I know that this has been a rough year for allot of people, but if you simply wake up in the morning, have a Thanksgiving meal to look foward too and a place to eat it you have more to be thankful for than much of the world. We can be thankful to live in such a great country and thanful for such an awesome God that graces us with so much.
So wherever you gather for Thanksgiving, before the family starts arguing, or the kids get out of countrol or everyone falls asllep watching football, take a moment to gather everyone and 'Thank the Lord God who has given everything to you".It doesn't have to be any big production but I think it is better if it comes from the heart,
Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Anyone who knows me even in passing has a general Idead about my feelings on the murder of the unborn. Today is was reading through some sermons from Dr. Ray Pritchard from KeepBelievingMinistries.com and I came across this imaginary Diary of an unborn child. I found it very touching and wanted to share it.
Diary Of An Unborn Child
Our greatest problem with abortion is that we have a hard time seeing the unborn for what they are-real people being put to death. It helps if we understand that what is being aborted is not a fetus but a real person-a little girl with blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes or a little boy with freckles and a dimple. If only we could see the unborn as people just like us, we would know the truth about abortion.
This is called "Diary of an Unborn Child." It is imaginary, yet full of truth.
October 5 - Today my life began. My parents do not know it yet and I am as small as the seed of an apple. But I am really here. And I am glad to be a girl. I shall have blond hair and blue eyes. Just about everything is settled, even the fact that I shall love flowers.
October 19 - Some say I'm not a real person yet, that only my mother exists. But I am a real person, just as a small crumb of bread is truly bread. My mother is. And I am.
October 23 - My mouth is just beginning to open now. Just think, in a year or so I shall be laughing and later talking. I know what my first word will be: "Mama."
October 25 - My heart began to beat today all by itself. From now on it will gently beat for the rest of my life without ever stopping to rest.
November 2 - I am growing a bit every day. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape, but I have to wait a long time yet before I can hug my mommy and daddy.
November 12 - Now my fingers are beginning to grow. Funny how small they are. I'll be able to stroke my mother's hair with them.
November 20 - Today for the first time the doctor told mom that I am living under her heart. Oh, how happy she must be. Are you happy, Mom?
November 25 - My mom and dad are probably thinking about a name for me. But they don't even know that I am a little girl. I want to be called Kathy. I am getting so big already.
December 10 - My hair is growing. It is smooth and bright and shiny. I wonder what kind of hair mommy has.
December 13 - I am just about able to see. It is dark around me. When mom brings me into the world it will be full of sunshine and flowers. But what I want more than anything is to see my mom. Do I look like her? I hope so.
December 24 - I wonder if mom hears the whispering of my heart? Some children come into the world a little sick. But my heart is strong and healthy. It beats so evenly: tup-tup, tup-tup. You'll have a healthy daughter, Mom.
SERIOUSLY FOLKS THE PERSONAL ATTACKS HAVE TO STOP.
First of all I am by no means pleading innocense.I have made many friends on AR and also have come across situations when I realized that friendship just wasn't going to be in the cards with some folks. I have admittedly been a thorn in the side of AR management for far too long and decided last week it was time for an apology and an ending to childishness.
I know many of us like to push each other to the edgeand have actually gottenquite good at it but there needs to be a line we will not cross or I am afraid that management will have no choice but to start terminationg memberships.This is a decision we will each have to make on our own but I have a few suggestions that might be helpful.
I think we should all think carefully before hiting submit if our words:
1) Call anyone out by name in a derogatory manner
2) Say anything with the intent to hurt someones reputation
I would also like to point out that calling someone,Racist, Homophobe, Stupid, etc, etc, for no other reason than they disagree with you usually makes you look worse than them. I also feel the same way about profanity, we can all learn new pronouns
Anyway, from the probably about 5,000 people I have met through AR. I can honestly say I like at least 4995 of them amd I am sure most of you feel the same. Lets not ruin things over the other 5.
Lately much of our time has been spent on the healthcare debate. First let me say that I think it is time well spent as this issue is very important to manay people, including myself. I am glad to see so many involved in the process because sad as it may be, when we the people do not speak up we usually lose out to the self serving and special interests groups.
Next I would like to bring up an aspect of healthcare that I am sorry to say does not seem to get enough attention.No matter how comprehensive your insurance is or how high the quality of care you receive is there is one aspect of it all which is not going to change.YOU ARE GOING TO DIE.How many who have there whole life planned out have not even given this most basic notion a thought. No matter how long you may live it will not measure up against eternity.
Fortunately there is an insurance plan that can cover everyone. ETERNAL LIFE THROUG THE SALVATION OFFERED US BY THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.Should anyone care to further explore this most wonderful of insurance plans fweel free to give me a call so we can sart YOU on your way to eternal life.
