Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Food Pantry
I went to the Food Pantry today to make a delivery and was priviledge to meet the Pastor over the Food Pantry, Fred Knoll. He just wanted to tell me how grateful they are for our Church being a part of this ministry. We had a good conversation and exchanged emails. He has another program that he oversees that he is going to share with me to see if any of our people would have an interest in. He is all about crossing over from denomination to denomination and helping each other. I am big on that too! I have always said there will not be special rooms in Heaven for each denomination! We all need to reach out and help each other.
Also while there, I met Kim DeMasie who sends out the newsletters each week. Kim wanted to meet me and thank us as well for all the help our Church is providing. She gave me a flyer and wanted me to let all of you who help with this ministry know that they would like to invite us to an appreciation meal and gathering. I'll type the information from the flyer below:
Bring your family and join us for a celebration to thank our Food Pantry volunteers!
Sunday, Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m.
South Harbour Clubhouse Shelter
Meat, Drinks, and Paper Products will be provided.
Please bring a dish to share
Any questions, call Kim Demasie at 776-2848
That is this coming Sunday. So, if I don't preach too long - maybe some of you can go! It isn't far from the Church.
The trip to the pantry today just made my day!
Also while there, I met Kim DeMasie who sends out the newsletters each week. Kim wanted to meet me and thank us as well for all the help our Church is providing. She gave me a flyer and wanted me to let all of you who help with this ministry know that they would like to invite us to an appreciation meal and gathering. I'll type the information from the flyer below:
Bring your family and join us for a celebration to thank our Food Pantry volunteers!
Sunday, Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m.
South Harbour Clubhouse Shelter
Meat, Drinks, and Paper Products will be provided.
Please bring a dish to share
Any questions, call Kim Demasie at 776-2848
That is this coming Sunday. So, if I don't preach too long - maybe some of you can go! It isn't far from the Church.
The trip to the pantry today just made my day!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thought For The Day
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
I don't know who wrote this but I believe it.
I don't know who wrote this but I believe it.
Joke for the Day
A Special Hymn
A preacher was completing a temperance sermon; with great expression he said,
"If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
With even greater emphasis he said,
"And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
And then finally, he said,
"And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
He sat down.
The song leader then stood very cautiously and announced with a smile,
"For our closing song, let us sing Hymn # 365: "Shall We Gather at the River."
posted by Pat
A preacher was completing a temperance sermon; with great expression he said,
"If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
With even greater emphasis he said,
"And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
And then finally, he said,
"And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
He sat down.
The song leader then stood very cautiously and announced with a smile,
"For our closing song, let us sing Hymn # 365: "Shall We Gather at the River."
posted by Pat
Quote
I just love reading quotes, especially ones that relate to everyday life. Ran across this one the other day that I'd like to share. Cute....but true.
"The reason dogs have so many friends, is that they wag their tails and not their tongue's."
Posted by Pat
"The reason dogs have so many friends, is that they wag their tails and not their tongue's."
Posted by Pat
Thursday, September 24, 2009
September Newsletter
The newsletter is complete and being sent out. If you would like to receive the Hinkle Creek Newsletter via email. Send us your email address to hinklecreeknewsletter@ymail.com
Developing an Attitude of Service
Before marriage, I dreamed about how happy I would be when we got married. I had visions of all the wonderful things my wife would do for me. Sausage and eggs together in the mornings. Candlelight dinners at night. Holding hands all day long and sex every night. I assumed that she had the same visions.
But, after marriage I found out that my wife didn't do mornings. So much for the sausage and eggs. She anticipated that I would take her out to romantic restaurants for dinner, not as a prelude to sex, but simply because I loved her.
I expressed my disappointment with her and she expressed her disappointment with me. We succeeded in being utterly miserable. Our marriage didn't turn around overnight, but it did turn around. And so can yours. I want to share the secret. It all has to do with attitude.
Jesus' life and teachings focused on sacrificial service to others. He once said, "I did not come to be ministered to, but to minister." It is a theme that all truly great men and women of the past have affirmed. Life's greatest meaning is not found in getting, but in giving. This profound principle made a significant difference in my marriage. Developing an attitude of service is not easy but the rewards are overwhelmingly positive. Few people will run away from someone who is serving them.
My wife was no exception. When I reached out to serve her, it wasn't long before she was reaching out to me. Jesus had it right! Why did it take me so long to learn?
How would a wife respond to a husband who sincerely sought to serve her? In my desperation I was determined to find out. I set myself to discovering her needs and desires and sought to fulfill them. I began quietly and slowly to do some of the things she had requested in the past. You see, by now we were too estranged to talk about our relationship, but I could choose to take action on some of her previous complaints.
I started washing dishes without being asked. I volunteered to fold the clothes. It seemed to me these where the kind of things Jesus might have done had He been married. When she made specific requests, I determined to respond cheerfully and if possible to do them.
In less than three months, my wife's attitude toward me began to change. She came out of her shell of withdrawal and began to talk again. I think she sensed that my days of preaching were over and that my attitude toward her was changing. Genuine acts of service seldom go unrewarded. Before long, our hostility was gone, and we began to have positive feelings toward each other.
You see, if I believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive; that serving my spouse is more important than being served; that my best end is found in making her life better, then it will affect the way I treat her. When she sees this attitude expressed in my behavior she knows that something has changed. If I am consistent, then service becomes a lifestyle.
Most wives and husbands are attracted to someone who shows genuine concern for them. The person who follows the example of Jesus - in serving others, is on the road to greatness and to a growing marriage relationship.
This was an E-Mail from a friend! A good friend! She subscribes to Love Language Weekly and gets something like this sent to her. And sometimes she passes them on to me. I think this is a really good one.
But, after marriage I found out that my wife didn't do mornings. So much for the sausage and eggs. She anticipated that I would take her out to romantic restaurants for dinner, not as a prelude to sex, but simply because I loved her.
I expressed my disappointment with her and she expressed her disappointment with me. We succeeded in being utterly miserable. Our marriage didn't turn around overnight, but it did turn around. And so can yours. I want to share the secret. It all has to do with attitude.
Jesus' life and teachings focused on sacrificial service to others. He once said, "I did not come to be ministered to, but to minister." It is a theme that all truly great men and women of the past have affirmed. Life's greatest meaning is not found in getting, but in giving. This profound principle made a significant difference in my marriage. Developing an attitude of service is not easy but the rewards are overwhelmingly positive. Few people will run away from someone who is serving them.
My wife was no exception. When I reached out to serve her, it wasn't long before she was reaching out to me. Jesus had it right! Why did it take me so long to learn?
How would a wife respond to a husband who sincerely sought to serve her? In my desperation I was determined to find out. I set myself to discovering her needs and desires and sought to fulfill them. I began quietly and slowly to do some of the things she had requested in the past. You see, by now we were too estranged to talk about our relationship, but I could choose to take action on some of her previous complaints.
I started washing dishes without being asked. I volunteered to fold the clothes. It seemed to me these where the kind of things Jesus might have done had He been married. When she made specific requests, I determined to respond cheerfully and if possible to do them.
In less than three months, my wife's attitude toward me began to change. She came out of her shell of withdrawal and began to talk again. I think she sensed that my days of preaching were over and that my attitude toward her was changing. Genuine acts of service seldom go unrewarded. Before long, our hostility was gone, and we began to have positive feelings toward each other.
You see, if I believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive; that serving my spouse is more important than being served; that my best end is found in making her life better, then it will affect the way I treat her. When she sees this attitude expressed in my behavior she knows that something has changed. If I am consistent, then service becomes a lifestyle.
Most wives and husbands are attracted to someone who shows genuine concern for them. The person who follows the example of Jesus - in serving others, is on the road to greatness and to a growing marriage relationship.
