TO BE RESCUED!
WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO
TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.
"THAT WAS A NICE STORY," POLITELY STATED ONE OF
THEM, "BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A
FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT
THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN."
"WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE," THE OLD MAN REPLIED,
GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED
HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS
AND SAID, "IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT?
BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES
ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD
TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.
YOU SEE...I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND."
Day 5-Giving When It Counts
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
February 17, 2007
Day 4-The Obstacle In Our Path
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping! the roads clear,but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
February 15, 2007
Day 3- Alway's Remember Those Who Serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boyentered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass ofwater in front of him."How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked."Fifty cents," replied the waitress.The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it."Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient."Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.The little boy again counted his coins."I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There,placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
February 13, 2007
Five Day's About How We Treat People-Day 1-The Cleaning Lady
Five (5) lessons about the way we treat people
First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade."Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade."Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
February 12, 2007
God And The Spider
God and the Spider
During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."
After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.
As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.
"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."
As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.
"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."
We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.
Lord, I thank you for all our Military, and their families. I Pray for your Brick wall of protection,to protect them everyday!!!Amen
Hosea
A prophet of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), tells about his wife Gomer, who was a prostitute. Hosea sees that Isreal has also acted like a prostitute, serving their "gods," yet God still loves the Jews, who will return to the Lord in the "last days" (Hosea 3:5). When the people believed in Baal or Baal-peor, Hosea said, "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." (Hosea 8:7).
The book is divided into two parts. The first part (chaps. 1 - 3) tells the story of Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife. Hosea used this personal tragedy as a parable of the relationship between God and Israel. In the second part (chaps. 4 - 14) the theme of unfaithfulness is developed. The prophet rebukes corrupt leaders and priests and chastises the Israelites for their superstition and idolatry. Hosea was the first biblical writer to use the imagery of marriage as an illustration of the relationship between God and his people.
Outline
Hosea's unhappy marriage and its results (1-3)
Priests condone immorality (4)
Israel's sin will be punished unless she repents (5)
Israel's sin is thoroughgoing; her repentance half-hearted (6)
Inner depravity and outward decay (7)
Nearness of Judgment (8)
Impending calamity (9)
Israel's guilt and punishment (10)
God pursues Israel with Love (11)
Exhortation to repentance, with promised restoration (12-14)
The book is divided into two parts. The first part (chaps. 1 - 3) tells the story of Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife. Hosea used this personal tragedy as a parable of the relationship between God and Israel. In the second part (chaps. 4 - 14) the theme of unfaithfulness is developed. The prophet rebukes corrupt leaders and priests and chastises the Israelites for their superstition and idolatry. Hosea was the first biblical writer to use the imagery of marriage as an illustration of the relationship between God and his people.
Outline
Hosea's unhappy marriage and its results (1-3)
Priests condone immorality (4)
Israel's sin will be punished unless she repents (5)
Israel's sin is thoroughgoing; her repentance half-hearted (6)
Inner depravity and outward decay (7)
Nearness of Judgment (8)
Impending calamity (9)
Israel's guilt and punishment (10)
God pursues Israel with Love (11)
Exhortation to repentance, with promised restoration (12-14)
February 11, 2007
Daniel
The book implies that Daniel was its author in several passages, such as 9:2; 10:2. That Jesus concurred is clear from his reference to “ ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel” (Mt 24:15; quoting 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. The book was probably completed c. 530 b.c., shortly after Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, captured the city of Babylon in 539.