As of late some of my secularist friends have been using the "What would Jesus do " line to counteract anything myself or some other Christians might say that is criticalof just about anything which they feel would be for the better of the people.
Now I am not normally for proof texting "taking one particular verse out of context to prove your view" because often it proves a falacy, the concepts of the Bible must be studied and understood in their full meaning all the way from Genesis to Revelation.
But since I have seen so many verses misquoted and misused I thought I might just add a couple to the discussion.
Matthew 22:37 (New International Version)
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a]
John 14:15
15"If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 15:18-19 (New International Version)
The World Hates the Disciples
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Romans 6:23 (New International Version)
23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
At times it seems as if criticizing has become the national pastime, especially in the political realm. I am very guilty of leveling criticism against our leaders, especially the current inhabitants of the white house, and as a Christian struggle with this daily.
Let me start off by saying that I believe all who are put in positions of authority are ordained by God. I do not believe that anything at all, even the most minute of details, happen for any reason other than they are all part of God's plan.
If that is the case it stands to reason that when we criticize someone we are in fact criticizing God. It is as if we know of a better way to work out the circumstances of our lives. Yet, the Bible does call for righteous judgment. When we are talking about judgment within the Church there is a definate Biblical path laid out in Mathew 18:15-17
But how about a righteous judgment for those outside of the Church? I think that Galatians 6:1 gives us some guidance 'Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."
A simple definition between the differences of being critical and of righteous judgment is "When we are critical we are judging the person whereas righteous judgment will judge the bondage and intercede to set them free.
So how does this apply to judging our elected officials? I heard an interesting quote last week that really hit home,'Sometimes we get the leaders we'veprayed for, and sometimes we get leaders who cause us to pray more."
So as a Christian I know that I have been wrong when I have expressed criticism of President Obama as a person, that judgment is for God alone, but i do feel that it is not only my right but my duty as a Christian to express a righteous judgment against actions that are in direct conflict with Gods law.
In this statement i include issues such as abortion, stem cell research and euthanasia, sexual immorality etc.
May I just remember to do it in a spirit of gentleness and Christain love and according to the righteousness which comes from God only and not from a critical spirit of self righteousness.
Think carefully about what you will be reading.... Mary, had a little Lamb, His fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, The Lamb was sure to go. He followed her to school each day, T'wasn't even in the rule. It made the children laugh and play, To have The Lamb at school... And then the rules all changed one day, Illegal it became; To bring The Lamb of God to school, Or even speak His Name! Every day got worse and worse, And days turned into years.. Instead of hearing children laugh, We heard gun shots and tears. What must we do to stop the crime, That's in our schools today? Let's let The Lamb come back to school, And teach our kids to pray! If you agree, please pass this on. It is said that 86% of the World's people believe in God... Why don't we just tell the other 14% to be quiet and sit down?
"Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government." --James Madison
--- Subject: : HI DAD
After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.
The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.
The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.
As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'
He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me..? He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.
I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney,? kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.
He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off Him.
As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'
The prosecutor rose and said,
'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.'
He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank..
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.
As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.
I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'
When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench.? The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward..
As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty..?
I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.
'Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.'
Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.'
My Lord continued with, 'His name is written in the Book of Life,? and no one can snatch him from Me.
Satan still does not understand yet.? This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy..'
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done.'
'I've done it all.'
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down.? The following words bellowed from His lips..
'This man is free..? The penalty for him has already been paid in full.? 'Case dismissed.'
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.'
I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'
Christ lovingly smiled and said,'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ~Paid In Full~'
If you do not pass this along to 10 people immediately, absolutely nothing will happen.
Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend, (As I have done here), will bless you both.
'Stop telling God how big your storm is.. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!'
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Last night the Lord put something on my heart tonight it has manifested into an idea and over the next few months I am going to make myself available to allow the Lord to work through me to turn this idea into something awesome. I think it may be a big undertaking but we have a big God.
I don't know any Christians who think that our country is headed in the right direction moraly or spiritually. I am not just talking about this year but rahter for quite some time. Even our national day of prayer has become a media event which many of us use to denigrate those who didn't participate.
Right now this is just an idea, but I think that with the use of social networking, my friends around the county and the grace of the Holy Spirit we can do it.
I want to pick a date, probably at least 6 months to a year down the road, and have a national day fo prayer and fasting . I would also like it to be a day when we turn off all media in our lives and concentrate on lifting our country up to the Lord. No television, no computers, no talk radio and no food for one 24 hour period.
The first thing I am looking for are members of the family of god to help me organize it. I have many ideas but am looking for more. We need to take this national at the least.
I honestly don't know how I will fit this into my schedule but the Lord does. Please prayabout it.and then if the Lord puts it upon your heart to get involved either call me at
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