This was an E-Mail from a friend! A good friend! She subscribes to Love Language Weekly and gets something like this sent to her. And sometimes she passes them on to me. I think this is a really good one.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Music night
Just wanted to let everyone know that it is confirmed about the Music Night and Chili Supper. It will be held on the evening of October 16th beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Chili will be served from then until 7:00 to give time for people coming home from work to get there. Then at 7:00, we will be entertained by the Atlanta Music Hall Band. This is an awesome group of guys who get together and perform every Saturday night in Atlanta. They have quite a following. I'm sure there will be many who follow this group attend this event. This will be a little different in that most of their music is "big band" and "oldies" along with some gospel. You will be taken back by their saxaphone player. I'm hoping he will play "yakity sax" - it is awesome how he plays. He is the son-in-law of Wayne and Betty Gould who attended Hinkle many years ago. We have flyers in print as I write this, so make sure you take some Sunday to pass around.
Last night
Thanks to all who came last evening to the Bible Study. We had such a wonderful meal and good fellowship. Will had an awesome lesson on Mark 13. We got into such a good discussion, we didn't make it into Chapter 14, so will do that next week. I appreciate all the great discussions from all. Cynthia brought out some good points on who the Church really is and was thought provoking. It was just good to see everyone having such a good time together. Just made my week!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Bible Study
Reminder about Bible Study tomorrow evening at 6:30 at our home. Paulette is fixing "legal" (for you weight watchers), beef stew, then making the Amish Cole Slaw we had at Amish Acres. The waitress was kind enough to give Paulette and Pam the recipe. So, you can bring any side dishes that would go with that.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Fellowship Breakfast
Just a last minute quick reminder that we are having the fellowship breakfast this morning in lieu of Sunday School at 9:30. Hope you can all join us. Also, Monthly Meeting following Worship Services. I'm praying that everyone will come back to Worship today! I need to be surrounded by my Church Family. I miss you when you are gone!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Important minute from Georgetown Friends
I received the following minute from Georgetown Friends Church stating their concern about the problems in the Yearly Meeting and is addressed to the Executive Committee which meets in session this Saturday. I thought it would be good for all of you to read this. I will bring this before the body at Monthly Meeting this Sunday.
A Minute To: Executive Committee of Western Yearly Meeting
A criticial moment in the history of the Society of the Friends of Jesus Christ has occurred.
We read in 2nd Timothy Ch4 vs. 3-4, "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths."
The Georgetown Friends Meeting insists upon the Executive Commmittee, all recorded Pastors and Monthly Meetings be in unity with Faith and Practice. We further insist that Executive Committee members, Pastors and Monthly Meetings not in unity with Faith and Practice should separate from Western Yearly Meeting in a redemptive separation. Furthermore, we insist upon a called meeting of said council to discuss the above mentioned issue.
An Executive Committee that is not in unity with Faith and Practice and supports Pastors who are not in unity with Faith and Practice does a great disservice to Pastors and members of Meetings that are in unity with Faith and Practice. We cannot condone the laying down of this issue by Yearly Meeting. By failing Pastors and Members in unity with Faith and Practice, the Executive Committee leaves said persons open to ridicule by fellow Christians.
We will not condone these actions. In protest, we will withold any further payment of assessments to Western Yearly Meetings with the exception of benevolence. We feel we are not represented by an Executive Committee that does not uphold Faith and Practice. We invite those among you not willing to be in unity with Faith and Practice to step aside and let other believers replace you.
Sincerely,
Georgetown Friends Meeting
Signed,
Robert Lack, Clerk; Jerry Vincent, Pastor; and AnnMarie Kukla, Clerk of Christian Ministries & Evangelism
I also have a copy of the definition of "Redemptive Separation" that will also bring this Sunday to explain the meaning of it.
Bob
A Minute To: Executive Committee of Western Yearly Meeting
A criticial moment in the history of the Society of the Friends of Jesus Christ has occurred.
We read in 2nd Timothy Ch4 vs. 3-4, "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths."
The Georgetown Friends Meeting insists upon the Executive Commmittee, all recorded Pastors and Monthly Meetings be in unity with Faith and Practice. We further insist that Executive Committee members, Pastors and Monthly Meetings not in unity with Faith and Practice should separate from Western Yearly Meeting in a redemptive separation. Furthermore, we insist upon a called meeting of said council to discuss the above mentioned issue.
An Executive Committee that is not in unity with Faith and Practice and supports Pastors who are not in unity with Faith and Practice does a great disservice to Pastors and members of Meetings that are in unity with Faith and Practice. We cannot condone the laying down of this issue by Yearly Meeting. By failing Pastors and Members in unity with Faith and Practice, the Executive Committee leaves said persons open to ridicule by fellow Christians.
We will not condone these actions. In protest, we will withold any further payment of assessments to Western Yearly Meetings with the exception of benevolence. We feel we are not represented by an Executive Committee that does not uphold Faith and Practice. We invite those among you not willing to be in unity with Faith and Practice to step aside and let other believers replace you.
Sincerely,
Georgetown Friends Meeting
Signed,
Robert Lack, Clerk; Jerry Vincent, Pastor; and AnnMarie Kukla, Clerk of Christian Ministries & Evangelism
I also have a copy of the definition of "Redemptive Separation" that will also bring this Sunday to explain the meaning of it.
Bob
Monday, September 14, 2009
addendum to Quaker Haven Memories
It seems that Kelly omitted one more memory. Finding someone's interior light on in their car, she asks "Amish" people if it was their car. Then realizes by their answer they probably were there in a horse and buggy! Later she found out they were German Baptists and the question was not out of order. It sure had her and Shirly going for a bit until the next day. LOL!
Bible Study
Bible Study is at The Brownings house this week.
Tuesday - September 15 at 6:30
5932 Doverton Drive
We will be having Mexican food!
Tuesday - September 15 at 6:30
5932 Doverton Drive
We will be having Mexican food!
Quaker Haven Family Camp!
What a wonderful weekend. I love the post that Kelly just but on the blog. What a good summary. The weather was amazing. The fellowship was truly blessed. And love was in the air! God was all around.
"The family of God should be a closely knit group. It should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed."
Quaker Haven
Favorite Moments
1. "Who is this Guy?"
2. "Is that your car?"
3. Bob's Saturday night bonfire
4. Addison keeping her eye on Paw
5. Quaker Haven famous kettle corn
6. Our waitress at the pancake house on Sunday
7. The two old ladies at Blue Gate
8. The married couple at the Pancake House
9. Larry saying "Trish ate beets?" when Velma told him what she ordered for lunch.
10. Two different people saying they took showers with paper towels.
11. Being thankful "that guy" at church wanted to sing hymns! Perfect!
12. Paulette was going to kill a big spider with her bare hand.
13. Will pulling the shades closed in a "Manly" way
14. Bob forgetting to close the van door, "every time"
15. Everyone complaining about Tim's fan.
16. Shirley buying her Quaker Haven sweatshirt
17. 20 people arriving late to church
18. Trish's face when she saw that Larry had his shoes off by the fire.
19. Layla sitting at the head of the table
20. Velma's glasses
21. Cameron saying that the graveyard was a dead end and that people were just dying to get in there over and over again when we passed the graveyard.
22. Casey (She's just funny)
23. B-L-B-L-E
24. Edie inserting Lynnville into famous country songs.
25. Nadjhya and Cynthia and their love for one another.
26. Heather smiling all weekend.
27. Everyone limping around Saturday night.
28. Heather driving fast, Pam driving slow.
29. Paulette taking charge in the kitchen.
30. Me telling Casey to go ahead and lay back down and Paulette telling her to get right back up.
31. Hearing Tim order a slushie at the canteen.
32. Marianne leading the singing on Friday night.
33. Paulette playing the piano
34. Shirley smiling and laughing all weekend.
35. Casey considering the Amish lifestyle
36. bean soup (really?)
