tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65054851246245107082024-03-14T00:20:59.351-07:00Pupperville PonderingsShort stories/lessons to make you ponder God's Word, based on the residents of Pupperville - the make believe town where my puppets dwell.Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-45826843654948927972015-11-15T12:11:00.000-08:002015-11-15T12:11:14.646-08:00FOUND ALIVE
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“We could have
been rich.” Stella Peterson kept mumbling to her self as she sat
moping in the food court at the mall. She was not having a good day,
in fact she was having a lousy day and it wasn't because her brother
Harold had been kidnapped and held for ransom. “So, what's your
problem?” came a familiar voice. It was Daisy Smith who happened
to walk by and see Stella pouting.
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Before Stella could
answer, Daisy said “By the way, is your dad around? I was hoping
to stop by your house later to talk to him about Harold.” “Don't
bother stopping by.” Stella said in return, “He won't be around
for awhile. He went on a camping trip to the mountains.” “Huh?”
Daisy responded, “But what about Harold?”</div>
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“He took Harold
with him.” Stella said, “In fact, Harold’s the reason they
went.” “But I thought Harold was kidnapped?” Daisy said
somewhat surprised at what she heard. “He was!” Stella snapped,
“And as far as I’m concerned they should have left him kidnapped.</div>
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“How did he get
Harold back?” Daisy asked wanting to know, “I know your dad
didn’t have the formula.” “He made one up?” Stella said with
a sigh. “What?” Daisy exclaimed, “Your dad doesn’t know
anything about Chemistry. His formula could have created a dilemma
worse then, then…...” “Don't worry.” Stella interrupted,
“The kidnapper's never got a chance to see it.” “Then how did
he get free?” Daisy asked</div>
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“The FBI found
him first.” Stella said. “Marvelous.” Daisy said, “How did
they do that?” “I guess the kidnapper's were stupid like my
brother.” Stella said, “Do you remember the ransom note they
sent? Well apparently the kidnapper used one of his magazines to cut
up and make all the words.”</div>
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“Yeah,” Daisy
said shaking her head, “I remember hearing about that.”</div>
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“Well,” Stella
continued, “When the FBI peeled off all the words and letters, they
found an address label on the back side of the word 'live.'” “And
that led them right to Harold was.” Daisy finished. “More or
less.” Stella added, “It did lead them to the kidnapper’s
place, which in turn led them to Harold, but I still don’t see what
the big worry was.”</div>
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“Stella!” Daisy
gasped when she heard that, “He’s your brother.” “But if
they would have just left him where he was,” Stella said, “they
would have been paying us to take him back in a few weeks.” “The
kidnapper said you would never have seen him alive again.” “Oh.”
Stella said looking down at her feet, “No wonder Dad made up that
fake formula.”
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After a long pause,
Daisy started to leave but as she did Stella blurted out, “I still
think they would have payed us ten million dollars to take him back.
We could have been rich.”</div>
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<i> Everyone must
die once, and after that be judged by God.</i> Hebrews 9:27 (TEV) –
We all die. Thankfully Harold was found and his kidnappers didn't get
a chance to kill him and so Harold's death was postponed again but
you know what? We all die. I do not know of any one of us who can
escape that fact. Sarah, Abraham's wife, couldn't either. But even
with the story of one's death there are things that can be learned.
Let us look at Sarah's.</div>
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<i>Sarah lived 127
years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at
Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham
went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up
from before his dead and said to the Hittites, "I am a sojourner
and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying
place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight." The Hittites
answered Abraham, "Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God
among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us
will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your
dead." Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of
the land. And he said to them, "If you are willing that I
should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me
Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah,
which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let
him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place."
Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite
answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in
at the gate of his city, "No, my lord, hear me: I give you the
field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the
sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead." Then
Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. And he said to
Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, "But if you
will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that
I may bury my dead there." Ephron answered Abraham, "My
lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of
silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead."
Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the
silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred
shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the
merchants. So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the
east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the
trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made
over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites,
before all who went in at the gate of his city. After this, Abraham
buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of
Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the
cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a
burying place by the Hittites</i></div>
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Genesis
23:1-20 (ESV)
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</div>
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Here is some thing
we can learn from this story. Even though Abraham had a good
reputation among the people and as a result could have had any place
he wanted for free, His integrity would not let him take advantage of
the situation and he willfully paid a fair price for the land he
wanted. He wasn't in it for gain. Jesus said in Matthew 16:26 <i>For
what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits
his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?</i> (ESV)
It is not earthly things we need to seek after. Colossians 3:1-2
says <i>If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things
that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set
your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
</i>(ESV) In our story above Stella was only interested in what she
could possibly get out of her brother's kidnapping, her mind was set
on earthly things, she had no integrity.</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>
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Proverbs
3:3-4 <i>Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind
them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So
you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man</i>.
(ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
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Proverbs 10:9
<i>Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his
ways crooked will be found out.</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
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Proverbs 11:3
<i>The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of
the treacherous destroys them.</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<b>Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
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When
something bad happens to others do you look to profit from it?</div>
</li>
<li>
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In what ways
doe your integrity show?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-65839100827951373712015-05-09T06:39:00.000-07:002015-05-09T06:39:12.974-07:00THE UNWANTED LETTER
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<b> </b>“How many of you
like to get mail?” Randy Smith asked as he opened up the men's
Thursday night Bible study. “I know I do, unless of course the
mail is a bill asking me for money.” Upon hearing that a chuckle
arose from the guys in the room. “Speaking of bills,” Randy
continued, “Has anyone seen Bill? He's usually here early checking
over the snacks.”
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“Randy.” Came
Bill's voice. He was shacking like crazy and stuttering as he spoke,
“I….I….I...” he said. Is something wrong, Bill?” Randy
asked, “You're shaking worse than a ...” “I got a letter in the
mail.” Bill said cutting Randy off. “A letter in the mail!”
Randy exclaimed, “That's great because you can help me with...”
“NO!” Bill shouted.</div>
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“What?” Randy
said taken aback, “You've helped me before.” “NO!” Bill
shouted again, “You don''t understand.” “Come on Bill,” Randy
said, “It won’t be that hard, and you’re among friends, you
don’t need to keep stuttering and shaking. Why don't you tell us
about your letter.”
</div>
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<br />
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With his head bowed
low, Bill started to read the letter. “Dear Bill,” he read.
“Sounds like a normal opening.” Randy injected. “If you ever
want to see..” Bill continued. “There’s a lot of things I would
like to see.” Randy added. “Your Son again.” Bill said. “The
sun is outside right ... “ Randy started to say but then stopped
and asked, “Bill, how did they spell sun?”</div>
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“S - O – N”
Bill spelled out. “What?” Randy said, “What kind of letter is
that?” “A ransom letter.” Bill said. “A ransom letter?”
Randy said a bit confused. “They said I would never see Harold
alive again if I didn’t give them the formula.” “You're
sounding serious.” “John McDonald said, “Are you sure this is
for real?”</div>
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</div>
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“I'm scared.”
Bill said. “What did they say they wanted?” Dr. Henderson asked.
“The formula.” Bill answered, “The one that created the
Peterson disease.” “But you don't have that.” Tim said, “We
couldn't even replicate it in the hospital lab.” “What am I
going to do?” Bill asked, “I’ll never see Harold alive again.”</div>
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</div>
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“Why wasn't I
informed about this.” Sergeant Halfway piped up. “Did the letter
say why they wanted the formula?” “No” Bill said, “It just
ended with a big Ha, Ha, Ha.” “Did the letter say who it was
from?” Sergeant Halfway asked. “No.” Bill Said, “Not only
that but the letter was made form words and letters from Magazines,
so the FBI can’t even cross check the hand writing.”</div>
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“FBI!?”
Sergeant Halfway shouted, “How did they find out about this before
I did?” “Your fellow officers have been trying to get a hold of
you all day.” Bill said, “Is your radio on?” After making a
quick check, “Sergeant Halfway gulped, “It is now. I better get
to the station and see if I can help.” “And I think, instead of
talking about letters tonight.” Randy added, “We should simply
pray.”</div>
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</div>
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<i> The LORD visited
Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised.
And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time
of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son
who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.</i></div>
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Genesis
21:1-3 (ESV)
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God had promised
Abraham that he would one day have a son with his wife Sarah, a
promise that he kept but then came the test. How much did Abraham
really Love Isaac, Would he trust God to see him through, and would
he see his son alive when all was done?</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<i>After these
things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And
he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your
only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and
offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which
I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning,
saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his
son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and
went to the place of which God had told him. … And Abraham took the
wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took
in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them
together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!"
And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold,
the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a
burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built
the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son
and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached
out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel
of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham,
Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do
not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know
that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only
son, from me." ...</i></div>
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Genesis
22:1-19 (ESV)</div>
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<br />
</div>
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There are some
things we can learn from this story, there are things we can look at
and ponder such as…</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>
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We will be
tested</div>
<ul>
<li>
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Exodus 20:20
<i>Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to
test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not
sin.</i>" (ESV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Psalm 11:5
<i>The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and
the one who loves violence.</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
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Obedience is
required</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Deuteronomy
32:46 <i>he said to them, "Take to heart all the words by
which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your
children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law.</i>
(ESV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Joshua 1:8
<i>This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you
shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to
do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Faith Will Be
Needed</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hebrews 11:6
<i>And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever
would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who seek him</i>. (ESV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2
Corinthians 5:7 <i>for we walk by faith, not by sight</i>. (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
have you been tested?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
do you trust the Lord to see you through times of testing?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-28972977450474465192015-04-18T06:05:00.000-07:002015-04-18T06:05:16.049-07:00SPLITTING STUFF UP<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> </b>“Why would they
be putting in a nursery?” Stella Peterson kept asking her self, “Is
their mom going to have another baby?” And the more she pondered
the questions the more curious she became until she decided she
needed to get to the bottom of this and took off for the Miller
house. Before she could even get to the front door, Mindy came
running at her screaming “HELP!! HELP!! HELP!!”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What's wrong,
Mindy?” Stella asked as she was plowed into. “Its MOM” Mindy
said, “She keeps siding with Cindy.” “Siding with Cindy?”
Stella said, “What are you talking about?” “We're trying to
divide up our stuff and MOM keeps siding with Cindy.” “And that's
a problem?” Stella asked. “It is when she keeps letting her have
all the neat stuff.” Mindy replied.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Like what?”
Stella asked. “Like all the stuff that is actually mine.” Cindy
answered running up to them. “And don't believe a word Mindy tells
you.” “It is not yours!” Mindy said. “It is too.” Cindy
answered back, “And Mom even agrees with me.” “That's because
she likes you best.” Mindy snorted “Probably because you’re
such a neat freak and take care of all your stuff.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well,” Cindy
said, “If you would take care of your stuff, maybe you would have
something to claim as your own.” “So, who's stuff is it?”
Stella asked, “Is it yours, Mindy or is it Cindy's?” “Well, I
use it sometimes.” Mindy started to say. “Only because yours is
broke.” Cindy said cutting her off. “So what.” Mindy said, “I
don't care.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That's just the
problem.” Cindy said, “You don't care. I tell you what. I have
an idea. Why don't I just give you all my stuff.” “What”?
Mindy and Stella said in unison. “What are you plotting?” Stella
tacked on. “I just got to thinking.” Mindy said, “Stuff only
crowds up my room, besides I don’t use most of the stuff, so I’ll
just give it to you so we can live in peace.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh no you
don’t.” Mindy shouted “I insist.” Cindy said politely,
“Besides, we need to get our old room cleaned out for Mom to make
her nursery.” “There you go talking about a nursery again.”
Stella said when she heard that, “Is your mom having a baby?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No.” Cindy
said, “Our mom is going into daycare.” “And to think Cindy
thought Mom was going to have a baby.” Mindy tacked on. “You
thought she was too.” Cindy said. “Did not.” Mindy added, “Did
too.” Cindy snapped back. “You both did.” Stella injected,
“And I guess I did too.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“By the way,
Mindy,” Cindy said, “Mom said you need to go finish cleaning.”
“What do you have left to clean, Cindy?” Stella asked, “Oh, I'm
done.” Cindy said, “I'm heading to the park. Do you want to go
with me?” “Sure.” Stella said and the Cindy and here took off
running and skipping to the park. “Oh, no you don't!” Mindy
hollered after them, “Get back here. I'm not going to let you get
away that easy.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>And Abimelech
said, "Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases
you." </i>- Genesis 20:15 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Abraham had
traveled to Gerar where he had caused problems for Abimelech. Once
the problem was solved, Abimelech let Abraham stay. While there,
Sarah gave birth to Isaac but now Abimelech comes back and another
problem needs to be solved.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>At that time
Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God
is with you in all that you do. Now therefore swear to me here by
God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or
with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will
deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned." And
Abraham said, "I will swear." When Abraham reproved
Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized,
Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing; you did
not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today." So
Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two
men made a covenant. Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart.
And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these
seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?" He said, "These
seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a
witness for me that I dug this well." Therefore that place was
called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. So they
made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander
of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines.
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the
name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned many
days in the land of the Philistines.</i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
21:22-34 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like Cindy, Like
Abraham, sometimes we need to take the initiative and make peace, we
need to work to solve problems. To solve problems we should...</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Use wisdom as
Solomon did – 1 Kings 3:16-28 tells how he used wisdom to solve
the problem of which of two women was a baby's true mother.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Work Together
as the Apostles and Elders did - Acts 15:1-29 tells of a problem
that revolved around rules that should be followed and how the
Apostles and Elders got together to solve the problem.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Solve it
quickly as Jesus taught – Matthew 5:23-26, part of the Sermon on
The Mount, tells tells how we should solve problems quickly, before
things get worse.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be humble and
think of others as better than self - Philippians 2:3 <i>Don't be
selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble,
thinking of others as better than yourself. </i>(NLT)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Strive for
peace - Romans 12:18 <i>Do your part to live in peace with everyone,
as much as possible.</i> (NLT)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
do you work toward peace?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
do you stop peace from happening?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-57923255791135689732015-04-04T07:49:00.000-07:002015-04-04T07:49:12.900-07:00A TIME TO SPLIT UP<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> </b>Mindy and Cindy
Miller are identical twin sisters but only a few people can tell them
apart at first glance. Stella Peterson thought she was one of them
but when she bumped into them at the mall she got them all mixed up.
“What are you doing at the mall?” one of the twins asked Stella.
“My mom though she needed me to help her do some shopping.”
Stella said, “But somehow I managed to lose her. This is suppose
to be our meeting point if we got separated.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sounds about
right.” Mindy said. “Our mom drug us down here to help her do
some shopping as well.” “Yeah,” Cindy added, “She wanted us
to help her get some stuff for the move.” “MOVE!” Stella
gasped, “What in the world are you talking about?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We're moving.”
