tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14024748094920325222024-03-19T03:48:42.261-05:00Bob's Life SongsModern-day parables and observations from a Christian perspective.Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.comBlogger1748125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-37773036996250734102024-03-18T07:03:00.007-05:002024-03-18T07:03:59.152-05:00The Terminator<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNQO4V07-7CIzq3drSVarr_rnndbWLj2xy9rmvlc7UxYY-TI4p4wgBlA5OEZ7WsoUgfx69AGLqUPi0l6LGFAP58Z9WzT-ghrMphjWh9KpAijazG43fRvVQP6hYbAoYONHXrbZUMrcYOB0yxmzkk4-sqSoJTBQtdgVPWbbgBXfhCZZ0A4Q30WxGVFVOUs/s1596/Terminator%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1596" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNQO4V07-7CIzq3drSVarr_rnndbWLj2xy9rmvlc7UxYY-TI4p4wgBlA5OEZ7WsoUgfx69AGLqUPi0l6LGFAP58Z9WzT-ghrMphjWh9KpAijazG43fRvVQP6hYbAoYONHXrbZUMrcYOB0yxmzkk4-sqSoJTBQtdgVPWbbgBXfhCZZ0A4Q30WxGVFVOUs/w400-h225/Terminator%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I watched a little bit of the old Terminator movie this past weekend. <i>"I'll be back."</i> Remember that? There's a lot of great lines in that movie.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the terminator and his mission is to "terminate" Sarah Conner. He is very relentless but ultimately fails in his quest. That's because a man from the future (Kyle Reese) comes back to protect Sarah.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When Mr. Reese finds her Arnold is shooting up a night club where Sarah is nervously waiting. Then Kyle says these words:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"Come with me if you want to live."</i> - Kyle Reese</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought about that statement for a minute. It sounded familiar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"Then Jesus told his disciples, “<span style="color: red;">If anyone would <b>come after me</b>, let him deny himself and take up his cross and <b>follow me</b>.</span>"</i> - Matthew 16:24</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240311_212850_483.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Close enough. But that got me thinking about other similarities between the Terminator movie ans the story of Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Terminator is Satan on course. Sarah is Mary, the mother if Jesus. Kyle is the Holy Spirit. Kyle and Sarah have a baby together - John Conner - the one who saved the planet. His initials by the way are J.C. Jesus Christ?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Sarah Connor was faced with a life and death decision. Would she follow a man that she never even met before? Or would she face certain death? The choice was simple. The same choice is ours today?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Will we follow a man we've never even met before. The Holy Spirit leads us and cincicts us of our sin. It is by followong the Holy Spirit that we meet Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Our alternative is certain death. Eternal death. Have you made that choice? To follow Jesus? I pray that you have.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Remember what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 14.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>"I'll be back."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Or something like that.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><i><span style="color: red;">"And if I go and prepare a place for you, <b>I will come back</b> and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."</span></i> - </span><span>John 14:3</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240318_065914_533.sdocx--></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-42771871531078081212024-03-16T06:19:00.002-05:002024-03-16T06:19:41.177-05:00The Tiny Life<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_JLuB6AIqSQn0Gv7rnImOqqma2Ix26CPJAQlA7V3ULFSXym1goKyOOwH34XoPm5pzgrpzYlEkwKvref66LtSzdo76sGXRYgwbkbf2R8dVPNWexNJ8oRhAd44E6tEMMw7oViuVQcHpba_GGd5EBd8B3-n1-qkt3QlriMBY2vwjIZtqABCXKbCWMVbBl0/s3256/Tiny%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1831" data-original-width="3256" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_JLuB6AIqSQn0Gv7rnImOqqma2Ix26CPJAQlA7V3ULFSXym1goKyOOwH34XoPm5pzgrpzYlEkwKvref66LtSzdo76sGXRYgwbkbf2R8dVPNWexNJ8oRhAd44E6tEMMw7oViuVQcHpba_GGd5EBd8B3-n1-qkt3QlriMBY2vwjIZtqABCXKbCWMVbBl0/w400-h225/Tiny%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I am currently building a tiny house in my yard. Its design and construction has taught me some valuable life lessons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Prior to building it, I attended a tiny house seminar where they taught me some things to consider. Like this gem...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To get ready for living in a tiny house, go through everything you have and get rid of 90% of it. Then, do it again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also learned this valuable design concept....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Everything must have more than one purpose or it has not been thought through completely.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An example of this would be the couch in the "living room." It's a couch (1) that folds out into a bed (2) with storage underneath (3).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The roof over the door (1) comes off for transportation and then covers the front window to protect it from flying road debris (2).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In my old age I also use this tiny house concept of doing multiple things. When I go downstairs to get something I think, "What else do I need down there?" So I won't have to make the trip twice.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's all about living efficiently, and with a purpose.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I drive to visit friends I will listen to the Bible and pray along the way. I combine shopping trips with a round of disc golf before or after, and pick up litter as I play. Efficiency.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And moms, I don't have to tell YOU about multitasking.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"And we know that God causes all things to <b>work together</b> for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to <b>His purpose</b>."</i> - Romans 8:28</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240315_074516_478.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>When my wife goes grocery shopping she buys some extra food items and drops them off at the food pantry.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Try this one. When you are paying for your meal at a drive-thru restaurant, also pay for the meal of the person behind you in line. You will not only touch them with the kindness of your hearts, but the heart of the cashier as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>We are here for a reason, and a multitasking purpose. To love God, to love others, and to bring glory to God in everything we do. Multitasking in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"Less is more."</i> - Mies van der Rohe</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><i><span style="color: red;">“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”</span></i> - Mark 9:35</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240316_061819_087.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-49773470114371977192024-03-13T04:40:00.000-05:002024-03-13T04:40:39.580-05:00Ping!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5JzRP18XMA18FxVWNUmFTna_syy_SIgpQfTzRyjJ0uOOiQNkLgJZePXQhGc_5TwM7jVJdzONN0-hEnQwjD02UG2OeBWE_B7rzI0Y9JU1Kc1kczk2p9CW-dvK4bnuDjI7Ue3EMQN0AX06m1ImASZfZfjUdsV5afmZVPQHtT6TDredbGwF1pet3Zyzp1c/s1559/Fanni%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1559" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5JzRP18XMA18FxVWNUmFTna_syy_SIgpQfTzRyjJ0uOOiQNkLgJZePXQhGc_5TwM7jVJdzONN0-hEnQwjD02UG2OeBWE_B7rzI0Y9JU1Kc1kczk2p9CW-dvK4bnuDjI7Ue3EMQN0AX06m1ImASZfZfjUdsV5afmZVPQHtT6TDredbGwF1pet3Zyzp1c/w400-h225/Fanni%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />First, this is not a political post. And although you might recognize the woman in the picture above, this isn't about her either. Today's story is about technology and how we are never really alone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fanni Willis is the district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia where she is prosecuting former president Donald Trump. During the proceedings her relationship with Nathan Wade came into question.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They admitted to a romantic relationship beginning in 2022. But then evidence came to light proving that that was a lie. And that is the REAL story here:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>"Nathan Wade’s phone has been tracked to District Attorney Fani Willis’ home late</span> in 2021, well before the pair claim they were a couple, according to a bombshell new court filing." - Newsmax report</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wade's phone was traced, in 2024, back three years ago to 2021. They were able tell where he was three years ago! Today!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have several questions. What kind of records do our phone companies keep on us anyway? And how can authorities even track our phones to begin with?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last question first. There are apps available that will "ping" your phone. If your phone goes missing, or you want to find out where your kids are, there's an app for that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What does all of this have to do with God?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">God knows exactly where we are and what we are doing every single second of our lives. He sees everything. He knows everything. Yet somehow we think we can get away with things? I don't think so.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span>"O Lord, <b>you</b> have examined my heart</span><br />
<span>and <b>know</b> <b>everything about me</b>. You know when I sit down or stand up. <b>You know my thoughts</b> even when I’m far away. <b>You see me</b> when I travel and when I rest at home. <b>You know everything I do</b>. <b>You know what I am going to say even before I say it</b>, Lord. <b>You go before me and follow me</b>. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,</span><br />
