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Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that has touched my family, so it
matters to me more than it used to. I
suppose it should have mattered to me all along. Another member of our family has been working
to help fight this disease for a long time.
I hope you will consider giving her your support. Even if you cannot give her your financial
support we would still very much like to have your prayer support. (See
details) |
HOME
| AUG 2011 | JUL 2011 | JUN 2011 | MAY 2011
SEP 2009 to APR 2011 | AUG 2009 | JAN to JUL 2009
OCT to DEC 2008 | JUL to SEP 2008 | APR to JUN 2008
| JAN to MAR 2008
September 30, 2011
Satan's Strongholds
Why is it people search diligently for scriptures to support the
point of view they already have, instead of letting God's word teach them something
new. Don't they want to get better?
Let this be my daily prayer: Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O
God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any
wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Amen
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September 29, 2011
Respect
Leviticus 19:3 "Each
of you must respect his mother and father, and
you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your
God."
The dictionary at http://dictionary.reference.com
has a number of definitions for "respect." One or both of these seem to be what is meant
in Leviticus:
3. esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a
personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a
personal quality or ability
4. deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or
someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper
acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment.
Some would like to make it the second one because then they just
have to respect the fact that they are a parent. But I think that is just part of it. I think it means both senses of the word
shown here, because in other places the Bible says we must honor our parents
and take care of their needs. I believe
we are supposed to look for the good in our parents in our hearts, not just
outward showing of courtesy, acknowledgement, and deference to them.
Lord my God, please forgive me for all the times I failed to show
respect for my mother and father and all the times I failed to look for their
virtue.
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September 28, 2011
Are Our Eye Balls Bird Food?
Proverbs 30:17 says "As for the eye that ridicules a father
and despises obedience to a mother, may ravens of the valley pluck it out and
young vultures eat it."
Sounds like God is pretty serious about His command to honor our
parents.
Lord, please forgive me for all the times I showed disrespect for
my mother and father.
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September 27, 2011
An Obligation to Our Parents
Matthew 15:1-9 "Then
some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do
Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands
when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you
yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4
For God said, 'Honor your father and
mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of
father or mother is to be put to death.' 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to
his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to
God,” 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you
invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites,
rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from
me. 9.
But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of
men.'"
It is not enough to speak well of, and to, our parents. We must also "help" them. (verse 5).
Our culture does not support this idea anymore. Care of the elderly has become a government
activity. That is a "precept of
men," not a doctrine of God. I
don't mean we should not use whatever help is available, but neither should we
use it's availability as an excuse to do little or nothing ourselves.
Heavenly Father, I regret not being more of a help to him during
my father's final illness. Please
forgive me.
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September 26, 2011
Exodus 21:17
"Whoever curses his father or his mother must be put to
death."
Jesus, you died on the cross in my place. Thank You.
I'm so sorry for every single time I wished ill for my parents and even
more sorry for the times I said it aloud.
Please forgive me.
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September 25, 2011
Colossians 3:20
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is
pleasing in the Lord."
God, I have displeased you so many times in this. Please forgive me.
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September 24, 2011
Proverbs 10:1
"A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings
grief to a mother."
Lord, please forgive me for all the times I brought grief to my
mother.
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September 23, 2011
Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be
prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you."
Father, please forgive me for all the times I disobeyed this command.
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September 22, 2011
Foggy Morning
I'm considering how much I love my children, children-in-law, and
grandchildren and how I might best show it. It is very foggy outside this morning.
Inside it is very clear.
Lord, help me to be of use to those I love.
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September 21, 2011
Cystic Fibrosis
Please visit my friend’s web
page and support her fight against Cystic Fibrosis.
Father, please bless these efforts to raise money to fight this
terrible disease.
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September 20, 2011
Anger
I have heard it said that other people can not make you angry,
that anger is a choice. This truism is
not true. This factoid is not a
fact. Anger is an emotion which others
can evoke in you, particularly people you trust and love. You usually hear this truism as a response
when people try to use anger as an excuse for their actions. Anger is not an excuse for sin or lack of
wisdom in your actions.
Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the
sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”
We are responsible for what we think, say, and do. We are not responsible for what we feel. Our emotions are part of our
circumstances. We can have an impact on
our emotions by thinking, saying and doing what is right. We must realize that Satan deliberately tries
to create turmoil in our lives by whispering lies in our ears that will evoke
many negative emotions, including anger, if, and only if, we believe them. Protect yourself with Bible study, prayer,
and fellowship with other believers.
God, please help me to have only righteous anger.
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September 12, 2011
A Study in Contrasts
Response
I sent yesterday’s post, “A Study in Contrasts” out to about 30 people
by e-mail, and also posted it on Facebook.
I have had a few responses, all positive. The first one was from a Muslim friend of
mine. It said, “Amen. Thanks for sharing.”
First John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is
from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love, does not know God,
for God is love.”
Lord, please teach those that hate to love instead.
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September 11, 2011
A Study in Contrasts
It is interesting how high and how low people can be.
