President Obama was nominated and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after he assumed the Office of the President of the United States of America...even though there was nothing that he had accomplished.
The committee said it was for the things he aspires to do.
Mitch Albom said that we all deserved our own Noble Peace Prize for the election of Barrack Obama....
This was emailed to me and I thought it was interesting to note. According to Snopes and Truth or Fiction, this is a true story....it shows you how much true heroes aren't recognized for their ultra-human efforts but the humanism of man is brought into full glory among his peers.
I would like to see our President live up to this standard when he makes decisions to kill babies in the womb, create a science around their celluar remains and tells us that the government is our health care provider while giving life ending conferences to the elder citizens as he embraces a marriage as defined by whatever you want it to be.
The prize doesn't always go to the most deserving...
Irena Sendler
There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena. During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. She had an 'ulterior motive' ... She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews, (being German.) Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids..) She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.
Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize ... She was not selected.
Al Gore won, for a slide show on Global Warming.
It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russian Peoples looking the other way!
Now, more than ever, with Iraq , Iran , and others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it's imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.
Mankind is its worse enemy, because it continues to declare that it is the God of its own creation.....thank God for the saints like Irena who don't look for the worldly prize but seek to live for another more eternal one.
Showing posts with label Emailed things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emailed things. Show all posts
Friday, October 16
Monday, August 10
A Holy man....emailed things
Barring the obvious simplisty of this, I thought it was an interesting thought:
This was emailed to me by one of my non-Christian co-workers.......
A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew,
which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell. They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, 'I don't understand.
'It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other.
The greedy think only of themselves.
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.
This was emailed to me by one of my non-Christian co-workers.......
A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew,
which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell. They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, 'I don't understand.
'It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other.
The greedy think only of themselves.
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.
Monday, March 23
Thursday, February 5
Generation LOST
"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress." Proverbs 30:21-23 (NIV)
Last night, at the Awanas ministry that I am now participating, I gave the 'lesson'.
It has been a point of worry with me that such ministries in the Church of today are nothing more than a reflection of society's "no-compete or accountability' mentality and that has created within the Body of Christ a disillusionment of the Truth in the young that transposes itself into disassociation with church in later years or the emergent postmodern view of "religiousity" so that such 'clubs' are nothing more than social groups that are too often divided and contrary to the original biblical purposes to which they were formed.
We make games to keep them entertained, bringing video platforms and pool tables....with a bit of biblical instruction and call it ministry.
They become nothing more than 'holding pens' in which those called to the ministry of the children are often frustrated and disillusioned from the lack of desire and respect that the children exhibit about their faith and their pursue of God. I believe this is why there is such a high 'turn-over' in children's ministry volunteers.
I, myself, am trying to stay away from the opinion of "simply marking time" (in a way) because of the 'viewpoint' of the leadership in regards to ministry as a whole.
It is not my calling to serve in the children's ministry, but I saw the need (there are only two men in the whole of the Awana's program at the campus) and stepped into it to meet such need. An year's commitment is one of the 'requirements' of a 'favorable' Church view on the desire and purpose of those who minister in the church or want church backing to new ideas. Those are the rules, otherwise I would have probably left the position my first day.
At least, I figure, I can try to impart the importance of bringing God into their Wednesday night activities rather than just rubber-stamp their progress through it.
The 'model' of churchy things has led to a wealth of those who are unfit and unprepared for the rigours of living by faith and the persecution that comes from the evil one and his minions as a Christian walks closer and closer in relationship with God.
We have created, with our desire to 'be all things to all people', weak and unhealthy spiritual people who have brought those weaknesses into the home and are passing them onto the next generation.
I speak not from accusation...but from experience. I struggle with my son to implement such disciplines in my own home, because of my own history. I do better than some but realize I am far than the model. Going back to the discussion about 'judging' that I wrote a few blogs back.....I judge myself accordingly too.
We have created the conditions of the field and now are reaping the corrupted harvest.
As the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary says about this Proverb, "Pride and cruelty, the undue exaltation of those unfit to hold power, produce those vices which disquiet society."
If we do not learn in the years to which we are under the tuleage and instruction of those placed in authority above us, we will be a self-focused and self-serving people in our latter days. Much like what has happened in cultural and society, where the creed of the United States once was based on the 'consensus of the majority' has been corrupted into the 'minority view' of subjective righteousness and truth.
We act out of our wounded beginnings. And, rather than having cultivated a 'servant's heart', we learn of the 'protection of one's self'. When we are advanced into positions of power, our corrupted sense of 'religion' begets further corruption, to which society adjusts to accept as the 'norm'.
Our government is a large reflection of it. Our patriotism, now held to be separate from our faith, is the gaping wound of such sinfulness. The current definition of tolerance, in and of itself intolerant of one religion (Christianity), shows the progression from a people more interested in the edification and qualification of the young to a people who have declared the young to be lucky...that we allow them to breathe.
As I began the lesson, based on the instructions of Paul to his young charge Timothy, one of the more 'free-spirited' (read...uninterested) young persons in the group I belong to as a 'leader' was ignoring the common respect and courtesy one was once expected to give both the instructor and the fellow students. I called him upon it, reflecting that I was of the school where disruptive behavior such as he exhibited was dealt with in the form of 'corner watching'. "Nose to the wall, son" as my dad would say.
It wasn't his reaction that appalled me, it was one from the 'friendly and loved' leader, a young adult who is serving in the ministry group.
I upset her, which was given in evidence to the children around her with the rolling of the eyes and other body indications. The young man sat quietly, for a few moments, until he saw that and returned to his previous attitude, quietly. I knew I had lost one, before the lesson even began.
I had placed the verse I was teaching from on the board the previous Wednesday and asked the group to bring in a picture of someone they wanted to emulate or copy; be it professionally or personally. Only one child, out of twenty or thirty, copied the verse down and attempted to learn it. Even with the enticement of 'money' (reward points for the 'store' where they can 'purchase' prizes), only one came into Wednesday night's Awanas and tried to recite the verse.
Only one.
And only four brought a picture, two of them creatively making a collage of many clipped photos, of a person they wanted to emulate in a profession. Not a great ratio. Using the examples given, I reflected how our Christian journey isn't to gain eternal salvation but to walk in the confidence and assurance towards that destination already assured, in the training of ourselves into being copies of Christ.....emulation. That is what answers the internal question of "Why is Christ the answer?"
If we show those values we claim to follow in the biblical text to be nothing more than convienant and occassional to our own lives, it is reflected and amplified in our children's disinterest and disrespect of God, though many will claim to be followers of Christ.
Which leads me into the conviction I have, as do a growing number of men, that since Adam...men have been living unpurposed and undesigned lives. Society has amplified this disconnect by feminizing men, declaring their innate instincts to be undesireable, and not holding the men to a biblical and clear standard: just use of Godly designed power, working in conjunction with a woman's design to create life-giving, life-nuturing and ultimately God-purposing environments for the generations following.
Instead of telling a child that they can do whatever they wish, creating an non-competitive environment where their God-designed purpose and talent isn't shaped and molde to be forged into unbreakable faith, and teaching them that rote learning is better than indepth, wisdom-seeking understanding; we have created a generation who is unknowing of God, undesiring of His ways, and who are self-involved in this life that they have been taught they are lucky to be existing in.
We've put the emphasis on the physical well-being and neglected the spiritual well-being. Is it any wonder the children of the world are striking back?
We need to return to the right focus, as emulated and reflected in the life of our Savior Jesus Christ. "Not my will, Father, but Yours be done." "The words I speak are from the Father and not my own."
What was the verse, you ask, that sparked this?
"Rather, train yourself to live a godly life.Training the body helps a little, but godly living helps in every way. Godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come." 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (GWT)
A no-brainer, eh?
It's time to retrain ourselves so that we, through the power of the Spirit, may reclaim and redeem generations of unbiblical living and save the generation to come.
JMT
Last night, at the Awanas ministry that I am now participating, I gave the 'lesson'.
It has been a point of worry with me that such ministries in the Church of today are nothing more than a reflection of society's "no-compete or accountability' mentality and that has created within the Body of Christ a disillusionment of the Truth in the young that transposes itself into disassociation with church in later years or the emergent postmodern view of "religiousity" so that such 'clubs' are nothing more than social groups that are too often divided and contrary to the original biblical purposes to which they were formed.
We make games to keep them entertained, bringing video platforms and pool tables....with a bit of biblical instruction and call it ministry.
They become nothing more than 'holding pens' in which those called to the ministry of the children are often frustrated and disillusioned from the lack of desire and respect that the children exhibit about their faith and their pursue of God. I believe this is why there is such a high 'turn-over' in children's ministry volunteers.
I, myself, am trying to stay away from the opinion of "simply marking time" (in a way) because of the 'viewpoint' of the leadership in regards to ministry as a whole.
It is not my calling to serve in the children's ministry, but I saw the need (there are only two men in the whole of the Awana's program at the campus) and stepped into it to meet such need. An year's commitment is one of the 'requirements' of a 'favorable' Church view on the desire and purpose of those who minister in the church or want church backing to new ideas. Those are the rules, otherwise I would have probably left the position my first day.
At least, I figure, I can try to impart the importance of bringing God into their Wednesday night activities rather than just rubber-stamp their progress through it.
The 'model' of churchy things has led to a wealth of those who are unfit and unprepared for the rigours of living by faith and the persecution that comes from the evil one and his minions as a Christian walks closer and closer in relationship with God.
We have created, with our desire to 'be all things to all people', weak and unhealthy spiritual people who have brought those weaknesses into the home and are passing them onto the next generation.
I speak not from accusation...but from experience. I struggle with my son to implement such disciplines in my own home, because of my own history. I do better than some but realize I am far than the model. Going back to the discussion about 'judging' that I wrote a few blogs back.....I judge myself accordingly too.
We have created the conditions of the field and now are reaping the corrupted harvest.
As the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary says about this Proverb, "Pride and cruelty, the undue exaltation of those unfit to hold power, produce those vices which disquiet society."
If we do not learn in the years to which we are under the tuleage and instruction of those placed in authority above us, we will be a self-focused and self-serving people in our latter days. Much like what has happened in cultural and society, where the creed of the United States once was based on the 'consensus of the majority' has been corrupted into the 'minority view' of subjective righteousness and truth.