</i><span><i>too great for me to understand!"</i> - Psalm 139:1-6</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240311_191907_710.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>We need to remember whose we are at ALL times. Someone, it seems, is always watching. Ping!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><i>"The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching."</i> - John Wooden</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240311_192336_851.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>Oh, and regarding the first question: What kind of records do our phone companies keep on us? Whatever they want. We signed the user agreement when we bought the phone.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>Have a nice day! 😳</span></span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-60911483064974958072024-03-11T07:21:00.002-05:002024-03-11T07:21:25.521-05:00Becoming Less<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jdDhcwFGUzGCMVex85WUZqUwnJOInvjxHIP6Vi5v-EheutGIddRJkbMyUdalJGe97rDObi5C0EVzlqmja9iXqXOyqae2RSs4gT7pXW-hmhReF2B_bGGdT-JxaYt56JKCgKzL1ebZmb9ugz0bKZF5a6Xh2JvpGUxnGJXJQQPAYv-KJiGEiVxNoJR8Rtc/s1389/Less%20Than%2016x9.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1389" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jdDhcwFGUzGCMVex85WUZqUwnJOInvjxHIP6Vi5v-EheutGIddRJkbMyUdalJGe97rDObi5C0EVzlqmja9iXqXOyqae2RSs4gT7pXW-hmhReF2B_bGGdT-JxaYt56JKCgKzL1ebZmb9ugz0bKZF5a6Xh2JvpGUxnGJXJQQPAYv-KJiGEiVxNoJR8Rtc/w400-h225/Less%20Than%2016x9.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Today's verse, and topic for consideration, is from John The Baptist. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"He must increase, but I must decrease."</i> - John 3:30</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What does becoming less look like? How can we become less? What can we do to make God increase in our lives?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Step #1</b> - Examine Ourselves.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"<b>Examine yourselves</b>, to see whether you are in the faith. <b>Test yourselves</b>. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"</i> - 2 Corinthians 13:5</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240307_055812_088.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>What is "the excess" that we carry with us each day? What are the things we do that do not bring glory to God? Make a list.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Step #2</b> - Refine Ourselves.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Begin removing those things, those impurities in our lives we just listed. Get rid of the distractions that separate us from God.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Step #3</b> - Fill the void.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Nature abhores a vacuum and so do we so fill the empty spaces in our lives, not with <b>our</b> thoughts and desires, but with God's.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Read and study more. Engage more. Love more.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Step #4</b> - Apply it!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>What gift(s) has God given you that could be used for His glory? Make a list and start checking things off today!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><i>"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."</i> - James 1:17-18</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240309_101314_845.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Be that good and perfect gift in someone's life this week. Let God use you. Let go of what's troubling you and let God fill the voids in your life. You'll be glad you did.</span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-49400168054046651512024-03-09T04:49:00.000-06:002024-03-09T04:49:01.311-06:00Live In The Now<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n8AD0wh2-HorjbMxjlCp_i-DXQG3TM5O-AqkfB5st4j9AqiEEnWM6mJhzMyypGYyPuYmL6QVSVhKCon_7O9ynO4Vuh614IGfXh0Ze6tSEphcqvjjo_rXRSscS6kVmcVISCUbTOiXazYwriQMPFD3AGhoWVBA0bJ3ZLzkCEBOGFsWCA0gqORObG_X7VE/s1589/Wayne%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1589" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n8AD0wh2-HorjbMxjlCp_i-DXQG3TM5O-AqkfB5st4j9AqiEEnWM6mJhzMyypGYyPuYmL6QVSVhKCon_7O9ynO4Vuh614IGfXh0Ze6tSEphcqvjjo_rXRSscS6kVmcVISCUbTOiXazYwriQMPFD3AGhoWVBA0bJ3ZLzkCEBOGFsWCA0gqORObG_X7VE/w400-h225/Wayne%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The world we live in today is a whole lot different than when I was a kid. Of course, that was 50+ years ago. A lot of things have changed since then, and not all of them for the better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This generation of today lives by the mantra featured in my story title - live in the now. There's no thinking about the future or possible consequences. "Just do it," says Nike.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in the 60's the Boy Scouts had a motto - "Be Prepared." Everything we did was in preparation for some future event.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First aid, tying knots, foraging for food, exercising, camping, handling knives and axes, civil service, attending church. Everything was a training exercise for the furure.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now? Most of today's kids don't even know what a checkbook is, much less how to balance one.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What do they do when the power goes out? "Well, my phone has a flashlight." And when the battery dies? "Umm . . . call mommy and daddy?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not a big prepper but I do believe in being prepared. The extent of each person's preparedness is up to the individual.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My preparation for the future has led me to Christ. Through Jesus, I know exactly what my future holds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, my wife and I buy things in bulk when they go on sale. Yes, we stock up our pantry and our freezer. We have a generator, we have a wood burning fireplace. But our faith and Hope for our future lies in Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"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."</i> - Jeremiah 29:11</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240307_115143_375.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Live for the future.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1vaQ-Y6kLOM?si=WSzhfcOKuDjye-G7" target="_blank">Live In The Now</a> - Wayne's World</span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-83402028438308444382024-03-06T06:13:00.002-06:002024-03-06T11:23:24.146-06:00A Slap and a Hug<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLfCE3mNUe4SDf7Wr_kAo3gfF-VvdEMsGd9XSH3Cy0K8H14RoKnC128ZSAJXfUqDEwmY3gZOrqe4vHJLatuZRqadczJUDfVQjv0AVCybR7oFWzT7dbZoKf9NrpmUhpvfwp7ND9AjNLq8LqfcDH-iseESriRTNUBD7q5QMYrAcVgvoIPC_s_NVuuhHTgA/s1436/Picard%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1436" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLfCE3mNUe4SDf7Wr_kAo3gfF-VvdEMsGd9XSH3Cy0K8H14RoKnC128ZSAJXfUqDEwmY3gZOrqe4vHJLatuZRqadczJUDfVQjv0AVCybR7oFWzT7dbZoKf9NrpmUhpvfwp7ND9AjNLq8LqfcDH-iseESriRTNUBD7q5QMYrAcVgvoIPC_s_NVuuhHTgA/w400-h225/Picard%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I woke up this morning to a slap in the face, followed quickly thereafter by a loving hug. No, my wife is still sleeping. Let me explain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First, some background information. I used to be a youth leader at my church. Lots of high schoolers to shepherd and love, as a father loves his children. And I still love them to this very day. Even after some of the choices they have made.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Slap - I opened up Facebook (I know, there's a mistake right there) and I saw a picture of one of those youth group kids, a girl. She was lovingly being embracing by her same-sex partner. That kind of hurt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A quick prayer from me, followed by continued scrolling.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Hug - Suddenly there appeared a video from one of my favorite pastors. He was speaking about suffering for the Gospel. So, I watched it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was reminded how Paul suffered for the Gospel.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea."</i> - 2 Corinthians 11:24-25</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240305_071408_133.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Paul goes on from there to list many other sufferings, not to mention that he eventually died for the sake of The Gospel.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>We who follow Christ will face decisions in our lives, sometimes daily. How will we face those decisions? How will we answer those tests from God?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Recently, Alistair Begg, a prominent pastor in Ohio, was criticized for advising a grandmother to attend a gay wedding. His marriage advice podcast was pulled from USAToday. He was rebuked by his fellow pastors. Begg refuses to repent.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>This generation has perverted the wedding ceremony as if it were only for themselves. Is not an earthly wedding a foretaste of our soon-coming heavenly wedding? The bride (The Church) and the bride groom (Jesus)? Did not God create us men and women for a purpose?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>For those who choose to stand firm in their faith, they are sure to be chastized and rebuked by those living in "the world." It hurts. But the pain does not breed contempt in the heart of the Christian. Rather love leads to compassion, and that compassion leads to impassioned prayer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>We all have people in our lives who make poor choices. We only have to look in a mirror to see an example. We are ALL sinners. But those who have chosen Christ must follow HIS path, not the path that this world has taken. Sin leads to death!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><i>"<b>Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ</b>, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are <b>standing firm</b> in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake."</i> - Philippians 1:27-29</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240305_073302_850.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>And again . . .</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"To live is Christ, and to die is gain."</i> - Philippians 1:21</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>And . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span>"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. </span><span>But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."</span></i><span> - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11</span><br />
