tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29504003711452143812024-03-13T03:52:40.801-07:00Come experience my passion for what matters mostWhy I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-46675829723501377292019-02-18T04:40:00.005-08:002019-02-18T04:40:57.367-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Is church for today?<br />
<i>1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.</i><br />
When you read this verse, doesn’t it sound to you like God is talking about an actual meeting place? An actual physical, brick and mortar type building?
When I see the term, “house of God, which is the church of the living God”
And “pillar”, I mean, upon a non pre-conditioned, unbiased first reading, is there any doubt that this verse is talking about an actual, physical building?<br />
<br />
Read it again. (I dare you).
Did you? Come on, did you really read it a second time? I think that’s a fair request, don’t you?
I mean, if we are going to examine this verse, doesn’t it deserve a second look?
And right now, I would guess that many of you are looking at it through the lens of “deconstruct and re-word”.<br />
<br />
A lot of people say that we are the church, meaning we the people. And yes, it is true that God says that we the people (the believing people), are the body of Christ and His members.
But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also to be an actual building called the church.
There are actual verses that tell us that yes, we are to meet together as believers, and that, yes, it is an actual physical building we are to go to and that building is actually called a church.<br />
<i> 1 Timothy 3:5 For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?
</i>
Yes, this church can be read two different ways. When it talks about a man ruling his house, it means his household (his family), and it also means the physical structure he lives in. He does the plumbing, he leads his family in devotionals. The meaning is not one or the other…it is family and physical structure.
The same Pastor who takes care of his own house, also makes sure that someone shovels the snow at church, someone mows the lawn at church, so that he can prepare the sermons for the people and tend to their spiritual needs.<br />
I know what some of you house group people are thinking. They met from house to house. They had “house church”. They didn’t do traditional church.<br />
<br />
O. Really?
<i>…and breaking bread, from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Praising God and having favour with all the with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47 to 48</i>
So there we have it, right? They went house to house for church? Yes, that would be correct, unless we also read the first portion of the passage.
<b><i>And they, continuing daily with one accord IN THE TEMPLE </i></b><i>and breaking bread, from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Praising God and having favour with all the with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47 to</i> 48
That is the complete passage.
They were in the temple every day, and then they also had daily fellowship in one another’s homes.
So why do the house church people always neglect to mention the first part of the verse?<br />
<br />
Now, I know that some of you are screaming right now, “Well, there are other verses too” and yes, we will get to them. But for now, before you shoot my duckie out of the sky, let’s let him present his full beak at least before you shoot him down.
My point here, with this verse is, they did go from house to house. But that was after they went to the temple. And they were in the temple every day. Why was that? They clearly were open to meeting in one another’s homes. But this in no way took the place of meeting in the temple. Were they just hanging out at the temple? Maybe. But since it says that they were there in one accord, Don’t you kind of get the feeling that they were there for some specific purpose? Like prayer or maybe even…(gulp) an actual worship service? (wow!)
Because I know a lot of you want to act like there was just this great commune of Jesus people who met from house to house (they did) and shared everything. And yes. They did that too. Yet the very verse that says<br />
<i>44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
</i><br />
This very passage is directly above the one about meeting in the temple.
Yes, these house fellowship loving, commune living folk, met with one accord in the temple, every single day, just as they did in the upper room several verses prior.<br />
Wow. All of you house group people take note: your predecessors also met in the temple. Not just for fellowship in homes.
Why did this stop? Why the house group movement.
Pain. Pain. Rejection. More pain. Pastoral nonsense. Pain. More nonsense. Scandal. Deadness. Dry sermons. Disallusionment.<br />
Thankfully, in our nation there are more than 2 or three temples on every corner.
Move on.
Don’t quit church.<br />
I hear you right now. "I am done with church. I will lick my wounds with select believers".
Go on then.
Heal
Recover.
Then get back in church.
I realize starting over is hard. Please don’t only live the second part of this passage.
Don’t isolate and segregate. You do it right, even if your pastor did it all wrong.
(He’s been hurt too, you know). Hurt people hurt people. He’s not the only man of God out there.
Take a chance each weekend.
You’ll find the right place
I know you think you’ve found it in your home. Now go live the first part of this passage.