37. Sharing dinner with Jacob and Marianne at Amish Acres and discussing the Amish way of life and life in Georgia.
38. My cranberry nut muffin!!!!!!!!
39. The morning sunlight coming through the trees and the shafts of light created by the morning mist.
4. Pam and Tim both spinning the team building ball looking for the question they wanted.
1. "Who is this Guy?"
2. "Is that your car?"
3. Bob's Saturday night bonfire
4. Addison keeping her eye on Paw
5. Quaker Haven famous kettle corn
6. Our waitress at the pancake house on Sunday
7. The two old ladies at Blue Gate
8. The married couple at the Pancake House
9. Larry saying "Trish ate beets?" when Velma told him what she ordered for lunch.
10. Two different people saying they took showers with paper towels.
11. Being thankful "that guy" at church wanted to sing hymns! Perfect!
12. Paulette was going to kill a big spider with her bare hand.
13. Will pulling the shades closed in a "Manly" way
14. Bob forgetting to close the van door, "every time"
15. Everyone complaining about Tim's fan.
16. Shirley buying her Quaker Haven sweatshirt
17. 20 people arriving late to church
18. Trish's face when she saw that Larry had his shoes off by the fire.
19. Layla sitting at the head of the table
20. Velma's glasses
21. Cameron saying that the graveyard was a dead end and that people were just dying to get in there over and over again when we passed the graveyard.
22. Casey (She's just funny)
23. B-L-B-L-E
24. Edie inserting Lynnville into famous country songs.
25. Nadjhya and Cynthia and their love for one another.
26. Heather smiling all weekend.
27. Everyone limping around Saturday night.
28. Heather driving fast, Pam driving slow.
29. Paulette taking charge in the kitchen.
30. Me telling Casey to go ahead and lay back down and Paulette telling her to get right back up.
31. Hearing Tim order a slushie at the canteen.
32. Marianne leading the singing on Friday night.
33. Paulette playing the piano
34. Shirley smiling and laughing all weekend.
35. Casey considering the Amish lifestyle
36. bean soup (really?)
37. Sharing dinner with Jacob and Marianne at Amish Acres and discussing the Amish way of life and life in Georgia.
38. My cranberry nut muffin!!!!!!!!
39. The morning sunlight coming through the trees and the shafts of light created by the morning mist.
4. Pam and Tim both spinning the team building ball looking for the question they wanted.
Beautiful reminders for your quite reflection
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
This e-mail was sent to me by a friend and I wanted to share it with you!
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
This e-mail was sent to me by a friend and I wanted to share it with you!
Good morning
I got up early this morning going over and over in mind about the great weekend we all had at Quaker Haven Camp. I think this time together brought us closer and gave us an opportunity to get to know one another. We talked about "learning to love" and as I've thought about that this morning, I can see that we are all on the right track with what God would want us all to do. Thank you all for going and making this such a memorable time. I'm already anxious for next year and hope more will come and enjoy this time together. But, I have to admit my bed felt pretty good last night! LOL!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Augustus M. Toplady 1776
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Augustus M. Toplady 1776
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 (King James Version)
Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Gary Chapman
Responding to Your Emotions
Why do we consider our emotions as an enemy? One reason is that we know our feelings change. The lift us up and they let us down. Our highs don't last, and our lows are painful. We conclude, therefore, that emotions are unreliable. Perhaps the chief reason is that negative emotions don't seem to fit with our idea of being a "good Christian."
Anger, fear, disappointment, loneliness, frustration, depression, and sorrow don't fit the stereotype of successful Christian living. The fact is negative and positive emotions are morally neutral. It is what we do in response to our emotions that leads to good or bad. Negative emotions call for positive action. Positive emotions call us to celebrate. Take time to listen to your emotions.
Have you ever done a Bible study on emotions? When I wrote The Marriage You've Always Wanted Bible Study, I felt it important to include a chapter on "Becoming Friends with My Feelings" because I think many Christians have a distorted view of emotions. Many people are surprised to discover that Jesus felt depression. Read it for yourself in Matthew 26:36-46.
We have wrongly concluded that negative emotions are from Satan. The Scriptures teach that emotions are a gift from God.
They motivate us to take constructive action. Anger motivated Jesus to clear the temple of robbers and thieves. Emotions call us to engage the mind and to make wise decisions on what needs to be done. When we make wise decisions, emotions have
served their purpose.
Would it surprise you if I told you that Jesus experienced fear? Fear is an emotion that pushes us away from a person, place, or thing. In Matthew 26, Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me." He saw what was ahead and his emotions pleaded for a different way. Jesus did what we should do with our fear - express it to God.
The proper response to fear is to run to God. The Psalmist said, "When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." 365 times in the Bible God says, "Fear not, for I am with you." Our fear leads us to God and we rest in His strength to protect. Don't put yourself down for feeling fear, just run as quickly as you can to the loving arms of God.
Why do we consider our emotions as an enemy? One reason is that we know our feelings change. The lift us up and they let us down. Our highs don't last, and our lows are painful. We conclude, therefore, that emotions are unreliable. Perhaps the chief reason is that negative emotions don't seem to fit with our idea of being a "good Christian."
Anger, fear, disappointment, loneliness, frustration, depression, and sorrow don't fit the stereotype of successful Christian living. The fact is negative and positive emotions are morally neutral. It is what we do in response to our emotions that leads to good or bad. Negative emotions call for positive action. Positive emotions call us to celebrate. Take time to listen to your emotions.
Have you ever done a Bible study on emotions? When I wrote The Marriage You've Always Wanted Bible Study, I felt it important to include a chapter on "Becoming Friends with My Feelings" because I think many Christians have a distorted view of emotions. Many people are surprised to discover that Jesus felt depression. Read it for yourself in Matthew 26:36-46.
We have wrongly concluded that negative emotions are from Satan. The Scriptures teach that emotions are a gift from God.
They motivate us to take constructive action. Anger motivated Jesus to clear the temple of robbers and thieves. Emotions call us to engage the mind and to make wise decisions on what needs to be done. When we make wise decisions, emotions have
served their purpose.
Would it surprise you if I told you that Jesus experienced fear? Fear is an emotion that pushes us away from a person, place, or thing. In Matthew 26, Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me." He saw what was ahead and his emotions pleaded for a different way. Jesus did what we should do with our fear - express it to God.
The proper response to fear is to run to God. The Psalmist said, "When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." 365 times in the Bible God says, "Fear not, for I am with you." Our fear leads us to God and we rest in His strength to protect. Don't put yourself down for feeling fear, just run as quickly as you can to the loving arms of God.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Power of Prayer
I had the best prayer with God today. I was faced with an old battle that sometimes rears its ugly head. Many times I have asked in my daily prayers for God to fix it. And today as I was facing it i thought I am not giving the devil the power of it anymore. Tears ran down my face and I told God the power, the strength is mine. I put the blood of Jesus on it and I am taking it away from the devil. I am going to put my faith to work and not try to answer it on my own each time. I am giving it totally to God and expecting nothing less than it taken care of. The peace and feeling that came over my soul was so wonderful. It was like I was setting in the room with God telling him I give up and its his now to handle. And it felt like he reached over to my soul and took the burden and lifted it of my mind and place it in his hands.
Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
This Makes Me Happy
""Good morning,
This is God.
I will be handling
All of your
Problems today.
I will not need
Your help, so have
A miraculous day.”"
I love You.