Mindy said, “And if all goes well we will be moving by the end of
next week.” “But you can't move.” Stella said, “You're my
friends and I'll miss you and....” “Hold on, hold on.” Mindy
interrupted, “We’re not moving, moving were just moving.”
“What?” Stella asked with a confused look on her face, “That
doesn't make sense.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“She means we're
getting new bedrooms.” Cindy said. “So, You're not really
moving, moving you're just moving.” Stella said. “I get it.”
“Yeah,” Mindy added, “And mine is going to be in the attic, and
hers is going to be in the basement.” “And its all her fault.”
Cindy added. “It is not.” Mindy shot back, “It's your fault.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, if you
would keep your stuff picked up we probably wouldn’t have to move.”
Cindy said. “Well, if you would quit throwing my stuff in the
garbage.” Mindy continued. “Alright” Stella injected, “I
didn't mean to start you two arguing, especially here in the mall.”
“But it is her fault.” Mindy said. “No it's not.” Cindy
countered, “It's yours because you're a slob.” “Can I help it
that your such a neat freak.” Mindy said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I am not a
freak.” Cindy protested, “Besides, Mom and Dad are always telling
us to keep our room clean, and to do our school work.” “But
that’s too much work.” Mindy protested this time. Trying to keep
this from becoming a big argument, Stella quickly asked, “So,
what’s going to happen to the room you’re in now?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Mom said she was
going to turn it into a nursery.” Cindy said. “That's why we're
here. She wants us to help her pick out some wallpaper, some
decorations and some furniture.” “What is your mom going to do
with a nursery?” Stella asked. “What do you think you do with a
nursery.” Cindy snickered, “She going …..” “Oh no.” Mindy
interrupted, “She can't be.” “MOM!” the twins hollered
together and took off. “Does this mean what I think it means.”
Stella said with her eyes growing as big as saucers.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Now Sarai,
Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian
servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, "Behold
now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my
servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her." And
Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten
years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the
Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife.
And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she
had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. And Hagar
bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar
bore, Ishmael. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
16:1-4,15 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God had promised
Abraham a son but when Sarah wasn't getting pregnant, she devised a
plan to have Hagar get pregnant for her, she did and now, many years
later, after Sarah had her promised son, problems arose. Here is the
story</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> The LORD visited
Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised.
And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time
of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son
who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. … And the child
grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that
Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom
she had borne to Abraham, laughing. So she said to Abraham, "Cast
out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman
shall not be heir with my son Isaac." And the thing was very
displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to
Abraham, "Be not displeased because of the boy and because of
your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you,
for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. And I will make a
nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your
offspring." So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread
and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder,
along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and
wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin
was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. Then she went
and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a
bowshot, for she said, "Let me not look on the death of the
child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and
wept. And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God
called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What troubles you,
Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will
make him into a great nation." Then God opened her eyes, and
she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water
and gave the boy a drink. And God was with the boy, and he grew up.
He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. He
lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him
from the land of Egypt. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
21:1-21 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this story we
can find a story of conflict between Sarah and Hagar and their sons.
What does the Bible have to say about unnecessary conflict and the arguments that
often pursue.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs
13:10 <i>Pride only leads to arguments, but those who take advice
are wise.</i> (NCV) Can you see potential conflict in the story?
How about between Mindy and Cindy?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
James 4:1
Spells out another source of conflict when he says <i>Do you know
where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the
selfish desires that war within you.</i> (NCV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Acts 5:29
shows us another source - <i>Peter and the other apostles answered,
“We must obey God, not human authority!</i> (NCV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To combat conflict
and arguing or fighting remember the words of Solomon..</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs
26:20 <i>Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict
dies down. </i>(HCSB)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs
17:14 <i>To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute
before it breaks out</i>. (HCSB)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs
15:18<i> A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to
anger calms strife. </i>(HCSB)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
do you stir up conflict?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
to you strive to keep conflict from turning into fighting?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-76042950324551504212015-03-21T09:06:00.001-07:002015-03-21T09:06:30.636-07:00HIDING IN FEAR
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<br />
<b> </b>Everything in
Pupperville was back to normal, or at least, Randy thought. As a
result, he, along with several other church board members, decided to
have a special Sunday evening service to honor Bill Peterson and
encourage him after everything his family had put the town through.
But there was a problem. Bill was missing.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Psst” Martha
called out to Randy from a side room near the front of the church.
“Not yet, Bill” Randy whispered back. “I'm not Bill.” Martha
said in return, “Bill is missing.” “Missing!” Randy shouted
catching the attention of everyone in the congregation. “What do
you mean Bill is missing?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He's missing.”
Martha repeated.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He can't be.”
Randy said. “I asked him this morning to help me tonight. I was
going to have him tell me more about his past experiences with the
Peterson disease. He said he would.” “Well,” Martha said,
“He's missing. He's disappeared. He's gone.” “But he can't be.
He's suppose to be helping me.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think he went
into hiding.” Martha said, “Hiding?” Randy said, “What would
he be hiding from?” Martha pointed to the people in the church and
said “Them, He's hiding from them and everyone else in
Pupperville.” “But why?” Randy asked, “We're here to honor
and encourage him.” I know that.” Martha said, But he doesn't.
He’s afraid that everybody is going dip him in tar and cover him
with feathers and then torture him.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I thought he
told me an angel had told him everything was going to be alright.”
Randy said. “He did.” Martha replied, “But after he stopped to
think about the meeting tonight he panicked and now no one can find
him.” “But there's no one here that wants to tar and feather
him.” Randy said, “In fact, nobody in town wants to tar and
feather him, they want to thank him.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I know that!”
Martha said. “even though I don;t know why?” “It's because of
what Harold did.” Randy said. “After all, It's what Harold did
that brought all of this on.” “Actually,” Martha interrupted,
“Stella was the one. She tried to sabotage Harold's lab and it blew
up and somehow caused the disease.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well,” Randy
said, “Even if that is true, the people still rememberer how Harold
almost died when he came to help the town during the great
conspiracy.” “Yeah, he did do that.” Martha said, “that was a
scary time.” “Not only that,” Randy continued, “But most of
the town’s people think they have better memories now since the
disease hit.” I guess that angel was right.” Martha said. Now
if that angel was just tell me where Bill is hiding.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>The two men said
to Lot, “Do you have any other relatives in this city? Do you have
any sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or any other relatives? If you do,
tell them to leave now, because we are about to destroy this city.
The LORD has heard of all the evil that is here, so he has sent us to
destroy it.“ </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
19:12-13 (NCV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lot was living in
Sodom and Gomorrah but it was soon to be destroyed because it was so
evil. Yet, Lot was hesitant to leave and then his wife turned back
and was turned to salt and now more problems arise. Let's look at
what happens next.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Early the next
morning, Abraham got up and went to the place where he had stood
before the LORD. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all
the Jordan Valley and saw smoke rising from the land, like smoke from
a furnace. God destroyed the cities in the valley, but he remembered
what Abraham had asked. So God saved Lot’s life, but he destroyed
the city where Lot had lived. Lot was afraid to continue living in
Zoar, so he and his two daughters went to live in the mountains in a
cave. One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father
is old. Everywhere on the earth women and men marry, but there are no
men around here for us to marry. Let’s get our father drunk and
have sexual relations with him. We can use him to have children and
continue our family.“ That night the two girls got their father
drunk, and the older daughter went and had sexual relations with him.
But Lot did not know when she lay down or when she got up. The next
day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I had
sexual relations with my father. Let’s get him drunk again tonight
so you can go and have sexual relations with him, too. In this way we
can use our father to have children to continue our family.“ So
that night they got their father drunk again, and the younger
daughter went and had sexual relations with him. Again, Lot did not
know when she lay down or when she got up. So both of Lot’s
daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter gave
birth to a son and named him Moab. He is the ancestor of all the
Moabite people who are still living today. The younger daughter also
gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. He is the father of all
the Ammonite people who are still living today. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
19:27-38 (NCV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After making it out
of Sodom and Gomorrah, thanks to Abraham, and being afraid to stay in
Zoar, Lot heads to the mountains and lives in a cave. His two
daughters, thinking there is no men left, get their father drunk and
then use their father to get themselves pregnant. Both had children
that became problems to Israel and the world event to this day.
There are lessons that can be found here.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We need to
prayer for others to be saved as Abraham prayed for Lot. James 5:16
<i>Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person
has great power as it is working.</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lot didn't
really need to fear when God was looking after him. Neither did
Bill Peterson, neither do we. Isaiah 49:14-16 <i> But Jerusalem
said, “The LORD has left me; the Lord has forgotten me.“ The
LORD answers, “Can a woman forget the baby she nurses? Can she
feel no kindness for the child to which she gave birth? Even if she
could forget her children, I will not forget you. See, I have
written your name on my hand. Jerusalem, I always think about your
walls</i>. (NCV) Hebrews 6:10 <i>God is fair; he will not forget
the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his
people. And he will remember that you are still helping them.</i>
(NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sin can have
a lasting affect. Look what Sodom and Gomorrah did for Lot's
daughters and how the worlds suffers yet today. Proverbs 22:6 <i>Train
up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not
depart from it.</i> (ESV) Ephesians 6:4 <i>Fathers, do not provoke
your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord</i>. (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Here's
Something To Ponder</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Do you needlessly hide in fear?</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Are you willing to trust God when
he says all will be fine?</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-71219261794445094392015-03-14T06:48:00.000-07:002015-03-14T06:48:06.376-07:00THE WAY IT WAS
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<br />
<b> </b>Bill Peterson had
been at church for a long time, a very long time. Ever since an
angel told him everything was going to be alright, he had been at the
church praying. Bill didn't even go home to eat or sleep. When he
got tired he slept on a pew and when he got hungry he went to the
church kitchen or his kids brought him something to eat. As a
result, he had no idea the town had gotten better.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As Bill lay
sleeping on a pew, he was suddenly awakened by a loud “YAHOO!”
FOLLOWED BY “I'm here to round up the cows.” “Not another
farmer running loose.” Bill thought as he sat up to see who it was
he had heard. To his surprise, it was a farmer, or at least a
farmer's daughter. It was Tracy McDonald but Bill couldn't tell if
she was who she was or not.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So, are you some
kind of cow girl rodeo star?” Bill asked “No.” Tracy said
sadly, “I'm me. Boring old Tracy McDonald E I E I O.” “WOW”
Bill Exclaimed in excitement, “Somebody else is themselves.”
“Yeah ha.” Tracy sighed. “But that's great news.: Bill said,
“How about the rest of the town, is it better too?” “Yeah, I
guess so.” Tracy said with a sigh and plopped down on a pew.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Uhm,” Bill
Said, “You don't sound to happy about that.” “It was fun when
everybody was somebody else.” Tracy said. “But it was
dangerous.” Bill reminded told her. “No it wasn't.” Tracy
protested. “But what if there had been a fire.” Bill said, “Who
would have put it out. The fire department thought they were NASCAR
drivers, they would never had come.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, I’m sure
somebody would have thought they were fire fighters and came.”
Tracy said. “But would they have known what to do?” Bill asked.
“And what if somebody needed an emergency operation at the
hospital?” “I guess I wouldn't have wanted my Dad to be the one
doing the operation.” Tracy said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Your dad thought
he was a doctor?” Bill said. “That would have been scary. I've
seen how he takes hooks out of the fish he catches.” “It was
actually kind of funny.” Tracy said, “In fact, all of it was
funny. I wish we were still all sick. I wonder if we could pass the
disease around again.” “No way!” Bill said. I never want to
go through that again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh well,”
Tracy sighed, “I better find that cow and get back home.” “What
cow?” Bill asked, there hasn't been any cows in here.” “There
hasn't?” Tracy said a bit surprised, “I sure I can smell one in
here.” Hearing that Bill started sniffing the air and then himself
and then he started gagging. “I think I'm the one that smells like
your cow. Maybe I should go take a shower. It's been at least two
weeks since I had one.” “No wonder you smell like a cow.”
Tracy said. “I guess I'll get back to the farm.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>So the LORD told
Abraham, "I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are
extremely evil, and that everything they do is wicked. I am going
down to see whether or not these reports are true. Then I will know."</i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
18:20-21 (NLT)
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sodom
and Gomorrah were very wicked and God was going to destroy them.
Abraham had made a pact with God not to destroy it if 10 righteous
people were found therein but how many were there, in there? As it
turned out, there wasn't enough and even those who were allowed to
escape wanted to hold back. Here's the story...</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> That evening the
two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom, and Lot was
sitting there as they arrived. When he saw them, he stood up to meet
them. Then he welcomed them and bowed low to the ground. "My
lords," he said, "come to my home to wash your feet, and be
my guests for the night. You may then get up in the morning as early
as you like and be on your way again." "Oh no," they
said, "we'll just spend the night out here in the city square."
But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. </i><i>A</i><i>s
they were preparing to retire for the night, all the men of Sodom,
young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house.
They shouted to Lot, "Where are the men who came to spend the
night with you? Bring them out so we can have sex with them."
Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him...
"Stand back!" they shouted. "Who do you think you are?
We let you settle among us, and now you are trying to tell us what to
do! We'll treat you far worse than those other men!" And they
lunged at Lot and began breaking down the door. But the two angels
reached out and pulled Lot in and bolted the door. Then they blinded
the men of Sodom so they couldn't find the doorway. "Do you
have any other relatives here in the city?" the angels asked.
"Get them out of this place—sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or
anyone else. For we will destroy the city completely... At dawn the
next morning the angels became insistent. "Hurry," they
said to Lot. "Take your wife and your two daughters who are
here. Get out of here right now, or you will be caught in the
destruction of the city." When Lot still hesitated, the angels
seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and
rushed them to safety outside the city, for the LORD was merciful.
"Run for your lives!" the angels warned. "Do not stop
anywhere in the valley. And don't look back! … Then the LORD rained
down fire and burning sulfur from the heavens on Sodom and Gomorrah.