<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240306_062031_081.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Repent + Jesus = New Life</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/5BFpcXbpxRE?si=2cz1VCMRJ2656NDd" target="_blank">Suffering For The Gospel</a>- Voddie Baucham</span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-61027508631432266632024-03-04T06:41:00.000-06:002024-03-04T06:43:03.572-06:00The Man With The Pitcher<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2Dx3oTervLjkL_sCc4BEZsDYCERqZ-U3unxmiDDzrRxvFWYfczAuyxcZimFr4QeiYKXlkckJ_AGJv0ZVdryUKcYO4YyPR038KkIRiMt7mpmWgOLEEG_JUvsW0byHV_idAoBsT7pypGbZwdGWscaz7ADJ39UHJXRBlAbSCZ6zurDGYG5SdjhwvfjcQGs/s1536/Water%20Jar%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1536" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2Dx3oTervLjkL_sCc4BEZsDYCERqZ-U3unxmiDDzrRxvFWYfczAuyxcZimFr4QeiYKXlkckJ_AGJv0ZVdryUKcYO4YyPR038KkIRiMt7mpmWgOLEEG_JUvsW0byHV_idAoBsT7pypGbZwdGWscaz7ADJ39UHJXRBlAbSCZ6zurDGYG5SdjhwvfjcQGs/w400-h225/Water%20Jar%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>As Easter approaches I thought it might be a good time to examine an often overlooked detail in one of the stories about Jesus' crucifixion.</div><div><br /></div><div>This story requires a little digging, but before we begin our excavation, our "dig site" will be in the Book of Matthew. We are looking for clues so bring your Bible along. You will need it to make sense of what we are going to find. Are you ready? Let's begin.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"On <b>the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread</b>, <b>when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb</b>, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>So He sent two of his disciples, telling them, “<span style="color: red;">Go into the city, and <b>a man carrying a jar of water will meet you</b>. <b>Follow him</b>. Say to <b>the owner of the house</b> he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: </span></i><i><span style="color: red;"><b>Where is my guest room</b></span></i><i><span style="color: red;">, <b>where I may eat the Passover with my disciples</b>?’ He will show you <b>a large room upstairs</b>, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.</span>”</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them."</i> - Mark 14:12-16</div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see I have highlighted a few things to consider. But we're going to focus on the man carrying the water jar today.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you open up your favorite web browser and search for "man water jar <b>constellation</b>" what do you get?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Aquarius</b>. Interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you click on the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarius_(constellation)" target="_blank">Wikipedia link</a> you will find that Aquarius is Latin for "the water carrier." Water carrier? Hmm. A man carrying a water jar. Just like in Mark 14!</div><div><br /></div><div>Aquarius is also a zodiac sign (not that I believe in that stuff but) its time spans from January 20-February 18th. We actually just passed through "The Age of Aquarius."</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus was telling His disciples to literally "follow Aquarius" - a man with water. Also interesting. Jesus, the man the disciples were following for three years, was literally "the well" where they could get living water.</div><div><br /></div><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240303_170038_144.sdocx--><div><i><span style="color: red;">"Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”</span></i> - John 4:14 </div><div><br /></div><div>We who call ourselves Christians, are we not to follow the Man with living water? Won't He take us into an "upper room" where we will eat at "the wedding feast of the lamb?"</div><div><br /></div><div>And if we follow the man with the water jar (Aquarius), what's next? What sign in the Zodiac follows Aquarius? It's Pisces. And what is Pisces?</div><div><br /></div><div>Fish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you kidding me? The "fish" (Pisces) follow "the man with the water jar? (Aquarius).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, with all this in mind, read this:</div><div><br /></div><div><span><i>"And He said to them, “<span style="color: red;"><b>Follow me</b>, and I will make you <b>fish</b>ers of men.</span>”</i> - </span><span>Matthew 4:19</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240229_060646_847.sdocx--></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Interesting.</span></div></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-72232262564981501212024-03-02T06:03:00.002-06:002024-03-02T06:03:37.447-06:00Bacon And Eggs<div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xhjfkAV9ANUWEi89GQdSrPZFcFk1y3AVogNgf-exuO13OrivEjhRSh1WX_AcAqoxICnQnaJdPQrZLUBI59mSPRZgoPABo23PHm5EmXklCAUeGDc1WQtrBHsHvOipwv8qy4x-mbgo9kie-KCPAYgDttmjX1Mzz4zHHxQMXA5RlbcaOtBsV0F3sQNfpFA/s1365/Bacon%20Eggs%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1365" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xhjfkAV9ANUWEi89GQdSrPZFcFk1y3AVogNgf-exuO13OrivEjhRSh1WX_AcAqoxICnQnaJdPQrZLUBI59mSPRZgoPABo23PHm5EmXklCAUeGDc1WQtrBHsHvOipwv8qy4x-mbgo9kie-KCPAYgDttmjX1Mzz4zHHxQMXA5RlbcaOtBsV0F3sQNfpFA/w400-h225/Bacon%20Eggs%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />"The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed."</i> - Martina Navratilova</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240223_034508_772.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>This is a problem in the church today. And also in the hearts of many of its members, I am sad to say.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>To use the pig and chicken analogy, Jesus wants us to be committed, not just involved, only Jesus used two other animals to tell us this - sheep and goats.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><i><span style="color: red;">“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the <b>sheep</b> from the <b>goats</b>."</span></i> - Matthew 25:31-32</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240228_092742_544.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>What does it mean to be committed to Jesus?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Step #1 - Believe Jesus is who He says He is. Not only is He the Son of God, He IS God.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Step #2 - Believe that He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is currently sitting at the right hand of God the Father.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Step #3 - Repent of all your sins. No one gets into heaven carrying their sins with them</span></span>. Change your ways. Jesus has paid the penalty for your sins.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Step #4 - Allow Jesus to be Lord over your life. Follow Him and His commands. Commit to His Lordship.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>It's really very simple, but it IS a commitment. The real question is, are you willing to take that step?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>I pray that you would consider it. You may have to give up some things. Actually, you must be willing to give up everything. But you will gain so much more. Take a stand. Make the commitment. Be the bacon. Be the sheep.</span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-67603939045065013972024-02-28T06:14:00.000-06:002024-02-28T06:14:04.673-06:00What's Your Trigger?<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvBryXZNzF8fRGwO79PRYmSOOtpwBOBvOhq5DLmpLfUhxqk3E1WfLvM-nONzy8HeUnWFg83S7_BNElCBMG01TAbyF-5LCRnauc31Ve8cIBo61pAIrBIWZTyDsO1e6I3n0Brjo5MXDRKef8NnU7ZEyE8GhTOEZDWihyz0VI4xAJPoPjwlujLb_K3rz0UU/s1500/Trigger%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvBryXZNzF8fRGwO79PRYmSOOtpwBOBvOhq5DLmpLfUhxqk3E1WfLvM-nONzy8HeUnWFg83S7_BNElCBMG01TAbyF-5LCRnauc31Ve8cIBo61pAIrBIWZTyDsO1e6I3n0Brjo5MXDRKef8NnU7ZEyE8GhTOEZDWihyz0VI4xAJPoPjwlujLb_K3rz0UU/w400-h225/Trigger%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />A lot of people these days are getting "triggered" by one thing or another. I first heard the term "triggered" being used regarding anything Donald Trump. But it applies to lots of things.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe you're watching the news tonight and you'll see a story about abused pets. Or perhaps you'll be on your way to work when someone pulls out in front of you and you have to slam on the brakes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is a neverending supply of triggers in our lives these days, or so it seems.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What IS a trigger anyway? A trigger is something that causes something else to happen. In a gun's case the trigger releases a "hammer" which strikes a bullet, causing an explosion, which sends a hunk of lead flying. Triggers cause reactions. They cause things to happen.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a question: What was it that triggered your conversion to Christ? Do you remember the day? What was it that "triggered" you? A conversion? A sermon? A sudden medical emergency you were saved from? A car accident where you emerged unharmed while your car was totalled?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The key fact in any conversion story is someone somehow encountering Jesus. It's when He becomes REAL in our lives.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We can live our whole lives going to church, doing and saying the right things, but until we meet Jesus, none of it matters.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Apostle Paul went to church each sabbath. He was VERY religious! Yet it wasn't until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus that his life changed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><span><i>As he </i>(Paul)<i> journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, <span style="color: red;">“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”</span></i></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”</span>