I went to the bank today and the teller had this taped up on the wall next to her computer. I didn't even worry when I managed to confuse the teller again! Every time I go into that bank I end up doing something really confusing and embarrassing. I think I go to the bank too early in the morning and I just can't be thinking about numbers yet. The numbers part of my brain has not booted up yet. Telling time is hard enough! I know they must roll their eyes before I enter and after I leave. Like, Is she just the dumbest person in the world or what? But, I don't have to worry about that. And they all know Mike and think He's just the greatest ever. I come rolling in and never know my account number or how much is in said account. I never know the date either. I still know my name, but that's because it's not a number. If my name was a number I would be lost. By the grace of God there I go. And don't ever go to Starbucks with Me, You just can't imagine the trouble I can cause. And it all starts with an innocent question.I think Starbucks is the most confusing place on the planet, next to the bank.
This is God.
I will be handling
All of your
Problems today.
I will not need
Your help, so have
A miraculous day.”"
I love You.
I think this is Dr. Wayne Dyer's quote, but I've also seen others names attached to it.
I went to the bank today and the teller had this taped up on the wall next to her computer. I didn't even worry when I managed to confuse the teller again! Every time I go into that bank I end up doing something really confusing and embarrassing. I think I go to the bank too early in the morning and I just can't be thinking about numbers yet. The numbers part of my brain has not booted up yet. Telling time is hard enough! I know they must roll their eyes before I enter and after I leave. Like, Is she just the dumbest person in the world or what? But, I don't have to worry about that. And they all know Mike and think He's just the greatest ever. I come rolling in and never know my account number or how much is in said account. I never know the date either. I still know my name, but that's because it's not a number. If my name was a number I would be lost. By the grace of God there I go. And don't ever go to Starbucks with Me, You just can't imagine the trouble I can cause. And it all starts with an innocent question.I think Starbucks is the most confusing place on the planet, next to the bank.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Magnificently Beautiful
This is the sunset at the North Pole with the moon at its closest point, May 11, 2009.
A scene you will probably never get to see in person,so take a moment and enjoy God at work at the North Pole.
And, you also see the sun below the moon.
An amazing photo and not one easily duplicated. You may want To pass it on to others so they can enjoy it.
The Chinese have a saying that goes something like this:
'When someone shares with you something of value, you have an obligation to share it with others!
I just did. Your turn.
The above picture and text are copied and pasted from an email I received today from a friend of Mine.
TONIGHT
Remember Bible Study is tonight at Larry & Trish Butcher's home. She is having chili soup! Sounds good!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Why Now, Why Here, WHY US?
I was talking to one of my buddies who is a US Marshal. I asked him if anything new was happening. He said that something very shocking, and disturbing was happening in America. he told me that in Indianapolis, NY, Vegas, LA, and Detroit the US Marshals were preparing for a rebelion in all of those cities. Also, if anyone has heard, the US Military is bringing back 40,000 tanks in a few months. So, I believe that we, the people, should protect our homes, families, and rights.
GOD BLESS US ALL!!!!!
GOD BLESS US ALL!!!!!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
We've come a long way!
This photo was taken around the turn of the century of Hinkle Creek. The stained glass windows were installed in 1905, so this shows a time prior to that. Enjoy!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Becoming Friends with Your Feelings
A friend e-mailed this to Me today and I thought I'd share it, I think it's good and in my case, true.
I often hear people ask, "How are you feeling today?" The common answer is, "Fine." It was a good question, but not a good answer. Why do we ignore our feelings or camouflage them with such words as "fine" or "not so well"? Feelings are a part of who we are. We have emotions because we are made in the image of God.
How dull life would be if we had no feelings. Imagine watching a sunset, a ball game, or the ocean and feeling no emotion. Feelings are a gift of God to help us enjoy life and process pain. Certainly sometimes we feel lonely, disappointed, and frustrated, but these emotions push us to take constructive action. Pause and thank God for whatever emotion you are presently feeling. Ask Him to guide your actions.
Some Christians are critical of their emotions. They will say, "Don't trust your emotions. Faith, not feelings, is the road to spiritual growth." Why are we so critical of our emotions? In Mark chapter three, Jesus felt anger and sorrow. Is that bad? I don't think any of us would condemn Jesus for having emotions. Then why do we condemn ourselves?
God gave us emotions for growth, maturity, fulfillment, and enjoyment. Feelings were made to be our friends. If it is a negative emotion, it means something needs attention. It is like the red light that appears on the dash when your car needs oil. We don't curse the light; we give attention to the problem. Why not do the same with your emotions? If you take constructive actions, emotions have served their purpose.
I often hear people ask, "How are you feeling today?" The common answer is, "Fine." It was a good question, but not a good answer. Why do we ignore our feelings or camouflage them with such words as "fine" or "not so well"? Feelings are a part of who we are. We have emotions because we are made in the image of God.
How dull life would be if we had no feelings. Imagine watching a sunset, a ball game, or the ocean and feeling no emotion. Feelings are a gift of God to help us enjoy life and process pain. Certainly sometimes we feel lonely, disappointed, and frustrated, but these emotions push us to take constructive action. Pause and thank God for whatever emotion you are presently feeling. Ask Him to guide your actions.
Some Christians are critical of their emotions. They will say, "Don't trust your emotions. Faith, not feelings, is the road to spiritual growth." Why are we so critical of our emotions? In Mark chapter three, Jesus felt anger and sorrow. Is that bad? I don't think any of us would condemn Jesus for having emotions. Then why do we condemn ourselves?
God gave us emotions for growth, maturity, fulfillment, and enjoyment. Feelings were made to be our friends. If it is a negative emotion, it means something needs attention. It is like the red light that appears on the dash when your car needs oil. We don't curse the light; we give attention to the problem. Why not do the same with your emotions? If you take constructive actions, emotions have served their purpose.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
lighthearted parody of current Christian issues
http://sacredsandwich.com/
Check out this WebSight, it's really interesting, I like it. It's smart and funny.
I found the below paragraph at the site listed above. (Under Introduction)It explains their philosophy, which is not a joke.)
It is the considered opinion of The League of Tyndale that the most grave crisis facing the church today is the subtle downgrading of the Bible as the infallible and inerrant truth of God for which Christians must faithfully heed. More and more, it seems, churches and the professed Christians within those institutions are being driven more by the culture and philosophy of these postmodern times than by the eternal truth of God’s Word. At best, the Bible is being used as nothing more than a collection of quaint adages to be used in self-help programs for personal fulfillment. At worst, church groups are abandoning the Bible as their study guide and using prepared courses based on “Christian” bestsellers that often use humanistic psychology and New Age mysticism as the foundation of their teachings. It is for this very reason that the Fellows have produced this publication. It is our call to the visible Church that we turn from the so-called “wisdom” of the world and acknowledge the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in all matters of faith and practice.
Check out this WebSight, it's really interesting, I like it. It's smart and funny.
I found the below paragraph at the site listed above. (Under Introduction)It explains their philosophy, which is not a joke.)
It is the considered opinion of The League of Tyndale that the most grave crisis facing the church today is the subtle downgrading of the Bible as the infallible and inerrant truth of God for which Christians must faithfully heed. More and more, it seems, churches and the professed Christians within those institutions are being driven more by the culture and philosophy of these postmodern times than by the eternal truth of God’s Word. At best, the Bible is being used as nothing more than a collection of quaint adages to be used in self-help programs for personal fulfillment. At worst, church groups are abandoning the Bible as their study guide and using prepared courses based on “Christian” bestsellers that often use humanistic psychology and New Age mysticism as the foundation of their teachings. It is for this very reason that the Fellows have produced this publication. It is our call to the visible Church that we turn from the so-called “wisdom” of the world and acknowledge the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in all matters of faith and practice.