Outline
Prologue: The Setting (ch. 1; in Hebrew)
Historical Introduction (1:1–2)
Daniel and His Friends Are Taken Captive (1:3–7)
The Young Men Are Faithful (1:8–16)
The Young Men Are Elevated to High Positions (1:17–21)
The Destinies of the Nations of the World (chs. 2–7; in Aramaic, beginning at 2:4b)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Large Statue (ch. 2)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Making of a Gold Image and His Decree That It Be Worshiped (ch. 3)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of an Enormous Tree (ch. 4)
Belshazzar’s and Babylon’s Downfall (ch. 5)
Daniel’s Deliverance from the Lion’s Den (ch. 6)
Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts (ch. 7)
The Destiny of the Nation of Israel (chs. 8–12; in Hebrew)
Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat (ch. 8)
Daniel’s Prayer and His Vision of the 70 “Sevens” (ch. 9)
Daniel’s Vision of Israel’s Future (chs. 10–12)
Revelation of things to come (10:1–3)
Revelation from the angelic messenger (10:4—11:1)
Prophecies concerning Persia and Greece (11:2–4)
Prophecies concerning Egypt and Syria (11:5–35)
Prophecies concerning the antichrist (11:36–45)
Distress and deliverance (12:1)
Two resurrections (12:2–3)
Instruction to Daniel (12:4)
Conclusion (12:5–13)
Outline
Prologue: The Setting (ch. 1; in Hebrew)
Historical Introduction (1:1–2)
Daniel and His Friends Are Taken Captive (1:3–7)
The Young Men Are Faithful (1:8–16)
The Young Men Are Elevated to High Positions (1:17–21)
The Destinies of the Nations of the World (chs. 2–7; in Aramaic, beginning at 2:4b)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Large Statue (ch. 2)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Making of a Gold Image and His Decree That It Be Worshiped (ch. 3)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of an Enormous Tree (ch. 4)
Belshazzar’s and Babylon’s Downfall (ch. 5)
Daniel’s Deliverance from the Lion’s Den (ch. 6)
Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts (ch. 7)
The Destiny of the Nation of Israel (chs. 8–12; in Hebrew)
Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat (ch. 8)
Daniel’s Prayer and His Vision of the 70 “Sevens” (ch. 9)
Daniel’s Vision of Israel’s Future (chs. 10–12)
Revelation of things to come (10:1–3)
Revelation from the angelic messenger (10:4—11:1)
Prophecies concerning Persia and Greece (11:2–4)
Prophecies concerning Egypt and Syria (11:5–35)
Prophecies concerning the antichrist (11:36–45)
Distress and deliverance (12:1)
Two resurrections (12:2–3)
Instruction to Daniel (12:4)
Conclusion (12:5–13)
February 9, 2007
Ezekiel
The Book of Ezekiel gives little detail about Ezekiel's life. In it, he is mentioned only twice by name: 1:3 and 24:24. Ezekiel is a priest, the son of Buzi (my contempt), and his name means "God will strengthen". He was one of the Israelite exiles, who settled at a place called Tel-abib, on the banks of the Chebar, "in the land of the Chaldeans." The place is thus not identical to the modern city Tel Aviv, which is, however, named after it. He was probably carried away captive with Jehoiachin (1:2; 2 Kings 24:14-16) about 597 BCE.
Author: Ezekiel chapter 1 verse 3 identifies the Prophet Ezekiel as the author of the Book of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless. By means of his prophetic ministry he attempted to bring them to immediate repentance and to confidence in the distant future. He taught that: (1) God works through human messengers; (2) Even in defeat and despair God's people need to affirm God's sovereign; (3) God's Word never fails; (4) God is present and can be worshiped anywhere; (5) People must obey God is they expect to receive blessings; and (6) God's Kingdom will come.
The Book of Ezekiel can be divided into two major parts.
Message of Judgment (1-32)
Message of Restoration (33-48)
The entire first part of Ezekiel deals with the subject of the judgment of God. This section is divided into two parts:
Chapters 1-24 deal with the judgment of God against His own people.
Chapters 25-32 turn to God's judgment against the enemies of His people.
There is a lesson here. It is that when judgment first comes, it begins with the people of God. He judges His own people first.
Author: Ezekiel chapter 1 verse 3 identifies the Prophet Ezekiel as the author of the Book of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless. By means of his prophetic ministry he attempted to bring them to immediate repentance and to confidence in the distant future. He taught that: (1) God works through human messengers; (2) Even in defeat and despair God's people need to affirm God's sovereign; (3) God's Word never fails; (4) God is present and can be worshiped anywhere; (5) People must obey God is they expect to receive blessings; and (6) God's Kingdom will come.
The Book of Ezekiel can be divided into two major parts.