We act out of our wounded beginnings. And, rather than having cultivated a 'servant's heart', we learn of the 'protection of one's self'. When we are advanced into positions of power, our corrupted sense of 'religion' begets further corruption, to which society adjusts to accept as the 'norm'.
Our government is a large reflection of it. Our patriotism, now held to be separate from our faith, is the gaping wound of such sinfulness. The current definition of tolerance, in and of itself intolerant of one religion (Christianity), shows the progression from a people more interested in the edification and qualification of the young to a people who have declared the young to be lucky...that we allow them to breathe.
As I began the lesson, based on the instructions of Paul to his young charge Timothy, one of the more 'free-spirited' (read...uninterested) young persons in the group I belong to as a 'leader' was ignoring the common respect and courtesy one was once expected to give both the instructor and the fellow students. I called him upon it, reflecting that I was of the school where disruptive behavior such as he exhibited was dealt with in the form of 'corner watching'. "Nose to the wall, son" as my dad would say.
It wasn't his reaction that appalled me, it was one from the 'friendly and loved' leader, a young adult who is serving in the ministry group.
I upset her, which was given in evidence to the children around her with the rolling of the eyes and other body indications. The young man sat quietly, for a few moments, until he saw that and returned to his previous attitude, quietly. I knew I had lost one, before the lesson even began.
I had placed the verse I was teaching from on the board the previous Wednesday and asked the group to bring in a picture of someone they wanted to emulate or copy; be it professionally or personally. Only one child, out of twenty or thirty, copied the verse down and attempted to learn it. Even with the enticement of 'money' (reward points for the 'store' where they can 'purchase' prizes), only one came into Wednesday night's Awanas and tried to recite the verse.
Only one.
And only four brought a picture, two of them creatively making a collage of many clipped photos, of a person they wanted to emulate in a profession. Not a great ratio. Using the examples given, I reflected how our Christian journey isn't to gain eternal salvation but to walk in the confidence and assurance towards that destination already assured, in the training of ourselves into being copies of Christ.....emulation. That is what answers the internal question of "Why is Christ the answer?"
If we show those values we claim to follow in the biblical text to be nothing more than convienant and occassional to our own lives, it is reflected and amplified in our children's disinterest and disrespect of God, though many will claim to be followers of Christ.
Which leads me into the conviction I have, as do a growing number of men, that since Adam...men have been living unpurposed and undesigned lives. Society has amplified this disconnect by feminizing men, declaring their innate instincts to be undesireable, and not holding the men to a biblical and clear standard: just use of Godly designed power, working in conjunction with a woman's design to create life-giving, life-nuturing and ultimately God-purposing environments for the generations following.
Instead of telling a child that they can do whatever they wish, creating an non-competitive environment where their God-designed purpose and talent isn't shaped and molde to be forged into unbreakable faith, and teaching them that rote learning is better than indepth, wisdom-seeking understanding; we have created a generation who is unknowing of God, undesiring of His ways, and who are self-involved in this life that they have been taught they are lucky to be existing in.
We've put the emphasis on the physical well-being and neglected the spiritual well-being. Is it any wonder the children of the world are striking back?
We need to return to the right focus, as emulated and reflected in the life of our Savior Jesus Christ. "Not my will, Father, but Yours be done." "The words I speak are from the Father and not my own."
What was the verse, you ask, that sparked this?
"Rather, train yourself to live a godly life.Training the body helps a little, but godly living helps in every way. Godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come." 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (GWT)
A no-brainer, eh?
It's time to retrain ourselves so that we, through the power of the Spirit, may reclaim and redeem generations of unbiblical living and save the generation to come.
JMT
Thursday, December 4
A different kind of Christmas poem......emailed to me....worth a reposting!
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq
Tuesday, November 25
Thresholds to cross......
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4 (ASV)
"What then shall we say of that happiness to come which is promised to the saints, which we consider to be nothing else but the pure and unmediated contemplation of the Divine Essence itself?" - Eriugena, Periphyseon, Irish, 9th century
I have the priviledge of watching my son grow into the community of men, straining at the imposed limitations that his father, who in many aspects, isn't ready to let him dive into that world, though he is nearer and nearer to that realization of acceptance. As I watch him gaze into that world that I hopefully have represented to him well and truthfully, I can help but hope that I gaze at the future my Savior has promised me with such eagerness and impatience as well.
Soon, my son will take his place within the community of men, and begin another part of the journey home.
There is a set design to manhood, one created and implemented by the Creator God Himself, where man was purposed, and enabled to fulfill that purpose. Adam began the fall of all men since to fail to live up to that standard. Scott Engelmann, Mark Jackson, and the leaders of Awakened Hearts have been burdened to renew that call to all men to be godly men of godly design, boldly displaying the biblical model of masculinity with unabashedly Christian truths. This is the world of men that I want my son to join, this is the community where men grow men from boyhood to manhood to fatherhood and beyond.
It also has me reflecting upon the community of Christ, that godly community where the faithful grow from milk to solids, and are emboldened to be not merely broken humanity, but broken humanity striving towards God with an intensity that burns through the burdens and trials of this world.
T.M. Moore reflects, "One is a Christian who fears and loves God, believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of his sins, and lives increasingly the life of holiness, righteousness, and goodness which is the result of obedience to God's Law."
In the world of humanism, secularism, and universal 'interchangeable' truth, this is often times an unrealized goal of many cultural, and immoral Christians. It isn't a life most will subscribe to; to know you are bound to be 'this-short' of the achievement of godliness, predestined in a way to fail, but needing to try and strive for it anyway. It is like two men climbing a steep hill. One keeps slipping and sliding, up and down, in the loose damp dirt that defies his attempts at purchase. The other, a few feet away, barely leans into the incline, his feet steady eating ground away as he heads towards the top.
The Christian, of course, is the one who is struggling in the mire of life.....
Christianity isn't a laughing business; you can't put on the clothes just for Sunday service and consider yourself holy and just. You can't just drive meals to shut-ins once a month and consider yourself righteous. You can't just simply donate that 'extra' few dollars to a ministry and say you're an evangelist. Christianity is a lifestyle of constant and evolving changes, a permanent state of disruption and change.
It has to be a lifetime commitment, because we will never be what we are intended and designed to be in this lifetime.
It doesn't bounce from moments of great joy to utter dismay. It remains constantly pressing the ceiling of its limitations and finds the purest joy and peace in knowing that such a ceiling will always be notched higher and higher.
"Real Christians," T.M. Moore says, "endure every hardship and press on to know the Lord and follow Him, come what may."
"We are not free to be Christians on our terms," Moore concludes. Indeed, there is nothing within the Bible that mankind has determined is right and just that has not fallen victim to its own creators. As we step into the world of economic failures, world crisis, and wars; it is those who have developed the muscles from carrying the burdens for so long that will be there to pick up their brethren when they fall and help them towards home.
It is those soliders who have fought that battle constantly over the flesh who have that thousand-yard stare, focused solely upon the heavenly gates of our final destination.
As my son gathers himself to begin the journey from boyhood to that greater challenge of manhood, he leaves behind childish things....well, most childish things....as he stands before the group of men and gains acceptance into the community of manhood. The only child-like thing I hope he carries on with him is the humility he's had as a child and has taught me to realize as a man.
As I gather myself to begin the next part of the journey home, as a man of God and face the gathered throng of critics, supporters, and the indifferent....I hope that I can carry that child-like humility too.
I don't know when I'll cross that threshold....but I know how I want to cross it when I get there.......
"Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." - Revelation 14.12
"What then shall we say of that happiness to come which is promised to the saints, which we consider to be nothing else but the pure and unmediated contemplation of the Divine Essence itself?" - Eriugena, Periphyseon, Irish, 9th century
I have the priviledge of watching my son grow into the community of men, straining at the imposed limitations that his father, who in many aspects, isn't ready to let him dive into that world, though he is nearer and nearer to that realization of acceptance. As I watch him gaze into that world that I hopefully have represented to him well and truthfully, I can help but hope that I gaze at the future my Savior has promised me with such eagerness and impatience as well.
Soon, my son will take his place within the community of men, and begin another part of the journey home.
There is a set design to manhood, one created and implemented by the Creator God Himself, where man was purposed, and enabled to fulfill that purpose. Adam began the fall of all men since to fail to live up to that standard. Scott Engelmann, Mark Jackson, and the leaders of Awakened Hearts have been burdened to renew that call to all men to be godly men of godly design, boldly displaying the biblical model of masculinity with unabashedly Christian truths. This is the world of men that I want my son to join, this is the community where men grow men from boyhood to manhood to fatherhood and beyond.
It also has me reflecting upon the community of Christ, that godly community where the faithful grow from milk to solids, and are emboldened to be not merely broken humanity, but broken humanity striving towards God with an intensity that burns through the burdens and trials of this world.
T.M. Moore reflects, "One is a Christian who fears and loves God, believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of his sins, and lives increasingly the life of holiness, righteousness, and goodness which is the result of obedience to God's Law."
In the world of humanism, secularism, and universal 'interchangeable' truth, this is often times an unrealized goal of many cultural, and immoral Christians. It isn't a life most will subscribe to; to know you are bound to be 'this-short' of the achievement of godliness, predestined in a way to fail, but needing to try and strive for it anyway. It is like two men climbing a steep hill. One keeps slipping and sliding, up and down, in the loose damp dirt that defies his attempts at purchase. The other, a few feet away, barely leans into the incline, his feet steady eating ground away as he heads towards the top.
The Christian, of course, is the one who is struggling in the mire of life.....
Christianity isn't a laughing business; you can't put on the clothes just for Sunday service and consider yourself holy and just. You can't just drive meals to shut-ins once a month and consider yourself righteous. You can't just simply donate that 'extra' few dollars to a ministry and say you're an evangelist. Christianity is a lifestyle of constant and evolving changes, a permanent state of disruption and change.
It has to be a lifetime commitment, because we will never be what we are intended and designed to be in this lifetime.
It doesn't bounce from moments of great joy to utter dismay. It remains constantly pressing the ceiling of its limitations and finds the purest joy and peace in knowing that such a ceiling will always be notched higher and higher.
"Real Christians," T.M. Moore says, "endure every hardship and press on to know the Lord and follow Him, come what may."