Pray about it. (will you please please pray? I mean don’t tell me I have prayed Pray right now)/
The Holy Spirit will help you get back into a church that you love.
Give Him a chance. He never quit you.
<a href="https://howtosellanythingonline.wordpress.com/how-to-know-god/"><img alt="5573455402_a30b746c6f_z" class=" wp-image-5108 alignleft" height="545" src="https://howtosellanythingonline.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/5573455402_a30b746c6f_z.jpg" width="386" /></a>
<i>And daily in the temple, AND in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ"--Acts 5:42</i>
</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-9876975454186781532018-12-30T15:06:00.001-08:002018-12-30T16:03:56.365-08:00Symbolic Eucharist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><b>Gen 49:11</b></span>
refers to wine as the “blood of the grape”, see also Deut. 32:14</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:16&version=KJV"><span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>1
Corinthians 10:16</b></span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>The cup of blessing which we
bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread
which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does this verse say that the wine is
literally Christ's blood, or rather, the communion of His blood?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h1 class="western">
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew
26:27-28 </b></span></span>
</h1>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24082"></a><i><b>27 And he took the cup, and
gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, <span style="color: #cc0000;">Drink
ye all of it;</span></b></i><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24083"></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>28 For
this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins.</b></i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Notice how this
verse speaks of the blood as having already been shed. Yet we know,
His blood was not already shed; that would happen later. Why would He
refer to the wine as His shed blood before it was shed? Because the
wine was symbolizing His blood, which would be shed. In the future,
all believers would be taking communion to symbolize the shed blood
of Christ, just as they understood it, before His death, to
symbolically represent His blood.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+11:25&version=KJV">1
Corinthians 11:25</a> </b></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>After
the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,
</b></span></i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>this
cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink
it, in remembrance of me. </b></span></i></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Believers would be remembering this
moment, not re-enacting it. It is symbolizing something which has
already occurred; we “remember”.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22:20&version=KJV">Luke
22:20</a> </b></span><i><b>Likewise also the cup after supper,
saying, </b></i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>This cup is the new
testament in my blood, which is shed for you.</b></i></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Notice the symbolism here...He is not
yet crucified; He is speaking of what has not happened yet. Still,
the wine is figuratively His blood which <i>will</i> be shed. It can
not literally be His blood; His blood is in His body, not in the cup.
He is setting up the model of a symbolic communion to be done in His
memory.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Notice also our Lord's words “this
cup is the new testament...”. Is the the New Testament a tangible
thing, like a cup? Surely you see how a cup is a literal thing and a
Testament is not a physical thing, but rather a concept. Or, if the
New Testament <i>is</i> a physical thing, such as a document, is our
Lord then saying that the literal cup is a literal scroll or such?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other examples in scripture are
symbolic of our Lord.</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<i><b>I am the door...”</b>
John 10:9</i></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<i><b>I am the TRUE vine...”</b></i><i>
John 15:1</i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though the word “true” is used,
we don't use this as proof that our Lord is a literal vine...” we
understand the allegory, based on the concept, despite the word
“true”.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<i><b>I an the good
shepherd...” </b></i><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">John
10:11</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are symbolical sheep, he is our
symbolical shepherd.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-263131"></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">“<span style="font-size: medium;">...and
my blood is drink indeed”. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many Catholics and other groups believe
that the wine is the literal blood of Christ, and that it is not
symbolic.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-26313"></a><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They point to our Lord's words in John
6:55 where the word “indeed” is used. But we understand that this
is allegorical, despite the word “indeed” based on the context of
the surrounding text. In verse 63, he tells us that the words He
speaks are spirit and truth.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-26318"></a>60 Many therefore of his
disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying;
who can hear it?<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-26319"></a>61 When Jesus knew in himself that
his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend
you?<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-26320"></a>62 What and if ye shall see the
Son of man ascend up where he was before?<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-26321"></a>63 It is the spirit that
quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto
you, they are spirit, and they are life.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here we see that Jesus is explaining to
the Kosher-observant Jews that He is not speaking of cannibalism (an
unbiblical practice) but rather, of a spiritual, symbolic observance
of communion with Him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Furthermore, if Jesus is saying that
his blood is literally drink, at that literal moment, we would expect
Him to cut his flesh and pour out a cup for all. Clearly, based on
the context of the text and the fact that Christ is physically
present when He says this, we can take this to mean that Christ's
blood is “spiritual drink” in the same way that He is the True
Vine without literally being a plant.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-5551650139820609812017-12-14T07:03:00.001-08:002017-12-14T08:39:43.438-08:00"I am happy"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Today, as I was walking around planning my day, I felt the strongest urge to quote those words out loud.