Message of Judgment (1-32)
Message of Restoration (33-48)
The entire first part of Ezekiel deals with the subject of the judgment of God. This section is divided into two parts:
Chapters 1-24 deal with the judgment of God against His own people.
Chapters 25-32 turn to God's judgment against the enemies of His people.
There is a lesson here. It is that when judgment first comes, it begins with the people of God. He judges His own people first.
February 8, 2007
Lamentations
The title of this books means funeral songs. The author of this book probably was Jeremiah, grieving about the destruction of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah reflects here on the total destruction that has happened to Jerusalem and the temple. but he recognizes that all of this is the judgement of a rightous God.knowing that God is merciful he appeals for mercy in prayer to God.
Jeremiah reflects here on the total destruction that has happened to Jerusalem and the temple. but he recognizes that all of this is the judgement of a rightous God.knowing that God is merciful he appeals for mercy in prayer to God.
February 7, 2007
The Difference Between Jesus And The Devil
John 10:10 NIV
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is a stark contrast between the Lord Jesus Christ and the
devil.
Jesus is for you. He loves you and desires the best for you. He
loves you even more than He loves Himself. He proved it by
dying in your place. His desire is for you to have life in its
fullness -- life as God planned it to be -- both now and for
all eternity.
The devil is the opposite of Jesus. The devil is against you
and is always trying to steal from you, kill you, and destroy
everything that is good. The devil is selfish and does not care
about you or anyone else but himself.
Can you trust the devil? Yes . . . to be the devil. You can
depend on him lying and trying to always deceive you. The
purpose of this deception is always to draw you away from God
and His Word because that is your only source of help and
deliverance from the devil's strategies -- which are stealing,
killing, and destroying.
Can you trust Jesus? The answer should be obvious. Anyone who
cares for you enough to die in your place, suffering for you,
so you won't have to suffer, is trustworthy. Jesus promised to
never forsake you. He will never quit loving you and trying to
help you.
The trouble is, too many people hinder Jesus from helping them.
They believe and follow what the devil says, and turn away from
Jesus and the Word of God.
You have control. Jesus is telling us "hey don't do this". You have the authority over your heart. It has to do with what you allow your self to dwell on. If you are agitated, disturbed, confused, afflicted, grieved, or something similar. If you are troubled then get your mind on Jesus. Trust Jesus.
When you have a chance read the 23rd Psalm.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is a stark contrast between the Lord Jesus Christ and the
devil.
Jesus is for you. He loves you and desires the best for you. He
loves you even more than He loves Himself. He proved it by
dying in your place. His desire is for you to have life in its
fullness -- life as God planned it to be -- both now and for
all eternity.
The devil is the opposite of Jesus. The devil is against you
and is always trying to steal from you, kill you, and destroy
everything that is good. The devil is selfish and does not care
about you or anyone else but himself.
Can you trust the devil? Yes . . . to be the devil. You can
depend on him lying and trying to always deceive you. The
purpose of this deception is always to draw you away from God
and His Word because that is your only source of help and
deliverance from the devil's strategies -- which are stealing,
killing, and destroying.
Can you trust Jesus? The answer should be obvious. Anyone who
cares for you enough to die in your place, suffering for you,
so you won't have to suffer, is trustworthy. Jesus promised to
never forsake you. He will never quit loving you and trying to
help you.
The trouble is, too many people hinder Jesus from helping them.
They believe and follow what the devil says, and turn away from
Jesus and the Word of God.
You have control. Jesus is telling us "hey don't do this". You have the authority over your heart. It has to do with what you allow your self to dwell on. If you are agitated, disturbed, confused, afflicted, grieved, or something similar. If you are troubled then get your mind on Jesus. Trust Jesus.
When you have a chance read the 23rd Psalm.
February 6, 2007
The Weather or The Word
The favourite topic of conversation in my part of the world is the weather. The first thing most people check upon rising in the morning is the temperature and the weather report, and then the day is planned accordingly. When we meet a friend on the street, the status of the weather is the main topic of our conversation. During hurricane season or a drought or a period of heavy rain, the weather wins out over politics and sports as the favourite topic to be discussed.
What if we were as excited about our spiritual life as about the weather? If our Scriptures were discussed with as much enthusiasm as the weather, would the knowledge contained there be better known?