"We are not free to be Christians on our terms," Moore concludes. Indeed, there is nothing within the Bible that mankind has determined is right and just that has not fallen victim to its own creators. As we step into the world of economic failures, world crisis, and wars; it is those who have developed the muscles from carrying the burdens for so long that will be there to pick up their brethren when they fall and help them towards home.
It is those soliders who have fought that battle constantly over the flesh who have that thousand-yard stare, focused solely upon the heavenly gates of our final destination.
As my son gathers himself to begin the journey from boyhood to that greater challenge of manhood, he leaves behind childish things....well, most childish things....as he stands before the group of men and gains acceptance into the community of manhood. The only child-like thing I hope he carries on with him is the humility he's had as a child and has taught me to realize as a man.
As I gather myself to begin the next part of the journey home, as a man of God and face the gathered throng of critics, supporters, and the indifferent....I hope that I can carry that child-like humility too.
I don't know when I'll cross that threshold....but I know how I want to cross it when I get there.......
"Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." - Revelation 14.12
Thursday, November 13
A letter from God to Women.....
This was emailed to me from a friend. It is a great expression of God's design for a woman....
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life.
I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you....
I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.
Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.
You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart.
His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of
life.
The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage
to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.
You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken
from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand
beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl.
You will or have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my
eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes......don't
change them. Your lips-how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose,
so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch I've caressed your
face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine. Of all
that lives and breathes, you are most like me.
Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could
not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted
Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness,
my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.
You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my
image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life.
I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you....
I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.
Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.
You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart.
His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of
life.
The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage
to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.
You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken
from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand
beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl.
You will or have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my
eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes......don't
change them. Your lips-how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose,
so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch I've caressed your
face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine. Of all
that lives and breathes, you are most like me.
Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could
not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted
Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness,
my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.
You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my
image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.
Monday, October 27
The right to vote, a thought from my friend Steve Coffman....
The Right to Vote, a Patriotic Gift
How much do you appreciate your right to vote? Is it something that you truly cherish, or is it something that you just take this for granted? Consider this fact; throughout our American history, many average citizens like you and me fought for this right, and in some cases, even died for the right to vote! This is a patriotic gift from the struggles of many patriotic citizens that we should never be taken for granted.
Did you know that there are no laws for "the right to vote" in our United States Constitution? These rights were added only in the Amendments to the Constitution. Each state's standards have evolved separately, unless federal laws were passed that applied to every state. When our country was founded, only white men with property were routinely permitted to vote, (although freed African Americans could vote in four states). White working men, almost all women, and all other people of color were denied this right, that some take for granted today.
At the beginning of the Civil War, most white men were finally allowed to vote, whether or not they owned property, due to the efforts of those who championed this cause for frontiersmen and white immigrants, (who had to wait 14 years for citizenship and their right to vote, in some cases). Literacy tests, poll taxes, and even religious tests were used in various states, and most of the white women, people of color, and Native Americans still did not have the right to vote.
Black Suffrage; The patriotic gifts of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution were passed following the Civil War, in the later 1860s. Besides outlawing slavery, these Amendments extended civil rights and suffrage (voting rights) to former slaves. Even thought the right to vote for African-Americans was established, there still were numerous restrictions that kept many black Americans from voting until the 1960s Voting Rights Act was passed. Thanks to the pressures of Dr. Martin Luther King and a powerful civil rights movement, the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned literacy tests and provided federal enforcement of voting registration and other rights in several Southern states and Alaska.
Five years later, the patriotic gift of the Voting Rights Act of 1970 provided language assistance to minority voters who did not speak English fluently. Asian Pacific Americans and Latinos were major beneficiaries of this legislation.
Women's Suffrage initiatives to promote voting for women have been traced back as far as the 1770s, but the modern movement for a vote for women traces its beginning to the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, when supporters of a Constitutional Amendment to allow women to vote finally came together. While this movement was slowed during the Civil War years, the two major suffragist organizations united after the war and pushed forward with a movement that culminated, and after many difficult years, the patriotic gift of the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920.
Native Americans had to become American citizens, and give up their tribal affiliations for the right to vote in 1887, but many did not become U. S. citizens until 1924. Most of the Western states continued to deny the right to vote through property requirements, economic pressures, hiding the polls, and condoning of physical violence against those who voted.
Asian Pacific Americans were considered "aliens ineligible for citizenship" since 1790. Interim changes to naturalization and immigration laws in 1943, 1946, and 1952 give the right to vote to some but not all immigrant Asian Pacific Americans. Because citizenship is a (precondition) for the right to vote, immigrant Asian Pacific Americans did not vote in large numbers until 1966 when the immigration and naturalization laws were changed.
Asian Pacific Americans born on American soil were American citizens, and had the right to vote. When 77,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were put in American concentration camps during World War II, their right to vote was withheld during there captivity.
Mexican Americans in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas were supposed to get voting rights along with American citizenship in 1848, when the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ended the Mexican American war. Property requirements and literacy requirements were imposed in those states to keep them from voting. The Sons of America, founded in 1921 fought for equality and the right to vote, but all Mexican Americans did not receive the right to vote until 1975.
Americans under the age of twenty-one in the late 1960s protested over their lack of suffrage. Many truly felt that if they were old enough to be drafted into service and go to Vietnam, then they should be able to vote. A series of protests ensued, most notably at the Chicago Democratic Convention, where protestors screamed and chanted many slogans of President Johnson's handling of the Vietnam War, and the right to vote. In 1971, President Johnson signed our patriotic gift of the 26th Amendment granting Americans the right to vote at age eighteen.
I hope you now realize that even in "The land of the Free", the evolution for the right to vote in the America has cost a heavy price for many, and should always be considered a true patriotic gift from those that struggled, endured and gave their life for this privilege that we have today.
Steven Family-eStore
How much do you appreciate your right to vote? Is it something that you truly cherish, or is it something that you just take this for granted? Consider this fact; throughout our American history, many average citizens like you and me fought for this right, and in some cases, even died for the right to vote! This is a patriotic gift from the struggles of many patriotic citizens that we should never be taken for granted.
Did you know that there are no laws for "the right to vote" in our United States Constitution? These rights were added only in the Amendments to the Constitution. Each state's standards have evolved separately, unless federal laws were passed that applied to every state. When our country was founded, only white men with property were routinely permitted to vote, (although freed African Americans could vote in four states). White working men, almost all women, and all other people of color were denied this right, that some take for granted today.
At the beginning of the Civil War, most white men were finally allowed to vote, whether or not they owned property, due to the efforts of those who championed this cause for frontiersmen and white immigrants, (who had to wait 14 years for citizenship and their right to vote, in some cases). Literacy tests, poll taxes, and even religious tests were used in various states, and most of the white women, people of color, and Native Americans still did not have the right to vote.
Black Suffrage; The patriotic gifts of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution were passed following the Civil War, in the later 1860s. Besides outlawing slavery, these Amendments extended civil rights and suffrage (voting rights) to former slaves. Even thought the right to vote for African-Americans was established, there still were numerous restrictions that kept many black Americans from voting until the 1960s Voting Rights Act was passed. Thanks to the pressures of Dr. Martin Luther King and a powerful civil rights movement, the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned literacy tests and provided federal enforcement of voting registration and other rights in several Southern states and Alaska.
Five years later, the patriotic gift of the Voting Rights Act of 1970 provided language assistance to minority voters who did not speak English fluently. Asian Pacific Americans and Latinos were major beneficiaries of this legislation.
Women's Suffrage initiatives to promote voting for women have been traced back as far as the 1770s, but the modern movement for a vote for women traces its beginning to the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, when supporters of a Constitutional Amendment to allow women to vote finally came together. While this movement was slowed during the Civil War years, the two major suffragist organizations united after the war and pushed forward with a movement that culminated, and after many difficult years, the patriotic gift of the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920.
Native Americans had to become American citizens, and give up their tribal affiliations for the right to vote in 1887, but many did not become U. S. citizens until 1924. Most of the Western states continued to deny the right to vote through property requirements, economic pressures, hiding the polls, and condoning of physical violence against those who voted.
Asian Pacific Americans were considered "aliens ineligible for citizenship" since 1790. Interim changes to naturalization and immigration laws in 1943, 1946, and 1952 give the right to vote to some but not all immigrant Asian Pacific Americans. Because citizenship is a (precondition) for the right to vote, immigrant Asian Pacific Americans did not vote in large numbers until 1966 when the immigration and naturalization laws were changed.
Asian Pacific Americans born on American soil were American citizens, and had the right to vote. When 77,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were put in American concentration camps during World War II, their right to vote was withheld during there captivity.
Mexican Americans in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas were supposed to get voting rights along with American citizenship in 1848, when the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ended the Mexican American war. Property requirements and literacy requirements were imposed in those states to keep them from voting. The Sons of America, founded in 1921 fought for equality and the right to vote, but all Mexican Americans did not receive the right to vote until 1975.
Americans under the age of twenty-one in the late 1960s protested over their lack of suffrage. Many truly felt that if they were old enough to be drafted into service and go to Vietnam, then they should be able to vote. A series of protests ensued, most notably at the Chicago Democratic Convention, where protestors screamed and chanted many slogans of President Johnson's handling of the Vietnam War, and the right to vote. In 1971, President Johnson signed our patriotic gift of the 26th Amendment granting Americans the right to vote at age eighteen.
I hope you now realize that even in "The land of the Free", the evolution for the right to vote in the America has cost a heavy price for many, and should always be considered a true patriotic gift from those that struggled, endured and gave their life for this privilege that we have today.
Steven Family-eStore
Friday, October 24
All in the name.....
Psalm 143 A psalm of David.
" O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah. Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant"
Another installment in the 'stretching your mind and your faith' from Andrew and Garry, the writers and drivers behind the Men to Men blog. Still digging into the Psalm 143 written by David, we are asked some additional questions.....
What did David ask God to do in verses 9 and 12?
Of course, that one is easy......rescue and the total destruction of his enemies.....'Silence' and 'destroy'. As we can see in the verses referenced: "Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you." and "In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant." David wants total and complete removal of his 'situations' under God's power. To vanish without recurrence, never again to trouble David's head again.
The next question, What reasons did he cite (check verse 11) for why God should rescue him?