There is one group of people who have so much hate they can
conspire together to fly an airplane into a building and with their suicide
kill thousands of people who have never tried to harm them. Those that actually did this are just members
of a larger group who think much alike, but are not willing to commit
suicide. It makes me ashamed to be a
human being.
On the other hand, I went to a charity fund raising event this afternoon
where I saw a different kind of people.
My job was to collect the $10 admission fee. People would give me a check for $100, and
when I would notice, they would shrug and say something like, "It's just
an extra zero. That's nothing."
They would pay for the admission of their children, when their children
were free. They would give me a twenty
or fifty and not accept change. They
would bring a donation for the silent auction, which allowed them to enter for
free, and pay to get in anyway. Some had
to leave early and asked me if I could accept a donation, and act like I was
doing them a favor by taking their money.
Hundreds of people showed up for no other reason than to help a friend
in need. It made me proud to be a human
being.
What is really interesting is that it is possible for the same
person to be a member of both of these groups - haters and lovers. God help us!
Lord, please make me more like those worthy of respect and
admiration, and less like those worthy of nothing except contempt.
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September 10, 2011
Changing Attitude
It is odd how my tastes change over time. We were watching an old movie tonight which I
used to like. The behavior of some of
the people which I used to think was funny, is now annoying. They were manipulative and rude to people who
were trying to love them. I’m not sure
this is a sign of improvement in me or some kind of hardening or bitterness.
Lord, please make me into the sort of man You want me to be.
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September 9, 2011
Busy Weeks
It has been a busy week. I
have been helping get ready for Courtney’s Coffee House by posting items they
are selling in the silent auction at http://www.tntcarden.com/SilentAuctionList.htm. That seems to be pretty much complete. I had a lot of fun working on it. As web pages go, it isn’t very good, but it
is suitable for the purpose and they like it, so I’m happy about that. Trisha made a cake and some cookies to sell
there. Some of my friends at church who
don’t even know Courtney donated items for the event. That made me feel very good about my church
family. There is an event at the church
Sunday afternoon that I feel a little regretful about missing. Trish and I are going to go and help with the
Coffee House instead since we are already committed to it.
The other thing is I have gotten in the mood to write lessons
again. Last weekend I cleaned my desk
and got organized. First time since
May. I re-wrote six more lessons in the
Words of Jesus course – 18 through 23.
We are on lesson 2 on Friday night and lesson 3 in Sunday School, so
there is no rush. I’m just relaxing and
enjoying it. I’m having to re-write them
to adapt them from “learn by mail” to classroom use. I’m also adding material from a sermon series
I did on the Sermon on the Mount. It is
expanding from 16 lessons to about 33.
The next two weeks are going to be just as busy. I’m looking forward to seeing my son,
daughter-in-law and six of my grand children.
You probably won’t hear much from me here or on Facebook.
Father, help me not be too busy to spend time with You.
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September 5, 2011
Argument or Discussion?
It used to bother me when I'm having a discussion with someone,
trying to learn and exchange ideas, and they end it by saying something that
amounts to: Let's quit this, and just agree to disagree, and by the way you are
an idiot, and here is why, and proceed to fire off a few parting shots. Now I
just figure what they mean is: I've lost this argument, but I don’t want to
admit it. What is sad is that I’m not
arguing. I’m just trying to learn more
about the truth by comparing points of view, but they are more interested in
believing they are never wrong. Their
arrogance keeps them ignorant. You can’t
learn without realizing you are wrong, or at least ignorant. Everyone is frequently wrong, ignorant, or
both. Why do they make it a matter of pride?
You can tell they think I’m a hard head, stupid, and
prideful. Maybe I am, but I’m not going
to pretend to agree when I don’t, and I’m not convinced to change my mind
without some evidence and logic. I have
my blind spots like anyone, I suppose.
Seems to me the best thing to do is keep talking about it, not
quit.
Lord, when we seek the truth, we are seeking You. Help us to understand more about You and Your
universe through fellowship with others.
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September 4, 2011
Gossip
Do you talk about people when they are not present? Yes, of course. We all do.
When is such talk the harmless exchange of news and when is it gossip?
According to http://www.gotquestions.org/gossip-Bible.html
Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways:
1. Intent. Gossipers often have the goal of building themselves up
by making others look bad and exalting themselves as some kind of repositories
of knowledge.
2. The type of information shared: Gossipers speak of the faults
and failings of others, or reveal potentially embarrassing or shameful details
regarding the lives of others without their knowledge or approval. Even if they
mean no harm, it is still gossip.
I know I hate being the victim of it. It is very hard for me to respect people who
talk about me behind my back. It they
have a problem with me; they should bring it up with me.
Lord, help me to not gossip, to know how to respond when others
try to gossip to me, and to forgive when others gossip about me.
Gossip Response
A friend responded to the above: “A mentor once told me how he
figured out if what he was saying was gossip: decide whether you would say what
you were saying about the person if they were in the room.”