Will we talk more about the weather today than about God's Word? Let's examine today's topics of conversation, and see which one comes out ahead.
What if we were as excited about our spiritual life as about the weather? If our Scriptures were discussed with as much enthusiasm as the weather, would the knowledge contained there be better known?
Will we talk more about the weather today than about God's Word? Let's examine today's topics of conversation, and see which one comes out ahead.
February 5, 2007
What Is It Worth To Your Soul?
Many people have some really mixed up values about what is important in life. For example, some people might think that the most important thing in life is to be popular. They will do anything to be popular and they will eventually discover that they have put too high a price tag on popularity.There are other who people think that being rich is the most important thing in life. They are even willing to lie, cheat, and steal if that is what it takes to get rich. They will discover that if being rich is more important than being honest, then the price tag is way too high.Jesus did not want us to be confused about what is important in life. One day he taught a lesson to teach what is really important. He taught that devoting your life to seeking wealth, happiness, and popularity would leave you empty. What is the most important thing? Jesus taught that the greatest reward comes by following Him and making him the Lord of your life. But it has a price tag on it. He warned that other people might not like you, they might exclude you from their circle of friends, they might talk about you behind your back. But, don't worry, Jesus said you will have your reward in heaven. That has the highest price tag of all, but Jesus paid the price!
How Old Is Grandpa?
See if you can guess the age of this person.
How old is Grandpa??? Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It will blow you away. One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute,
I was born before:' television' penicillin ' polio shots' frozen foods' Xerox' contact lenses' Frisbees and ' the pill There were no:' credit cards' laser beams or ' ball-point pensMan had not invented:' pantyhose' air conditioners' dishwashers' clothes dryers' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and ' man hadn't yet walked on the moonYour Grandmother and I got married first, . . . and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir." We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual career s, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were peop le who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. In my day: ' "grass" was mowed, ' "coke" was a cold drink, ' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and ' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. ' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, ' " chip" meant a piece of wood, ' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and ' "software" wasn't even a word. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am?I bet you have this old man in mind..you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time. Are you ready ????? Stay with this -- the answer is a t the end. It will blow you away. One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:' television' penicillin ' polio shots' frozen foods' Xerox' contact lenses' Frisbees and ' the pill There were no:' credit cards' laser beams or ' ball-point pensMan had not invented:' pantyhose' air conditioners' dishwashers' clothes dryers' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and ' man hadn't yet walked on the moonYour Grandmother and I got married first, . . . and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir." We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual career s, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were peop le who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. In my day: ' "grass" was mowed, ' "coke" was a cold drink, ' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and ' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. ' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, ' " chip" meant a piece of wood, ' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and ' "software" wasn't even a word. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am?I bet you have this old man in mind..you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time. Are you ready ?????
This man would be only 59 years old
How old is Grandpa??? Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It will blow you away. One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute,
I was born before:' television' penicillin ' polio shots' frozen foods' Xerox' contact lenses' Frisbees and ' the pill There were no:' credit cards' laser beams or ' ball-point pensMan had not invented:' pantyhose' air conditioners' dishwashers' clothes dryers' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and ' man hadn't yet walked on the moonYour Grandmother and I got married first, . . . and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir." We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual career s, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were peop le who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. In my day: ' "grass" was mowed, ' "coke" was a cold drink, ' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and ' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. ' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, ' " chip" meant a piece of wood, ' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and ' "software" wasn't even a word. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am?I bet you have this old man in mind..you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time. Are you ready ????? Stay with this -- the answer is a t the end. It will blow you away. One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:' television' penicillin ' polio shots' frozen foods' Xerox' contact lenses' Frisbees and ' the pill There were no:' credit cards' laser beams or ' ball-point pensMan had not invented:' pantyhose' air conditioners' dishwashers' clothes dryers' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and ' man hadn't yet walked on the moonYour Grandmother and I got married first, . . . and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir." We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual career s, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were peop le who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. In my day: ' "grass" was mowed, ' "coke" was a cold drink, ' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and ' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. ' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, ' " chip" meant a piece of wood, ' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and ' "software" wasn't even a word. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am?I bet you have this old man in mind..you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time. Are you ready ?????