I soon noticed my children joining in. As I began quoting these words, my middle daughter said "Mom, I was just thinking those words five minutes ago!" Which is one major coincidence when you consider that it's been years since she saw me saying it in the mirror.
Before I tell you this affirmation, I need to tell you how I learned it.
I was in a school assembly back in junior high school, when a 90 year old minister came on stage. He was a kind looking man with soulful black eyes and skin. He carried himself with such quiet confidence and dignity. When he told us his age, we were agahst! The man didn't look a day over sixty, and that would have been the absolute highest age I could have believed without my jaw dropping. I could have believed he was fifty, easily.
He was alert, and his posture was perfect.
His doctor had told him that he was in perfect health, and asked him how he did it.
He related to his doctor that every morning, he looked in the mirror and told himself this, outloud:
I am happy. I am healthy. I ammmmmmm successful (he said this part with an urban groove)/
Today is the best day of my life. Tomorrow will be even better. I Can. Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-75822382907607447652017-12-11T10:05:00.001-08:002017-12-11T10:46:54.688-08:00Pastor sets up Lucy type advise shack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div id="articlecontent">
<strong>"The church itself is
beautiful, I love it with all my heart—but it's a little bit
intimidating to people on the outside. That's what I'm afraid of. So, I
simply sit there in this kind of humble booth and make myself
available." -Pastor Gregory Fryer</strong><br />
"I have been pastor of this church for 25 years but I have learned
it's easier to meet people if I sit on the street corner," Pastor Fryer
told reporters. <br />
His bright yellow booth is a tribute to an old Peanuts comic.<br />
<br />
"I'm charmed by the idea of Lucy and her psychiatric help booth,
'Psychiatric Help, five cents, the doctor is in,' and then I thought
well, I could do a pastor's version," said Fryer.<br />
Some people get the reference, others not so much. Either way, Pastor Fryer makes it work.<br />
"All kinds of people stop by, but they all seem to stop with good
will ... sometimes people sit down at my booth and they burst into tears
and the reason for that is because we all have our own story. We all
have our hopes and dreams and sorrows and setbacks. I'm a pastor. My job
is to listen as carefully as I can and then speak back words of
encouragement by speaking about Jesus," Fryer explained.<br />
When you sit on the street corner as often as Pastor Fryer does, your
community starts to notice. That's why he started this whole thing in
the first place, to let people know he's here and available to them.<br />
"The
church itself is beautiful, I love it with all my heart—but it's a
little bit intimidating to people on the outside. That's what I'm afraid
of. So, I simply sit there in this kind of humble booth and make myself
available," said Fryer. <br />
His approach helps take away any fear of rejection as he does this week after week.<br />
"In theory nobody could stop by my booth. That would still be OK,
because I'm looking at them. These are my neighbors. These are the
neighbors to our church. So I try to look at them and when I see them in
the neighborhood I recognize them and they recognize me," Fryer said.<br />
After making himself available for nearly a year, some of those he's
prayed with on the street, now walk through the doors of his church.<br />
"If we save only one soul it'll be worth it. Well, we can point to
one soul because we just baptized, recently, a young man who we met
through the booth," Fryer said.<br />
As for the five cent charge, the church provides your fee. Still, many drop in some coins or a few bucks to help in the cause.<br />
"I think it's because they like the idea. They like the idea of the
pastor being available even if they themselves don't feel the need for
the pastor," said Fryer.</div>
</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-63101622235662753872016-10-24T20:28:00.003-07:002018-12-30T16:04:54.288-08:00Is God Done with Israel? Addressing Replacement Theology<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<h3>
JEREMIAH 31:31-37</h3>
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
¶
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
<br />
<h3>
JEREMIAH 33:25-26</h3>
Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
<br />
<h3>
ROMANS CHAPTER 11</h3>
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
<br />
<h3>
Jer 32:36 </h3>
¶
And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
Jer 32:37
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:<br />
Jer 32:38
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:<br />
<h3>
JEREMIAH 31:31-37</h3>
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
¶
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
<br />
<h3>
JEREMIAH 33:25-26</h3>
Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
<br />
<h3>
ROMANS CHAPTER 11</h3>
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
<br />
<h3>
Jer 32:36 </h3>
¶
And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
Jer 32:37
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:<br />
<h3>
JEREMIAH 31:31-37</h3>