That seems an excellent test to me. I like simple practical ideas like this that
help me walk more in the ways of the Lord.
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September 3, 2011
Rogues, Rascals & Rats
Look at the list of “things which are not proper” in Romans
1:28-32 “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God
gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29
being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy,
murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God,
insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31
without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although
they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy
of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who
practice them.”
Most of us think we are doing pretty good if we avoid the murder
one, but that is just one thing on a long list of things. We skip over the unrighteousness and
wickedness assuming those could not apply to ourselves.
What about greed? Do we dream
of winning the lottery? Are we
constantly wanting a better paying job?
Are we frequently disappointed because there are things we want that we
can not afford?
Skip evil. Can’t be us,
right?
Full of envy. How often to
we compare ourselves to others? Do they
have more than us? Do they behave worse
than us?
Strife? No, not us,
right? We get along with everyone,
except people who don’t do as we want them to, but that is their fault, not
ours.
Deceit? We never tell any
lies. We never let people believe
anything that isn’t true. It is not our
fault if they get the wrong idea from the things we didn’t say.
Malice? Do we wish
something bad would happen to others and/or are we glad when it does happen to
them? They deserve it after all.
Gossips? Do we pass on
stories we have heard about people? How
can that hurt?
Slanderers? Do we put
people down behind their back without giving them a chance to defend
themselves? Well not good people, only
bad ones, right?
Haters of God? Not us, of
course. We disobey Him, but we love
Him. Funny kind of love.
Insolent? We are always
respectful of others, even behind their backs.
We don’t think too much of ourselves, so how could we be
arrogant? We think there is nothing
seriously wrong with ourselves, but we are not arrogant? What is wrong with that picture?
Boastful? Have we ever
listened to ourselves talk and noticed how often we use the words I, me, my and
mine?
Inventors of evil? There is
that word again - evil. Could not
possibly apply to us. No way. No sense even thinking it over.
Disobedient to parents? Of
course we don’t obey them. We are grown
people and we don’t owe them any respect any more.
Without understanding? If we
were lacking in understanding, how would we ever come to know it, when we blow
off a list like this, with so little self-examination?
Untrustworthy? Of course
not, we are the illustration of a loyal friend.
We can be counted on, unless we change our mind, it becomes
inconvenient, or they do or say something we don’t like.
Unloving? We love those who
deserve it and who love us. What else is
required? The rest of those people get
what they deserve from us. If they were
good people we would love them, especially if they were good to us.
Unmerciful? Yes, we are
quick to forgive the faults and foibles of others, not only extending to them
the hand of fellowship when they have done wrong but encouraging others to
forgive them as well.
Or are we more like verse 32 people? In our heart of hearts we know better, but we
gather friends around us that do and think the same evil way we do, and just
because we don’t murder people we are content we are good Christian people. Are we?
Lord, I have failed you in so many ways. Please make me into a better man by renewing
my mind in Your holy word.
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September 2, 2011
Psalms 1:3
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Firmly planted in life, fruitfulness for my endeavors, sources of
energy not drying up, and prospering in whatever I do. I want this promise for
myself. What are the conditions?
Psalm 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel
of the wicked, (Don't listen to advice from bad people - check)
Nor stand in the path of sinners, (Don't choose the path of wrong and
wickedness - some missteps aside, check)
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (Don't doubt and ridicule the
things of God - check)
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, (Enjoy and take pleasure in God's word -
hmmm. Sometimes.)
And in His law he meditates day and night. (Fill your mind with God's word - hmmm. Needs work.)
God, please make me into the kind of man who is qualified to
receive this promise.
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September 1, 2011
A Lesson from Job (The
bible book, not my place of employment.)
In my daily Bible reading I just finished the book of Job. You probably remember that in the end, God
restores Job's blessings, but have you ever noticed how it happens? In chapter 42 verse 6 Job repents
"Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes." There is no restoration of Job's blessings at
that time. We must assume that he
continued on with his poverty and skin disease.
Then in verses 7 through 9 God rebukes Job's "friends" and
instructs them to make specific sacrifices, which take some period of time,
probably days, certainly hours. Then Job
prays for his friends and then in verse 10 God restores Job. "The LORD restored the fortunes of Job
when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had
twofold."
Sure makes Matthew 6:12 come alive. "And forgive us our debts, as we also
have forgiven our debtors."
Father, help me to understand no one owes me anything and look
only to You for my blessings and sustenance.
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| JAN to MAR 2008
LIFE IS
A BEAUTIFUL GIFT – PAY IT FORWARD - BE AN ORGAN DONOR
A friend of mine, (see http://anotherdayanotherbreath.wordpress.com/),
has recently had a lung transplant. We
are so grateful for the young man who decided to be an organ donor and made
this possible. On his way out of this
world, he saved someone's life. Please
consider becoming an organ donor. You
can be a hero, too. It is just a little
heart symbol on your driver’s license. 
By the time they take
your organs you won’t need them anymore.
Why not be generous?