He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages
of the plain, eliminating all life—people, plants, and animals
alike. But Lot's wife looked back as she was following along behind
him, and she became a pillar of salt. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
19:1-26 (NLT)
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<br />
</div>
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Tracy was better,
the town was better but Tracy wanted the disease back. Lot and his
family didn't want to leave. Lot's wife wanted to turn back. God
wants something different.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God wants us to
leave sin behind us, not stay with it. Hebrews 12:1 says -
<i>T</i><i>herefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of
witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that
slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our
progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set
before us.</i> (NLT) Earlier in the book God says <i>A</i><i>
righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in
anyone who turns away." -</i> Hebrews 10:38 (NLT) In Luke 9:62
Jesus says <i> "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then
looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." </i><span style="font-style: normal;">(NLT)
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">With all of this in mind, why
would one want ot turn back? Why would one want to return to the
ways of sin?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now for some icing
on the cake - 2 Peter 2:20-21 <i> And when people escape from the
wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ and then get tangled up with sin and become its slave again,
they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never
known the right way to live than to know it and then reject the holy
commandments that were given to them. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">(NLT)
</span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do you
hesitate to get away from evil? Why?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When away do
you want to go back “one last time?” Why?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-88868717472763789252015-02-28T05:59:00.000-08:002015-02-28T05:59:04.298-08:00HELP
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<b> </b>Knowing what their
dad was up to, Harold and Stella Peterson starting roaming the
streets in Pupperville looking for somebody that was normal. After
several hours of trying to find some normal people they met up at the
Pizzeria to see if the other had found someone. As they sat down in
a booth, Papa Purple came over to take their order. “I see I
finally have some normal people.” he said “What'll it be.”
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How about
something normal.” Stella said. “This town is driving me crazy.”
“Tell me about.” Papa Purple said sarcastically. “This
morning I heard my mom calling “Here Kitty, kitty, kitty. Here
Kitty, kitty, kitty.” Stella went on to tell, “And we don't even
have a cat. It turned out, she was looking for her lost lions for
tonight's circus act.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I didn't really
mean you had to tell me about it.” Papa purple said. “But if you
are, what can you tell me about the circus or was that not real?”
“Not real.” Stella said. “I wish we could find some normal
people.” “I'm normal.” Papa purple said, “well, sort of. I
guess it depends on who you talk too.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Earlier, I was
over at the church building and I saw Daisy walking around sining
Amazing Grace.” Harold said. “I thought she sounded normal
until I tried to talk to her. I asked her if she was normal and she
said she could write a song about normal and call it 'Normal People
Need Him Too' by Fanny Crosby. She thought she was Fanny Crosby and
when I told her she wasn't she told me I needed to get my eye sight
checked.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“There's not a
normal person in town.” Stella said. “You're normal.” Papa
Purple said. “Of course I am.” Stella said, “The doctors cured
me.” “Well, why don’t they do something about the rest of the
people?” Papa Purple asked. “They can't” Harold answered,
“They’re too busy preparing to go to the moon. The doctors all
think their astronauts.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What about the
nurses?” Papa Purple asked next. “You DON'T want to know.”
Stella said. “And my grandma thinks she's Princess Leah.” “And
the preacher thinks he's Billy Graham.” Harold added, “And the
fire department thinks they're all NASCAR drivers.” “What about
your Dad?” Papa Purple interrupted, “Isn't he normal now?”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Yeah.” Harold
said, “He over at the church praying for everybody.” “And we've
been looking for somebody to pray with him.” Stella added. “Say,
what about you?” Harold added “You could pray with us. By the
way, why haven't you caught the Peterson Disease?” “I have no
idea what you are talking about.” Papa Purple replied, “And why
am I in this crummy pizza joint. Great Chefs like me belong in
Paris.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So much for
pizza.” Harold sighed, “Let's get to the church building.” “I'm
right behind you.” Stella replied.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Abram settled in
the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley
and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were
wicked, great sinners against the LORD. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
13:12-13 (ESV)</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we first
learned of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot had chosen to go live by them and
we were told of their wickedness. Later we learned how Abraham went
to the rescue of Sodom and Gomorrah when Lot was captured. Guess
what? Troubles brewing again for Sodom, Gomorrah and Lot and it Lot
is going to need to be rescued again.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Then the men set
out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went
with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, "Shall I
hide from Abraham what I am about to do, … Then the LORD said,
"Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and
their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done
altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I
will know." So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom,
but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and
said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then
sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are
in it? ... Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I
will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He
answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And
the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and
Abraham returned to his place. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
18:16-33 (ESV)
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God makes a choice
to let Abraham know what He is going to do. Abraham, of course,
knows that Lot is down their and he is concerned that God would
destroy him so, Abraham starts negotiating with God to keep Him from
destroying the righteous and God agrees not to destroy Sodom and
Gomorrah if ten righteous people could be found.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Abraham is not the
only one in the Bible to intercede, to try and help someone else.
Moses did in Exodus 32:31-32 where we read <i>So Moses returned to
the LORD and said, "Alas, this people have sinned a great sin.
They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will
forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that
you have written."</i> (ESV) Even Jesus did many times. One
time He did was in Luke 22:31-32 where He interceded for Simon
(Peter) <i>"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,
that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that
your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen
your brothers."</i> (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God's word tells us
we are to help other by praying for them and to help ourselves by
praying for ourselves as well.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 Timothy
2:1-2 <i> First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for
what they need and being thankful to him. Pray for rulers and for
all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives
full of worship and respect for God.</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Matthew 5:44 <i>
But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.
</i>(NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ephesians
6:18 <i>Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers,
asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready
and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people.</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Philippians
4:6-7 <i>Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for
everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which
is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus.</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How have
others helped you by praying for you?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
do you help other by praying for them?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-40380594807419871622015-02-14T06:27:00.004-08:002015-02-14T06:27:44.548-08:00DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH
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<b> </b>After wandering the
streets of Pupperville for several hours, Papa Purple decided he
better head back to the Pizzeria. Bill Peterson had been sitting in
a comer booth when he appeared to come down with the dreaded Peterson
Disease and took off. Papa Purple had thought he could help the
police find Bill and took off leaving his Pizzeria unattended. Of
course he wasn't too worried as he hadn't had any customers for
several days do to the Peterson disease.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As he walked back
into the pizzeria he was shocked to see Bill Peterson sitting back in
the corner booth where he had been sitting earlier and just like
earlier, he was staring at a glass of water. “Is that you, Bill?”
Papa Purple asked, “Or are you General George Washington?” “Of
course it's me.” Bill answered, “What's it take to get a pizza
around here?”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I thought you
had the Peterson disease?” Papa Purple said to which Bill
immediately let out a loud scream. “Are you okay?” Papa Purple
asked not sure what to do. “You mentioned that, that, that...”
Bill said to which Papa Purple finished by saying “Peterson
disease.” When Bill heard that he let out another loud scream.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But I was sure
you had it.” Papa Purple said. “I did.” Bill said, “But it
has been a very strange day. As I was on my way to Valley Forge, I
met a strange looking man.” “With this disease going around
that's not so strange.” Papa Purple injected. “Yeah,” Bill
Said, “But this man was strange. He was glowing.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Glowing people?”
Papa purple send with a snort, “You are still sick. You need to
get to the hospital.” “But I'm cured.” Bil said, “I don't
really know how but I'm cured. I think it had something to do with
the strange man that showed up. Do you suppose he could have been an
angel?” “Why do you say that?” Papa Purple asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Because of what
he told me.” Bill said, “He told me that I didn’t need to
change my name.” “So.” Papa purple said, “I could have told
you that.” “But,” Protested, Bill, “You're the only one I
told that to. And then the man told me that the whole town was going
to get the disease, but not to worry they would all get better and
thank me.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You definitely
need to get to the hospital.” Papa Purple said, “That message is
way too starnge to be true.” “I thought so too.” Bill said, “I
even started laughing. I told him that it was impossible that
anybody would thank me for all of this.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What happened
after that?” Papa Purple asked. “He disappeared.” Bill
replied, “Into thin air. And then, I found myself healed and
sitting back hear in this booth.” “Wow!” Papa Purple
exclaimed, “That is strange.” “Tell me about it.” Bill said
and then after a short pause he continued, “Wait, I just told you
about it. I need to go. See you later.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>And God said to
Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name
Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I
will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become
nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham
fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child
be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is
ninety years old, bear a child?" </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
17:15-17 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God reaffirmed His
promise to Abraham that Sarah would have a son and Abraham laughed
but he's not the only one to laugh because he though it was
impossible.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>And the LORD
appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his
tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and
behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he
ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth
... And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good,
and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took
curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before
them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said
to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She
is in the tent." The LORD said, "I will surely return to
you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son."
And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and
Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be
with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am
worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" The LORD
said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed
bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD?
At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year,
and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied it, saying, "I
did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you
did laugh." </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
18:1- 14 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Deuteronomy
10:19 God told the people <i>"Therefore love the stranger, for
you were strangers in the land of Egypt.</i> (NKJV) In Romans 12:13
the idea is conveyed again where it says <i>Share with God’s people
who need help. Bring strangers in need into your homes. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">(NCV)
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">Abraham saw what to us appear
to be strangers and he treated them to hospitality. In </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Hebrews
13:2 </span><span style="font-style: normal;">we are reminded </span>
<i>Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it!</i> (NLT)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Have you ever
showed hospitality to a stranger? Have you entertained angels
without knowing it? The angels that Abraham brought a message like
the angel brought to Bill in our Pupperville story, a message that
was hard to believe, a message that made the hearer laugh. While we
could go on to talk about other angelic visits in the Bible, I would
like to focus on the angels words in verse 14 “<i>Is anything too
hard for the LORD?”</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-style: normal;">If
God says He will do something, He will do it because He can do it.</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Jeremiah
32:17 </span><i>Oh, Lord GOD, you made the skies and the earth with
your very great power. There is nothing too hard for you to do.
</i><span style="font-style: normal;">(NCV) </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Matthew
19:26 </span><i>Jesus looked at them and said, “This is something
people cannot do, but God can do all things.</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
(NCV) </span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Luke
1:37 </span><i>For nothing is impossible with God. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">(NLT)
</span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When God
tells you He will do something that seems impossible will you
believe Him or laugh at Him?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In What ways
has God tested you with what seems impossible?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-83237417662264384832015-02-07T06:54:00.000-08:002015-02-07T06:54:27.552-08:00TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style><b> </b>It was a quiet
evening and Bil Peterson sat alone in a corner booth at Papa Purple's
Pizzeria staring at a glass of water. “Are you just going to stare
at that glass of water all night or are you going to order
something?” Bill heard someone say to him. “You've been sitting
here for over an hour.” Looking up, Bill saw it was Papa Purple
himself. “It's quiet in here.” he said.
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Say,” Papa
Purple said, “Aren't you Harold's dad? Boy, can that kid eat
pizza. Wait a minute, I thought you were in jail? Did you escape?”
“No.” Bill said looking back down at his glass of water. “Does
that mean your wife found enough money for your bail?” “Actually,”
Bill said, “Martha talked to the judge and the judge said I really
didn’t need any bail and let me go.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So, how's Harold
and Stella doing?” Papa Purple asked, “I think they were why you
ended up in jail to start with, wasn't it? “They're doing fine.”
Bill responded staring at his glass. “Doc said they could come
home, and they have even been acting themselves again.” “Hmpf.”
Papa purple said, “You are out of jail, your kids are finally well,
and you don’t seem happy. Is there something wrong?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Do you know
anybody who can help us change our name and move to another planet?”
Bill asked. “What are you talking about?” Papa Purple exclaimed,
“Why would you want to do that?” “Because of Stella’s
escape,” Bill said, “Over half the town now has the dreaded
Peterson disease. That's right, the Peterson disease. They named it
after us. I’ll never be able to face anybody again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It can't be that
bad, can it?” Papa Purple asked. “It's worse than that.” Bill
started to explain. “Because of the spread of the disease, the
whole town has been quarantined, and with nobody able to work the
whole town will be ruined, and it’s all going to be blamed on the
Peterson’s, and... and... and... If I don’t change my name soon,
they’re going to cover me with tar and feathers. The Peterson name
has been ruined.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Are you sure of
that?” Papa Purple asked. “Positive.” Bill said. “Well, why
don't you wait and see.” Papa purple said trying to encourage Bill.
“Maybe something good will come out of all this.” “You really
think so?” Bill asked. “Of course.” Papa Purple said,
“Remember when Harold got shot and how it stopped the rebellion?
You never know what God can do with an awful situation.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I suppose you’re
right.” Bill said as he picked up his water glass and finally
drank it. “I... I.... I better get back to valley forge and round
up the troops.” “What did you say?” Papa Purple asked
wondering if he had heard right. “I need to get back to valley
forge and round up the troops.” Bill said. “The Revolutionary
war is going on right now.” and then he got up and left. “Oh,
no.” Papa Purple said, “Now Bill has the disease. I need to warn
someone.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> This is the
account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and
Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot.</i> Genesis 11:27 (NIV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I once heard of a
man who wanted to be rich and famous so he changed his name to “Rich
And Famous” Abram was born and he received his name from someone,
likely his father. While Abram is a very important man, we know him
better by a different name for his name was also changed, changed by
God.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> When Abram was
ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I
am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my
covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." Then
Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, "Behold, my
covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of
nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name
shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of
nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you
into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my
covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout
their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and
to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your
offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of
Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."
And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my
covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their
generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me
and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be
circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins,
and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. … And
God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call
her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and
moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she
shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her."
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall
a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who
is ninety years old, bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "Oh
that Ishmael might live before you!" God said, "No, but
Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name
Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting
covenant for his offspring after him. ... </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
17:1-27 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Could you imagine
being in Abram's place? Can you imagine being 99 years old and
having your name changed? Names are important. They were then and
they are now or at least they should be.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In John chapter 3
John mentions two people by name, one with a good name and the other
not so good.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Demetrius
has received a good testimony</b></i><i> from everyone, and from the
truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our
testimony is true.</i> - 3 John 1:12 (ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I have
written something to the church, but </i><i><b>Diotrephes, who likes
to put himself first</b></i><i>, does not acknowledge our authority.</i>
- 3 John 1:9 (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here's what Solomon
had to say about a good name.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 22:1
<i>A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor
is better than silver or gold. </i>(ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ecclesiastes
7:1 <i>A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of
death than the day of birth.</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Think about the
people around you and what kind of name they have. When you here
their name do you think “That's a great person.” or “That
person's worthless.”? An what do other think of when they hear your
name?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What kind of
name do you have?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What are you
willing to do to have a good name?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-69952920385251090222015-01-24T07:32:00.001-08:002015-01-24T07:32:16.358-08:00GETTING IN THE WAY
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<br />
<b> </b>Helen Grey was
wondering what she should make for supper, not for herself but for
some of the families who's kids had contracted whatever it was that
Stella and Harold had created. Rummaging through her pantry, Helen
didn't hear her daughter come in and she didn't even hear her walk up
behind her until Martha started to sob.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Now, now.”
Helen said putting her arm around Martha, “It's going to be
alright. The doc said they were going to get better.” I know.”
Martha said, “But, but, that's not it.” “Is something else
wrong?” Helen asked as a look of concern came over her face. With
her head bowed low Martha said “Do you have some money I can
borrow?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Money?!” Helen
responded, “Is that all? That's not so bad. How much do you
need?” “Two hundred and fifty.” Martha started to answer.