<br /><br /><span><i>Then the Lord said, <span style="color: red;">“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."</span></i> - Acts 9:3-5</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240227_164453_547.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>That was Paul's trigger.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Not everyone conversion story like Paul. A bright light, sudden blindness, and Jesus actually speaking to him. Wow!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>But everyone has a story. What was it that led YOU to Christ?</span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-21919481425629511242024-02-26T06:33:00.007-06:002024-02-26T06:33:41.822-06:00Cetus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M43NFmHeIBJWa5Sks0cJfgjB72rEGhXaurleXQQ1bTAoCnc0SwbkK5hBcXPIGuPx-9TgSypU_w9cM3CqGEx8lVqMG5Me00_PAsWbaUILGgs1GK4PG_0BRnFZStBO6KkRRx01wdAwT5Q2CFqDGVlPVMWt-ZD1WD6PlVkXIeSz_e-0Uu6fvJIhlVAIW_4/s1872/Cetus%20Clock%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1872" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M43NFmHeIBJWa5Sks0cJfgjB72rEGhXaurleXQQ1bTAoCnc0SwbkK5hBcXPIGuPx-9TgSypU_w9cM3CqGEx8lVqMG5Me00_PAsWbaUILGgs1GK4PG_0BRnFZStBO6KkRRx01wdAwT5Q2CFqDGVlPVMWt-ZD1WD6PlVkXIeSz_e-0Uu6fvJIhlVAIW_4/w400-h225/Cetus%20Clock%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today's word of the day is <i>Cetus</i>. Any ideas what that means? Cetus is a constellation, sometimes called "The Whale" in English. Cetus (<i>ketos</i> in ancient Greek) was a sea monster in Greek mythology which both Perseus and Heracles needed to slay (whoever THEY were).<div><br /></div><div>A whale . . . Hmm.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span>"</span></i><span><span><i>Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks </i></span></span><span><i>a sign, but no sign will be given to it except <b>the sign of the prophet Jonah. </b>For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of <b>the great fish</b>, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.</i></span><span><i>"</i> - Matthew 12:38-40</span></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus was in "the belly of the whale" for three days just like Jonah. Surely Jonah's stint in that deep, dark place was a prophetic sign of Jesus crucifixion and his descending into hades for three days.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I saw this piece of artwork (pictured above) while searching for today's story picture. It is Cetus the whale! Note the stars on its side. It's the constellation Cetus! Amazing!</div><div><br /></div><div>What else do we see? Well, it's a clock for one thing. We can tell that by the Roman numerals III, IX, VI... and Cetus is pointing at the number 3. THREE days in the belly of the whale? Interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who knows what all this means. Perhaps Jesus and His heavenly host will come to us out of the constellation Cetus. I really have no idea, but this encoursging to me. All we know for sure though is this . . . time is definitely ticking. And we do NOT want to end up in the belly of the whale.</div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-51035095475299560352024-02-24T05:43:00.004-06:002024-02-24T05:47:54.610-06:00The Wee Small Hours<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRxLj5IG8ETF1Vy1YLqsiyBUwigcL67VCnv-Ot8MU5xcCuYxGx-0Al1MbpDK97yfwvbWlfzLZ-DFjmkbkDQVc6QsMvMdxyvdZMOLfO7Za1_qu6sb-avNP341PfbJRGrYHc9SXGeSFsXIvr96_A5mETKxiZJu9eIoSoO8hs_eMAdmUUvZcmMeN_y7xGuI/s1200/Sting%20Botti%2016x9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRxLj5IG8ETF1Vy1YLqsiyBUwigcL67VCnv-Ot8MU5xcCuYxGx-0Al1MbpDK97yfwvbWlfzLZ-DFjmkbkDQVc6QsMvMdxyvdZMOLfO7Za1_qu6sb-avNP341PfbJRGrYHc9SXGeSFsXIvr96_A5mETKxiZJu9eIoSoO8hs_eMAdmUUvZcmMeN_y7xGuI/w400-h225/Sting%20Botti%2016x9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />A couple of nights ago I was on YouTube listening to music when I came across <i>One More Light</i> by Linkin Park. I watched the video. I probably shouldn't have.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Chester Bennington (lead singer) sang a song about suicide and how he cared when people chose to end their lives instead of talking to someone. Of course, Chester would later do the very thing he sang about, taking his own life in 2017. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the song repeated in my head I thought about all the people I have known who took the same sad option. Austin, Kameron, Bill, Jesse, Oksana.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So there I was, thinking about suicide victims at 3:00 AM. Perhaps if I wrote about it . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, I jotted down some notes for this story on my phone. I then discovered I had already written a story about this topic. What now? It's 3:00 in the bloody morning! Lol! It's the wee small hours!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(Ding!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And there you have it. The answer to getting songs out of one's head. Sort of. Change the song!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now I'm on YouTube again, searching, only it's now 4 AM. . . . <i>In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning</i> . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(Ding!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>In the wee small hours of the morning,</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When the whole wide world is fast asleep,</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>You lie awake and think about that girl,</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>And never ever think of counting sheep.</i></div><i><br /><span>When your lonely heart has learned its lesson,</span></i><div><i><span>You'd be hers if only she would call.</span></i></div><div><i><span>In the wee small hours of the morning,</span></i></div><div><i><span>That's the time you miss her most of all.</span></i><div><br /></div><div>And now, with THAT song playing in the background of my mind, I returned to bed and prayed for the families of my friends who are gone.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><i>"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."</i> - </span><span>Psalm 147:3</span>
<br /><br /><span><i>"The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; He saves those who have lost all hope. Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from them all.</i>" - </span><span>Psalm 34:18-19</span></div><div><br /></div><div><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240222_063257_535.sdocx-->When we find ourselves feeling sad, change life's soundtrack, and pray. You will find that soon you will be sleeping like a baby. And falling asleep as you pray is a wonderfully calming thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I slept like a rock. THEE Rock.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span>"Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”</span>
<br /><br /></i><span><i>He replied, “<span style="color: red;">You of little faith, why are you so afraid?</span>” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."</i> - Matthew 8:24-26</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240224_054029_688.sdocx--><br /><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240222_062432_258.sdocx--><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/2RIk3arfQtg?si=YB1uwPHkMa9n9HeE" target="_blank">In The Wee Small Hours</a> - Chris Botti & Sting</span></div></div></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-78817659059248675412024-02-21T05:16:00.000-06:002024-02-21T05:16:19.470-06:00Puzzles<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwsWetoyo7s-YpXG3gXm-q_vcmDWzTQ-tsRcEuzr4H3t-zAx8o54CeNnVWuY4Dwf4jYwsp6Zl3n-C09T5yxi4xuupuJLDXxKRrtNVCMvihMP7Q4TIYZIiREYCFx1Mf6fpfPzFy06x4ZUO34rd47KBmwohgE4qOjOxeBSlWtnUfO07IZ3wA4hVKKu8Xb8/s1000/Jigsaw%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwsWetoyo7s-YpXG3gXm-q_vcmDWzTQ-tsRcEuzr4H3t-zAx8o54CeNnVWuY4Dwf4jYwsp6Zl3n-C09T5yxi4xuupuJLDXxKRrtNVCMvihMP7Q4TIYZIiREYCFx1Mf6fpfPzFy06x4ZUO34rd47KBmwohgE4qOjOxeBSlWtnUfO07IZ3wA4hVKKu8Xb8/w400-h225/Jigsaw%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />When I inherited my mom and dad's jigsaw puzzle collection I didn't know what I was getting myself into - a lesson about life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Puzzles can be a fun little diversion. Jigsaw puzzles teach us that it is possible to attack a problem and emerge at its completion 100% satisfied. Unless, of course, there are missing pieces.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Often, my wife will enter my "puzzle space," bend down, and pick up one of the pieces I had inadvertently knocked off the table.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Here. You might need this," she'll say. What an example of Jesus!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life is a lot like assembling a crossword puzzle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Puzzles exist so that they can be assembed. They provide us with a sence of accomplishment after we complete them. Equally, puzzles can also provide frustration if some of the pieces are missing or if the puzzle proves too difficult. Is life any different?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We can be working on life's puzzle, all organized and going well. Then, suddenly, something's not right. A medical emergency, infertility, the death of a loved one. A piece of our "puzzle" has gone missing or we have placed one of life's pieces in the wrong spot. Enter Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Is there a puzzle that Jesus cannot solve? Is there something missing in our lives that could not be fixed by Jesus?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus completes us. He guides us through life's puzzles with His Holy Spirit and His Word. He is the one who picks up the pieces off our floor and puts them back onto the table for us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus could solve ALL of life's puzzles for us with a thought or a snap of His fingers. But He doesn't. He wants us to grow and to learn.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What God teaches us today may be needed to solve some "life puzzle" in the future.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Embrace the puzzle!</div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-38101195992224843312024-02-19T05:50:00.006-06:002024-02-19T05:50:54.217-06:00F.R.O.G.<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6NKjPoTNBDFap1dMN3ozP9gJYwn1X6cf_z3yqrJT-ZIlCJMrykjLG35JZLMqkxpWSRx53sTy-JOhQ4OM322xYkKK3V1hQOJliBmi3djxWBJvy0KTfn_VCtbhmYNnJial2tZSZlZq-QfKyUOOxgKgYsA9M_zehN8BtVi2XsiBBjkycezjrlc03_aP0U0/s2292/Frog%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="2292" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6NKjPoTNBDFap1dMN3ozP9gJYwn1X6cf_z3yqrJT-ZIlCJMrykjLG35JZLMqkxpWSRx53sTy-JOhQ4OM322xYkKK3V1hQOJliBmi3djxWBJvy0KTfn_VCtbhmYNnJial2tZSZlZq-QfKyUOOxgKgYsA9M_zehN8BtVi2XsiBBjkycezjrlc03_aP0U0/w400-h225/Frog%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />When I was much younger (in my 40's and early 50's) I would often wake up in the middle of the night, worrying about work.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the wee hours of the morning, my eyes would look like Mr. Frog here - bugged out, trying to solve some work-related problem. That doesn't happen anymore.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Well, Bob, you're retired now so . . ."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's more than just the work aspect. What's interesting is that I don't worry about ANYTHING anymore. AT ALL.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And it's not like I haven't had anything to worry about. Friends of mine have died this past year. People I love have suffered through incredibly debilitating medical procedures.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have friends and relatives who have been beaten, who suffer from anxiety and depression, and others who have lost their jobs. The world is at war, for heaven's sake. And still, all is calm within me. Why? What happened in my life to change all that once was?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's get back to my little frog friend. He looks pretty nervous, doesn't he? Maybe it's a snake stalking him. Or maybe he just looks that way all the time. It's his name gets the attention here, today.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">FROG is an acronym for <b>F</b>ully <b>R</b>ely <b>O</b>n <b>G</b>od</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we fully trust in Jesus . . . FULLY rely on Him . . . anxiety and worries just leave us. Hey, I don't understand it. It just happens.