Last evening
We just want to thank everyone who came out for the weiner roast and Bible Study last evening. I think this was the best turn out ever! Someone told me they counted 35 people here enjoying the evening. The food was great, the Bible Study was thought provoking, and Mike's music on the guitar and singing was so awesome around the campfire. It just blessed me to see everyone enjoying themselves along with all the kids playing ball and the little ones just wearing themselves out exploring every inch of the property. Even Evan Chambers had a smile on his face all evening! I think I ate too many "smores" - almost needed one of Paulette's insulin shots!
I just wish more people could come to these and be a part of this great time together. I'm always so happy when we can do these outside, but summer is slowly slipping away and it won't be long until we will be inside keeping warm. Guess it doesn't matter where we meet as long as we are all together. I never dreamed that these would be so successful and how it is bringing everyone so much closer together. Thank you everyone for a wonderful evening!
I just wish more people could come to these and be a part of this great time together. I'm always so happy when we can do these outside, but summer is slowly slipping away and it won't be long until we will be inside keeping warm. Guess it doesn't matter where we meet as long as we are all together. I never dreamed that these would be so successful and how it is bringing everyone so much closer together. Thank you everyone for a wonderful evening!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Web Surfing
I was Web Surfing and I found this:I did not write it.
http://www.guitarjams.net/whyamiachristian.html
Okay, now, in brief… here are the TOP SIX reasons I'm a Christian!
REASON SIX: LOGIC...
If you believe what the Bible says about God, i.e. that HE is perfect in EVERY WAY (morally, ethically, spiritually, relationally, etc.)… then you have to begin to see how that's a bad thing for us… BECAUSE WE AREN'T THAT! Here's the deal... have you ever had ONE sinful thought, said ONE sinful thing, stubbed you toe and said "*)&%&*!!!" ? Well, then you're done dude! You are toast! You are doomed to be cut off from God's perfectly holy presence for eternity! THAT'S THE BAD NEWS. THE GOOD NEWS is this... God is not only perfectly holy, he's perfectly loving! And His love for us motivated Him to created a WAY FOR US TO BE FORGIVEN for our sin… so that we wouldn't have to be cut off from Him. That's what Jesus' death on the cross is all about. Jesus took your place… He took your sin (and mine) upon himself and paid the price God demanded for sin. So, that when we receive him as Savior and Lord (be sure to read the article WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?) God applies Jesus' sacrifice to US and--whalla! Our sins are PAID FOR! And we are WELCOME in God's presence!
The Bottom Line on the LOGIC thing is this: When it's all said and done there will only be two groups of people who will stand before God's judgment seat: 1) Those who will be judged based on their "performance" (and if they were PERFECT they'll be allowed to enter Heaven! …but that leaves me out… bummer!), and 2) Those who will be judged on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice (i.e. those who acknowledged their sin and need for forgiveness and trusted Jesus as Savior)… And they will enter Heaven NOT ON THEIR OWN MERIT, but on the merit of JESUS! Now that does include me! And I hope it includes you too!
REASON FIVE: EXPERIENCE...
In my heart I've just always known that there has to be a God. Before I was a Christian I just read, heard, thought, felt, saw… experienced all kinds of things that pointed to the fact that this universe didn't just APPEAR out of thin air… there's too much order, structure, logic and creativity woven into every part of the cosmos for it to have just BIG BANGED into existence! And since I've become a Christian God's Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart REGULARLY… encouraging me, convicting me of sin… moving me to seek forgiveness… to serve others… to love people more… to stand up in firm confidence for God… etc. I.e. I've experienced the presence of God! And it's awesome!
REASON FOUR: FORGIVENESS...
I've sort of already covered this one… but I had to say it again! I just love the whole idea of the Gospel (the good news about Jesus' death on the cross for our sins!). I know that I know that I know… that I am FORGIVEN, accepted, loved and welcomed by God because of what Jesus, my Savior and Lord has done for me… that gives me so much strength in life… WOW… it's just plain awesome!
REASON THREE: FELLOWSHIP...
God is a relational God… i.e. He wants friends, people to talk to, be with, share with… that's God's nature! The Bible says that God created us IN HIS IMAGE (Gen. 1:26-28). Now there's lots that could be said about "being created in God's image…" but certainly part of what it means to be made in Gods' image is that we are RELATIONAL BEINGS. We long for friendship, other people that we can know, talk to, listen to, share with, etc. People go to bars all the time and drink to MEET PEOPLE! Singles pay tons of money to all kinds of organizations to MEET PEOPLE… we long for genuine, heart to heart companionship. The Bible speaks of something called koinonia (a Greek word that's usually translated "fellowship" in English). Koinonia is much more than just hanging out and talking! It's a kindred spirit of love for one another that is produced by the Holy Spirit among Christians. I.e. when Christians are willing to open up and really share their hearts with one another-something awesome happens! They bless one another, encourage one another, strengthen one another's faith, help each other heal emotional wounds or insecurities, strengthen resolve, self-image and passion for God, etc. This is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of each person that trust's Jesus as Savior and Lord! It's an awesome thing!
REASON TWO: JOY...
Joy is NOT happiness. Happiness is based on circumstances. If things go well, or if I get what I want (i.e. if circumstances are favorable) then I'm HAPPY! But if things go bad… then I'm NOT happy. The Joy of the Lord is NOT based on circumstances. It is based on our understanding that God is good… that He is with us always (through the good, the bad, the ups and the downs of life), they He has a good plan for our life and our eternity… that He has forgiven us and accepts us as His children because of Jesus. When you walk around with that awareness in your heart-it produces an inner strength within you that allows you to have JOY no matter what the circumstances are! That why you read about martyrs who JOYFULLY endured persecution for God! The Bible says that the "joy of the Lord is our strength" (Neh. 8:10)! And in Hebrews 12:2 it says that Jesus endured the cross because of the "joy set before Him", i.e. he went to the cross with his eyes fixed on the Joy that would be His AFTERWARD! As Christians we can endure any struggles by fixing out eyes on Christ and on the JOY that will be ours eternally AFTER this life… or after whatever struggle we are facing is over! JOY… awesome!
REASON ONE: PURPOSE AND MEANING IN LIFE...
This is so huge! What motivates you to get out of bed every morning? Do you know what you are on planet earth? What's your purpose in life! Those are HUGE questions! And as a Christian-God answers EVERYONE OF THEM AND MORE! I know that I was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28). I know that God has good plans for my life (Jer. 29:11). I know that God has good works for ME to perform (Eph. 2:10). I know that God will reward my efforts for Him (Heb. 6:10 and 11:6), I know that God has gifted ME for ministry (1 Pet. 4:10)… and on and on! Dude, I JUMP out of bed each day eager to see what God has in store for me that day!
Bottom Line: I love being a follower of Jesus for TONS of reasons! And I hope you do too!
http://www.guitarjams.net/whyamiachristian.html
Okay, now, in brief… here are the TOP SIX reasons I'm a Christian!
REASON SIX: LOGIC...
If you believe what the Bible says about God, i.e. that HE is perfect in EVERY WAY (morally, ethically, spiritually, relationally, etc.)… then you have to begin to see how that's a bad thing for us… BECAUSE WE AREN'T THAT! Here's the deal... have you ever had ONE sinful thought, said ONE sinful thing, stubbed you toe and said "*)&%&*!!!" ? Well, then you're done dude! You are toast! You are doomed to be cut off from God's perfectly holy presence for eternity! THAT'S THE BAD NEWS. THE GOOD NEWS is this... God is not only perfectly holy, he's perfectly loving! And His love for us motivated Him to created a WAY FOR US TO BE FORGIVEN for our sin… so that we wouldn't have to be cut off from Him. That's what Jesus' death on the cross is all about. Jesus took your place… He took your sin (and mine) upon himself and paid the price God demanded for sin. So, that when we receive him as Savior and Lord (be sure to read the article WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?) God applies Jesus' sacrifice to US and--whalla! Our sins are PAID FOR! And we are WELCOME in God's presence!