“That is a little bit.” Martha injected, “But I think I can
help.” “Thousand.” Helen finished saying. Martha pulled away
from Helen and looking her in the eye asked, “Did you say two
hundred and fifty thousand?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah.” Martha
said and started to cry harder. “That's a lot of MONEY!” Helen
said. “I know.” Martha said between her sobs, “But that's what
they said it would cost.” “No wonder you're crying.” Helen
said, I would be too if I had a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar
hospital bill.” “HOSPITAL BILL?” Martha said looking up. “I
forgot about that.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Than what do you
need two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for?” Helen asked in
surprise. “Bill.” Martha said. “What bill?” Helen asked,
“Is there another bill besides the hospital bill?” “My husband
Bill.” Helen said, “He needs the money.” But why does he need
the money?” Martha asked. <br />Because he's in jail.” Helen said,
“He needs it to post bail.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What in the
world is he doing in jail?” Helen said in surprise. “The
hospital had him arrested and put in jail.” Martha said, “He kept
trying to help the doctors cure Harold and Stella.” “Is that so
bad?” Helen asked. “It was.” Martha said, “Because he
thought he knew better than the doctors and kept getting in the way
and making things worse.” “And they put him in jail for that?”
Helen asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It was the only
way they could get him out of the way so they could get their job
done.” Martha said with a sigh. “Well, I'm sorry.” Helen said,
“I don’t have that much money to lend you.” “I didn't think
so.” Helen said “Oh well, well, maybe this way the doctors can
finish curing the kids. See you later. Is there anything I can do
to help you so I can take my mind off of everything.?” “Sure.”
Helen said, “Peel me some potatoes. I think I know what I'm going
to make.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> But Abram said,
“Lord GOD, what can you give me? I have no son, so my slave Eliezer
from Damascus will get everything I own after I die.“ Abram said,
“Look, you have given me no son, so a slave born in my house will
inherit everything I have.“ Then the LORD spoke his word to Abram:
“He will not be the one to inherit what you have. You will have a
son of your own who will inherit what you have.“ - </i>Genesis
15:2-4 (NCV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Abram was going to
make a slave his heir but God said NO! God told Abran he would have
a son of his own but guess what? His wife didn't seem to be having
children, they were getting old and something needed to be done but
who should do it? Should God be allowed or does someone else need to
try and get the job done?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Sarai, Abram’s
wife, had no children, but she had a slave girl from Egypt named
Hagar. Sarai said to Abram, “Look, the LORD has not allowed me to
have children, so have sexual relations with my slave girl. If she
has a child, maybe I can have my own family through her.“ Abram did
what Sarai said. It was after he had lived ten years in Canaan that
Sarai gave Hagar to her husband Abram. (Hagar was her slave girl from
Egypt.) Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became
pregnant. When Hagar learned she was pregnant, she began to treat her
mistress Sarai badly. Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is your
fault. I gave my slave girl to you, and when she became pregnant, she
began to treat me badly. Let the LORD decide who is right—you or
me.“ But Abram said to Sarai, “You are Hagar’s mistress. Do
anything you want to her.“ Then Sarai was hard on Hagar, and Hagar
ran away. The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water
in the desert, by the road to Shur. The angel said, “Hagar,
Sarai’s slave girl, where have you come from? Where are you going?“
Hagar answered, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.“ The
angel of the LORD said to her, “Go home to your mistress and obey
her.“ The angel also said, “I will give you so many descendants
they cannot be counted.“ The angel added, “You are now pregnant,
and you will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, because the LORD
has heard your cries. Ishmael will be like a wild donkey. He will be
against everyone, and everyone will be against him. He will attack
all his brothers.“ ...</i></div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
16:1-16 (NCV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Isaiah 55:6-9 we
read -<i> </i><i>So you should look for the LORD before it is too
late; you should call to him while he is near. The wicked should stop
doing wrong, and they should stop their evil thoughts. They should
return to the LORD so he may have mercy on them. They should come to
our God, because he will freely forgive them. The LORD says, “My
thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways.
Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.</i> (NCV) -
God knows what He is doing but we don't always know. Sometimes we
try to help Him along by “Playing god” ourselves. Trouble
usually follows. In the above story we saw how trouble resulted when
Abram and Sarai tried to help God along.
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In verse 4 we
saw hatred from pride</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In verse 6 we
saw harsh treatment from jealousy</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In verse 12
we saw a curse of trouble that would go on always</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We also see how God
stepped in after things had been messed up.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In verse 11
we see that God knows what He is doing.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In verse 9 we
see that God asks for submission</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In verse 10
we see God make a promise</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways have you tired to help God along as if you knew better?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways had God had to fix things after you've messed them up?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-45941717696817915422015-01-17T07:48:00.001-08:002015-01-17T07:48:39.252-08:00CAN I REALLY BELIEVE IT
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<br />
<b> </b>Somethings are hard
to believe and Robert Grey was having a hard time believing that
January was over half gone already. Robert was also having a hard
time believing what he was reading. As he sat in his rocker paging
through the book he had received for Christmas he kept shouting out
“No Way. That can't be true. I don't believe it.”
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I don't think I
can believe it either.” came a voice that sounded like it was ready
to burst into crying.” It was Bill. “You don't even know what
I'm reading?” Robert said “I'm not talking about what you are
reading.” Bill said, “I'm talking about – what are you
reading?” “Oh,” Robert said, “It some book I got for
Christmas called 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not.' These stories are too
hard too believe.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So is.... So
is.....” Bill started to say and then he did start crying. “This
can't be good.” Robert said to himself and put down his book.
“Bill, is something wrong.” After asking the question three more
times, Robert finally got a broken reply. “It’s Harold and
Stella and that funny virus they made.” Bill said through his
crying.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But there
better.” Robert said, “There's no reason to be crying now.”
“But they're not better.” Bill said still crying. “They're
back in the hospital and, and, and, and they are worse than ever.”
When Robert heard that his heart sank. “Gulp, Tell me you're just
telling me a story to see if I'll believe it or not?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I wish I was.”
Bill said, “But I'm not.” “How bad is it?” Robert asked
feeling as if he might start crying too. “They don’t seem to know
anything now.” Bill said. “And on top of all of that, they have
been running high temps and shaking violently. They looked so bad I
couldn't even stay and watch them.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“With tears
starting to stream down his eyes, Robert finally asked, “What does
the Doctor have to say?” “ He thinks that this is the end.”
Bill said. “You mean they're about to die?” Robert asked with a
very concerned look on his face. “No,” Bill said, “The end of
the virus. The doctor thinks they will soon be better.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think that's
good news.” Robert said, “But didn't they say that before.”
“Yes.” Bill said, “But, I can’t see how it is possible. They
look like they are dying. I just can’t believe it, even though I
want too.” “We can always try.” Robert replied, “We can
always try.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Now the LORD
said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your
father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of
you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so
that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and
him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of
the earth shall be blessed." - </i>Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) – To
be a great nation meant having many descendants but there was a
problem, Abram had no children so we read again. <i>The LORD said to
Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and
look from the place where you are, northward and southward and
eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to
you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the
dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth,
your offspring also can be counted. </i>- Genesis 13:14-16 (ESV) –
That is a lot of offspring but again, Abram had no children and while
we are not told so in these verses, Abram and his wife are getting up
there in years. Could Abram believe God, could he believe the
promise?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>After these
things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear
not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."
But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I
continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a
member of my household will be my heir." And behold, the word
of the LORD came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your
very own son shall be your heir." And he brought him outside
and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are
able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your
offspring be." And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to
him as righteousness. And </i><i>H</i><i>e said to him, "I am
the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you
this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I
to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him, "Bring
me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram
three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." And he
brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over
against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. And when
birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As
the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold,
dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. Then the LORD said to
Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners
in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they
will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment
on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with
great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in
peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come
back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites
is not yet complete." When the sun had gone down and it was
dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between
these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram,
saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of
Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the
Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the
Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the
Girgashites and the Jebusites." </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
15:1-21 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why was it hard for
Abram to believe? Why is it hard for us to believe? Others in the
Bible found it hard to believe.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gideon - <i>Then
Gideon said to the LORD, “If you are pleased with me, give me
proof that it is really you talking with me. </i>Judges 6:17 (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John the
Baptist - <i>John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about what
Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. </i><i>They
asked him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for
someone else?“</i> Matthew 11:2-3 (NCV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thomas - <i>The
other followers kept telling Thomas, “We saw the Lord.“ But
Thomas said, “I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in
his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand
into his side.“</i> John 20:25 (NCV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 3:5 <i>Trust
the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own
understanding.</i> (NCV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What keeps
you from believing?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How willing
are you to believe God?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-51966558278421078142015-01-03T04:30:00.000-08:002015-01-04T08:02:43.167-08:00TAKEN WITH THE WRONG CROWD
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<br />
<b> </b>It was New Years
morning and kids were still zonked out around the McDonald's farm
house form the New Years eve party the night before but since the
animals didn't party, they were up and needed taken care of so John
put on his warm clothes and headed out to the barn. “Hopefully
someone will wake and come help me.” He thought to himself.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As he sat next to
one of the cows to milk her, he started singing “Old McDonald.”
As he sang he started to notice the animals were joining in on cue.
“I sure have some smart animals.” he said out loud. “Of course
we are.” came a reply in a deep voice. As he continued singing,
and animals kept sounding on cue, John suddenly stopped, “Wait a
minute,” He said “Animals don't talk. Who's in here with me?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next thing John
knew, Harold Peterson fell out of the hay loft landing next to him.
“Ouch” he said sitting up and shaking hay out of his hair. “What
were you doing in the hay loft?” John asked</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
seeing Harold would
be alright. “Oh, I was just following Tracy to see what she was up
to?” “She should be up tp helping me with the chores.” John
said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I kind of
figured that but she wasn't acting normal?” Harold said. “What
do you mean?” John asked. “Well,” Harold said, “I've never
known her to like to sew but all she kept talking about to night was
sewing.” “Sewing?” John said “Tracy doesn't like to sew.
Are you sure she was talking about sewing?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, I'm not
100 percent sure.” Harold said, “But see kept muttering something
about how she was suppose to get some flag sewn. And on top of that,
I heard her tell one of the other kids that she was Betsy Ross.”
“I take it you never payed attention in History class at school?”
John said. “Betsy Ross was the person who sewed the first flag for
the United States.” “Paying attention cost too much.” Harold
said and then after a short pause added, “Oh, no. She must have
the disease too.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
“But how would
she have got it?” Harold asked, “It was Mindy and Cindy who
helped my sister escape from the hospital.” “To make a long
story short,” John said, “After Mindy and Cindy helped Stella
escape they brought her here to the farm and hid her in Tracy's
fort.” “Didn't Tracy know she was sick?” Harold asked, “She
should have known better.”
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think she did
know better.” John said, “At least she claimed to know better.
Tracy told me that she tried to talk them out of it.” “But she
helped them anyways.” Harold added. “Bad company corrupts good
morals. Or something like that. I think that's in the Bible.”
“Yeah, I'm sure it is.” John said, “By the way, can you take
over the milking for me? I need to go find Betsy, I mean Tracy, and
get her to the hospital.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> And Lot lifted
up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered
everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in
the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and
Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot
journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled
in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the
valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were
wicked, great sinners against the LORD</i>. - Genesis 13:10-13 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sometimes we see
things we know are not right and yet we go along with them, like
Tracy going along with Cindy and Mindy, Like Lot going along with
Sodom.... After all, he needed to take care of his family and
possessions.... Of course, there were consequences for his choice.
The first of which is found in Genesis 14</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>In the days of
Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of
Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, these kings made war with Bera king of
Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king
of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). And all these
joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea)....
four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of
bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell
into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took
all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions,
and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother,
who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was
living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of
Aner. These were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman
had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, And he divided
his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated
them. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought
back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the
people. After his return the king of Sodom went out to meet him at
the Valley of Shaveh And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread
and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and
said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven
and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your
enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of
everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the
persons, but take the goods for yourself." But Abram said to
the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most
High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread
or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I
have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing but what the young men
have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me.</i> (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lot was living in
the city of the wicked and while Abram rescued them because of Lot,
he would have nothing to do with them and their stuff – he
preferred to take God's side and gives a tithe to God's high priest
Melchizedek.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
One can only wonder
why Lot was in Sodom. The Bible says...</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>My child,
if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them.</i> -
Proverbs 1:10 (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Don’t
follow the ways of the wicked; don’t do what evil people do. </i>-
Proverbs 4:14 (NCV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>But those
who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many
senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction.</i> - 1 Timothy 6:9 (ESV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Do not be
deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."</i> - 1
Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Do not
present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but
present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death
to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.</i>
- Romans 6:13 (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Will you
follow the crowd even if you know you shouldn't?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Would you
lead others astray?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-54601389264030004592014-12-27T04:00:00.000-08:002014-12-27T04:00:04.643-08:00DON’T BLAME ME
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<br />
<b> </b>Daisy had been
looking forward to getting some after Christmas shopping in and the
day after Christmas she headed to the mall. She had no idea what she
was going to buy but she knew she had to get some shopping in with
all those after Christmas sales. As she walked by the food court she
couldn't help but notice the Miller twins sitting with their backs to
each other.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Did you have a
good Christmas, Mindy?” Daisy asked as walking over to the girls.
“NO!” Mindy said with a scowl. “You didn't?” Daisy asked.
“How could I with you know who around.” Mindy snapped while
pointing to her sister. “It’s all her fault and she’s trying
to blame me for it.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It is not my
fault.!” Cindy shouted and gave her sister a shove, “It was your
idea.” “Was not, you liar!” Mindy yelled back while returning
her sister's shove. “My sister indeed..” “Well, Cindy snapped
back, “She would probably be a better sister than you!” Not
wanting a fight to break out Daisy intervened asking them “What is
going on here?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I told you. “
Mindy said, “It's her fault.” “Don't believe her.” Cindy
interrupted, “It's her fault.” “What is?” Daisy demanded
“She came up with the idea to get Stella out of the hospital.”
Mindy said, “It's her fault.” “It was your idea to dress her up
like one of us.” Cindy retorted, “So it's your fault.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, it was
your clothes we used.” Mindy said. “It was your make up.”
Cindy returned. “But why in the world did you help Stella escape?”