Geez, I thought it was going to be harder......as we can see in the reference, for God "name's sake," as expressed; "For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble."
But, what does that mean......."for your name's sake." Why would David be so concerned to declare God should rescue him because God's name might be tarnished? The omnipotent God? Come on! There's no way......yet, David calls out for rescue based on that declaration.
I guess one could make a case that David gives more reasons that just for "your name's sake" as justification for immediate and total rescue from God over his enemies and foes. He reflects in verses 9-12, such personal pluses as "I hide myself in you", "I am your servant", "I have put my trust in you", and "I lift up my soul". All good and worthy efforts in the pursue of God.....we are all servants who trust in God to deliver His promise and we lift our soul's to a higher standard than the lost......even if we fail to stay in such lofty places.
My grandfather drilled into me the honor, glory, and uniqueness of my family name, traced back to a Dutch philosopher named Hugo de Groot, who (as best I can discover) was commonly referred to as Huigh de Groot (Dutch) or Hugo Grotius.
The Columbia Encyclopedia, sixth edition, list this notable figure who lived from 1583 to 1645, as a Dutch jurist and humanist who is often referred to as the father of international law. Grotius was a leading student of theology and biblical criticism, professing natural rights, where things are good or bad by their own nature, breaking from the prevailing Calvinistic theology that God was the only source of ethical qualities.
On May 18, 1619, this would land Grotius in prison for life, due to a Calvinist coup d'état in August that led to his arrest. Several years later though, in 1621, Grotius escapes to Antwerp and eventually to Paris.
Grotius' political literary works include a treatise, The Law of Prizes, for the East India Company (defending Dutch trading and sailing rights), one chapter of which was published under the title Mare liberum (The Free Sea) in 1609, though the rest would remain unpublished until its discovery in 1864; published until its discovery in 1864; 1610, in De antiquitate reipublicae Batavae (The Antiquity of the Batavian State), written in 1610, in which he argued Holland was sovereign and independent since the times of the Romans.
His theological literary works include such heavy tomes as "Prolegomena to the Law of War and Peace" and "De Jure Belli ac Pacis (On the Law of War and Peace)" published in 1625; "True Religion Explained and Defended against the Archenemies Thereof in the Times (The Truth of the Christian Religion)", published in 1632; and "De Jure Praedae (Commentary on the Law of Prize and Booty)", published in 1968.
At the end of an eventful life, Hugo Grotius dies from exhaustion on August 28th, 1645 in Rostock, Germany. The final word of this famous figure is "By understanding many things, I have accomplished nothing."
Upon the shores of a new country, Joseph Hutson began the American legacy of the de Groot family in the 1800's. My grandfather would impress upon me the importance of keeping the 'family name' honorable and clear of stain, though I would fail to do so for most of my life.
Throughout the Psalms, this reference of 'name's sake' is made over and over, about ten times, like Psalm 23:3, "He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.", or Psalm 79:9, "….deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake".
Psalm 106:8 seems to highlight a bit of reason behind such actions by God, "Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known."
His name's sake is further developed in Isaiah 48:9, "For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off."
God talks further about why this is important in Ezekiel 20:44, "You will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD"
But this phrase is more than just God emphasizing the authority behind His name's sake, the righteousness and incorruptibility of His holiness. It is through and because of His name's sake that we are saved by grace.
Romans 1:5 "Through Him and for His name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith."
So, maybe this is why Andrew and Garry chose to highlight that one important and life-altering reason as to why God should move to rescue and destroy David's foes……….not for the health, wealth, or fame of David. Not for his future goals both personal and kingdom purposed. No, something much greater and more powerful than being a servant, keeping the trust, and hiding oneself within the grace and mercy of God's powerful hands.
Deuteronomy 4:29-39 perhaps captures the essence of God's 'name sake:
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created man on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today. Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."
Because, it is because of who God is, and the holiness and authority by which His name, I AM, is known. The absolute authority of His holiness and righteousness, through which He can deliver the promise of redemption through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and by 'His name's sake' be unchallenged in his authority to do so.
1 John 2:12 (NASB) "……..your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake."
We have been forgiven under, by, and because of "His name's sake."
For personal ponderance, Andrew and Garry ask......
"Can you tell some reasons why God should rescue you in your present situations?"
And just another thought to close this with……the difference between a worldly, wicked man and a righteous, God-fearing man is the direction in which they run when fear and persecution rear their heads.
Each man has a choice as the grips of fear and failure encircle their hearts. One with no hope will run in flight from such a heavy obstacle while a man of God will stand, with hope, to fight against such as these.
Why?
Because the hope he has in the God I AM, Jehovah, is not secured by worldly assurance or the enemy's defeat, but is secured by the authority, holiness, and absoluteness of God's name.
Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
" O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah. Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant"
Another installment in the 'stretching your mind and your faith' from Andrew and Garry, the writers and drivers behind the Men to Men blog. Still digging into the Psalm 143 written by David, we are asked some additional questions.....
What did David ask God to do in verses 9 and 12?
Of course, that one is easy......rescue and the total destruction of his enemies.....'Silence' and 'destroy'. As we can see in the verses referenced: "Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you." and "In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant." David wants total and complete removal of his 'situations' under God's power. To vanish without recurrence, never again to trouble David's head again.
The next question, What reasons did he cite (check verse 11) for why God should rescue him?
Geez, I thought it was going to be harder......as we can see in the reference, for God "name's sake," as expressed; "For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble."
But, what does that mean......."for your name's sake." Why would David be so concerned to declare God should rescue him because God's name might be tarnished? The omnipotent God? Come on! There's no way......yet, David calls out for rescue based on that declaration.
I guess one could make a case that David gives more reasons that just for "your name's sake" as justification for immediate and total rescue from God over his enemies and foes. He reflects in verses 9-12, such personal pluses as "I hide myself in you", "I am your servant", "I have put my trust in you", and "I lift up my soul". All good and worthy efforts in the pursue of God.....we are all servants who trust in God to deliver His promise and we lift our soul's to a higher standard than the lost......even if we fail to stay in such lofty places.
My grandfather drilled into me the honor, glory, and uniqueness of my family name, traced back to a Dutch philosopher named Hugo de Groot, who (as best I can discover) was commonly referred to as Huigh de Groot (Dutch) or Hugo Grotius.
The Columbia Encyclopedia, sixth edition, list this notable figure who lived from 1583 to 1645, as a Dutch jurist and humanist who is often referred to as the father of international law. Grotius was a leading student of theology and biblical criticism, professing natural rights, where things are good or bad by their own nature, breaking from the prevailing Calvinistic theology that God was the only source of ethical qualities.
On May 18, 1619, this would land Grotius in prison for life, due to a Calvinist coup d'état in August that led to his arrest. Several years later though, in 1621, Grotius escapes to Antwerp and eventually to Paris.
Grotius' political literary works include a treatise, The Law of Prizes, for the East India Company (defending Dutch trading and sailing rights), one chapter of which was published under the title Mare liberum (The Free Sea) in 1609, though the rest would remain unpublished until its discovery in 1864; published until its discovery in 1864; 1610, in De antiquitate reipublicae Batavae (The Antiquity of the Batavian State), written in 1610, in which he argued Holland was sovereign and independent since the times of the Romans.
His theological literary works include such heavy tomes as "Prolegomena to the Law of War and Peace" and "De Jure Belli ac Pacis (On the Law of War and Peace)" published in 1625; "True Religion Explained and Defended against the Archenemies Thereof in the Times (The Truth of the Christian Religion)", published in 1632; and "De Jure Praedae (Commentary on the Law of Prize and Booty)", published in 1968.
At the end of an eventful life, Hugo Grotius dies from exhaustion on August 28th, 1645 in Rostock, Germany. The final word of this famous figure is "By understanding many things, I have accomplished nothing."
Upon the shores of a new country, Joseph Hutson began the American legacy of the de Groot family in the 1800's. My grandfather would impress upon me the importance of keeping the 'family name' honorable and clear of stain, though I would fail to do so for most of my life.
Throughout the Psalms, this reference of 'name's sake' is made over and over, about ten times, like Psalm 23:3, "He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.", or Psalm 79:9, "….deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake".
Psalm 106:8 seems to highlight a bit of reason behind such actions by God, "Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known."
His name's sake is further developed in Isaiah 48:9, "For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off."
God talks further about why this is important in Ezekiel 20:44, "You will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD"
But this phrase is more than just God emphasizing the authority behind His name's sake, the righteousness and incorruptibility of His holiness. It is through and because of His name's sake that we are saved by grace.
Romans 1:5 "Through Him and for His name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith."
So, maybe this is why Andrew and Garry chose to highlight that one important and life-altering reason as to why God should move to rescue and destroy David's foes……….not for the health, wealth, or fame of David. Not for his future goals both personal and kingdom purposed. No, something much greater and more powerful than being a servant, keeping the trust, and hiding oneself within the grace and mercy of God's powerful hands.
Deuteronomy 4:29-39 perhaps captures the essence of God's 'name sake:
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created man on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today. Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."
Because, it is because of who God is, and the holiness and authority by which His name, I AM, is known. The absolute authority of His holiness and righteousness, through which He can deliver the promise of redemption through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and by 'His name's sake' be unchallenged in his authority to do so.
1 John 2:12 (NASB) "……..your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake."
We have been forgiven under, by, and because of "His name's sake."
For personal ponderance, Andrew and Garry ask......
"Can you tell some reasons why God should rescue you in your present situations?"
And just another thought to close this with……the difference between a worldly, wicked man and a righteous, God-fearing man is the direction in which they run when fear and persecution rear their heads.
Each man has a choice as the grips of fear and failure encircle their hearts. One with no hope will run in flight from such a heavy obstacle while a man of God will stand, with hope, to fight against such as these.
Why?
Because the hope he has in the God I AM, Jehovah, is not secured by worldly assurance or the enemy's defeat, but is secured by the authority, holiness, and absoluteness of God's name.
Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Tuesday, October 21
Under fire.....
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
"O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant."
My brothers in Christ, warriors to the True King; Garry and Andrew, write a blog: Men To Men; and send out a devotional titled "Men's Prayers" They challenged the men getting the devotional to answer this psalm.....specifically, have you ever felt the way David did in verses 3 & 4? Do you feel that way now? Why?