The Bottom Line on the LOGIC thing is this: When it's all said and done there will only be two groups of people who will stand before God's judgment seat: 1) Those who will be judged based on their "performance" (and if they were PERFECT they'll be allowed to enter Heaven! …but that leaves me out… bummer!), and 2) Those who will be judged on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice (i.e. those who acknowledged their sin and need for forgiveness and trusted Jesus as Savior)… And they will enter Heaven NOT ON THEIR OWN MERIT, but on the merit of JESUS! Now that does include me! And I hope it includes you too!
REASON FIVE: EXPERIENCE...
In my heart I've just always known that there has to be a God. Before I was a Christian I just read, heard, thought, felt, saw… experienced all kinds of things that pointed to the fact that this universe didn't just APPEAR out of thin air… there's too much order, structure, logic and creativity woven into every part of the cosmos for it to have just BIG BANGED into existence! And since I've become a Christian God's Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart REGULARLY… encouraging me, convicting me of sin… moving me to seek forgiveness… to serve others… to love people more… to stand up in firm confidence for God… etc. I.e. I've experienced the presence of God! And it's awesome!
REASON FOUR: FORGIVENESS...
I've sort of already covered this one… but I had to say it again! I just love the whole idea of the Gospel (the good news about Jesus' death on the cross for our sins!). I know that I know that I know… that I am FORGIVEN, accepted, loved and welcomed by God because of what Jesus, my Savior and Lord has done for me… that gives me so much strength in life… WOW… it's just plain awesome!
REASON THREE: FELLOWSHIP...
God is a relational God… i.e. He wants friends, people to talk to, be with, share with… that's God's nature! The Bible says that God created us IN HIS IMAGE (Gen. 1:26-28). Now there's lots that could be said about "being created in God's image…" but certainly part of what it means to be made in Gods' image is that we are RELATIONAL BEINGS. We long for friendship, other people that we can know, talk to, listen to, share with, etc. People go to bars all the time and drink to MEET PEOPLE! Singles pay tons of money to all kinds of organizations to MEET PEOPLE… we long for genuine, heart to heart companionship. The Bible speaks of something called koinonia (a Greek word that's usually translated "fellowship" in English). Koinonia is much more than just hanging out and talking! It's a kindred spirit of love for one another that is produced by the Holy Spirit among Christians. I.e. when Christians are willing to open up and really share their hearts with one another-something awesome happens! They bless one another, encourage one another, strengthen one another's faith, help each other heal emotional wounds or insecurities, strengthen resolve, self-image and passion for God, etc. This is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of each person that trust's Jesus as Savior and Lord! It's an awesome thing!
REASON TWO: JOY...
Joy is NOT happiness. Happiness is based on circumstances. If things go well, or if I get what I want (i.e. if circumstances are favorable) then I'm HAPPY! But if things go bad… then I'm NOT happy. The Joy of the Lord is NOT based on circumstances. It is based on our understanding that God is good… that He is with us always (through the good, the bad, the ups and the downs of life), they He has a good plan for our life and our eternity… that He has forgiven us and accepts us as His children because of Jesus. When you walk around with that awareness in your heart-it produces an inner strength within you that allows you to have JOY no matter what the circumstances are! That why you read about martyrs who JOYFULLY endured persecution for God! The Bible says that the "joy of the Lord is our strength" (Neh. 8:10)! And in Hebrews 12:2 it says that Jesus endured the cross because of the "joy set before Him", i.e. he went to the cross with his eyes fixed on the Joy that would be His AFTERWARD! As Christians we can endure any struggles by fixing out eyes on Christ and on the JOY that will be ours eternally AFTER this life… or after whatever struggle we are facing is over! JOY… awesome!
REASON ONE: PURPOSE AND MEANING IN LIFE...
This is so huge! What motivates you to get out of bed every morning? Do you know what you are on planet earth? What's your purpose in life! Those are HUGE questions! And as a Christian-God answers EVERYONE OF THEM AND MORE! I know that I was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28). I know that God has good plans for my life (Jer. 29:11). I know that God has good works for ME to perform (Eph. 2:10). I know that God will reward my efforts for Him (Heb. 6:10 and 11:6), I know that God has gifted ME for ministry (1 Pet. 4:10)… and on and on! Dude, I JUMP out of bed each day eager to see what God has in store for me that day!
Bottom Line: I love being a follower of Jesus for TONS of reasons! And I hope you do too!
Interesting Information
I know the following article is lengthy, but I believe it is worth reading. If you would like to know more, there are several articles about this if you want to "google" "bombing the moon". We were recently made aware that this is going to happen and that it could have catastrophic consequences for the earth. It sounds like some of the events spoken of in prophecy concerning the last days. But, I'll let you decide for yourself. As for me and my household - we intend to be spiritually ready! Bob
NASA Moon Bombing Is Cause For WorryBy Ted Twietmeyer6-22-9
What's NASA up to now? The closer we look at this mad science experiment, the more we can see a bigger, hidden ugly picture.
Our Moon is extremely important to our Earth and our survival. It acts as a flywheel/stabilizer for Earth's non-spherical shape. Simulations show that without the Moon oceans would become dead zones. Tides would no longer ebb and flow, which are vital to numerous forms of life world wide. Many sea turtles, crabs and other animals rely on tides for their survival. This ties directly into our food chain, too.
Apollo missions forty years ago left retro-reflective mirrors on the Moon, to measure its distance relative to Earth. Lasers send out a precisely timed pulse, and can measure the distance to within a fraction of an inch.
Now the National Science Foundation is going to cut funding for the McDonald laser ranging station at Ft. Davis, Texas. [1] We hear of millions to billions of dollars being pissed away by pork barrel projects. And "National Science Foundation" kills this project that consumes a paltry $125,000/year?
Something is very wrong here.
If NASA wanted to continue the project, which they should be doing, they could tell the NSF not to cancel this project. But apparently NASA is remaining silent. Just as they have remained silent about numerous Mars discoveries being made by the ESA Mars mission.
Like many people, I've been quietly watching the Not Always Science Agency. And this latest uncle-axe-job comes about at a very unusual time.
In just a few months, NASA will EXPLODE a TWO TON bomb on the Moon. They claim this is in the interest of paving the way for colonization, and "to find water." Now this is where the NASA nonsense piles up into an ugly heap, like bed sheet wrinkles on a bed made by a 4 year old.
So what's the problem? Here are just a few of the facts that come to light:
1. Exploding a bomb on the moon will displace several miles of Lunar material according to what NASA claims will happen.
2. The displacement of lunar material will follow Newton's law about equal and opposite reaction. This means that an equal force will be exerted on the Moon to match the force it takes to eject miles of material. No one can actually predict what will happen, just as NASA failed miserably predicting the results of another experiment. In a previous mission, a NASA spacecraft fired a high velocity copper warhead penetrator into a comet's core. The results were not what they expected. This is because popular science theory really believes comets are dirty snowballs. Instead, the actual results were already predicted by the electric universe theory. Comets are not dirty snowballs which is something many of us already knew. Yet again, NASA refused to use common sense and look at theories based on real evidence and science, such as the electric universe theory.
3. If the McDonald Moon ranging project is cancelled, no one will be able to measure the displacement of the Moon caused by the explosion. Perhaps this is the idea by cancelling the project.
4. Exploding a bomb on the Moon is against all international laws and treaties. NASA doesn't own the Moon and they never will, and as such have no right to instigate such madness. This madness is on a par with the utterly insane space elevator.