Daisy asked. “She's our friend.” Mindy said. “And we wanted to
help her.” Cindy added.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where is Stella
now?” Daisy asked. “In the hospital.” Cindy said looking at
the floor. “And she had to miss Christmas.” Mindy added. “Is
Harold still in the hospital?” Daisy asked next. “No.” Mindy
said, “He got to go home.” “But Stella had to stay because she
wasn’t there when she needed to be.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sounds like your
plan didn't work, did it.” Daisy said. “And it's all her fault
that it didn't.” Mindy said “It was not, It was your fault!”
Cindy countered. “Was not!” Mindy said raising her voice. “Was
too” Cindy returned raising her voice as well. And the next thing
Daisy knew Mindy and Cindy were screaming at each other “WAS NOT!
WAS TOO!”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Alright you
two.” Daisy interrupted, “That's enough” “Fine!” Mindy
said, “By the way have you seen my husband Joseph? We are suppose
to be going to Bethlehem.” “What did you say Mindy?” Daisy
asked not expecting that kind of a response. “Mindy?” Mindy said,
“I'm Mary.” “Oh no!” Daisy said, “She's got the disease.
Cindy, quick, you need to get your sister to the hospital. She’s
got whatever Stella had.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Help her?”
Cindy scoffed, “No Way. Besides, I need to go find my brother
Moses.” “Joseph! Joseph!” Mindy hollered, “ I think it’s
time to have a baby.” And then both Mindy and Cindy took off in
opposite directions. “Oh, no!” Daisy said again, I need to find
the mall security, those girls need to be caught.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Now the LORD
said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your
father's house to the land that I will show you. And Abram took
Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions
that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in
Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">- Genesis
12:1,</span><span style="font-style: normal;">5</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span>(ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Abram did as God
told him but it wasn't long before strife broke out. And just like
Mindy and Cindy, there was likely pushing and shoving and arguing
and.... well, let's see what happened.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>So Abram went up
from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him,
into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and
in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the
place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and
Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there
Abram called upon the name of the LORD. And Lot, who went with
Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could
not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions
were so great that they could not dwell together, </i><i><b>and
there was strife</b></i><i> between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock
and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and
the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. T</i><i><b>hen Abram said
to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between
your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. </b></i><i> Is not
the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the
left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right
hand, then I will go to the left." And Lot lifted up his eyes
and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the
garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar.
So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed
east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land
of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved
his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great
sinners against the LORD. The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had
separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place
where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,
for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your
offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the
earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring
also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth
of the land, for I will give it to you." So Abram moved his
tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron,
and there he built an altar to the LORD. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
13:1-18 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Strife is something
that should be frowned upon and we are warned of such in the Bible.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 3:30
<i>Don’t accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no
harm.</i> (HCSB)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 25:8
<i>Don’t take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you
do afterwards if your opponent humiliates you?</i> (HCSB)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs
26:20 <i>Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict
dies down.</i> (HCSB)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here's how we
should be living</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Romans
12:16,18 <i>Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act
important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think
you know it all! Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as
much as possible. </i> (NLT)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Philippians
2:3 <i>Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on
others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">(NLT)
</span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways do you cause strife?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways do you bring about harmony?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-63431528184326154562014-12-13T04:00:00.000-08:002014-12-13T04:00:02.888-08:00TROUBLE DOWN IN PUPPERVILLE<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> </b>It was a beautiful
day and Randy thought he would take advantage of the day and get out
and walk the neighbor hood, and visit some of the families from
church. His third stop brought him to the Peterson house and as he
was about to knock on the door, the door flew open and Bill plowed
right into him knocking him to the ground with Bill landing on top.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Help!” Randy
called out, “I'm being attacked.” “Help?” Bill exclaimed,
“I'm the one that needs help.” “What's wrong?” Randy said as
Bill rolled off of him and sat up. “The great escape.” Bill
exclaimed, “Martha just called from the hospital and I've got to
go.” “Who escaped?” Randy asked as he sat up next. “Stella!”
Bill said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Does that mean
she's still in the hospital?” Randy asked. “No!” Bill
exclaimed, “She's escaped.” “Does that mean she's not better
yet?” Randy asked. “Something like that.” Bill said, “But it
may be worse.” “Who does she think she is this time?” Randy
asked “Herself?” Bill said hesitantly. “Than she's alright.”
Randy said about ready to say “Praise the Lord.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Not according to
the doctor.” Bill said, “According to him she's gotten worse.”
“I'm confused.” Randy said. “Her memory has returned.” Bill
explained, “But there's more wrong than just that. For starters,
whatever she has, has become contagious.” “Oh, no!” Randy
exclaimed, “You need to find her.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I know.” Bill
said, “Have you seen her?” “No I haven't.” Randy said, “And
I've been out and about in the neighborhood.” “Are you sure?”
Bill asked, “She's wearing a disguise.” “A disguise?” Randy
said, “What kind of disguise?” “I’m not a hundred percent
certain.” Bill said, “All I know, is that is how she escaped.
From the hospital.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where did she
get a disguise?” Randy asked. “My wife thinks the Miller twins
brought to her.” Bill answered. “Surely the nurses at the
hospital would have known it was her.” Randy said. “Martha said
they claimed she was their sister.” Bill said, “And since they
did it as people were changing shifts, everybody was still uncertain
who all was there.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, what’s
the worse thing that could happen if they don’t find her.” Randy
asked. “We may all end up losing our memories.” Bill said, But
even worse, if it isn't treated, the doctor thinks we could all die.”
“Well if it's that serious, why are you sitting here talking to
me?” Randy said “Go find her!” “I’m going, I’m going.”
Bill said as he stood up and took off. “I'll keep my eyes open for
her.” Randy called out after him and then got up and headed to the
next house on the block.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does God like
lying? Can lying ever be okay or needed? Can our lies cause more
problems than they are suppose to solve? Does anyone know when we lie
even when we keep it secret? Claiming Stella was A sister was a lie
about like the one that Abraham told in Genesis 12:10-20 and while it
may have seemed nobody would have known, it was known and caused a
major problem.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> At that time
there was a severe famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to
wait it out. As he was approaching the borders of Egypt, Abram said
to Sarai, "You are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians
see you, they will say, `This is his wife. Let's kill him; then we
can have her!' But if you say you are my sister, then the Egyptians
will treat me well because of their interest in you, and they will
spare my life." And sure enough, when they arrived in Egypt,
everyone spoke of her beauty. When the palace officials saw her,
they sang her praises to their king, the pharaoh, and she was taken
into his harem. Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of
her—sheep, cattle, donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
But the LORD sent a terrible plague upon Pharaoh's household because
of Sarai, Abram's wife. So Pharaoh called for Abram and accused him
sharply. "What is this you have done to me?" he demanded.
"Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? Why were you willing
to let me marry her, saying she was your sister? Here is your wife!
Take her and be gone!" Pharaoh then sent them out of the
country under armed escort—Abram and his wife, with all their
household and belongings</i>.
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
12:10-20 (NLT)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does God like
lying? Can lying ever be okay or needed? Can our lies cause more
problems than they are suppose to solve? Does anyone know when we lie
even when we keep it secret?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 25:26 Says
- <i>A good person who gives in to evil is like a muddy spring or a
dirty well.</i> (NCV) Abram gave into evil, he did what God hates, he
lied. Proverbs 12:22 says - <i>The LORD hates those who tell lies but
is pleased with those who keep their promises</i>. (NCV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Abram lied because
he feared men over God.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs
29:25<i> Being afraid of people can get you into trouble, but if you
trust the LORD, you will be safe.</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Luke 12:4 <i>I
tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of people who can kill the
body but after that can do nothing more to hurt you.</i> (NCV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lying originates
with the Devil - John 8:44 says <i>You are of your father the devil,
and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from
the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is
no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character,
for he is a liar and the father of lies.</i> (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lies come but they
will not last forever even if we think they will for God knows all.
Proverbs 12:19 says - <i>Truth will continue forever, but lies are
only for a moment. </i> (NCV) Abram lied, but God knew what was going
on and He brought trouble on Pharaoh's household. Abrams lie
affected more then just himself. Stella's lie will affect others as
well.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> So, Here's
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What lies
have you told thinking you were doing good?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
have lies got you into deeper trouble?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-87438223884276534712014-12-06T09:45:00.004-08:002014-12-06T09:45:55.542-08:00GOING SOMEWHERE?<b> </b>It was early
December and John McDonald was out in the barn doing chores or at
least he was suppose to be doing them. Seeing how Christmas would
soon be here, his mind kept wandering, wondering about travel plans.
Three times he accidentally knocked over the milk bucket and once he
sat on a pitch fork. Still he had a hard time paying attention to
what he was suppose to be doing.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What do you
think we should do?” He asked one of the cows and he heard what he
thought was the cow say “I, I, I don't know.” “Huh!” John
exclaimed and fell backward off his milking stool, “Cows don't
talk.” Looking around the barn he quickly spotted Harold Peterson
sitting on a bail of hay. “I thought you were in the hospital.”
John said, “Does this mean your well. Does this mean you are
yourself again?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I, I, I, I’m
scared.” Harold said, “I have to leave.” “You've never been
scared before.” John said, Why should this time be any different.”
“This time, I have to take all that I have and go.” Harold said,
“I'm moving.” “I don't remember your parents saying anything
about moving.” John said, “Where are you going?” “I don’t
know.” Harold said, “And that's why I'm so scared.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Something wasn't
making sense and John was starting to wonder if Harold was all right.
“You're not going alone are you?” he asked. “No.” Harold
said, “I’m bringing my wife with me.” “Wife!” John
exclaimed as he choked on the gum he had been chewing, “Since when
have you been married?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sarah and I have
been married for a long time.” Harold said. “Harold,” John
said, “Did you escape from the hospital? “Harold?” Harold
questioned, “I'm not Harold. I'm Abraham.” “As in the father
of Isaac?” John asked. “No.” Harold replied, “We don’t
have any kids yet, but God has promised to make me a great nation.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hearing that made
John think of what he heard Martha say in church the previous week
and started to put two and two together. “You must still be under
the influence of that potion that exploded in your lab.” He said.
“I don’t know anything about a potion or a lab.” Harold said,
“I just know I’m suppose to pack everything up and leave and I’m
scared.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, I think I
may know of someone who might be able to help you.” John told him
“Just go to the corner of Elm and Mary street and you will find a
big building there with the letters H-o-s-p-I-t-a-l on the front.”
“Thank you kind sir.” Harold said, “Who should I ask for?”
“Just ask for Doctor.” John said “And if you wait a few minutes
I'll even take you there.” “Thank you so much for your help.”
Harold said “I'll wait. I'm in no hurry to move.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dr Seuss has a book
titled “Marvin K Mooney Will You Please Go Now” In which Marvin K
Mooney is told to go now. So, what do you do when someone tells you
to go? What if it was God telling you to go? What if He promised
great things? Abraham, the guy Harold thought he was is just such a
man but God hadn't changed his name yet. He was still being called
Abram.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Now the LORD
said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your
relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show
you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And
make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will
bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." So Abram went
forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram
was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took
Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which
they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in
Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the
land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land as far as the site of
Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land.
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I
will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who
had appeared to him. Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on
the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and
Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called
upon the name of the LORD. Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the
Negev. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
12:1-9 (NASB)</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Leaving
all you have known for a place and a promise could be scary. Here
are some great promises to those who follow God's bidding.</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If
God calls us, He'll be with us - Genesis 26:24 <i>The LORD appeared
to him that night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham.
Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. I will bless you and give
you many descendants because of my servant Abraham.“</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If
we run out, God will take care of us - 1 Kings 17:13 <i>“Don’t
worry,“ Elijah said to her. “Go home and cook your food as you
have said. But first make a small loaf of bread from the flour you
have, and bring it to me. Then cook something for yourself and your
son.</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If
in trouble God help is bigger - 2 Kings 6:16 <i>Elisha said, “Don’t
be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the one
against us.“</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If
weak, God will give strength - Isaiah 41:10 <i>Don't be afraid, for
I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my
victorious right hand</i>. (NLT)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If
suffering, God is still there - Isaiah 43:2-3 <i>When you're in over
your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you
will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it
won't be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy
of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt,
with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!</i> (MSG)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Remember,
You're important to God - Matthew 10:30-31 <i>God even knows how
many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid. You are worth
much more than many sparrows.</i> (NCV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you
grab yourself a Bible and read the stories around these verses they
will make even more sense but even with these snippets, you can see
God will take care of us it we will follow Him , do as He asks and go
where He wants us to.</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Where
might God ask you to go?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Would
you be willing to go as Abraham did?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-52716969394194460072014-11-29T04:18:00.000-08:002014-11-29T04:18:22.645-08:00WHERE DID THEY COME FROM
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<br />
<b> </b>It was the Sunday
after Thanksgiving and the church was packed. “I pray that all of
you had a very thankful thanksgiving.” Randy said as he got ready
to deliver his morning sermon. Looking over the sanctuary he was
pleased to see so many visitors but he was concerned that one family
appeared to be missing but then, in came Stella Peterson yelling out
“WHERE DID HE GO?”
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Why can't we
have a normal service around Thanksgiving.” Randy mumbled to
himself and then said, “Excuse me, Stella, but we are in the
middle...” “I AM NOT Stella!” Stella said interrupting him, “I
am your queen, Jezebel. Now you will tell me where Elijah went or
I’ll have your head cut off.” “Oh great.” Randy mumbled, “Why
are you pretending to be Jezebel?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How dare you
insult me.” Stella Said, “I never pretend. “Look around you,
Stella.” Randy said, “This is not Israel.” Looking around
Stella says “Where did they all come from and what are they doing
here in my court?” “This is not your court.” Randy said, “This
is a church and they are here to worship God.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“WHAT!” Stella
yelled out, “Kill them all, we will serve Baal and Baal only.”
and then took off on the run. “WOW!” Randy said as he turned his
attention back to the audience, “She almost seemed to believe she
was Queen Jezebel. Anyways, back to this morning mess...” “Excuse
me!” sad Martha Peterson interrupting him mid sentence. “Have
you seen Stella?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You just missed
her.” Randy said, “She was in here pretending to be Queen
Jezebel.” “Jezebel?” Martha said, “Which way did she go? I’ve
got to catch her and get her back to the hospital.” “Hospital?”
Randy said, “What's wrong?” “ Last week she tried to sabotage
Harold’s lab that he had been using to make all those potions
with.” Martha answered, “And something went wrong.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What do you
mean?” Randy asked a bit concerned. “ She mixed a strange
concoction together.” Martha went on to explain, “And it exploded
all over her and Harold.” “Well she seemed her normal self when
she was here.” Randy said a bit confused. “I thought you said
she was pretending to be Jezebel.” Martha said. “Yeah,” Randy
confirmed, “But isn't pretending normal for her?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Normally yes.”