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b><i>"</i></b></span><span><i><b>Do not be anxious about anything</b>, but <b>in every situation</b>, by <b>prayer and petition</b>, with <b>thanksgiving</b>, present your requests to God. And <b>the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds</b> in Christ Jesus."</i> - Philippians 4:6-7</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240215_071825_576.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>If we claim to be Christians, yet we still worry about things, are we FULLY relying on God? Isn't 'worry' thinking that God can't handle things?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is the promised Holy Spirit living in the heart of every believer that calms our fears and gives us that peace.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If we say that we believe in Jesus yet we still worry, I say, "Really?" Are we fully relying on God?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Read those verses again. It says "the peace of God <b>WILL</b>," not that it might or may.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Remember the acronym FROG. What does the 'F' stand for?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fully.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"<b>Do not</b> be anxious about anything"</i> the verse says. Is that not a command? Are we not sinning against God then if we are anxious?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trust in the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><b>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart</b> and <b>lean not on your own understanding</b>;<b> in all your ways submit to Him</b>, and <b>He will make your paths straight</b>."</i> - </span><span>Proverbs 3:5-6</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240219_054725_241.sdocx--></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-66520424297634005732024-02-17T04:37:00.001-06:002024-02-17T06:28:24.142-06:00God Reveals Himself<div style="text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48gF-CEouV3ZsTI_v0JUCNB5qOW0bOdlGH5xO0rDpC7FfonegJIr7TGR430IHAp-AZvNoUwLimTU1Rg1ZxH5QJycFhyphenhyphenSyrsf59BGWRpoZ50cLMVVO23llSY0qYKTk3wtRGIwf34EGXTR4vvbNEW9sF5nVPMbjTHUlSACiidVqUoaS8U4zNHfzSpWsoLM/s4340/Bible%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2441" data-original-width="4340" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48gF-CEouV3ZsTI_v0JUCNB5qOW0bOdlGH5xO0rDpC7FfonegJIr7TGR430IHAp-AZvNoUwLimTU1Rg1ZxH5QJycFhyphenhyphenSyrsf59BGWRpoZ50cLMVVO23llSY0qYKTk3wtRGIwf34EGXTR4vvbNEW9sF5nVPMbjTHUlSACiidVqUoaS8U4zNHfzSpWsoLM/w400-h225/Bible%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Samuel. He was prophet, the last of Israel's judges. He lived during the time of Saul and David. Samuel was powerful and strong in The Lord from his youth.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><b>"The Lord was with Samuel</b> as he grew up, and <b>He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground</b>. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord <b>continued to appear</b> at Shiloh, and there <b>He revealed Himself to Samuel through His Word</b>."</i> - Samuel 3:19:21</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240209_122738_888.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you know that there is an often dormant gift from God awaiting all those who believe in Him? There is. It's right there in bold for all to see. The last three words of verse 21 above.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"<i>He</i> (God) <i>revealed Himself to Samuel THROUGH HIS WORD."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">God will do the same for all of His children. However . . . in a recent <a href="https://www.barna.com/research/sotb-2021/" target="_blank">Barna group survey</a>, not many Christians are making the choice to read these days. Only 48% of Christians in 2021 read their Bible at least 3 times A YEAR.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How is God going to reveal Himself to us, THROUGH HIS WORD, if we're not reading, and studying, His Word, the Bible? Hmm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In my previous story I talked about our need to be <b>salt</b> to those around us. God revealed that to me, through His word. I read the Bible. God revealed to me, through His Holy Spirit, that I need to get out of the house more and into the community in order to become that salt that hasn't lost its saltiness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">God revealed to me that I need to spend more time after church, hanging out with my brothers and sisters. I need to spend time listening to THEIR stories, not telling them mine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What will God reveal to YOU today as you read His Word?</div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-91397460605769177292024-02-14T05:57:00.001-06:002024-02-14T06:06:18.277-06:005%<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTNOLOq4CD164Hi1vOiiAEftFHTmmYDeEYdFZ0Q_2ejeP2dVJesdFOiYtujhFKL5ztQ16M3F8he-VkK3cXwLw3u58t3WAiOSQ4OPPjaMNAaLRsPwf-JmfuSQzKt6uSDZ4y9q3aBM0AXYhmaySy48M8bhBrRIYVpsvosjdS80iNeavypwvFt2OiW8G69I/s1771/Salt%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1771" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTNOLOq4CD164Hi1vOiiAEftFHTmmYDeEYdFZ0Q_2ejeP2dVJesdFOiYtujhFKL5ztQ16M3F8he-VkK3cXwLw3u58t3WAiOSQ4OPPjaMNAaLRsPwf-JmfuSQzKt6uSDZ4y9q3aBM0AXYhmaySy48M8bhBrRIYVpsvosjdS80iNeavypwvFt2OiW8G69I/w400-h225/Salt%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span><i><span style="color: red;">“You are the <b>salt</b> of the earth. But if the <b>salt</b> loses its <b>salt</b>iness, how can it be made <b>salt</b>y again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."</span></i> - Matthew 5:13</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240211_073311_751.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>After Jesus gave His Beatitudes speech on the Mount of Olives He told His followers what you just read. <i><span style="color: red;">"You are the <b>salt</b> of the earth."</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Why did Jesus call them salt? And why is the name of this story "5%"? Well . . . </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Salt. Back in Jesus' day salt was used as a preservative, to cleanse newborn babies (a disinfectant), and for fertilizer. Fertilizer? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Yes! Where did the Jewish people get their salt? From the Dead Sea. Dead Sea salt is Potassium Chloride, not Sodium Chloride like our table salt. Potassium Chloride, also known as Potash, is a fertilizer. It helps things grow.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Salt changes the things it comes into contact with simply by being what it is. Is that what we do? Do we change people simply by being who we are in their presence? </span>Let's go read what Luke had to say about salt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><i>“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away."</i> - Luke 14:34-35</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240213_092638_512.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>How much salt do we need then? When a community contains just 5% active Christians, it begins to change for the better. Judging by today's headlines we need lots of salt!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>But the thing about salt is that it needs to come into contact with the dirt, with what it is intended to cleanse. How is THAT done? By being out in the community. By reaching out to the hurting, the sick, and the poor. We can help those around us grow in their faith simply by being with them. It's called fellowship.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>Salt in our kitchen is useless while it's just sitting in the salt shaker. Only when we put it on a steak, or on some french fries, does it serve its purpose.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>If we are to be salt in this world, where should WE be? At home in our living rooms watching TV? Or being poured out into the lives of those around us?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>We are purveyors of the Gospel. If I sit at home simply reading my Bible, am I truly fulfilling my purpose as "the salt of the earth?"</span></span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-40925702171773542024-02-12T05:42:00.001-06:002024-02-12T05:42:08.115-06:00Prepare Yourself<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLSlTrEmphR8JQpqxC3O9izOLby1MXWbg2EZjDCIsY7fFH3OxIaZb23tp9fN0Lmc0iJ4geYGH_BKFF_p4s-MT1V8hEBr8hKeT2tGFRVNbUUXh3Hz07dAjfdunNXo8saztUal2K1e4Brh4tEsEAVV6b4y5-dyC6zjrRJBbG83YuKEUNtffeCiCbP-YBGY/s1990/Nuclear%20Blast%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1990" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLSlTrEmphR8JQpqxC3O9izOLby1MXWbg2EZjDCIsY7fFH3OxIaZb23tp9fN0Lmc0iJ4geYGH_BKFF_p4s-MT1V8hEBr8hKeT2tGFRVNbUUXh3Hz07dAjfdunNXo8saztUal2K1e4Brh4tEsEAVV6b4y5-dyC6zjrRJBbG83YuKEUNtffeCiCbP-YBGY/w400-h225/Nuclear%20Blast%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i>Maybe it was just a bad dream. Everything's quiet right now. No more sirens. No more explosions. Of course, it's only 5 AM. I think. My alarm clock is dead. My phone is dead. There is still no power. Better get a fire started. It's bloody cold in here.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>There. That's better. Now to make some coffee. Oh yeah, there's no water. No power, no water. Better get going an take the long, cold walk to the creek at the bottom of the hill. Maybe the house will be warm by the time I get back.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Welcome to the future and nuclear winter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">According to an MSN report last week, Iran now has enough enriched plutonium for a nuclear weapon. That weapon should be ready by . . . today, so they say. How comforting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Millions of illegals pouring across our southern border from all over the world - even Chinese and Iranians. Hmm. I wonder . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"Death to Israel! Death to America!"</i> they chant. Again . . . hmm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Consider this all-too-real scenario: One lone nuclear weapon, smuggled in from Canada while everyone has their eyes on Eagle Pass, Texas. A stolen van, traveling down I-41 into downtown Chicago and BOOM!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Chicago has a population of 2.6 million. They would all be gone. No problem though. We have enough illegals coming across our borders to repopulate Chi-town within a year. 2.8 million border crossings in 2023 dontcha know. There is no deterrent. Plus, we give them free phones, prepaid debit cards, and food and housing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My wife and I live 216 miles north of Chicago. If the Windy City fell victim to a terrorist bombing, we would be fine, God willing. Northern Indiana and south western Michigan however are in the fallout zone. A slow, lingering death for them in this sad scenario.