This man would be only 59 years old
February 3, 2007
Every Picture Tell's A Story
Isaiah 52:12 - But you don't have to be in a hurry. You're not running from anybody! God is leading you out of here. (MSG)
Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God. (KJV)
Isn't it fun trying to take a picture of little children? One child at a time is often a challenge. It is hard for them to sit still long enough to take a good picture. I have seen many small children gathered together with the adults trying to take a picture. One baby would crawl away, another one would cry, another one would make a face. The parents were telling the little ones, "Just sit still for a jiffy! It won't take long!" Oh, the challenge of it all! Yes, the final picture looked quite natural with all these little people. The finished product wasn't necessarily what the adults had in mind, though. They would have preferred the little ones to sit still so that all of their faces would be in the picture, rather than having the photograph showing someone crawling away, quite oblivious to what was going on. Yet the picture taken was a distinct likeness of the children.
God tells us not to hurry sometimes. He tells us to sit still. We have a hard time doing that, though. Often, we want to do something to be Christians, when we need to let Him work in us because we are already Christians.
God's eternal purpose for us is that we will be like His Son -- similar to the way that the picture is like the ones who are posing. In order for this to happen, there are times when we are not be in a hurry, but to be still and know that God is God.
Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God. (KJV)
Isn't it fun trying to take a picture of little children? One child at a time is often a challenge. It is hard for them to sit still long enough to take a good picture. I have seen many small children gathered together with the adults trying to take a picture. One baby would crawl away, another one would cry, another one would make a face. The parents were telling the little ones, "Just sit still for a jiffy! It won't take long!" Oh, the challenge of it all! Yes, the final picture looked quite natural with all these little people. The finished product wasn't necessarily what the adults had in mind, though. They would have preferred the little ones to sit still so that all of their faces would be in the picture, rather than having the photograph showing someone crawling away, quite oblivious to what was going on. Yet the picture taken was a distinct likeness of the children.
God tells us not to hurry sometimes. He tells us to sit still. We have a hard time doing that, though. Often, we want to do something to be Christians, when we need to let Him work in us because we are already Christians.
God's eternal purpose for us is that we will be like His Son -- similar to the way that the picture is like the ones who are posing. In order for this to happen, there are times when we are not be in a hurry, but to be still and know that God is God.
February 1, 2007
Ex. 20:15, “Thou Shalt Not Steal.”
How many of us have taken a pen or something from work, which didn’t belong to us? How many of us have checked out of the hotel and decided to take home a few souvenirs that belong to the hotel; towels, robes, etc? How many of us have eaten at a restaurant and walked out without paying? How about taken fruit off of our neighbors tree without their permission and eaten it? How about taken more than one newspaper from the newspaper stand after paying for only one newspaper.
I know some of these things seem petty, but stealing is stealing. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Stealing can easily lead to other sins, lying and even killing. You might ask how can someone taking a pen or stapler from work, walking out of an restaurant without paying, taking an extra newspaper from the news stand or taking a robe from the hotel lead to lying and evening killing? Well it happens a lot. Do you think if a person is asked where did they get that nice looking pen, they would tell you they stole it from work? Some may, but I don’t believe everyone would.
As we are walking in the mall an hour later after leaving the restaurant without paying, a waiter comes up to us, ask us did we pay for our meal surely we will say no and go back to pay for it. If we say yes, then we commit another sin; lying! We are at the grocery store; after paying for our groceries we notice that the cashier gave us back ten dollars too much in change, naturally everyone gives them back the extra change, right? If not, here is a sin that can now cost someone his or her job! Do we take the time out to think that the extra ten dollars we just received may cause someone his or her job, a job they need to support their family!
If we believe someone saw us stealing do we panic and run? If caught stealing do we fight to get away? Do we hurt the person or persons trying to turn us in for the sin we committed? Do we go all out and KILL them if it will help us to get away? You may say that I would never kill someone because I skipped out on paying for a meal. Well, we may not mean to kill anyone but in that minute of panic and uncertainty who knows what we will do, not to go to jail! As one of my church members said in bible study this week, a sin is a sin! Yes, I know we all fall short of the glory of God, but we must do our best to stay away from sin. Sin leads to more sin and sin is a separation from our Lord!