Martha said, But this time she’s not pretending. The explosion
messed up her mind and she really thinks she is Jezebel at least for
the moment.” What do you mean by that?” Randy asked. “Every
so often she starts thinking she’s someone else.” Martha told
him, “And she keeps wondering where everybody came form.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh.” Randy
said, “What about Harold?” “Last time I saw him he thought he
was Moses and he kept asking where all the people came from too, but
he’s still in the hospital.” Martha said. “well good luck
catching her.” Randy said and then turning to the audience he said,
“Let's all pray for Harold and Stella right now.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Joshua said, "By
this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He
will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite,
the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the
Jebusite. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">Joshua 3:10 (NASB) </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When
reading the above verse, one question you may ask yourself is “Who
are all these people?” followed by “How did they get there?”
Not only here but many times in the Bible names show up and you may
wonder the same things. Genesis 10 and 11 helps us to understand
some of where these people came from. Several of the names mentioned
in Joshua can be found in verses 15-17. Remember the Philistines and
the giant Goliath that David fought? You can find their origins in
these verses as well.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wedged
into these list of names is a unique story. A story that tells us why
and how these peoples, these nations spread out.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Now the whole
earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated
from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled
there. And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks,
and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and
bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build
ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us
make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the
whole earth." And the LORD came down to see the city and the
tower, which the children of man had built. And the LORD said,
"Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language,
and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that
they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go
down and there confuse their language, so that they may not
understand one another's speech." So the LORD dispersed them
from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building
the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the
LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD
dispersed them over the face of all the earth. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 11:1-9 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
People
were growing in numbers and they wanted to build a tower and city
toward heaven – not necessarily what they were supposed to be
doing. Therefore, God mixed up their languages and as a result they
quit and scattered.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We
are told in Acts 17:26 that God <i>made from one man every nation of
mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their
appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,</i><span style="font-style: normal;">(NASB)
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">We may not always want to
believe it but all the people on the earth are related to one man
through Noah to Adam. Science has even confirmed this even though
evolutionist like to spread out the time scale.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The
following link is a great article covering the origins of nations and
how the grandsons of Noah spread out from the tower of Babel
-</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://creation.com/the-sixteen-grandsons-of-noah"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">http://creation.com/the-sixteen-grandsons-of-noah</span></span></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are you able to trace your lineage back to one of these?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are you willing to believe we all came from one man?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-25860915208344932122014-11-22T10:16:00.001-08:002014-11-22T10:16:25.209-08:00HAROLD’S IN CHARGE<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style> It was a quiet and
peaceful afternoon and Robert Grey thought he would lay back in his
easy chair and do what old people do – if he could only remember.
“Maybe I'll just take a nap.” He thought to himself, “Or maybe
I'll go answer the door.” for someone was pounding on the door.
That someone didn't wait to be let in and let herself in. It was
Stella Peterson and she came in growling.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Is there
something wrong, Stella?” Robert asked, “You're interrupting my
nap.” “YES!” Stella snapped, “And it begins with a capital
H.” “Oh great.” Robert sighed, “I thought Harold was going
to keep his promise.” “Huh?” Stella said, “What promise?”
“Your dad said he promised to never make another potion.” Robert
said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh, that
promise.” Stella said “I take it he didn't keep it?” Robert
asked. “Only if he wouldn't have.” Stella said “Not only is he
keeping that promise but he’s been keeping all his promises.”
“And that’s a problem?” Robert asked a little confused, “I
thought that would be wonderful news.” “Don't you get?” Stella
growled, “Mom and Dad now think they can trust him.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah?” Robert
said. “And now they put him in charge when ever they go
somewhere.” Stella continued, “And I hate it.” “Who used to
be in charge?” Robert asked, “I was, Grandpa.” Stella said,
“And I could do what ever I want. Now, Harold is making me follow
the rules.” “Well good for him.” Robert said happily, “It
sure is nice to see how much Harold has changed.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“GOOD?” Stella
yelled out, “That’s probably the worst thing you could say. He’s
driving me crazy.” “what's wrong with following the rules?”
Robert asked. “Well,” Stella snorted, “Nothing if your
somebody else, but I’m suppose to be above the rules.” “Since
when?” Robert said in a harsh tone. “Since I said so.” Stella
snapped, “After all I am the best girl in the world.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sounds to me as
if YOU have a problem.” Robert said. “That’s what I said,
Grandpa.” Stella responded, “And I need to get rid of it.”
“Maybe yo should start by praying for God’s help.” Robert
suggested, “And then you can make a plan to do something about it.”
“That won't exactly work.” Stella said, “Harold and God are
good friends now.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Stella!”
Robert said sternly, “Harold is not your problem.” “YES HE
IS!!” Stella shout back, “And And I’m going to get rid of him
myself. I know, I’ll rig his science lab to destroy him. Than it
will look like an accident.” “Oh NO you don't” Robert said as
he headed towards his granddaughter but she was to quick and ran from
the house with a sinister laugh. “So much for mu nap.” Robert
said, “Looks like I have a problem to try and stop.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>But no one has
ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable,
full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and
Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the
likeness of God. </i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
James 3:8-9 (TEV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How many of you
have a tongue? Tongues can taste some wonderful things and somethings
that are not so wonderful. Tongues can say some wonderful things but
they can also say some really awful things. By our choice we use our
tongues to bless and to curse. In Genesis 9 we find one man's choice
brings the choice to curse and bless by another.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>The sons of Noah
who went out of the boat were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These three
sons of Noah were the ancestors of all the people on earth. Noah, who
was a farmer, was the first man to plant a vineyard. After he drank
some of the wine, he became drunk, took off his clothes, and lay
naked in his tent. When Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his
father was naked, he went out and told his two brothers. Then Shem
and Japheth took a robe and held it behind them on their shoulders.
They walked backward into the tent and covered their father, keeping
their faces turned away so as not to see him naked. When Noah sobered
up and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said, "A
curse on Canaan! He will be a slave to his brothers. Give praise to
the LORD, the God of Shem! Canaan will be the slave of Shem. May God
cause Japheth to increase! May his descendants live with the people
of Shem! Canaan will be the slave of Japheth." </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
9:18-27 (TEV)</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Canaan
was cursed while his uncles were blessed and all because of Ham's
choice a choice to honor or dishonor his father. In the puppet story
Stella had a choice, one to obey of disobey her parents by obeying or
disobeying her brother Harold who had been put in charge. We all
need to make choices. We can see the need for choices in the Bible
and see how some have chosen in the sample verses below.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Joshua
24:15 <i>"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD,
then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one
of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The
River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now
living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD."</i> (MSG)
– We can't serve to master. If we try we become unstable</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ruth
1:16 <i>But Ruth replied, "Don't make me leave you, for I want
to go wherever you go and to live wherever you live; your people
shall be my people, and your God shall be my God;</i> (TLB) –
Choosing to stay with God can have an impact way into the future –
Ruth became part of the lineage of Jesus.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1
Kings 3:9 <i>Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your
people well and know the difference between what is right and what
is wrong. For who by himself is able to carry such a heavy
responsibility?" </i>(TLB) – We all wish we could have wishes
come true. Solomon was allowed to have a wish come true and he
choice wisely. Would we?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Psalm
119:173 <i>Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow
your will</i>. (TLB) - Could we say the same thing?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Luke
10:42 <i>Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better
thing, and it will never be taken away from her. </i>(NCV) –
Martha had been complaining but Jesus reminder her that Mary had
made the right choice. Would we?</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do
you have problems with other people doing what is right?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What
kind of choice would yo make if you were Stella or Ham?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-64183215780080395922014-11-15T04:01:00.000-08:002014-11-15T04:01:03.715-08:00NO MORE POTIONS
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<br />
<b> </b>He had been
dreading this day for some time now and while he had secretly hoped
it would never come, it had. With all the complaints he had been
receiving, Bill Peterson knew he needed to confront his son Harold
about all of these potions he had been making. “I just hope I can
convince him not to make anymore potions, Robert.” Bill said as he
hung up the phone.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“WHAT!” Came a
shout from behind him. “And I was making another potion just for
him.” It was Harold. “Don’t tell me your making another
potion.” Bill said as he looked over Harold. “Why?” Harold
asked, “Is there something wrong with that?” “Harold!” Bill
said, “Stop and think for a moment.” After a short pause, Harold
looked at his dad and asked “What am I to think about?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What all of your
potions have done.” Bill said. “Okay, let me think.” Harold
said and then asked “How do you think?” “Never mind, Harold.”
Bill said, “Just try and remember what your potions have done so
far.” “Well,” Harold said thoughtfully, “The first one didn’t
do any thing. The science lab blew up before I could finish it.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Right.” Bill
said, “You blew up the science lab. And don’t forget how the next
one gave everybody itchy freckles.” “Oh, yeah.” Harold giggled,
“That was funny. I don’t think I'd ever seen so many spots.”
“And your last one almost killed your grandpa.” Bill added. “I
guess that wasn’t so funny.” Harold said rather somber like.
“Something must have went wrong when I mixed the formula together.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What did you put
in that one anyways?” Bill asked. “Sorry, Dad.” Harold
grinned, “A good scientist never reveals his secrets.” “You’re
not a good scientist.” Bill said. “I will be after I make this
next potion.” Harold piped in excitedly. “No, Harold.” Bill
said, “Every potion you have made has caused problems.” “So?”
Harold said as if that was not a problem.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Would you please
stop trying to make them?” Bill said, “The whole town is
complaining about them.” “I suppose I could.” Harold said with
a sigh. “Promise?” Bill asked. After a long pause, Harold
finally said “I Promise. No more potions.” “Good.” Bill
said, “I'll let your grandpa know and everyone else.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I guess the
world didn’t need my newest potion anyway.” Harold said. “What
was your newest potion going to be?” Bill asked. “Oh, it
was just suppose to give adults the energy of a three and four year
old.” Harold said. When Bill heard that he wondered if he had stopped
Harold too soon. “Um, Harold,” He said, “Maybe you could finish
just this one.” “Sorry!” Harold said with a smile, “I
promised and a promise is a promise. Well, I better go get rid of
all my stuff before somebody finds it all.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Knowing this
first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing,
following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the
promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all
things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."
- </i>2 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Has everything
really gone on the same since the beginning of creation? Many
people, especially evolutionists, believe in uniformitarianism, the
idea that what is happening now is how things have always happened
and always will. They purposely forget God's word and what it says
and the promise that God made there in.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> For</i><i> God
remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were
with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the
waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows of the
heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and
the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days
the waters had abated, and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth
day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth
month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were
seen. … In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the
month, the earth had dried out. Then God said to Noah, "Go out
from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives
with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of
all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on
the earth—that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and
multiply on the earth." So Noah went out, and his sons and his
wife and his sons' wives with him. Every beast, every creeping thing,
and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by
families from the ark. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took
some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered
burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing
aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the
ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from
his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living
creature as I have done. While the earth remains, </i><i>seed time</i><i>
and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall
not cease." And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you
and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon
every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground
and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every
moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the
green plants, I give you everything. … I establish my covenant
with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters
of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the
earth." And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant
that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with
you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and
it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. </i> -
Genesis 8:1-9:17 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As Joshua is coming
to the end of his life he says <i>“It’s almost time for me to
die. You know and fully believe that the LORD has done great things
for you. You know that he has not failed to keep any of his promises.</i>
Joshua 23:14 (NCV) God keeps His promises and when you look at the
promises God made after the flood you can look around yourself and
see that each promise has been kept</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Knowing that God
has kept His promises in the past and continues to keep them today
let's us know that He will keep His promises in the future for He has
promised that next time the destruction of the earth will be even
greater and not by water.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here''s
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What promises
has God made to you?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How well do
you do at keeping your promises to Him?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-70087233569429102002014-11-08T08:01:00.001-08:002014-11-08T08:01:22.227-08:00ALMOST WENT TO HEAVEN
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<br />
<b> </b>Randy was excited
about his sermon he had prepared for this special Sunday morning.
Unable to contain his excitement, he headed to the church building
early and paced up and down the aisles in the sanctuary. “When
will they get here? When will they get here?” He kept muttering to
himself. Finally he heard a door open and the sound of footsteps.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“ Hello” Came a
voice echoing through the church building, “Is, is is izzy, izzy,
SHEW Body here?” “Bless you.” Randy said as he met up with the
voice. It was Robert Grey and Randy was excited to welcome to
finally see someone. “I'm glad to see you back with us.” he told
him. “Not as glad as I,I, am, am, ah, ahh, ahhhh, CHOW.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Are you alright
Robert?” Randy asked as he reached out to shake his hand, “You
keep sneezing.” “Yeah.” Robert said as he grabbed Randy's hand,
“The sneezing is just a left o, ooohh, ohh SHOW, SHOW, over symptom
from drinking Harold’s potion.” “Why did you ever drink that
potion in the first place?” Randy asked.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Because Harold
said it would make me live forever,” Robert said, “Or at least a
long, long, long la, la, la, LABLOUIE, time.” “And instead it
almost killed you.” Randy said in return with a chuckle. “Don’t
remind me.” Robert said with a shake of his head, “I never want
to go through that again. I thought I was going to go to heaven
already.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So,” Randy
asked, “If Harold came out with another potion would you leave it
alone?” “I wouldn’t even think twice about it, it, it ,it, ka,
ka, KABOOMY, BOOMY.” Robert said with another sneeze. “Sounds to
me,” Randy said, “That, that was the problem the first time.”
“Huh?” Robert questioned with a dumb look on his face.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You failed to
think twice before taking that last potion.” Randy said. “That's
for certain.” Robert said in agreement, “If I had, I could
avoided the hospital. It was so bad I thought I was going to dah
dahh dahhhh FIGULATOR, die. Did I tell you I almost went to heaven.”
“Yes>” Randy said and then asked, “Can’t you sneeze with a
normal achoo?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Another side
affect from the potion.” Robert said. “Will you get over it?”
Randy asked. “Doctors don’t know.” Robert said, “And right
now I’m not that worried about it. I’m just glad to be rid of
all those tummy aches. I guess we all have to live with the
consequences of our actions – or die form them.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You can say that
again.” Randy said with a smile thinking about his sermon. “This
sneezing isn’t catchy is it?” “I, I, I, Beeper bopper DOO DOO,
don’t know.” “Well,” Randy said backing away from Robert, “I
think you better leave just in case it, it, it, is e WHIZ E WHIZ E.”