"The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed."
I can definately relate to the way David is feeling in the beginning of this Psalm; the enemy, seemingly endless and powerful in its adaptation to my battle skills, has driven me into a place where my heart feels isolated, alone, and no voice of God's grace and guidance fill my ears. I feel weak, powerless to stop the advancing horde that will surely spell the end of this man.
Many things thrown specifically at me; though general in nature: Finances, family, job, and all the other considerations that I must deal with daily; for daily is how I am living now. Such thoughts are never far from my mind; how to fed me and my son, worry over my daughter, and the multitude of little things (i.e. hour drive to work/from work).
I can look back over my life and see...................
An increase in the enemy's attention in my life; where once he walked with free reign, convincing me that I was unloved, unlovable, and therefore flaw (one of the few of the Creator's hand), destined to live out life in sorrow and chaos, never to know peace, success, and freedom; now the lies don't work, but the enemy still runs through his Jim-specific attacks, finding those pinholes in the armor that I wear….pinholes I myself have put there by not properly using the protection provided.
But practice makes perfect. The armor, designed to be flawless, is becoming more effectively used.
As David represents in his psalm;
I remember the days of long ago; I mediate on Your works and consider what Your hands have done.
We have no way to deflect, defend, or vanquish the results of our deeds, sinful and self-serving, from the first breath we took in a world destined to oppose us. We cannot make promises that we later will try and fulfill; they are as empty as a breath of air……We cannot redeem ourselves; our humanity is flawed from the Fall on and therefore everything we have done, will do, has been corrupted or will become corrupted.
We can only plead for God's righteousness to deliver upon the promise that He has freely given and therein lies our only hope. Far beyond the capability of man is One who has the capability and demands nothing for it; expecting everything in gratitude and praise for it.
David declares the promise, remembers it, and then prays for the overcoming of his troubles, offering up his own admission to sins he's committed and acknowledging that it is only by God's mercy that he can ask for pardon.
He overcomes his fear of the power and force of the human force arrayed against him by remembering the power and force of Almighty God. This causes him to look forward to the realization of that favor.
We cannot, even as believers, forget that even at our best we are the worst sinners. It is the burdening of our souls, weighed by the corrupted nature of our flesh, that causes us to cry out in supplication; asking for a pardon we neither deserve or can command, for sinfulness that we strive not to do, but in the course of the day, will commit. All sin carries the same weight, the same punishment. Anger, pride, envy are on par with homosexuality, murder, and greed. Can you truly say you are sinless?
Christ tells us to have the faith of children. An infant will reach out in supplication for nourishment from their mother, a child will vocalize their needs to their parents. Neither are refused. Likewise, depending on whether you are a newborn Christian, or one with some 'years'; cry out for the nourishment that only the Lord can provide…….refreshing water to quench the unending thirst.
A psalm of David.
"O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant."
My brothers in Christ, warriors to the True King; Garry and Andrew, write a blog: Men To Men; and send out a devotional titled "Men's Prayers" They challenged the men getting the devotional to answer this psalm.....specifically, have you ever felt the way David did in verses 3 & 4? Do you feel that way now? Why?
"The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed."
I can definately relate to the way David is feeling in the beginning of this Psalm; the enemy, seemingly endless and powerful in its adaptation to my battle skills, has driven me into a place where my heart feels isolated, alone, and no voice of God's grace and guidance fill my ears. I feel weak, powerless to stop the advancing horde that will surely spell the end of this man.
Many things thrown specifically at me; though general in nature: Finances, family, job, and all the other considerations that I must deal with daily; for daily is how I am living now. Such thoughts are never far from my mind; how to fed me and my son, worry over my daughter, and the multitude of little things (i.e. hour drive to work/from work).
I can look back over my life and see...................
An increase in the enemy's attention in my life; where once he walked with free reign, convincing me that I was unloved, unlovable, and therefore flaw (one of the few of the Creator's hand), destined to live out life in sorrow and chaos, never to know peace, success, and freedom; now the lies don't work, but the enemy still runs through his Jim-specific attacks, finding those pinholes in the armor that I wear….pinholes I myself have put there by not properly using the protection provided.
But practice makes perfect. The armor, designed to be flawless, is becoming more effectively used.
As David represents in his psalm;
I remember the days of long ago; I mediate on Your works and consider what Your hands have done.
We have no way to deflect, defend, or vanquish the results of our deeds, sinful and self-serving, from the first breath we took in a world destined to oppose us. We cannot make promises that we later will try and fulfill; they are as empty as a breath of air……We cannot redeem ourselves; our humanity is flawed from the Fall on and therefore everything we have done, will do, has been corrupted or will become corrupted.
We can only plead for God's righteousness to deliver upon the promise that He has freely given and therein lies our only hope. Far beyond the capability of man is One who has the capability and demands nothing for it; expecting everything in gratitude and praise for it.
David declares the promise, remembers it, and then prays for the overcoming of his troubles, offering up his own admission to sins he's committed and acknowledging that it is only by God's mercy that he can ask for pardon.
He overcomes his fear of the power and force of the human force arrayed against him by remembering the power and force of Almighty God. This causes him to look forward to the realization of that favor.
We cannot, even as believers, forget that even at our best we are the worst sinners. It is the burdening of our souls, weighed by the corrupted nature of our flesh, that causes us to cry out in supplication; asking for a pardon we neither deserve or can command, for sinfulness that we strive not to do, but in the course of the day, will commit. All sin carries the same weight, the same punishment. Anger, pride, envy are on par with homosexuality, murder, and greed. Can you truly say you are sinless?
Christ tells us to have the faith of children. An infant will reach out in supplication for nourishment from their mother, a child will vocalize their needs to their parents. Neither are refused. Likewise, depending on whether you are a newborn Christian, or one with some 'years'; cry out for the nourishment that only the Lord can provide…….refreshing water to quench the unending thirst.
Thursday, October 16
My thoughts
"They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14)
Reverend, Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc, gives us alot to think about over the next eighteen days before we gather at the election polling sites and cast our vote for whom we feel is the best candidate for the office of President of the United States of America. Most people believe that there are only two 'serious' considerations to ponder for such a lofty position, Obama or McCain. The third party candidates aren't 'electable' in most American's eyes.
Last night's Presidential debate left many liberal media talking heads saying that Obama, who was cool and calm under the deft deflection of truth in reply to McCain's accusations, took the debate with flying colors and if the election was now, would win by 300 electoral votes. If you look though, at the things Obama said, there was many misdirecting lies and simple denials that are easily researched and validated if one took the time. And, with the trumph call of a 'historical' election, you should take the time.
Many conservative evangelical leaders are saying that we should vote for the candidate 'most likely' to support our values and morals, remembering that God provided these two candidates for our political process to nominate. God doesn't need our vote to elect a third party candidate, if He so chooses. Many are calling for us to be 'realistic' and vote for the 'electable' candidate as opposed to such minors in the third party system.
Barack Obama, quotes in Rev. Creech's commentary, stated in his "Call to Renewal" speech that has so 'inspired' a nation;
"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."[3]
This is the 'nominee' who is leading the polls for the office of the 44th President. One who joined, signing an pledge, a socialistic movement. One who, despite being only eight when the actual attacks of a homegrown terrorist happened, still choose to work and include him in his inner circle until word got out that he was associating with said terrorist---who, in the intervening years, has proudly triumphed his vicious attacks upon his fellow citizens....and then spoke out against his actions, not his views.
One who stood under the leadership of a Black Liberation Theologist for twenty years of mentorship, speaking out against him only when word was again brought up in the press, and then only disassociating his membership, not his views.
We have much reason, beyond the 'lack of experience', to question the effectiveness and validity of such a candidate to the highest office in our government. Yet, there are those who are worshipping Obama as the 'god-sent' messiah who is going to raise mankind to the next higher plane of existence.
As an patriotic American, that gives me pause.
Dave Berry, author of Things It Took Me 50 Years to Learn, is quoted by Creech with a thought-provoking remark. "When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that person is crazy." [1]
There are many corollations in the history of mankind, throughout nation after nation, of this phemonmial and its destructive effects upon the foolish population who fall under such a leader's 'spell'. There is nothing hidden beneath the surface of the candidates who are vying for the Presidential office. Neither support a 'christian' view of ethics, morality, and values. McCain is not 'as bad' as Obama. But he is no 'poster boy' for the cause.
"Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally impossible for us to figure ourselves what that life would be if these standards were removed. We would lose almost all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals, all the standards towards which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves." [Theodore Roosevelt]
Roosevelt's quote is one of many that Creech references in his commentary. But, compare the worldview of Obama (as Creech does) to Roosevelt's statement, and you will discover the world that we are heading towards with Obama or McCain in office. A world where all standards of public and private morals are subject to arguement and amenable to reasonable doubt. Where the limits to which mankind will demoralize himself and his future by the denial and ignoring of the past.
As a Christian, that gives me pause.
A socialist nation under the 'being' of many.
And history shows that such a nation, such a population, falls from the rot within by forces outside.
"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Proverbs 27:19
When you stand before the judgment throne of God and He looks back upon this 'historical' election, what will you be able to say? "I gave you an impossible position; two candidates that were liberal and ungodly in their platforms to lead you and your fellow countrymen. You left me no choice when you left me out of your decision to vote for the 'least liberal of the two.'"
You might say, "But, You are God and don't need my help to bring that person whom You want to lead the nation into power."
What would God say? I believe, "I don't need your help for anything, but I want your help for everything!"
Regardless of whether my vote will allow McCain to be defeated by Obama because my vote falls for a candidate of a third-party or I write in my own name, I will vote my values, my morals, and my faith.....judging according to the biblical definitions of leadership and good government the candidates before me.
So I can stand before that white throne and hear God say;
"I gave you an impossible situation. Two candidates that would draw the nation away from Me. You stood, upon the principles, words, and values that I have declared good and voted for neither. That is why I moved and raised the candidate I wanted to lead you up. Because You had faith and denied it not in the trials."