5. Last but not least is the water issue. This is one follows yet another big lie. Almost every book about our solar system claims it is nearly a perfect vacuum. So how does water behave when exposed to a reduced atmosphere? The speed it evaporates (sublimates) is in proportion to the amount of atmosphere present. If a window blows out of a plane at 50,000 ft. water and blood will boil. And that's not even in a very good vacuum.
And here's what it all comes down to water disappears completely in a vacuum. Therefore, the idea of NASA finding water on the Moon by exploding a bomb in a vacuum on the Moon is utterly ridiculous. Heat from the bomb combined with the vacuum will flash-evaporate any trace water so fast it cannot not be measured. No two ton bomb has ever exploded without generating tremendous heat, and this heat will blind infrared sensors. Long before the sub-lunar surface cools off to take a reading, any water will be long gone. So the idea of using a bomb to find water is wrong on many levels.
There also remains an even bigger and more important question what happens if they disturb the Moon's orbit? Few people alive today remember what NASA said when the spent Lunar Landers were ejected and crashed into the Moon. NASA stated that the seismograph instruments the Apollo crew left behind showed that after a Lunar Lander crashed into the Moon, that it "made the Moon ring like a bell for more than 30 minutes." Would this same thing happen if the Moon were made of solid rock?
The Lunar Lander ascent stage weighed just 10,334kg. which is about the equivalent weight of an 11 ton truck.
The mass of the Moon has been calculated to be 7.36 1022 kilograms. That's a 7.36 followed by 22 zeroes.
So how could an 11 ton spacecraft, which weighs even less on the Moon because gravity is 1/6 that of Earth - make 7,360,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms of rock ring for half an hour? Who could believe this?
This appears to strongly prove the Moon MUST be hollow. And if the Moon is actually hollow, it will take far less to disturb its orbit than anyone currently realizes. How many millions of kilograms of force will bombing the Moon generate? We are not being told that figure.
Disturbing the Moon's orbit may cause tidal waves and quite possibly Earthquakes in many zones around the Earth where edges of tectonic plates are already at or near the breaking point of sliding. The stress caused by a sudden shift in the Moon's gravitational pull could be a serious catastrophe. Who knows what it might do to the Yellowstonesuper-volcano which is already heating up and has made larger areas of Yellowstone park unusable.
And if the NASA experiment goes badly wrong (like most NASA projects do the first time NASA tries them) what do they think countries of the world will do? Send a bill to theUSA for damages? Perhaps NASA will do what they usually do. Lie their way out of the problem.
There are several things everyone can do to stop this:
1. Tell NSF they CANNOT cancel the $125k/year McDonald project. Let them cut funding some other useless project, not one as valuable as this project has suddenly become. It is too important to our entire Earth and it can act as a safeguard. Tell NSF the McDonald project should also make measurement data accessible to the public in real time on the internet.
2. Tell NASA they CANNOT even think about Moon bombing until the Moon's mass and interior is better understood, and the Moon is proven to be completely solid and not hollow.
3. The new upcoming Moon mission(s) can be used to acquire new and more accurate data about the Moon and its interior by performing a seismographic survey of the Moon. Such surveys are routinely used by oil companies to prevent mistakes. NASA should swallow their pride and take a lesson from established oil exploration technology that has been used on Earth for about 100 years.
People DO make a difference. There was an attempt by NASA to decommission Hubble a few years ago, but such an outcry sprang up that the telescope's mission was extended several years.
Enough people screaming and yelling will make a difference and stop this project before something bad and irreversible happens. All the evidence and data points to this happening as a real possiblity.
Is bombing the Moon really worth risking orbital stability, killer Earthquakes and the futures of countless life-forms on Earth?
Or creating an irreversible disaster?
Ted Twietmeyer
tedtw@frontiernet.net
www.data4science.net
[1] - http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jun/21/mcdonald-observatory-space-laser-funding
BOMBING THE MOON
What's NASA up to now? The closer we look at this mad science experiment, the more we can see a bigger, hidden ugly picture.
Our Moon is extremely important to our Earth and our survival. It acts as a flywheel/stabilizer for Earth's non-spherical shape. Simulations show that without the Moon oceans would become dead zones. Tides would no longer ebb and flow, which are vital to numerous forms of life world wide. Many sea turtles, crabs and other animals rely on tides for their survival. This ties directly into our food chain, too.
Apollo missions forty years ago left retro-reflective mirrors on the Moon, to measure its distance relative to Earth. Lasers send out a precisely timed pulse, and can measure the distance to within a fraction of an inch.
Now the National Science Foundation is going to cut funding for the McDonald laser ranging station at Ft. Davis, Texas. [1] We hear of millions to billions of dollars being pissed away by pork barrel projects. And "National Science Foundation" kills this project that consumes a paltry $125,000/year?
Something is very wrong here.
If NASA wanted to continue the project, which they should be doing, they could tell the NSF not to cancel this project. But apparently NASA is remaining silent. Just as they have remained silent about numerous Mars discoveries being made by the ESA Mars mission.
Like many people, I've been quietly watching the Not Always Science Agency. And this latest uncle-axe-job comes about at a very unusual time.
In just a few months, NASA will EXPLODE a TWO TON bomb on the Moon. They claim this is in the interest of paving the way for colonization, and "to find water." Now this is where the NASA nonsense piles up into an ugly heap, like bed sheet wrinkles on a bed made by a 4 year old.
So what's the problem? Here are just a few of the facts that come to light:
1. Exploding a bomb on the moon will displace several miles of Lunar material according to what NASA claims will happen.
2. The displacement of lunar material will follow Newton's law about equal and opposite reaction. This means that an equal force will be exerted on the Moon to match the force it takes to eject miles of material. No one can actually predict what will happen, just as NASA failed miserably predicting the results of another experiment. In a previous mission, a NASA spacecraft fired a high velocity copper warhead penetrator into a comet's core. The results were not what they expected. This is because popular science theory really believes comets are dirty snowballs. Instead, the actual results were already predicted by the electric universe theory. Comets are not dirty snowballs which is something many of us already knew. Yet again, NASA refused to use common sense and look at theories based on real evidence and science, such as the electric universe theory.
3. If the McDonald Moon ranging project is cancelled, no one will be able to measure the displacement of the Moon caused by the explosion. Perhaps this is the idea by cancelling the project.
4. Exploding a bomb on the Moon is against all international laws and treaties. NASA doesn't own the Moon and they never will, and as such have no right to instigate such madness. This madness is on a par with the utterly insane space elevator.
5. Last but not least is the water issue. This is one follows yet another big lie. Almost every book about our solar system claims it is nearly a perfect vacuum. So how does water behave when exposed to a reduced atmosphere? The speed it evaporates (sublimates) is in proportion to the amount of atmosphere present. If a window blows out of a plane at 50,000 ft. water and blood will boil. And that's not even in a very good vacuum.
And here's what it all comes down to water disappears completely in a vacuum. Therefore, the idea of NASA finding water on the Moon by exploding a bomb in a vacuum on the Moon is utterly ridiculous. Heat from the bomb combined with the vacuum will flash-evaporate any trace water so fast it cannot not be measured. No two ton bomb has ever exploded without generating tremendous heat, and this heat will blind infrared sensors. Long before the sub-lunar surface cools off to take a reading, any water will be long gone. So the idea of using a bomb to find water is wrong on many levels.
There also remains an even bigger and more important question what happens if they disturb the Moon's orbit? Few people alive today remember what NASA said when the spent Lunar Landers were ejected and crashed into the Moon. NASA stated that the seismograph instruments the Apollo crew left behind showed that after a Lunar Lander crashed into the Moon, that it "made the Moon ring like a bell for more than 30 minutes." Would this same thing happen if the Moon were made of solid rock?
The Lunar Lander ascent stage weighed just 10,334kg. which is about the equivalent weight of an 11 ton truck.