“Too late.” Robert said but I'll still leave. Good bah, bahhh,
baahhhhh ROOOPY, ROOPY, bye.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As Robert left,
Randy sat back down at his desk, put his face in his hands, cried and
sneezed weird sneezes.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> And
God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and
multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the
fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every
living thing that moves on the earth."</span></i> - Genesis 1:28
(ESV) The command to multiply and fill the earth was not only given
to Adam and Eve but to all men. But sin had entered the world and
everything was going down hill as a result so starting in Genesis 6
God did something about it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>When man began
to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them,
the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And
they took as their wives any they chose. Then the LORD said, "My
Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days
shall be 120 years." … The LORD saw that the wickedness of
man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts
of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that
he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the
LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the
face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of
the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah
found favor in the eyes of the LORD. … Now the earth was corrupt
in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw
the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted
their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "I have
determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with
violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover
it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the
length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height
30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above,
and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second,
and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the
earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under
heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will
establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you,
your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. And of every
living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the
ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of
the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to
their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its
kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.
Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up.
It shall serve as food for you and for them." Noah did this; he
did all that God commanded him. … In the six hundredth year of
Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the
month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth,
and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the
earth forty days and forty nights. … And the waters prevailed so
mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole
heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains,
covering them fifteen cubits deep. And all flesh died that moved on
the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that
swarm on the earth, and all mankind.</i> Genesis 6,7 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Death came to the
world and yet the promise of life, eternal life came as well. We
find that promise in both the Old and New Testament.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Daniel 12:2
<i>And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt. </i>(ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John 5:28-29
<i>Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in
the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good
to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the
resurrection of judgment</i>. (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is through Jesus
that death is destroyed and life is given.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 Timothy
1:10 <i>and which now has been manifested through the appearing of
our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel,</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John 6:51 <i>I
am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of
this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for
the life of the world is my flesh."</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's add</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John
8:51<i>Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will
never see death." </i>(ESV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John 11:26
<i>and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you
believe this?"</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are you
willing to ignore what happened tot he people in the days of Noah?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What are you
willing to do to live?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-77703342882249466262014-11-01T06:21:00.003-07:002014-11-01T06:21:54.935-07:00LIVING ON AND ON AND ON
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<br />
<b> </b>Daisy was spending
an afternoon volunteering at the local hospital helping out where
ever they needed her. As she made her way down one of the halls
pushing an overloaded cart she literally bumped into Mrs. Gray whom
she couldn't see over the cart. “HMPHF” Helen growled. “I'm
sorry.” Daisy said immediately.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'm okay.”
Helen quickly assured Daisy, “I'm growling at Harold.” “Oh.”
Daisy said and started to push the cart along the way and then
whirled around “Harold!” she shouted, “Mindy didn't try and
kill him did she? She was pretty angry at him last week.” “No.”
Helen said, “But if I catch him I might.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Not you too.”
Daisy said, “Don't tell me you drank Harold’s latest potion.”
“I'm not that desperate.” Helen said, “At least not yet, I
have plenty of years ahead of me.” “Huh, What are you talking
about?” Daisy asked. “Robert went and drank another one of
Harold’s potions.” “Not another one!” Daisy exclaimed,
“What’s the potion for this time?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He claimed it
was suppose to make a person live on and on and on so they could have
more time to do things.” Helen said “And Robert drank it.” “It
didn't work did it?” Daisy asked, not sure how she would know.
“Just the opposite.” Helen told her, “It almost killed him.
That's why I'm here. Robert is in the hospital.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Where in the
world did Harold come up with the idea for this potion?” Daisy
asked. “I guess he got the idea from watching science fiction shows
on television.” Helen said. “He learned how to make people live
longer from science shows?” Daisy questioned. “Actually,”
Helen corrected here, “ They were <b>science fiction</b> shows. No
one really lives forever.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, Harold
believed what he saw and tried to repeat it.” Helen said, “And
then once he copied their formula, Robert decided he wanted to avoid
dying and drank it all.” “And now he's in the hospital.” Daisy
said shaking her head. “What was in that potion?” “Don't
know.” Helen said, “In fact Harold didn’t even know. I just
wish He’d stop making them.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What if
everybody else would stop drinking them?” Daisy asked. “Yeah, I
suppose that would work too. “ Helen said with a sigh, “I know I
sure learned my lesson with all those freckles.” “Don't tell me
you drank that potion too?” Daisy asked in shock. But Helen never
answered instead Helen said, “ I think I heard Robert yelling for
me.” and took off.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Then the LORD
God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing
good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the
tree of life and eat, and live forever—</i></div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
3:22 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Somewhere in the
Garden of Eden was a tree that if eaten would give life, would make
it so man would live forever. Interesting enough is that man was not
told he couldn't eat from this tree, even though he didn't. Starting
in Genesis 4:17 through 5:32 we find that men began to multiply and
fill the earth and that they lived......long.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Enoch were 365 years.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus all the
days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When you look at
the age of people today, nobody live to be that old. Something
changed. Even though these ages are not forever they are long after
the flood. Interestingly enough there are legends outside of the
Bible that attribute long ages to people in days gone by.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Death is a part of
life, we don't live forever, the Bible tells us...</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Sin came
into the world because of what one man did, and with sin came death.
This is why everyone must die—because everyone sinned. </i>Romans
5:12 (NCV)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Everyone
must die once, and after that be judged by God.</i> Hebrews 9:27
(TEV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>None of us
can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to
prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation,
that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will
certainly not rescue those who practice it</i>. Ecclesiastes 8:8
(NLT)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Because
God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus
also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as
a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the
power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way
could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to
the fear of dying. </i> Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT)
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>So teach
us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.</i> Psalm
90:12 (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Too often we live
as if we will live forever, we fail to number our days.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does death cause you to fear?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God does offer a plan for life after death, are you willing to
follow it?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-66985959178829341752014-10-25T07:15:00.000-07:002014-10-25T07:15:34.148-07:00LOTS OF SPOTS BUT NO DATE
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<br />
<b> </b>BAM, BAM, BAM, came
the sound at the front door of the Peterson's house along with a loud
angry growl. BAM, BAM, BAM, came the sound again along with someone
YELLING out “OPEN UP THIS DOOR NOW OR I'LL KILL HIM!” BAM, BAM,
BAM, went the sound again. And this time the voice yelled out “I'LL
KILL HIM EVEN IF YOU DO OPEN THE DOOR!”
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was Mindy Miller
and boy was she mad. “OPEN UP THIS DOOR NOW!” She screamed out
as she continued beating on the door. “I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE
HAROLD AND IF YOU DON'T OPEN UP THIS DOOR I'M GOING TO BREAK IT
DOWN.” Then, as she gave one last push on the door it flew open and
there stood Sergeant Halfway.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sergeant!”
Mindy called out in surprise, “What are you doing here? Did you
come to arrest that pipsqueak Harold?” “Actually,” Sergeant
Halfway said, I'm here to protect Harold and arrest girls like you
who keep threatening to kill him.” “Well, he deserves it!”
Mindy yelled out with a loud growl “And you're not going to stop
me.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You better calm
down Mindy,” Sergeant Halfway said calmly, “You sound like your
going to explode.” “ I am going to explode.” Mindy responded.
“And when I do.... (Growl) watch out.” “What are you so angry
about?” Halfway asked. “Harold ruined my date.” Mindy said.
“How did Harold ruin your date?” Sergeant Halfway asked, “I
thought he’s been being good and helping people.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Helping people?”
Mindy said with a snort, “Making those silly potions is not helping
people. If I could catch him I’d pour the entire bottle down his
throat.” “What potion?” Halfway asked, “Do you mean the one
that gave everybody freckles? Form the looks of things you must have
drank the potion too.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Precisely.”
Mindy growled, “If it wasn’t for that potion I wouldn’t have
had to cancel my date.” “And just how did that potion mess up
your date?” Sergeant Halfway asked glaring into her eyes. “Have
you ever been covered with big itchy freckles from head to foot?”
Mindy asked starting to feel a little uncomfortable.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even though it was
quite obvious to him, Sergeant Halfway asked, “Do you mean to say
that you drank that potion too?” “Well, Uhm, Ahh, Yes.” Mindy
stammered. “And did Harold make you drink it?” Halfway sternly
asked.” ““Well, Uhm, Ahh No.” Mindy stammered again, “But
everybody else was drinking it.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sounds to me as
if you’re just blaming Harold for your own greed.” Sergeant
Halfway said. “Well, somebody has to take the blame.” Mindy
snorted with a growl.” “Then why don't you?” Sergeant Halfway
asked. Not wanting to hear that, Mindy let out a loud growl and took
off.” “Well,” Halfway said, “I sure hope she doesn’t do
something stupid in her anger.” and went back to guarding the
Peterson's house.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> So God created
man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and
female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth</i></div>
<div align="right" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 1:27-28a (ESV)</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We've seen that God created Adam and Eve and we see that God
commanded them to be fruitful and multiply but that doesn't mean have
fruit and do math. They were to have kids – lots of them. But as
you may know, siblings don't always get along.</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain,
saying, "I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD."
And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep,
and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought
to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also
brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And
the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his
offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face
fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not
do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you
must rule over it." Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when
they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and
killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your
brother?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's
keeper?" And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice
of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you
are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive
your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it
shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive
and a wanderer on the earth." Cain said to the LORD, "My
punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me
today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I
shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me
will kill me." Then the LORD said to him, "Not so! If
anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold."
And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack
him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in
the land of Nod, east of Eden. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 4:1-16 (ESV)</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Adam and Eve start having kids, First is Cain, Second is Abel. For
some years they seemed to have gotten along together. Cain became a
farmer of plants while Abel became a shepherd and in time they
brought sacrifices to God from their work. While we are not told out
right why, Cain's was rejected and Abel's' was accepted. Cain got
angry and in his anger killed his brother.</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A key verse in this story is verse 7 which states <i>“If you do
well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is
crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over
it.” </i>Sin waits for us to get angry but it doesn't need to get
us. Here are a few verse to consider when thinking of anger.</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Ecclesiastes 7:9 </span><i><b>Don’</b></i><i>t
let your spirit </i><i><b>rush to be angry</b></i><i>, for anger
abides in the heart of fools. </i><span style="font-weight: normal;">(HCSB)</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Proverbs 19:11 </span><i><b>Good
sense makes one slow to anger</b></i><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense. </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">(ESV)</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Ephesians 4:26 </span><i>Be angry
and do not sin; </i><i><b>do not let the sun go down on your anger,</b></i><i>
</i>(ESV)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 16:32 <i><b>Whoever is slow to anger is better than the
mighty</b></i><i>, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a
city.</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What would thing have been like if Cain had controlled his anger?</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is it like when you control your anger?</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is it like when you fail to control your anger?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-31265133085919534792014-10-18T07:22:00.000-07:002014-10-18T07:22:21.639-07:00ITCHY, ITCHY
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<br />
<b> </b>Stella Peterson was
going out of her mind and she, well, needed to do something so, she
decided to go visit her best friend Bernadette Henderson. When she
walked up to the door of Bernadette's house and started knocking on
it instead of hearing a come in, she heard “Itchy, itchy, itchy.”
and “Go away!” followed by another round of “Itchy, itchy,
itchy.”
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Bernadette,”
Stella called out, “Is that you in there making those funny
noises?” “No! Yes! I don't know.” Bernadette answered, “When
I looked in the mirror this morning I didn’t look like me so I’m
not sure who I am.” “Well, why don't you open the door and I'll
tell you.” Stella said. “No!” Bernadette said, “I'm staying
in here. Itchy, Itchy, Itchy.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Come on,
Bernadette.” Stella pleaded, “I'm your best friend. Why won't
you open the door?” “It's all your brother's fault.”
Bernadette replied, “Harold's the one that made me like this.”
“Like what?” Stella demanded to know but the only reply she got
was “Itchy, itchy, itchy.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Just come on up
here.” Stall demanded next, “It’s seems silly for me to talk to
your front door.” “Then just go away.” Bernadette said, “I'm
not opening the door, somebody might see me.” “But I'm the only
one here.” Stella protested, “Now tell me what's wrong, why won't
you open the door.” “I told you.” Bernadette replied, “It’s
Harold’s fault.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Alright,”
Stella said, “What did Harold do?” “He made that silly potion
to make people more like God.” Bernadette said. “Don’t tell me
you drank some of it too.” Stella said, “It doesn't work.” “I
thought it would keep me from being shy.” Bernadette told Stella,
“And now I'm covered with freckles. Itchy, itchy, itchy.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“And that's why
you won't open the door.” Stella stated. “ They keep calling out
to be scratched,” Bernadette called back through the door, “But
the doctor said that if I scratch them they will open up and spread.”
“That's because they're not freckles.” Stella said, “If you
leave them alone and don’t scratch they’ll go away. Or at least
that's what the doctor told me. Have you been scratching them?”<br /><br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yes!”
Bernadette called out and then flung the door open, “Did you drink
the potion too?” “AUGH!” Stella called out when she saw
Bernadette.” “AUGH!” Bernadette called out when she saw
Stella. “You look horrible.” Stella said. “So do you.”