Mat. 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” As we are stealing do men see our light shining as to see our good works or do they see that we have given in to sin?
Can we miss going to heaven for just taking a pen from work, skipping out without paying for our meal, keeping that extra change from the cashier, taken an extra newspaper from the news stand, or leaving the hotel with that robe that doesn’t belong to us? Are we really willing to take that chance on missing heaven and spend eternity in HELL? Once we take that trip to Hell there is no second chance! Here is even a better question, is that pen really worth the trip?
You may be right, it’s just a pen and the company won’t miss it. Here is the thing; GOD won’t miss us taking that pen either! As we continue to take this journey with God, remember He will not assist us in any bad or evil things. If we want to get to heaven we must make sure we are traveling with the one that can get us there!How many of us have taken a pen or something from work, which didn’t belong to us? How many of us have checked out of the hotel and decided to take home a few souvenirs that belong to the hotel; towels, robes, etc? How many of us have eaten at a restaurant and walked out without paying? How about taken fruit off of our neighbors tree without their permission and eaten it? How about taken more than one newspaper from the newspaper stand after paying for only one newspaper.
I know some of these things seem petty, but stealing is stealing. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Stealing can easily lead to other sins, lying and even killing. You might ask how can someone taking a pen or stapler from work, walking out of an restaurant without paying, taking an extra newspaper from the news stand or taking a robe from the hotel lead to lying and evening killing? Well it happens a lot. Do you think if a person is asked where did they get that nice looking pen, they would tell you they stole it from work? Some may, but I don’t believe everyone would.
As we are walking in the mall an hour later after leaving the restaurant without paying, a waiter comes up to us, ask us did we pay for our meal surely we will say no and go back to pay for it. If we say yes, then we commit another sin; lying! We are at the grocery store; after paying for our groceries we notice that the cashier gave us back ten dollars too much in change, naturally everyone gives them back the extra change, right? If not, here is a sin that can now cost someone his or her job! Do we take the time out to think that the extra ten dollars we just received may cause someone his or her job, a job they need to support their family!
If we believe someone saw us stealing do we panic and run? If caught stealing do we fight to get away? Do we hurt the person or persons trying to turn us in for the sin we committed? Do we go all out and KILL them if it will help us to get away? You may say that I would never kill someone because I skipped out on paying for a meal. Well, we may not mean to kill anyone but in that minute of panic and uncertainty who knows what we will do, not to go to jail! As one of my church members said in bible study this week, a sin is a sin! Yes, I know we all fall short of the glory of God, but we must do our best to stay away from sin. Sin leads to more sin and sin is a separation from our Lord!
Mat. 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” As we are stealing do men see our light shining as to see our good works or do they see that we have given in to sin?
Can we miss going to heaven for just taking a pen from work, skipping out without paying for our meal, keeping that extra change from the cashier, taken an extra newspaper from the news stand, or leaving the hotel with that robe that doesn’t belong to us? Are we really willing to take that chance on missing heaven and spend eternity in HELL? Once we take that trip to Hell there is no second chance! Here is even a better question, is that pen really worth the trip?
You may be right, it’s just a pen and the company won’t miss it. Here is the thing; GOD won’t miss us taking that pen either! As we continue to take this journey with God, remember He will not assist us in any bad or evil things. If we want to get to heaven we must make sure we are traveling with the one that can get us there!
I know some of these things seem petty, but stealing is stealing. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Stealing can easily lead to other sins, lying and even killing. You might ask how can someone taking a pen or stapler from work, walking out of an restaurant without paying, taking an extra newspaper from the news stand or taking a robe from the hotel lead to lying and evening killing? Well it happens a lot. Do you think if a person is asked where did they get that nice looking pen, they would tell you they stole it from work? Some may, but I don’t believe everyone would.
As we are walking in the mall an hour later after leaving the restaurant without paying, a waiter comes up to us, ask us did we pay for our meal surely we will say no and go back to pay for it. If we say yes, then we commit another sin; lying! We are at the grocery store; after paying for our groceries we notice that the cashier gave us back ten dollars too much in change, naturally everyone gives them back the extra change, right? If not, here is a sin that can now cost someone his or her job! Do we take the time out to think that the extra ten dollars we just received may cause someone his or her job, a job they need to support their family!