Resources
[1] Things It Took Me 50 Years to Learn, Dave Berry
[2] Challenging times present chilling temptations, Rev. Mark Creech http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=286720
[3] Call to Renewal Keynote Address, June 28, 2006, Barack Obama
Reverend, Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc, gives us alot to think about over the next eighteen days before we gather at the election polling sites and cast our vote for whom we feel is the best candidate for the office of President of the United States of America. Most people believe that there are only two 'serious' considerations to ponder for such a lofty position, Obama or McCain. The third party candidates aren't 'electable' in most American's eyes.
Last night's Presidential debate left many liberal media talking heads saying that Obama, who was cool and calm under the deft deflection of truth in reply to McCain's accusations, took the debate with flying colors and if the election was now, would win by 300 electoral votes. If you look though, at the things Obama said, there was many misdirecting lies and simple denials that are easily researched and validated if one took the time. And, with the trumph call of a 'historical' election, you should take the time.
Many conservative evangelical leaders are saying that we should vote for the candidate 'most likely' to support our values and morals, remembering that God provided these two candidates for our political process to nominate. God doesn't need our vote to elect a third party candidate, if He so chooses. Many are calling for us to be 'realistic' and vote for the 'electable' candidate as opposed to such minors in the third party system.
Barack Obama, quotes in Rev. Creech's commentary, stated in his "Call to Renewal" speech that has so 'inspired' a nation;
"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."[3]
This is the 'nominee' who is leading the polls for the office of the 44th President. One who joined, signing an pledge, a socialistic movement. One who, despite being only eight when the actual attacks of a homegrown terrorist happened, still choose to work and include him in his inner circle until word got out that he was associating with said terrorist---who, in the intervening years, has proudly triumphed his vicious attacks upon his fellow citizens....and then spoke out against his actions, not his views.
One who stood under the leadership of a Black Liberation Theologist for twenty years of mentorship, speaking out against him only when word was again brought up in the press, and then only disassociating his membership, not his views.
We have much reason, beyond the 'lack of experience', to question the effectiveness and validity of such a candidate to the highest office in our government. Yet, there are those who are worshipping Obama as the 'god-sent' messiah who is going to raise mankind to the next higher plane of existence.
As an patriotic American, that gives me pause.
Dave Berry, author of Things It Took Me 50 Years to Learn, is quoted by Creech with a thought-provoking remark. "When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that person is crazy." [1]
There are many corollations in the history of mankind, throughout nation after nation, of this phemonmial and its destructive effects upon the foolish population who fall under such a leader's 'spell'. There is nothing hidden beneath the surface of the candidates who are vying for the Presidential office. Neither support a 'christian' view of ethics, morality, and values. McCain is not 'as bad' as Obama. But he is no 'poster boy' for the cause.
"Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally impossible for us to figure ourselves what that life would be if these standards were removed. We would lose almost all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals, all the standards towards which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves." [Theodore Roosevelt]
Roosevelt's quote is one of many that Creech references in his commentary. But, compare the worldview of Obama (as Creech does) to Roosevelt's statement, and you will discover the world that we are heading towards with Obama or McCain in office. A world where all standards of public and private morals are subject to arguement and amenable to reasonable doubt. Where the limits to which mankind will demoralize himself and his future by the denial and ignoring of the past.
As a Christian, that gives me pause.
A socialist nation under the 'being' of many.
And history shows that such a nation, such a population, falls from the rot within by forces outside.
"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Proverbs 27:19
When you stand before the judgment throne of God and He looks back upon this 'historical' election, what will you be able to say? "I gave you an impossible position; two candidates that were liberal and ungodly in their platforms to lead you and your fellow countrymen. You left me no choice when you left me out of your decision to vote for the 'least liberal of the two.'"
You might say, "But, You are God and don't need my help to bring that person whom You want to lead the nation into power."
What would God say? I believe, "I don't need your help for anything, but I want your help for everything!"
Regardless of whether my vote will allow McCain to be defeated by Obama because my vote falls for a candidate of a third-party or I write in my own name, I will vote my values, my morals, and my faith.....judging according to the biblical definitions of leadership and good government the candidates before me.
So I can stand before that white throne and hear God say;
"I gave you an impossible situation. Two candidates that would draw the nation away from Me. You stood, upon the principles, words, and values that I have declared good and voted for neither. That is why I moved and raised the candidate I wanted to lead you up. Because You had faith and denied it not in the trials."
Resources
[1] Things It Took Me 50 Years to Learn, Dave Berry
[2] Challenging times present chilling temptations, Rev. Mark Creech http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=286720
[3] Call to Renewal Keynote Address, June 28, 2006, Barack Obama
Wednesday, October 15
Now, here's a true leader in Congress....let's elect McCotter!
I have always appreciated Congressman Thaddeus McCotter's representation and candor as he served as my representive in Congress for some years now. We have disagreed on some issues, but he always has replied with the intent of helping me understand why he was voting a certain way rather than do the form letter, like the Democratic Senators I've dealt with. It is McCotter's quote under the quotation section that he writes me about.
This is a member of the government we should elect to higher office.
In peace,
Jim
As your Member of Congress and as promised, I wish to update you on an important issue: our freedom of religious expression and the importance of religious faith in our free republic's history.
On December 2, 2008, the new Capitol Visitors Center (CVC) is expected to open to the public. Unfortunately, there has been no effort on the part of the House and Senate Committees on Administration (which oversee the CVC) to include well known examples America's spiritual heritage. Consequently, as a member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus (CPC), on July 30, 2008, I co-signed a CPC letter sent to the Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers regarding the curious omission of symbols of America's spiritual heritage such as "In God We Trust" from the CVC.
Ultimately, on October 2, 2008, the leadership of the House and Senate Committees on Administration agreed to ensure the phrase "In God we Trust" is prominently displayed within the CVC and recognized as our Nation's official motto. Further, these Committees have also agreed to have the Pledge of Allegiance - including the words "under God" - engraved in a prominent location inside the CVC.
As I have stated before: no good government denies God's presence. Thus, rest assured, I will continue to defend our God-given right of religious expression and oppose efforts to erase our Nation's religious heritage during the 110th Congress. Thank you for all you do for our community and our country. Should you have any further comments or questions on this or any other issue, please contact me at the Livonia or Milford district, or Washington, D.C. office.
I work for you.
Sincerely,
Thaddeus G. McCotter
Member of Congress
This is a member of the government we should elect to higher office.
In peace,
Jim
As your Member of Congress and as promised, I wish to update you on an important issue: our freedom of religious expression and the importance of religious faith in our free republic's history.
On December 2, 2008, the new Capitol Visitors Center (CVC) is expected to open to the public. Unfortunately, there has been no effort on the part of the House and Senate Committees on Administration (which oversee the CVC) to include well known examples America's spiritual heritage. Consequently, as a member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus (CPC), on July 30, 2008, I co-signed a CPC letter sent to the Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers regarding the curious omission of symbols of America's spiritual heritage such as "In God We Trust" from the CVC.
Ultimately, on October 2, 2008, the leadership of the House and Senate Committees on Administration agreed to ensure the phrase "In God we Trust" is prominently displayed within the CVC and recognized as our Nation's official motto. Further, these Committees have also agreed to have the Pledge of Allegiance - including the words "under God" - engraved in a prominent location inside the CVC.
As I have stated before: no good government denies God's presence. Thus, rest assured, I will continue to defend our God-given right of religious expression and oppose efforts to erase our Nation's religious heritage during the 110th Congress. Thank you for all you do for our community and our country. Should you have any further comments or questions on this or any other issue, please contact me at the Livonia or Milford district, or Washington, D.C. office.
I work for you.
Sincerely,
Thaddeus G. McCotter
Member of Congress
Thursday, September 11
'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL' Author unknown
You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
Monday, August 25
What is a patriotic Christian?
My friend, Steve Coffman, sent me another article which I felt was something to pass on, especially in this 'historic' election. I will try and post daily but with the time growing short, my focus is on coming up with the funds to move.
God has provided enough money to purchase a car, which I found on Saturday and which the guy sold it for less than he wanted to! I trust that God will provide the funds to move, as well as getting the household goods out there and will provide everything else I haven't even thought of......
Keep praying! God is listening. And pray for all of the other families that struggle in similiar and worst ways.
Here's Steve's article:
As a "Christian", shouldn't we always live our life in such a way that those who meet you, or know you but do not know God, will be encouraged to want know God because they know you?
Being "Patriotic", shouldn't we always live our life in such a way that those who meet you, or know you but do not know your country, will come to respect your country more because they know you?
"A Patriotic Christian" is a person who loves both God and Country.
Romans 13:1-2 (NCV) says, "All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God." So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves."
It can be very hard at times to be both the Christian and the patriotic example that we should be. Many of us are better at preaching life's examples than actually living them as a way of life! "Do as I say, not as I do" rings true for many people as a parent, as a leader, as a Christian, or a patriot. But that truly does not give us an excuse to not keep trying to be that ideal example, and not to be the exception to the rule. I sometimes hear to often someone say "Well I am only human" in the mediocre attempt of being a good parent, a good leader, a good Christian, or being truly patriotic towards their country.
Titus 3:1-2 (NCV) tells us, "Remind the believers to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders, to obey them, to be ready to do good, to speak no evil about anyone, to live in peace, and to be gentle and polite to all people." This is the Bible's example of a true Patriotic Christian!
I personally feel that we are all put here on this earth to become a better person and better citizen before we die. If you read the Old and New Testament, and follow these examples that the Bible sets, you get a real good idea of how to live a Christian life and also still show patriotism for your county as well. You can love both, God and Country!
Jesus comments on this in the New Testament in Matthew 22:19-21 (NVC). Jesus said, "Show me a coin used for paying the tax." So the men showed him a coin. Then Jesus asked, "Whose image and name are on the coin?" The men answered, "Caesar's." Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and give to God the things that are God's."
In Matthew 22:35-40 (NCV) Jesus was asked by one of the Pharisees that were an expert in the Law of Moses, which commandments in the law is the most important. Jesus answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." "This is the first and most important command." "And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself." "All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands."
I truly feel that it is not a stretch to extend the meaning of "neighbor" to "neighborhood", in this verse do you? Is not our neighborhood part of our city, county, state, and country? Then being "A Patriotic Christian" is displaying our love for God, for our neighbor, neighborhood, city, county, state, and country!
By Steven E Coffman Family-eStore.com
I am a person with strong Christian and patriotic beliefs. Tenacity, faith, and a belief in God, Country and Family are key components to success in life.