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But COULD this actually happen? Yes, it could. However...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"God has not given us a spirit of fear."</i> - 2 Timothy 1:7</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; H</i></span><i>e will never leave you nor forsake you.”</i> - Deuteronomy 31:6</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><span style="color: red;">"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”</span></i> - John 16:33</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240209_083049_972.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><i>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."</i> - Proverbs 3:5-6</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240209_083933_438.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>The best way to be prepared for ANY event is to KNOW Jesus. Allowing Him to be Lord of your life is the best prepping decision anyone could make. Are you prepared?</span></span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-46483253420999883792024-02-10T06:33:00.001-06:002024-02-10T06:33:24.817-06:00The Woman In The Red Dress<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOkXzBQd8sR_LruMuCKoy13tkN2H161cTr2j7YWloixp1HZwdun91IRY89mLrFIHtE5X55ker_RGXKlhUsrIh1mpXZt54d4snOSunYvYBSUa9TJJf7Qm0pOYsPl0aVdRH7ip6eaRXMCnxaGFKX8CEZVe58tpH_6KOdHCSq2ToaSpUrjCTpNsUp_bCkzQ/s1024/Woman%20Red%20Dress%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOkXzBQd8sR_LruMuCKoy13tkN2H161cTr2j7YWloixp1HZwdun91IRY89mLrFIHtE5X55ker_RGXKlhUsrIh1mpXZt54d4snOSunYvYBSUa9TJJf7Qm0pOYsPl0aVdRH7ip6eaRXMCnxaGFKX8CEZVe58tpH_6KOdHCSq2ToaSpUrjCTpNsUp_bCkzQ/w400-h225/Woman%20Red%20Dress%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />One of the reasons I love The Matrix movie so much is because it is filled with allegory and metaphor. Hidden meanings and subtle messages. It is therefore much like the Bible in that regard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bible has many such hidden treasures, waiting for the reader to uncover. Unfortunately, many of today's Bible readers are, as Morpheus says in the movie, "not ready to be unplugged."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What good is reading something if you don't understand it?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Take Luke 23:43 for example. When Jesus said to the thief on the cross, <i><span style="color: red;">"Today you will be with me in paradise," </span></i>do you think Jesus was talking about heaven? No. 'Paradise' in Greek means "a garden," not heaven.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Getting back to The Matrix, look at the woman in the red dress. What does she represent in the life of a Christian? The woman represents sin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Instead of listening to his teacher, Neo becomes distracted by the woman in the red dress. Sin. Morpheus, Neo's teacher, then asks Neo, "Were you listening? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are so many distractions in this world right now. We all have our diversions, our sins, our distractions. Do they keep us from following our Teacher? Jesus? Do they keep us from understanding His Word?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><span style="color: red;">“<b>Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven</b>, but <b>only the one who does the will </b></span></i></span><i><span style="color: red;"><b>my Father</b> who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘<b>I never knew you</b>. Away from me, you evildoers!’"</span></i> - Matthew 7:21-23</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We too must understand the will of our Father in heaven. To do that we must understand the meaning of His words. What HE thinks, not what WE think.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Morpheus: <i>"If you are not one of us, you are one of them."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus: <i><span style="color: red;">"Whoever is not with me is against me."</span></i> - Matthew 12:30</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We must be in God's Word, daily. We must study it and learn from it if we are to learn and grow and know what God's will is. When was the last time you opened your Bible? Last week? Last year? Do it now and grow!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/IJrjcHx9nDA?si=AdlbkfWHGItE2sAf" target="_blank">The Woman In The Red Dress</a> - The Matrix</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/GfzG2ad5g8E?si=WSS-nrH2BcpEjSMJ" target="_blank">The Word</a> - Sara Groves</span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-668454317540211932024-02-07T04:38:00.000-06:002024-02-07T04:38:49.506-06:00The Four Horsemen<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJenYbxiesTvb0Dpck0X6_rs0iE6q8hlZqNkWReG6BR_f262e6ZXxB0kqcbdj4W9_2_VCNgNex911weQxZ9o1-M7wZBQkUD34QTHFfivrZja9hp7QXks14Tm_o5ofLswAONkTIKP1wkhWOP6pohMbNzwSkMSvlY9pCbSxlt_yBsyFerwbJvcGNUfj6Y8/s1920/Palestine%20Flag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJenYbxiesTvb0Dpck0X6_rs0iE6q8hlZqNkWReG6BR_f262e6ZXxB0kqcbdj4W9_2_VCNgNex911weQxZ9o1-M7wZBQkUD34QTHFfivrZja9hp7QXks14Tm_o5ofLswAONkTIKP1wkhWOP6pohMbNzwSkMSvlY9pCbSxlt_yBsyFerwbJvcGNUfj6Y8/w400-h225/Palestine%20Flag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In the 6th chapter of the Book of Revelation we read about seals and scrolls being opened and about four horsemen riding horses of various colors.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Verse 2 - "a <b>white</b> horse"</div><div style="text-align: left;">Verse 4 - "a <b>red</b> horse"</div><div style="text-align: left;">Verse 5 - "a <b>black</b> horse"</div><div style="text-align: left;">Verse 8 - "a <b>pale</b> horse"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The color of this last horse actually varies with the Bible translation. If we look at other translations for verse eight we see another color mentioned. The New Living Translation, for example, says "a pale <b>green</b> horse."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of the 32 translations I checked, 11 of them say this fourth horseman was riding on a <b>green</b> horse.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The picture above is of the Palestinian flag. Note its colors. White, Red, Black, Green. The same as the Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse. Coincidence?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are bored today you could check out the colors on the flags of THESE neighboring countries in the Middle East - Jordan, Sudan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Afghanistan, and Syria. Yep. White, Red, Black, Green flags.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In case you were wondering, as I was, Iran's flag is White, Red, and Green. No black. Their mistake. However . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If we search for 'Persian flag' (for Iran was formerly called Persia) what colors do we find? White, Red, Green, Yellow, and . . . Black.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ha!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yemen (Houthi) flag colors are White, Red, and Black. No Green. Get with the program, people!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And Hezbollah up in Lebanon? Their flag is Green and Yellow. And what are the colors of the Lebanese flag? White, Red, and Green. No black. Perhaps we should look at the color of their hearts to find the black. Just a theory.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what do these four horsemen do in Revelation? What do they do at the end of the world?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rider on the White horse was "a conqueror bent on conquest." The Red horse's rider "was given power to take peace from the earth." He was given "a large sword." The rider on the Black horse was given "a pair of scales" and was in charge of setting prices for bread, barley, oil' and wine - the world's economy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And the rider on the Green horse. What was he given? Power over one fourth of the earth . . . to kill.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Keep these flag colors in mind as we watch these countries, and their flags, gather against Israel in these last days of prophetic fulfillment.</div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-66063890474056175052024-02-05T05:41:00.001-06:002024-02-05T05:41:11.807-06:00Sweet Dreams<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY_eUeGL150qKYSEN6_zcIvKDbcqxmBH-4jITBs6KxpF-UNwazCaVJ4IqPROnnd6doscthuZGefWUfpkmeDKzZhBg-2ivJryX6AK-96KrwFVJQ1xEDuZ8Igw_-Y_3XK862sqNlR0l9Q9PgoJFhwe7Uh-ndFR5PRcxQhp-W05tGHEVEOLoEJmmabhIZGY/s1500/Brain%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1500" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY_eUeGL150qKYSEN6_zcIvKDbcqxmBH-4jITBs6KxpF-UNwazCaVJ4IqPROnnd6doscthuZGefWUfpkmeDKzZhBg-2ivJryX6AK-96KrwFVJQ1xEDuZ8Igw_-Y_3XK862sqNlR0l9Q9PgoJFhwe7Uh-ndFR5PRcxQhp-W05tGHEVEOLoEJmmabhIZGY/w400-h221/Brain%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Do you believe that God communicates with us through dreams? Why not! There are numerous examples of God doing just that in the Bible.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><b>"He speaks in dreams</b>, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds."</i> - Job 35:15</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240202_071449_508.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Pharaoh, Samuel, Solomon, Daniel, Zacharias, Joseph, Pilate's wife, Ananias, Cornelius, Peter, Paul, John, etc. Even the wisemen who came to see the newborn King. All these people received dreams of instruction or warning in their lives.</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240202_072843_577.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>December 27, 2023 two missionaries reported that </span></span>"Muslims are meeting Jesus <b>in their dreams</b> and converting to Christianity at an alarming rate."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever had a dream that seemed extra powerful in nature? Could it have been some sort of instruction or warning? What do we do when a dream like that happens? How do we know if it's real?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is uncharted territory for me. I really don't know what should be done when we get those amazingly real dreams. But when we DO get them, I think it would be a good idea to keep our eyes open and be aware of our surroundings. God just might be trying to tell us something.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're old like me you have probably heard of the 80's band Fleetwood Mac. They have a song called <i>Dreams</i>. In it Stevie Nicks says, "I keep my visions to myself."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's probably a pretty good rule of thumb. Still . . . if it truly is God trying to tell us something, what do we do with it?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ask Him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span>"Then <b>the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night</b>. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said:</span>