If we believe someone saw us stealing do we panic and run? If caught stealing do we fight to get away? Do we hurt the person or persons trying to turn us in for the sin we committed? Do we go all out and KILL them if it will help us to get away? You may say that I would never kill someone because I skipped out on paying for a meal. Well, we may not mean to kill anyone but in that minute of panic and uncertainty who knows what we will do, not to go to jail! As one of my church members said in bible study this week, a sin is a sin! Yes, I know we all fall short of the glory of God, but we must do our best to stay away from sin. Sin leads to more sin and sin is a separation from our Lord!
Mat. 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” As we are stealing do men see our light shining as to see our good works or do they see that we have given in to sin?
Can we miss going to heaven for just taking a pen from work, skipping out without paying for our meal, keeping that extra change from the cashier, taken an extra newspaper from the news stand, or leaving the hotel with that robe that doesn’t belong to us? Are we really willing to take that chance on missing heaven and spend eternity in HELL? Once we take that trip to Hell there is no second chance! Here is even a better question, is that pen really worth the trip?
You may be right, it’s just a pen and the company won’t miss it. Here is the thing; GOD won’t miss us taking that pen either! As we continue to take this journey with God, remember He will not assist us in any bad or evil things. If we want to get to heaven we must make sure we are traveling with the one that can get us there!How many of us have taken a pen or something from work, which didn’t belong to us? How many of us have checked out of the hotel and decided to take home a few souvenirs that belong to the hotel; towels, robes, etc? How many of us have eaten at a restaurant and walked out without paying? How about taken fruit off of our neighbors tree without their permission and eaten it? How about taken more than one newspaper from the newspaper stand after paying for only one newspaper.
I know some of these things seem petty, but stealing is stealing. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Stealing can easily lead to other sins, lying and even killing. You might ask how can someone taking a pen or stapler from work, walking out of an restaurant without paying, taking an extra newspaper from the news stand or taking a robe from the hotel lead to lying and evening killing? Well it happens a lot. Do you think if a person is asked where did they get that nice looking pen, they would tell you they stole it from work? Some may, but I don’t believe everyone would.
As we are walking in the mall an hour later after leaving the restaurant without paying, a waiter comes up to us, ask us did we pay for our meal surely we will say no and go back to pay for it. If we say yes, then we commit another sin; lying! We are at the grocery store; after paying for our groceries we notice that the cashier gave us back ten dollars too much in change, naturally everyone gives them back the extra change, right? If not, here is a sin that can now cost someone his or her job! Do we take the time out to think that the extra ten dollars we just received may cause someone his or her job, a job they need to support their family!
If we believe someone saw us stealing do we panic and run? If caught stealing do we fight to get away? Do we hurt the person or persons trying to turn us in for the sin we committed? Do we go all out and KILL them if it will help us to get away? You may say that I would never kill someone because I skipped out on paying for a meal. Well, we may not mean to kill anyone but in that minute of panic and uncertainty who knows what we will do, not to go to jail! As one of my church members said in bible study this week, a sin is a sin! Yes, I know we all fall short of the glory of God, but we must do our best to stay away from sin. Sin leads to more sin and sin is a separation from our Lord!
Mat. 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” As we are stealing do men see our light shining as to see our good works or do they see that we have given in to sin?
Can we miss going to heaven for just taking a pen from work, skipping out without paying for our meal, keeping that extra change from the cashier, taken an extra newspaper from the news stand, or leaving the hotel with that robe that doesn’t belong to us? Are we really willing to take that chance on missing heaven and spend eternity in HELL? Once we take that trip to Hell there is no second chance! Here is even a better question, is that pen really worth the trip?
You may be right, it’s just a pen and the company won’t miss it. Here is the thing; GOD won’t miss us taking that pen either! As we continue to take this journey with God, remember He will not assist us in any bad or evil things. If we want to get to heaven we must make sure we are traveling with the one that can get us there!
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