God has provided enough money to purchase a car, which I found on Saturday and which the guy sold it for less than he wanted to! I trust that God will provide the funds to move, as well as getting the household goods out there and will provide everything else I haven't even thought of......
Keep praying! God is listening. And pray for all of the other families that struggle in similiar and worst ways.
Here's Steve's article:
As a "Christian", shouldn't we always live our life in such a way that those who meet you, or know you but do not know God, will be encouraged to want know God because they know you?
Being "Patriotic", shouldn't we always live our life in such a way that those who meet you, or know you but do not know your country, will come to respect your country more because they know you?
"A Patriotic Christian" is a person who loves both God and Country.
Romans 13:1-2 (NCV) says, "All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God." So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves."
It can be very hard at times to be both the Christian and the patriotic example that we should be. Many of us are better at preaching life's examples than actually living them as a way of life! "Do as I say, not as I do" rings true for many people as a parent, as a leader, as a Christian, or a patriot. But that truly does not give us an excuse to not keep trying to be that ideal example, and not to be the exception to the rule. I sometimes hear to often someone say "Well I am only human" in the mediocre attempt of being a good parent, a good leader, a good Christian, or being truly patriotic towards their country.
Titus 3:1-2 (NCV) tells us, "Remind the believers to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders, to obey them, to be ready to do good, to speak no evil about anyone, to live in peace, and to be gentle and polite to all people." This is the Bible's example of a true Patriotic Christian!
I personally feel that we are all put here on this earth to become a better person and better citizen before we die. If you read the Old and New Testament, and follow these examples that the Bible sets, you get a real good idea of how to live a Christian life and also still show patriotism for your county as well. You can love both, God and Country!
Jesus comments on this in the New Testament in Matthew 22:19-21 (NVC). Jesus said, "Show me a coin used for paying the tax." So the men showed him a coin. Then Jesus asked, "Whose image and name are on the coin?" The men answered, "Caesar's." Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and give to God the things that are God's."
In Matthew 22:35-40 (NCV) Jesus was asked by one of the Pharisees that were an expert in the Law of Moses, which commandments in the law is the most important. Jesus answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." "This is the first and most important command." "And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself." "All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands."
I truly feel that it is not a stretch to extend the meaning of "neighbor" to "neighborhood", in this verse do you? Is not our neighborhood part of our city, county, state, and country? Then being "A Patriotic Christian" is displaying our love for God, for our neighbor, neighborhood, city, county, state, and country!
By Steven E Coffman Family-eStore.com
I am a person with strong Christian and patriotic beliefs. Tenacity, faith, and a belief in God, Country and Family are key components to success in life.
Friday, August 22
Praise....
With the struggles intensifying, I haven't been faithful in writing to this blog, but today, my friends, God showed up in a big way in the form of a friend of a friend of a friend. I trust that this testimony of God's graciousness will give you a taste of peace for today.
Friends,
Today God showed up in a big way and a surprising way, a way that I had always 'heard' happens to others but never had experienced myself.
I received a call from a sister in Christ who said that she was a friend of a friend who has been receiving my prayer request and she wanted to bring something to me. As I was at work, she travelled out here to meet with me. The blessing was two-fold; one that God revealed in a BIG way that the prayers I've requested from those in the body weren't just sent out without finding fertile soil in which to find roots, but that they've landed in the hands of many, many warriors who haven't hesitated to lift up the needs of a brother. This sister sat with me and gave me blessings after blessings in encouragment and inspiration. That alone, to have it affirmed that I am not alone in these struggles, that there are true believers who will stand in the battlefields of this world and defy the enemy's efforts to defeat another, even one unknown to them, just makes me feel God's grace and peace in a real way.
She also left me a card, which I was afraid (for some reason) to open until a few minutes ago. Inside was another blessing that will help in the situations that I'm facing right now in a big way. I have always, as I said, heard of others who listen to the voice of God speaking and do what He wills as He wills and today He showed me that indeed, like the birds of the sky and the flowers of the fields, that He will take care of me and my family because we all are more valuable than those and I am His Beloved Son.
I got the impression, maybe incorrectly, that this person who gave me this blessing might not want to be 'identified' and I want to honor that 'assumption' until otherwise informed, but I wanted my friends, the ones who sent the emails to other prayer warriors to pray and the ones who have stood with me in such harrowing times, to know that God has moved and God has answered in a powerful way my cries. Funny, the verse I was going to write on today speaks of this too…..
"O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:19-21
God has heard my cry for help and has been so gracious in His response to it. Not only in the prayers of the many, many faithful who have devoted their time to lifting me and my family to His ears, but in the blessing this sister brought to me today. He has fed me bread of adversity and water of affliction but has given me the teachers, the wise elders, to stand behind me and give me the direction and the strength in which to walk this path that He has chosen for me.
Sometimes in the struggles, as this dear sister said, you need others to help point out the blessings that lie in abundance around you because you are simply overwhelmed by the menancing trees that surround you. Sometimes, when the winds are strong and the decay of this world is overpowering, you need to just keep plogging on, even though you may be weary and fatigued with the constant struggle. But, at those moments, when the world seems to have captured your attention and drawn you away from the path, God drops a hint (either through another, through a whisper, or through a vision) that He is waiting just around the corner with arms open and full of love if you will just take one more step in His direction. He isn't hiding from you, but like a father who stands with his arms outstretched and with words of encouragment coaxing his young child in their first steps, so God is…..a big smile plastering His beautiful face, and arms miles wide, giving you the encouragement you need to overcome that fearful step into the unknown.
He always wants to give us more than we could ever want from Him and He wants to spend more time with us than we will ever want to give Him.
I would ask, and covet, the continued prayers that God will continue to provide what He has in mind for me and my family. Please remember that I am not alone in my struggles, as many other families are finding themselves in positions financially and emotionally that they never imagined themselves to be. Lift up those in your communities, in your neighborhoods, and in your churches and please show them the grace of God's love by reaching out to them with words of encouragement and affirmation that they are not alone.
I wish I would've saved the phone number so I could call this person back and try, in some small way, to express what the blessing given means and the testimony to God's movement that it sings loud and clear of. Unfortunately I am typically in the habit of erasing the phone logs, and erased her phone number before I thought of it. So, if you know her, please pass this on. If you don't, please pass it on to the ones who've you have sent my prayer requests to in the past. God is faithful and I'm sure she will get this thanks.
I would ask that you lift up that sister in Christ, if you know who she is or not, with a mighty shout of praise and glory to the Father, who worked through her today. Please pass this on to the others that you have before so that the sister who delivered a blessing from God today would know that I cannot express the words of thanks strong enough to convey what a blessing it was. I wish I could express the appreciation in a beautifully written poem, but words escape me. I stand in awe of her blessing to me and mine.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit, counsellor to us all bless and keep you, my brothers and sisters, and return your faithfulness seventy times seven as you continue your faithful service to Him.
Because of each of you, with your encouragement and prayers, I am still in this fight and will continue to struggle towards that finish line hand-in-hand with all of you. I still have a long way to go, but God is good and I know whatever the future He has planned, He will provide the means and the call to get there.
In God's grace,
Jim Hutson,
Friends,
Today God showed up in a big way and a surprising way, a way that I had always 'heard' happens to others but never had experienced myself.
I received a call from a sister in Christ who said that she was a friend of a friend who has been receiving my prayer request and she wanted to bring something to me. As I was at work, she travelled out here to meet with me. The blessing was two-fold; one that God revealed in a BIG way that the prayers I've requested from those in the body weren't just sent out without finding fertile soil in which to find roots, but that they've landed in the hands of many, many warriors who haven't hesitated to lift up the needs of a brother. This sister sat with me and gave me blessings after blessings in encouragment and inspiration. That alone, to have it affirmed that I am not alone in these struggles, that there are true believers who will stand in the battlefields of this world and defy the enemy's efforts to defeat another, even one unknown to them, just makes me feel God's grace and peace in a real way.
She also left me a card, which I was afraid (for some reason) to open until a few minutes ago. Inside was another blessing that will help in the situations that I'm facing right now in a big way. I have always, as I said, heard of others who listen to the voice of God speaking and do what He wills as He wills and today He showed me that indeed, like the birds of the sky and the flowers of the fields, that He will take care of me and my family because we all are more valuable than those and I am His Beloved Son.
I got the impression, maybe incorrectly, that this person who gave me this blessing might not want to be 'identified' and I want to honor that 'assumption' until otherwise informed, but I wanted my friends, the ones who sent the emails to other prayer warriors to pray and the ones who have stood with me in such harrowing times, to know that God has moved and God has answered in a powerful way my cries. Funny, the verse I was going to write on today speaks of this too…..
"O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:19-21
God has heard my cry for help and has been so gracious in His response to it. Not only in the prayers of the many, many faithful who have devoted their time to lifting me and my family to His ears, but in the blessing this sister brought to me today. He has fed me bread of adversity and water of affliction but has given me the teachers, the wise elders, to stand behind me and give me the direction and the strength in which to walk this path that He has chosen for me.
Sometimes in the struggles, as this dear sister said, you need others to help point out the blessings that lie in abundance around you because you are simply overwhelmed by the menancing trees that surround you. Sometimes, when the winds are strong and the decay of this world is overpowering, you need to just keep plogging on, even though you may be weary and fatigued with the constant struggle. But, at those moments, when the world seems to have captured your attention and drawn you away from the path, God drops a hint (either through another, through a whisper, or through a vision) that He is waiting just around the corner with arms open and full of love if you will just take one more step in His direction. He isn't hiding from you, but like a father who stands with his arms outstretched and with words of encouragment coaxing his young child in their first steps, so God is…..a big smile plastering His beautiful face, and arms miles wide, giving you the encouragement you need to overcome that fearful step into the unknown.
He always wants to give us more than we could ever want from Him and He wants to spend more time with us than we will ever want to give Him.
I would ask, and covet, the continued prayers that God will continue to provide what He has in mind for me and my family. Please remember that I am not alone in my struggles, as many other families are finding themselves in positions financially and emotionally that they never imagined themselves to be. Lift up those in your communities, in your neighborhoods, and in your churches and please show them the grace of God's love by reaching out to them with words of encouragement and affirmation that they are not alone.