<br /><br /></i><span><i>“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for <b>you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you</b>, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”</i> - Daniel 2: 19-23</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240204_165450_917.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>God does communicate through dreams and visions. It's up to us, whether we act on those dreams, or not. Sweet dreams tonight.</span></div><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240202_073753_392.sdocx-->Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-15920643269107726542024-02-03T05:18:00.003-06:002024-02-03T05:18:34.091-06:00The Boys In The Boat<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uubzy4ut5XzxM_W354vnwSG1HdKPgeg6SL8z-5YxzWzgYDcRvsvNOQEVZyOCNVKOucrhWB42VspIybmyInBTfVG1sfXcthmwejIRaQLYoIvnXNyzn0bwBV0gd7ufM_YmP_AiAAFP1MCDMD2b_KlVw8RL8Kb5ubMPFcnjKhJqXz8z3WvIW_idko9uAt4/s1016/Jesus%20Walking%20Water%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="1016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uubzy4ut5XzxM_W354vnwSG1HdKPgeg6SL8z-5YxzWzgYDcRvsvNOQEVZyOCNVKOucrhWB42VspIybmyInBTfVG1sfXcthmwejIRaQLYoIvnXNyzn0bwBV0gd7ufM_YmP_AiAAFP1MCDMD2b_KlVw8RL8Kb5ubMPFcnjKhJqXz8z3WvIW_idko9uAt4/w400-h225/Jesus%20Walking%20Water%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Everyone has heard the story of Jesus walking on water. Fewer remember how Peter ALSO walked on water. But today we're not talking about either of them, as you can tell by the title of today's story. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To be sure, the story about Peter stepping out of the boat and onto the waves is a tremendous example of faith. Peter's faith is a testament to all, as is his losing that faith and sinking like a stone. Ironically, Peter's name, given to him by Jesus, literally means "a stone."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>[If you search for the meaning of "Peter" you will find that it</span></span><span> means "stone" in Greek, while </span><span>Cephas</span><span> is "stone" in Aramaic."]</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240201_055242_645.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Back to the boys in the boat. It is wrong to add to scripture, but I'm thinking the rest of the guys must have been questioning Peter and his decision to step out of the boat.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>"Peter, what are you doing? Sit down! You'll drown!!"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you think that Peter's example of faith that day benefited those who saw it? Do you think that OUR faith was an example to others?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And just as Peter's faith was an example, so was his failing faith. It was an example to everyone that we should not take our eyes off of Jesus during a storm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus challenged the faith of His disciples many times in the Bible. The healing that Jesus did was ALSO linked to faith, often saying, "Your FAITH has made you well "</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “<span style="color: red;">O you of little faith, <b>why did you doubt?</b></span>”</i> - Matthew 14:31</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240201_060859_421.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Quite the teaching moment, wouldn't you say? How has God taught YOU using the trials in YOUR life?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke+8:22%E2%80%9325;Matthew+8:23%E2%80%9327;Mark+4:36%E2%80%9341;John+6:16%E2%80%9321/" target="_blank">Jesus Walks On Water</a> - All Four Gospels</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-31976157679152340702024-01-31T07:09:00.005-06:002024-01-31T07:09:57.990-06:00Understanding Peace<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuruFsVTeczP5twCmW7y1ZW5r3znffiVQP3NZ6QtrunaEex7vlLDMT40rK0b3nQWHGh3c8lC26GHz3LPmgOxOg9jCN_R99AORppTz_65xGgZ9IXwUFLSxkcITzSzll1aSDMUNli5A6f-q02ixlj2fQcKG276sEzifg8nfhqzu5Q7-jq7GHBM1jm-tFI8/s1108/Paul%2016x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1108" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuruFsVTeczP5twCmW7y1ZW5r3znffiVQP3NZ6QtrunaEex7vlLDMT40rK0b3nQWHGh3c8lC26GHz3LPmgOxOg9jCN_R99AORppTz_65xGgZ9IXwUFLSxkcITzSzll1aSDMUNli5A6f-q02ixlj2fQcKG276sEzifg8nfhqzu5Q7-jq7GHBM1jm-tFI8/w400-h225/Paul%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The text came Sunday morning while my wife and I were getting ready for church. It was short and to the point.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Paul went to be with the Lord Friday night."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My friend Paul had died. What struck me that day was my reaction upon reading his mother's text. I wasn't sad at all. I would have to say that my feelings didn't change. What an uncaring 'friend' some would say. It gets worse.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While is WAS sad for my friend's mother and brother, who I knew would be missing him, I was actually becoming calmly happy for my dead friend. Why?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My friend Paul had been battling brain cancer for over three years. Many surgeries, lots of pain, partial paralysis. A long, difficult battle that was now over. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One time he and I sat at his dining room table and talked. We went on for a few hours. Then came this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"I'm just ready to go home."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And that he did. And I'm glad. No more pain or suffering, for him OR his family. Yes, they have the pain of loss and of not seeing him again in this life. BUT . . . the mom's text.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Paul went to be with the Lord."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"We are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and <b>we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.</b>"</i> - 2 Corinthians 5:6-8</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240130_060121_517.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>This is something the unbeliever cannot comprehend, this rejoicing at someone's death.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><i>"<b>Rejoice in the Lord always</b>; again I will say, <b>rejoice</b>. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. <b>And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus</b>."</i> - Philippians 4: 4-7</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240130_060656_414.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>And there it is. "The peace of God."</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>His mom has that peace now. So do I. Yes, we'll miss him. But my friend is with the Lord!! Would twer that I were! Jesus is why we rejoice. Jesus is why we have peace.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>Scripture just told us that the peace we have in our hearts is from God. We cannot understand it, yet we receive it. Paul has it. Do you?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>To God be the glory.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><i>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight."</i> - Proverbs 3: 5-6</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240130_062357_840.sdocx--></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><a href="https://youtu.be/2CeBoSQsBR0?si=GyAlplWqOoMzK6zV" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">To God Be The Glory</span></a></span></span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-74372781679868784342024-01-29T06:39:00.002-06:002024-01-29T06:39:56.154-06:00The Co-Op<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIrHZWKo3K_DxYqoA6BjN-W2udMZBDQJ0tzdHj7dFJSErl5zeHtEPB7wzyF_w57FFBbfCgaf1leApAVUsMhMp1NcRWSK9CC5aA3iHiXdIUjQVFvdXczB2hJhzjdScP4e8W3BJ73NDF_dNg-pjqfk2jdoYsGESFWfuwLSMkHV6_SAWapwzE-0yRUL5VTM/s1018/Co-Op%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="1018" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIrHZWKo3K_DxYqoA6BjN-W2udMZBDQJ0tzdHj7dFJSErl5zeHtEPB7wzyF_w57FFBbfCgaf1leApAVUsMhMp1NcRWSK9CC5aA3iHiXdIUjQVFvdXczB2hJhzjdScP4e8W3BJ73NDF_dNg-pjqfk2jdoYsGESFWfuwLSMkHV6_SAWapwzE-0yRUL5VTM/w400-h225/Co-Op%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Today's story is about sacrificial love. It's about placing other's needs above our own. It's about what God commanded us to do.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the Book of John, Jesus tells us that He will return and take us out of here to be with him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><span style="color: red;">"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will<b> take you to myself</b>, that where I am you may be also."</span></i> - John 14:3</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240124_100109_103.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Not everyone however will get to go. Some of us, the non-believers, will be left behind. These may be family members or friends of ours. Loved ones who have not chosen Christ.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>How it must ache the heart, knowing that these people will be going through seven years of tribulation, unlike anything this world has ever seen. Can we do anything to help them? Yes, we can.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>When all of the Christians go to be with Jesus, there's going to be millions of people wondering what happened. And what to do. Some will realize their error and seek God. Sadly, some will not.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Have you ever read the <i>Left Behind</i> series of novels? It is a fictional portrayal of what it will be like in a post-rapture world. The story follows a group of 'late blooming believers' and their struggles to survive.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>One of their members is named Cloe. She did something pretty cool. She started a cooperative where people can barter and exchange services for food and other needed items. She called it The Co-Op.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>What would you leave behind for your unsaved family members? A letter? A video? Some cash? Food? A Bible?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Of course, this co-op concept is not a new one. The early church was a living example of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><i>"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to <b>give to anyone who had need</b>. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."