The mass of the Moon has been calculated to be 7.36 1022 kilograms. That's a 7.36 followed by 22 zeroes.
So how could an 11 ton spacecraft, which weighs even less on the Moon because gravity is 1/6 that of Earth - make 7,360,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms of rock ring for half an hour? Who could believe this?
This appears to strongly prove the Moon MUST be hollow. And if the Moon is actually hollow, it will take far less to disturb its orbit than anyone currently realizes. How many millions of kilograms of force will bombing the Moon generate? We are not being told that figure.
Disturbing the Moon's orbit may cause tidal waves and quite possibly Earthquakes in many zones around the Earth where edges of tectonic plates are already at or near the breaking point of sliding. The stress caused by a sudden shift in the Moon's gravitational pull could be a serious catastrophe. Who knows what it might do to the Yellowstonesuper-volcano which is already heating up and has made larger areas of Yellowstone park unusable.
And if the NASA experiment goes badly wrong (like most NASA projects do the first time NASA tries them) what do they think countries of the world will do? Send a bill to theUSA for damages? Perhaps NASA will do what they usually do. Lie their way out of the problem.
There are several things everyone can do to stop this:
1. Tell NSF they CANNOT cancel the $125k/year McDonald project. Let them cut funding some other useless project, not one as valuable as this project has suddenly become. It is too important to our entire Earth and it can act as a safeguard. Tell NSF the McDonald project should also make measurement data accessible to the public in real time on the internet.
2. Tell NASA they CANNOT even think about Moon bombing until the Moon's mass and interior is better understood, and the Moon is proven to be completely solid and not hollow.
3. The new upcoming Moon mission(s) can be used to acquire new and more accurate data about the Moon and its interior by performing a seismographic survey of the Moon. Such surveys are routinely used by oil companies to prevent mistakes. NASA should swallow their pride and take a lesson from established oil exploration technology that has been used on Earth for about 100 years.
People DO make a difference. There was an attempt by NASA to decommission Hubble a few years ago, but such an outcry sprang up that the telescope's mission was extended several years.
Enough people screaming and yelling will make a difference and stop this project before something bad and irreversible happens. All the evidence and data points to this happening as a real possiblity.
Is bombing the Moon really worth risking orbital stability, killer Earthquakes and the futures of countless life-forms on Earth?
Or creating an irreversible disaster?
Ted Twietmeyer
tedtw@frontiernet.net
www.data4science.net
[1] - http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jun/21/mcdonald-observatory-space-laser-funding
God's Love
God is Love: How do we Define Love?
"God is Love", but how do we define it? Some resources love as "an intense affection for another person based on familial or personal ties". We love other people, or we say we love other people, when we are attracted to them and when they make us feel good. Notice that a key phrase in the dictionary definition of love is the phrase "based on". This phrase implies that we love conditionally; in other words, we love someone because they fulfill a condition that we require before we can love them.
Our love is not only conditional, it is also tempermental. We love based on feelings and emotions that can change from one moment to the next.
Can anyone really comprehend "unconditional" love? It seems the love that parents have for their children is as close to unconditional love as we can get without the help of God's love in our lives. We continue to love our children through good times and bad, and we don't stop loving them if they don't meet the expectations we may have for them. We make a choice to love our children even when we consider them unlovable; our love doesn't stop when we don't "feel" love for them. This is similar to God's love for us, but as we shall see, God's love transcends the human definition of love to a point that is hard for us to comprehend.
The Bible tells us that "God is Love" (1 John 4:8). But how can we even begin to understand that truth? There are many passages in the Bible that give us God's definition of love. The most well known verse is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." So one way God defines love is in the act of giving. However, what God gave (or should we say, "who" God gave) was not a mere gift-wrapped present; God sacrificed His only Son so that we, who put our faith in His Son, will not spend eternity separated from Him. This is an amazing love, because we are the ones who choose to be separated from God through our own sin, yet it's God who mends the separation through His intense personal sacrifice, and all we have to do is accept His gift.
Another great verse about God's love is found in Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." In this verse and in John 3:16, we find no conditions placed on God's love for us. God doesn't say, "as soon as you clean up your act, I'll love you; " nor does He say, "I'll sacrifice my Son if you promise to love Me." In fact, in Romans 5:8, we find just the opposite. God wants us to know that His love is unconditional, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us while we were still unlovable sinners. We didn't have to get clean, and we didn't have to make any promises to God before we could experience His love. His love for us has always existed, and because of that, He did all the giving and sacrificing long before we were even aware that we needed His love.
God is Love: It's Unconditional
God is Love, and His love is very different from human love. God's love is unconditional, and it's not based on feelings or emotions. He doesn't love us because we're lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son (who also willingly died for us) to restore that relationship.
"God is Love", but how do we define it? Some resources love as "an intense affection for another person based on familial or personal ties". We love other people, or we say we love other people, when we are attracted to them and when they make us feel good. Notice that a key phrase in the dictionary definition of love is the phrase "based on". This phrase implies that we love conditionally; in other words, we love someone because they fulfill a condition that we require before we can love them.
Our love is not only conditional, it is also tempermental. We love based on feelings and emotions that can change from one moment to the next.
Can anyone really comprehend "unconditional" love? It seems the love that parents have for their children is as close to unconditional love as we can get without the help of God's love in our lives. We continue to love our children through good times and bad, and we don't stop loving them if they don't meet the expectations we may have for them. We make a choice to love our children even when we consider them unlovable; our love doesn't stop when we don't "feel" love for them. This is similar to God's love for us, but as we shall see, God's love transcends the human definition of love to a point that is hard for us to comprehend.
The Bible tells us that "God is Love" (1 John 4:8). But how can we even begin to understand that truth? There are many passages in the Bible that give us God's definition of love. The most well known verse is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." So one way God defines love is in the act of giving. However, what God gave (or should we say, "who" God gave) was not a mere gift-wrapped present; God sacrificed His only Son so that we, who put our faith in His Son, will not spend eternity separated from Him. This is an amazing love, because we are the ones who choose to be separated from God through our own sin, yet it's God who mends the separation through His intense personal sacrifice, and all we have to do is accept His gift.
Another great verse about God's love is found in Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." In this verse and in John 3:16, we find no conditions placed on God's love for us. God doesn't say, "as soon as you clean up your act, I'll love you; " nor does He say, "I'll sacrifice my Son if you promise to love Me." In fact, in Romans 5:8, we find just the opposite. God wants us to know that His love is unconditional, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us while we were still unlovable sinners. We didn't have to get clean, and we didn't have to make any promises to God before we could experience His love. His love for us has always existed, and because of that, He did all the giving and sacrificing long before we were even aware that we needed His love.
God is Love: It's Unconditional
God is Love, and His love is very different from human love. God's love is unconditional, and it's not based on feelings or emotions. He doesn't love us because we're lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son (who also willingly died for us) to restore that relationship.
Open Spots.....Family Camp
Are you looking for a weekend away?
Are you looking for some time with friends?
Wonderful food, fellowship, and time with God?
We would like to encourage anyone that hasn't signed up to be apart of Quaker Haven Family Camp to sign up. We have a spots open and would love to have more of our friends be apart of this wonderful planned weekend. If you have even thought about it and need some questions answered please contact Trish Butcher or Heather Browning.
Camp Dates: September 11-13.
Are you looking for some time with friends?
Wonderful food, fellowship, and time with God?
We would like to encourage anyone that hasn't signed up to be apart of Quaker Haven Family Camp to sign up. We have a spots open and would love to have more of our friends be apart of this wonderful planned weekend. If you have even thought about it and need some questions answered please contact Trish Butcher or Heather Browning.
Camp Dates: September 11-13.
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