Bernadette replied, “And why are you wearing mittens? It's not
that cold out yet.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The mittens are
suppose to help me keep from scratching.” Stella said. “Is it
working?” Bernadette asked. “Some.” Stella said, “But I'm
still not becoming more like God. I even drank some more of the
potion this morning and Itchy, itchy, itchy.” “Why did Harold
ever have to make that potion?” Bernadette asked. “Because I
asked him to.” Stella cried.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> And the LORD God
commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of
the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you
shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely
die." </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
2:16-17 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do you ever get
hungry? Have you ever tried to eat something you shouldn't when you
were hungry? God gave Adam and Eve plenty to eat but there was one
tree from which they were to never eat. Guess what?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Now the serpent
was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God
had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You
shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said
to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the
garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree
that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest
you die.' " </i><i>B</i><i>ut the serpent said to the woman,
"You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it
your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and
evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food,
and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be
desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also
gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes
of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they
sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they
heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of
the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of
the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called
to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said,
"I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked, and I hid myself." He said, "Who told
you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I
commanded you not to eat?" … To the woman he said, "I
will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall
bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he
shall rule over you." And to Adam he said, "Because you
have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of
which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the
ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of
your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you
shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you
shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you
were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." …
therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work
the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the
east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword
that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
3:1-24 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Is it sin to be
tempted? If it is then we are in BIG trouble for we read in Matthew
4:1 <i>Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> (ESV) </span><span style="font-style: normal;">
But we also know from </span>Hebrews 4:15 <i>For we do not have a
high priest </i><i>(Jesus) </i><i>who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we
are, yet without sin.</i> (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sin comes not
because we are tempted but because we give in, like Adam and Eve and
it is usually our desires that Satan uses to tempt us into sin as we
read in
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
James 1:14 <i>But
each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own
desire.</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 Timothy 6:9
<i>But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a
snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people
into ruin and destruction.</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When it comes to
sin as a result of temptation we need to remember
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 Corinthians
10:13<i> No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your
ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of
escape, that you may be able to endure it.</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Hebrews 2:18
For because </i><i>H</i><i>e </i><i>H</i><i>imself has suffered when
tempted, </i><i>H</i><i>e is able to help those who are being
tempted. (ESV)</i></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">We
also need to remember that the tempter will come back time and time
again. Even after failing to get Jesus to sin we read in </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Luke
4:13 </span><i>And when the devil had ended every temptation, he
departed from him until an opportune time.</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
(ESV) </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>So, Here's
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do you desire like those in Pupperville to be more like God?</div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways to you avoid temptation or giving into it so that you
may be more like God.</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-26931373919887531362014-10-11T06:45:00.000-07:002014-10-11T06:45:23.514-07:00DOES GOD HAVE FRECKLES
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<br />
<b> </b>Daisy Smith was
busy cleaning house. Of course there wasn't a lot to clean but there
was some laundry and as she went into Louie's room to put his clean
clothes away she couldn't help but notice a rather forlorn looking,
freckle faced, red headed boy sitting on his bed with a Bible in
hand. “Hello there” Daisy said but got no response.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As she finished
putting Louie's clean clothes away she walked over and sat down
beside him. “Are you okay?” she asked but still Louie gave no
response. Next she tried waving her hands in front of his face but
still Louie didn't respond. “I'm going to tickle you if you don't
say something.” Daisy said next to which Louie giggled and said
“Alright”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What has you so
preoccupied?” Daisy asked “Well,” Louie started to answer,
“Ever since the science fair I have been wondering, Does God have
freckles?” “Does God have freckles?” Daisy repeated wondering
what brought that on. “Yeah.” Louie said, “And what color is
He? Does he look like me or Barney? By the way, did you know Barney
now has freckles?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Why did you want
to ...” Daisy started to ask but finished her sentence with
“Barney doesn’t have freckles.” “He does now.” Louie said,
“And so do a lot more people thanks to Harold.” “Uhm,” Daisy
started to say, “Does this have something to do with the science
fair? Randy said he almost blew up the church working on some kind
of potion.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Since he
couldn’t make a potion that would take away evil,” Louie
answered, Daisy, “He tried making a potion that would make us more
like God.” “Not another potion.” Randy said sticking his head
in the door. “It tasted like banana soup.” Louie said lowering
his head and looking at the floor. “You mean you had some?” Daisy
said in surprise. “Lots of people were taking it.” Louie replied.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“And did people
become more like God?” Randy asked. “I’m not sure.” Louie
said looking up at Randy, “As for myself nothing happened. I don’t
feel any different. As for everybody else, well, they don’t appear
to be any more like God unless God has freckles.” “Freckles?”
Randy said a bit puzzled.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah,” Louie
piped up, “Everybody that was drinking the potion looks like me
now. They are covered with freckles.” After a slight pause, Louie
added, “So, does God have freckles?” “NO” Randy said. “Than
I guess the potion didn’t work.” Louie said After a long pause,
Louie asked “Would you like to hear how my science project did at
the fair?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I would love
to.” Daisy said “But I need to get some supper in the oven. Can
you tell me about it while I'm working?” “Uh, oh.” Louie said
when he heard that, “You might not want to use the oven for a
while. My experiment kind of, well it, uhm.” How about we all go
out to eat.” Randy piped in to which everyone readily agreed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many believe that
millions and billions of years ago a bunch of pond scum produced life
which mutated over time into human beings. If this were true we
would be nothing more than over sized mutations. Science shows us
that, that can't happen and God's word tells us it didn't happen.
God's word tells us that we were created in God's image.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>When the LORD
God made the heavens and the earth, there were no plants or grain
growing on the earth, for the LORD God had not sent any rain. And no
one was there to cultivate the soil. But water came up out of the
ground and watered all the land. And the LORD God formed a man's body
from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life.
And the man became a living person. Then the LORD God planted a
garden in Eden, in the east, and there he placed the man he had
created. … to tend and care for it. But the LORD God gave him this
warning: "You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except
fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of
its fruit, you will surely die." And the LORD God said, "It
is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will
help him." … So the LORD God caused Adam to fall into a deep
sleep. He took one of Adam's ribs and closed up the place from which
he had taken it. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib and
brought her to Adam. "At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She
is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called `woman,' because
she was taken out of a man." </i>
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
2:4-25 (NLT)</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
1:27 says <i>God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them.</i> (ESV) Psalm
139:13-16 Tells of His creating us while in the womb <i>For you
formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are
your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from
you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths
of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were
written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as
yet there were none of them</i>. (ESV)
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
With
this in mind, How special might we be?</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis
1:28 <i>And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be
fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have
dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens
and over every living thing that moves on the earth."</i> (ESV)
.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Matthew
10:30-31 <i>God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So
don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows</i>.
(NCV)</div>
</li>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1
John 3:1 <i>See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that
we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why
the world does not know us is that it did not know him.</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God
Himself does not have a body, Jesus tells us in the New Testament
that He is spirit but He did take on a body in Jesus and Jesus tells
us that if we've seen Him we've seen God. And while God may not have
a body like us we do have a spirit, we have a part of us that is not
physical but more like God, a part we don't really see and all to
often forget exists. We need to remember that we are God's creation.</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Here's
Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do
you see yourself and those around you as being created in God's
image?</div>
</li>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are
you letting God's image be seen in you?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-37933899354422204852014-10-04T04:00:00.000-07:002014-10-05T12:40:44.064-07:00FAILED EXPERIMENT
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<br />
<b> </b>It was the first
Sunday of October, Church was done for the morning and Randy was
relaxing in his office while looking out the window at the brilliant
colored leaves. “I suppose it won't be long now until I have to
grab some rakes out of the shed and start raking leaves.” He
thought out loud as he gave a big sigh “Maybe I can get the youth
group to do it again.” he thought but that was suddenly interrupted
by the sound a an explosion and somebody yelling “Quick!!
Somebody!! Call the fire department!!”
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Somebody was in
that shed and now he was running around screaming like a maniac and
“Is that smoke coming out of the shed?” Randy hollered and took
off. “Who's there?” He hollered out as he came around the corner
to the shed, “Are you all right?” “It's still isn’t working.”
came a coughing and sputtering response.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Is that you
Harold Peterson?” Randy asked as he looked over a boy covered in,
well, covered in something. “I think it’s still me.” Harold
answered still coughing and sputtering. “What are you doing?”
Randy demanded to know, “Are you trying to blow up the church?”
“No.” Harold responded, “It It was my experiment - again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Experiment?”
Randy said, “ What experiment?” “The one I am working on for
the school science fair.” Harold said. “Well, why are you working
on it in the church's shed?” Randy asked. “Because they wouldn't
let me back in the lab at school?” Harold said, “It kind of no
longer exist. I had to much powder in my experiment and it blew up.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“And now your
trying to blow up the church.” Randy stated. “No.” Harold said
as he started to clean himself off, “I’m just trying to come up
with a cure for the science fair.” “A cure?” Randy questioned,
“What are you trying to cure, cancer?” “Somebody else is
trying to do that.” Harold said, “ I wanted to create a cure for
something even worse.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Something
worse?” Randy asked wondering what it could be. “A cure for
death?” “Well, maybe sort of but not really.” Harold said
confusing Randy “You see,” Harold went on, “Death is the result
of sin, and, well, I’m trying to come up with a cure for sin. All
you would have to do is drink my potion and you would never sin
again.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“And just how
would you get people to drink it?” Randy asked. “Well, why
wouldn't they?” Harold asked sure everyone would want it. “God
has already provided a cure for sin and most people don’t want it?”
Randy told Harold. “What?!” Harold shouted, “He beat me to it?
Oh well, the stuff didn’t taste very good anyways. Well, back to
the drawing board. By the way, do you have a drawing board I can
borrow? The one I was using was destroyed in the explosion.”
“No.” Randy said, “But I do have some rakes and a church yard
that is going to need some raking.”<br /><br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Through out the
Bible references are made to something in the beginning of Genesis.
It is the first story in Genesis, the first one in time, it is the
story of creation. The story of creation can be found in Genesis
1:2-2:3 and can be summed up as follows:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 1: God
created space, time, matter and lightened</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 2: God
separated the waters</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 3: God
produced dry land and plants</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 4: God
made the heavenly bodies such as the sun and stars</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 5: God
made birds and fish</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 6: God
made the land animals and God made man</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 7: God
rested.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we read the
story of creation one thing we read over and over again is that what
God made was very good. We can see that in Genesis 1:4,
10, 12, 18, 21, 25 & 31. The last time God says what He made was
good He say it was “Very Good.” You can't get any better than
that but is it still good?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When one looks
around us today, what we see is far from very good. Romans 5:12 says
that <i>Sin came into the world because of what one man did, and with
sin came death. This is why everyone must die—because everyone
sinned.</i> (NCV) Ever since that day sin has plagued mankind and
all of creation but is there a cure?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
One may try to
solve the problem of sin and its consequences like Harold with some
kind of potion but God has given us a cure. Romans 6:23 says F<i>or
the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.</i> (ESV) and John 3:16 says <i>For God so
loved the world, that </i><i>H</i><i>e gave </i><i>H</i><i>is only
Son, that whoever believes in </i><i>H</i><i>im should not perish but
have eternal life.</i> (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
One day everything
will be restored. We are reminded of this in...</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Romans 8:19-23
<i>For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that
future day when God will resurrect his children. For on that day
thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay --the things that
overcame the world against its will at God's command--will all
disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious
freedom from sin which God's children enjoy.</i> <i>For we know that
even the things of nature, like animals and plants, suffer in
sickness and death as they await this great event. And even we
Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a
foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and
suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give
us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has
promised us--bodies that will never be sick again and will never
die</i>. (TLB)</div>
</li>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2
Peter 3:10-13 <i>But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and
then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies
will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that
are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to
be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of
holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the
day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and
dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But
according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells.</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God
did make everything good, go ahead and read the story for yourself.
And as you do, <b>Here's Something To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As
you look at creation can you see past the corruption to see the
good?</div>
</li>
<li><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Will
you acknowledge God as Creator?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6505485124624510708.post-22791420944142308212014-09-13T04:00:00.000-07:002014-09-13T04:00:00.663-07:00I AM GOD
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<br />
<b> </b>For may years I
have enjoyed writing puppet skits and puppet stories. Sometimes it
is a lot of work and I wonder how or why I should keep going and then
I start letting my imagination and go and, well, sometimes it is as
if the characters themselves, the ones that I created come to life
and start telling me what to do like happened recently.
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While I was working
on series of lessons for Genesis and writing a puppet story for the
first one, I was thinking about which of my puppet characters was the
most bossy when low and behold, Stella turned up. “STOP!!! Stop
everything.” She yelled at me, “This puppet story is over,
done,finished, kaput.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What?” I
asked looking around for her, “What are you talking about?” “Your
position here has been terminated.” She responded as she peered
over the computer monitor at me. “It is ended, finished, YOU are
fired.” she continued. “You can't do that!” I said staring
back at her. “I can and I am.” She said back to me. “From now
on I am in charge here. Now get out of here.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Alright Stella
Peterson!” I said, “Just who gave you the right to come in here
and take over my lesson writing?” “I did!” she snapped back at
me “And from now on everyone will obey me and only me.” “Just
who do you think you are?” I asked and of course she answered in a
typical Stella way, “You can call me god.” she said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I don’t think
so.” I told her, “There is but one God and you are not Him.”
“Not anymore.” She quipped back, “And if God wants to argue
about it I’ll make Him miserable.” “So, you really think your
god.” I said. “No!” she responded, “I know I am god and from
now on what ever I say goes, and you go. Now get out of here.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I couldn't let her
get away with being so bossy so I told her “No, and you can't make
me.” “Yes I can.” She snapped back. “How?” I asked “Well,
well,” she stammered, “For starters I'll, I'll erase all your
puppet stories from your computer. And then I'll get my dog Ralph to
chase you away.” “You don't have a dog named Ralph.” I
reminded her but that didn't stop her. “Then I’ll get one. A
big, ugly, ferocious one.” she said.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Why don’t you
make one?” I asked her “After all,” I said, “If you are god
than you should be able to make one right here and now out of
nothing.” “Yeah right.” she snorted when I said that. “I
tell you what, Stella.” I said as I stared into her eyes, “You
just go home and forget about trying to be God.” “And what if I
don’t?” she asked. “If you don't,” I told her, “I'll send
my son Aaron after you.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Do you mean that
Aaron, that over six foot tall Arron standing behind you?” she
asked. And then she looked at me and said “I'll let you win this
time but I'll be back.” and then she left with a sinister laugh,
and I woke up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Romans 1:20 states
<i>For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His
eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being
understood through what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.</i> (NASB) There are those who claim there is no God, or if
there is a God we can't know Him and yet He does exist and we can
know He exists and who He is but, even then we may choose not to
believe as many have. Some may say that if they only had more
evidence they would believe but would they?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Israelites had
just received a miraculous delivery from Egypt, the ten commandments
in person and yet.... <i>When the people saw that Moses delayed to
come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together
to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before
us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of
Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." So Aaron said to
them, "Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your
wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." So
all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and
brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and
fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they
said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of
the land of Egypt!" When Aaron saw this, he built an altar
before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall
be a feast to the LORD." And they rose up early the next day
and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the
people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. And the LORD
said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up
out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have
turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have
made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and
sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who
brought you up out of the land of Egypt!' </i>"
</div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Exodus
32:1-8 (ESV)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They witnessed God
and His power first hand and still they chose to gather their gold
and make a calf and worship it, claiming it to be God.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 1:1 starts
“In the beginning God.” It doesn't try to prove His existence, it
just says He is. The Bible goes on to tells us about God and who He
is … It tells us in:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Isaiah 43:10-12
"<i>You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and
my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and
understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall
there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no
savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no
strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the
LORD, "and I am God.</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John 4:24 <i>God
is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and
truth."</i> (ESV)
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 John 1:5 <i>This
is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God
is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.</i> (ESV)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Psalm 119:68
<i>You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.
</i>(HCSB)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 John 4:8
<i>Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.</i>
(ESV)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Joshua 24:19
<i>Then Joshua said to the people, "You will not be able to
serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will
not forgive your transgression or your sins. </i>(NASB)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hebrews 12:29<i>
for our God is a consuming fire. </i>(ESV)
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The list goes on
and one day we will see Him if we want to believe it or not. In the
mean time...</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Here's Something
To Ponder</b></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What are the
real reasons for choosing not to believe in God?</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what ways
have you ever tried to lift yourself up as God?</div>
</li>
</ul>
Everyday Thankfulnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15410298633391886666noreply@blogger.com0