I wish I would've saved the phone number so I could call this person back and try, in some small way, to express what the blessing given means and the testimony to God's movement that it sings loud and clear of. Unfortunately I am typically in the habit of erasing the phone logs, and erased her phone number before I thought of it. So, if you know her, please pass this on. If you don't, please pass it on to the ones who've you have sent my prayer requests to in the past. God is faithful and I'm sure she will get this thanks.
I would ask that you lift up that sister in Christ, if you know who she is or not, with a mighty shout of praise and glory to the Father, who worked through her today. Please pass this on to the others that you have before so that the sister who delivered a blessing from God today would know that I cannot express the words of thanks strong enough to convey what a blessing it was. I wish I could express the appreciation in a beautifully written poem, but words escape me. I stand in awe of her blessing to me and mine.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit, counsellor to us all bless and keep you, my brothers and sisters, and return your faithfulness seventy times seven as you continue your faithful service to Him.
Because of each of you, with your encouragement and prayers, I am still in this fight and will continue to struggle towards that finish line hand-in-hand with all of you. I still have a long way to go, but God is good and I know whatever the future He has planned, He will provide the means and the call to get there.
In God's grace,
Jim Hutson,
Tuesday, August 19
Emailed inspiration.....Christian one-liners.
My ex-brother-in-law sent me this email for inspiration. I don't know where it came from or who the original author was, but they are good......:
Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started
out as a basket case.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The good Lord didn't creat e anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and
the back of the church.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Peace starts with a smile.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does
it make which one you stay home from?
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises"
are just sitting on the premises.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them ....He'll clean them.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
He who angers you, controls you!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started
out as a basket case.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The good Lord didn't creat e anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and
the back of the church.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Peace starts with a smile.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does
it make which one you stay home from?
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises"
are just sitting on the premises.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them ....He'll clean them.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
He who angers you, controls you!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Thursday, August 7
A trouble tree,
A friend sent this to me and I felt it was worth posting. I don't know who the author is or where it is from.
Peace,
Jim
Trouble Tree.
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.
While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door,he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation...His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don' t belong in the house with my wife and the children.. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again."
"Funny thing is," he smiled," when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
Life Isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
We all have burdens that we have to bear during the day, work-related or otherwise. But, when we come home....we need to come home....to those whom we've been entrusted to care for by the Father above.
"It isn't that we need to be strong for them, for in our weakness God's strength shines through. It is that we need to be Christ's representative for them to help them learn to give their cares to Him. Whether on a tree built for trouble or a cross that bore those troubles away......."
God blesses us in our struggles, we just have to be looking up to catch them......
Peace,
Jim
Trouble Tree.
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.
While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door,he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation...His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don' t belong in the house with my wife and the children.. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again."
"Funny thing is," he smiled," when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
Life Isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
We all have burdens that we have to bear during the day, work-related or otherwise. But, when we come home....we need to come home....to those whom we've been entrusted to care for by the Father above.
"It isn't that we need to be strong for them, for in our weakness God's strength shines through. It is that we need to be Christ's representative for them to help them learn to give their cares to Him. Whether on a tree built for trouble or a cross that bore those troubles away......."
God blesses us in our struggles, we just have to be looking up to catch them......
Thursday, July 17
Offerings from Steve Coffman.....
In today's world, where a democratic nominee for President refuses to wear a patriotic symbol and his wife is finally proud of a country that gave her the opportunities to be where she is, this latest offering from Steve Coffman is a valid and valuable piece concerning why we should instill patriotism into our children.
Steve Coffman is owner of Family-eStore.com:
Teaching Patriotism to Our Children
Since September 11, 2001 Independence Day for the United States on July 4th has been especially poignant. While there has been a surge in patriotism, we all need to maintain a sense of pride and love for our country whether we are at war or in peace time.
Children need to feel a sense of belonging too, in their family, their classrooms and in their country. They will thrive in an environment of respect, compassion and stability. If we as parents teach our kids to love, honor, show compassion and respect for their country as well as for their fellow man, they will not only be graced by a sense of patriotism, they will become better citizens, and in turn role models for our future generations.
One of our greatest challenges as parents is to raise our children to be honorable and respectful adults. Adopting a path of patriotism is a good reinforcement for them to show honor and a sense of ethics.
Our babies learn kindness at first from our gentle touch; they also learn self-esteem by our praise and respect. They mostly learn these living examples from their parents and at school. We are responsible for teaching them to respect and be kind to others, regardless of our differences. We are also responsible for teaching them to keep their community clean, and to trust that their country will defend and protect them as best it can. I truly believe they should be taught to revere their country’s flag and all it stands for as well.
Children should be taught that, while it might be "legal" to burn their country's flag as an expression of individual freedom, they would be hard-pressed to get this past Mom and Dad if they ever entertained the idea! This is the posture that a good parent should adopt.
Children need to know they are a very large and integral part of their country's make up. They are the future parents and government that will uphold the morals and ethics inherited from their parents and grandparents.
Is it too much to ask that our children be patriotic, actively show patriotism, honor their flag, and stand up for what’s right and good about their country? I don’t think so.
It is our job to instill a sense of honor and patriotism in their young hearts, offering them the opportunity to love and honor their country and its flag. In doing so, their actions will be seen as a good example for their country to show mankind and the world.
As much as we want our children to love their country, we also need to recognize the importance of global relationships in today’s world. Setting good examples of patriotism should, in turn, teach our kids that every person counts, no matter where they live, or who they might be, or what country they represent.
By: Steven E Coffman Family-eStore.com
Steve Coffman is owner of Family-eStore.com:
Teaching Patriotism to Our Children
Since September 11, 2001 Independence Day for the United States on July 4th has been especially poignant. While there has been a surge in patriotism, we all need to maintain a sense of pride and love for our country whether we are at war or in peace time.
Children need to feel a sense of belonging too, in their family, their classrooms and in their country. They will thrive in an environment of respect, compassion and stability. If we as parents teach our kids to love, honor, show compassion and respect for their country as well as for their fellow man, they will not only be graced by a sense of patriotism, they will become better citizens, and in turn role models for our future generations.
One of our greatest challenges as parents is to raise our children to be honorable and respectful adults. Adopting a path of patriotism is a good reinforcement for them to show honor and a sense of ethics.
Our babies learn kindness at first from our gentle touch; they also learn self-esteem by our praise and respect. They mostly learn these living examples from their parents and at school. We are responsible for teaching them to respect and be kind to others, regardless of our differences. We are also responsible for teaching them to keep their community clean, and to trust that their country will defend and protect them as best it can. I truly believe they should be taught to revere their country’s flag and all it stands for as well.
Children should be taught that, while it might be "legal" to burn their country's flag as an expression of individual freedom, they would be hard-pressed to get this past Mom and Dad if they ever entertained the idea! This is the posture that a good parent should adopt.
Children need to know they are a very large and integral part of their country's make up. They are the future parents and government that will uphold the morals and ethics inherited from their parents and grandparents.
Is it too much to ask that our children be patriotic, actively show patriotism, honor their flag, and stand up for what’s right and good about their country? I don’t think so.
It is our job to instill a sense of honor and patriotism in their young hearts, offering them the opportunity to love and honor their country and its flag. In doing so, their actions will be seen as a good example for their country to show mankind and the world.
As much as we want our children to love their country, we also need to recognize the importance of global relationships in today’s world. Setting good examples of patriotism should, in turn, teach our kids that every person counts, no matter where they live, or who they might be, or what country they represent.
By: Steven E Coffman Family-eStore.com
Sunday, July 13
Now this is an inspiration.....thank a Veteran today!
Now here is one wise teacher..............
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a Social Studies teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten.
On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she
removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.
Looking around, confused, they asked, 'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'
She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me what you have done to earn the right to sit at a desk.'They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 'No,' she said.'Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'
And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period, still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.
The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the desk less classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'
At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall.
By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.
Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the
freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'
This is a true story....
If you can read this - thank a teacher!
If you can read it in English - thank a soldier!
If you can understand the message - Thank God!
A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one point in their life, signed a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a Social Studies teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten.
On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she
removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.
Looking around, confused, they asked, 'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'
She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me what you have done to earn the right to sit at a desk.'They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 'No,' she said.'Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'
And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period, still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.
The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the desk less classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'
At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall.
By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.
Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the
freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'
This is a true story....
If you can read this - thank a teacher!
If you can read it in English - thank a soldier!
If you can understand the message - Thank God!
A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one point in their life, signed a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
Tuesday, June 10
Down and Dirty....A Worthy Ministries Devotional
Worthy Ministries [worthynewsbrief@worthymailing.com]
Sometimes we gotta get down and dirty!
John 9:6-7 "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."
I read this passage and I wonder how I would react if someone mixed their saliva with some dirt on the ground and put it on my face like this. Ewww! Why didn't Jesus just heal this guy and be done with it? Why the messy prelude?
If you'll notice, Jesus did two things. First, He placed mud on the man's eyes. Then, He told him to go and wash himself in the pool of Siloam. Of course, the man willingly obeyed. If you had some gross concoction smeared on your eyes, wouldn't you? The mud actually provided the motivation for his obedience.
My point? We don't always have to understand why we find our selves muddy sometimes. Perhaps if we weren't muddy, we'd never be motivated to obey! And obedience is crucial to a successful and flourishing walk with the Lord.
Let's not despise the mud on our face today. We all have times of trial. Let's use them for an opportunity to be obedient! God is just trying to help us see better!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Sometimes we gotta get down and dirty!
John 9:6-7 "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."
I read this passage and I wonder how I would react if someone mixed their saliva with some dirt on the ground and put it on my face like this. Ewww! Why didn't Jesus just heal this guy and be done with it? Why the messy prelude?
If you'll notice, Jesus did two things. First, He placed mud on the man's eyes. Then, He told him to go and wash himself in the pool of Siloam. Of course, the man willingly obeyed. If you had some gross concoction smeared on your eyes, wouldn't you? The mud actually provided the motivation for his obedience.
My point? We don't always have to understand why we find our selves muddy sometimes. Perhaps if we weren't muddy, we'd never be motivated to obey! And obedience is crucial to a successful and flourishing walk with the Lord.
Let's not despise the mud on our face today. We all have times of trial. Let's use them for an opportunity to be obedient! God is just trying to help us see better!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
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