</i> - Acts 2:44-47</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240124_102824_605.sdocx--></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Persecution of Christians and Jews is on the rise throughout the world. What will we do to help our brothers and sisters? What will we do today?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Share the Gospel, love God, love your neighbor, and remember this somewhat obscure verse:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><i><span style="color: red;">“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but <b>everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher</b>."</span></i> - Luke 6:39-40</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240128_195812_719.sdocx--></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>We need to be like our teacher, Jesus, to the lost, blind, and hurting. Have we been fully trained? We'd better be. He is coming soon. And we have just what lost souls need. Remember that passage from Acts. "They gave to anyone who had need."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Be the Co-Op.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><i><span style="color: red;">"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest."</span></i> - John 4:35</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240128_201034_461.sdocx--></span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-83272317305128279502024-01-27T06:26:00.000-06:002024-01-27T06:26:26.982-06:00The Rabble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUup2ELrQCIIe-24Vg0NWbK19quz0ba6eQ0TxtLhIoUbFPUN890_kyYckerQ-z48zAo_H7ppBreqJJEekxaLKC1xzuFPDzNK668W_V60DkW1F-66Y5AOOZRciahwI9Qy3jJUKLcJK92cvSL-Zx-1ZcHyqWKXs_EsY6qMwWG4mJtrKzab6mML8qrShlxWc/s2037/Large%20Crowd%2016x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2037" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUup2ELrQCIIe-24Vg0NWbK19quz0ba6eQ0TxtLhIoUbFPUN890_kyYckerQ-z48zAo_H7ppBreqJJEekxaLKC1xzuFPDzNK668W_V60DkW1F-66Y5AOOZRciahwI9Qy3jJUKLcJK92cvSL-Zx-1ZcHyqWKXs_EsY6qMwWG4mJtrKzab6mML8qrShlxWc/w400-h225/Large%20Crowd%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Trivia question: How many Israelites left Egypt for The Promised Land? Let's look in the Book of Numbers!<div><br /></div><div>In chapter one God told Moses to count all of the men, 20 years old and above. That number came to 603,550. That's a lot of people! But there were also a great many women, children, and men under the age of 20. A total number is not known. God knows.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's assume two million. Two million people walking through the desert. Where did they eat? WHAT did they eat? McDonald's? Nope. God fed them. All two million of them, for 40 years.</div><div><br /></div><div>After they all left Egypt, it wasn't long before the people complained about having no food, so God gave them manna to eat. Then they got sick of that and complained some more. So God gave them quail to eat. Lots of quail.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span><i>"Now <b>the rabble</b> that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”</i> - Numbers 11:4-6</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240124_063808_974.sdocx--></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>God had provided food to eat for two million people and yet they complained. What's that old saying about biting the hand that feeds us? God was not pleased. At all.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span><span><i>"Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”"</i> - Numbers 11:18-20</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240124_064401_707.sdocx--></span></div><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span>God sent the quail. "Two cubits" deep a day's walk in any direction around the camp. And then he sent a plague. A very specific and targeted plague.</span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><i>"The anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth- hattaavah, because there <b>they buried the people who had the craving</b>."</i> - Numbers 11:33-34</span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240124_065824_483.sdocx--></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span>God provides many things for us, even today. And yet, we still complain. We don't like the style of worship music, the off-key singing, the brand of coffee used in the fellowship hall, or the color of the carpeting.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span>We should be grateful for every gift we receive from above, and most of us ARE grateful. But woe to those who God calls "the rabble." And He knows exactly who they are. Don't be part of the rabble and so not complain against God.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><i>Kibroth-hattaavah</i> in the verse above means<i> "Graves of Desire."</i></span></span></span></span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-37144931449091285412024-01-24T05:40:00.004-06:002024-01-24T05:42:32.140-06:00Common Sense<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WqQT4N6ghuou8sA1tQhStt_uDHDMoAmaOQoX1FqWOx96jNPpq36dcAPYVD36Wqi7_dRjwF-KT5HKMyRZegTqEIP9u6W6OR-qyjYSvxBzR7CybnFgjs4U9RYMvPwr6M4sc785CXg5o0DkrpwNPCHVUmWH8uJiXR0R8ux2m-0WeIyoeHyuwQVlGNHvoBk/s1920/Climber%2016x9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WqQT4N6ghuou8sA1tQhStt_uDHDMoAmaOQoX1FqWOx96jNPpq36dcAPYVD36Wqi7_dRjwF-KT5HKMyRZegTqEIP9u6W6OR-qyjYSvxBzR7CybnFgjs4U9RYMvPwr6M4sc785CXg5o0DkrpwNPCHVUmWH8uJiXR0R8ux2m-0WeIyoeHyuwQVlGNHvoBk/w400-h225/Climber%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A piton (PEE-tawn) is a device that mountain climbers use to safely climb mountains. They pound these metal spikes into cracks in the rock as they climb and hook their ropes on them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A mountain climbing instructor once was asked by one of his students, "How often do you place these pitons?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The instructor replied with a question of his own, "How far are you willing to fall?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pitons, and a rope, are the only things keeping mountain climbers from falling to their death.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What do we 'normal' people have that can protect US when we get into dangerous situations?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, for one thing - common sense. Common sense seems hard to come by for many these days though. There HAS to be something else.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is. Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus may not keep us from struggling but He CAN help us through those hard times. It's just common sense to have Jesus on your side, whatever struggle you're in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just as it is common sense to use pitons and ropes while climbing mountains, it is also a good idea to know Jesus, especially when the rope breaks or the piton comes loose. Remember the words of that climbing instructor . . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"How far are you willing to fall?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, <b>they will never fall</b>, for the LORD holds them by the hand."</i> - Psalm 37:23-24</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240124_053828_279.sdocx--></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33biuDeVGDN287j-zKOdnXs3nOOYV84pu7mHHfQuriE7STqoNb9ic36Wt5xBWoFJj8XCYocrgDkLiP1ampb_7c1maPZ4-trH-bXFvQE_-CshUVEY8kYAFLvifX9LqIHJ0wNt6rmcAnvucpf086nfp_r544JwEaHHs086ZgNel4T9H-3OfX-zJmW9gdog/s1100/Piton%2016x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1100" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33biuDeVGDN287j-zKOdnXs3nOOYV84pu7mHHfQuriE7STqoNb9ic36Wt5xBWoFJj8XCYocrgDkLiP1ampb_7c1maPZ4-trH-bXFvQE_-CshUVEY8kYAFLvifX9LqIHJ0wNt6rmcAnvucpf086nfp_r544JwEaHHs086ZgNel4T9H-3OfX-zJmW9gdog/s320/Piton%2016x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402474809492032522.post-55053620552062275492024-01-22T05:44:00.003-06:002024-01-22T05:44:43.838-06:00Double Barrel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvQsn5NcgAwUb1qxr0JhhyphenhyphenWgp_-esxPwWvN20QMs41gpNseUzDdsnxqwwxWXxLGC1VEQfmr9IqBLWJA5wwOz6hHH8GmTWxtDC9mH-KccuRfqMJmXthaUfHl9U_H6v1v9CBdYuD8r-_yu0IHeVdqAF0Bt2cM_jZYh0k8E56B_8kc-3mVfRKKXmbuYeY4U/s1500/Jesus%20Staff%2016x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvQsn5NcgAwUb1qxr0JhhyphenhyphenWgp_-esxPwWvN20QMs41gpNseUzDdsnxqwwxWXxLGC1VEQfmr9IqBLWJA5wwOz6hHH8GmTWxtDC9mH-KccuRfqMJmXthaUfHl9U_H6v1v9CBdYuD8r-_yu0IHeVdqAF0Bt2cM_jZYh0k8E56B_8kc-3mVfRKKXmbuYeY4U/w400-h225/Jesus%20Staff%2016x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In Psalm 23, David writes about God being his Shepherd. We immediately get an image in our minds similar to the one above. Making us "lie down in green pasture" and leading us "beside still waters." But that's only part of the picture. A shepherd always carried TWO tools of the trade with him or her.<div><br /></div><div><i>"Thy ROD and thy STAFF, they comfort me."</i> - Psalm 23:4</div><div><br /></div><div>In the painting above we see a shepherd's <b>staff</b>. This staff is used for guiding the sheep. The hook it's end can be put around a sheep's neck to pull them back to where they belong.</div><div><br /></div><div>A shepherd's <b>rod</b>, a little shorter and straight, is used as a weapon and a means of protection. It is used to ward off any wild animals who might be interested in devouring the sheep. Lions and bears are two examples of these. Satan is another.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus protects us and He guides us. He guides us with the Holy Spirit and with His Word - The Bible. He also protects us with these same tools, but also with His angels.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><i>"For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways."</i> - </span><span>Psalm 91:11</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240122_051723_911.sdocx--></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>These two shepherd's tools protected and comforted David. And they should do the same for us as well.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Can you think of any examples of shepherds using these items in the Bible?</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span><span><b>Aaron</b> - <i>"Aaron threw his <b>staff</b> in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent."</i> - Exodus 7:10</span></span>
<br /><br /><span><b>Moses</b> - <i>"Raise your <b>staff</b> and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground."</i> - Exodus 14:16</span>
<br /><br /><span><b>David</b> - <i>"When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock, I went out after it and attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it </i>(with his <b>rod</b>)<i> and killed it."</i> - 1 Samuel 17:34-35</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_240122_052911_573.sdocx--></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>We should be comforted knowing that God is watching over us, to keep us safe and to <i>"guide us into all truth."</i> (John 16:13).</span></span></div>Lifesongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851768951153514656noreply@blogger.com0