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
¶
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
<br />
<h3>
JEREMIAH 33:25-26</h3>
Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
<br />
<h3>
ROMANS CHAPTER 11</h3>
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
<br />
<h3>
Jer 32:36 </h3>
¶
And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
Jer 32:37
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:<br />
Jer 32:38
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:<br />
Jer 32:39
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:<br />
Jer 32:40
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.<br />
Jer 32:41
Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.<br />
Jer 32:42
¶
For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.<br />
Jer 32:43
And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.<br />
Jer 32:44
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.<br />
Jer 32:38
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:<br />
Jer 32:39
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:<br />
Jer 32:40
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.<br />
Jer 32:41
Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.<br />
Jer 32:42
¶
For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.<br />
Jer 32:43
And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.<br />
Jer 32:44
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.<br />
Jer 32:39
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:<br />
Jer 32:40
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.<br />
Jer 32:41
Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.<br />
Jer 32:42
¶
For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.<br />
Jer 32:43
And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.<br />
Jer 32:44
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-73603113767160043742015-11-15T05:28:00.001-08:002015-11-15T05:28:51.444-08:00"omg"--taking God's name in vainWhy do people take the name of the Lord in vain?
When I was a child, my mother used to rebuke me for saying God's name in any capacity other than referring to Him.
This is interesting to me, because my mother never really claimed any religious belief other than that she believed in God.
In fact, she always maintained that we, her children, were free to believe anything we wanted. She refused to interfere with or even influence our belief system.
I remember being a small child and looking up at the blue sky, ( I think I was about 5 years old at the time), and I remember thinking, "There's SomeOne up there, and he knows all about me, and He made me, and He's watching me...
I didn't know that He was called God. I just knew that He knew me.
So it amazed me, years later, when my mother called me out for saying OMG when I wasn't referring to God.
Why did this bother her so?
I think that one of the reasons might be that back in my Mom's time, the ten commandments were taught in school. Yes, there was a time in American history when the ten commandments were taught and posted in public schools.
Could it be that many young Christians today simply have never been taught that taking the Lord's name in vain is wrong?
What does it mean to "take the name of the Lord" in vain?
Well, the word "vain" actually means "empty".
When someone uses God's name, but they aren't referring to God, then they are treating His name lightly, like something common. There is no meaning to it. They use "God" like an expression of delight, disgust, or shock. The original meaning becomes empty.Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-7571590334876027632015-10-14T01:13:00.001-07:002018-12-30T16:08:57.318-08:00Grandpa's Spoon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The day grandpa came home was exciting for everyone; the entire family had known this day would come. Grandpa had been having trouble mowing his lawn, and driving his car safely.
With joy, the family ushered him into the house and showed him his new room.
It didn't take long for grandpa to settle in. At first, it was glorious. The mom and dad loved the relationship that grandpa and their son had together. And at night, they would all gather around grandpa while he told his war stories. But as time grew on, Grandpa began to face some challenges; sometimes he'd forget things, like what time it was. He would sometimes think it was morning when it was evening. And his hand-to-eye coordination was changing. As time progressed, grandpa began to be a nuisance. Meal time became clean-up time. Grandpa would spill his milk all over the table. And sometimes, the peas wouldn't stay on his spoon. His hands shaking, grandpa would try to clean up his messes each night, with a tear in his eyes as the reproaches began. The messes and scoldings began to increase until one night, the family could take no more. The clammering and clattering, the broken dishes and frayed nerves were finally put to an end when a wooden bowl and spoon were presented to grandpa. To reduce messes and enhance mealtime, we has sent to a separate table.
Occassionally, guilt would creep over the Mom and Dad as they saw grandpa's sad face.But then they would remember how hard it had been having him at the table and they would sigh, resignedly.
One day, the mother found her son carving something with wood. "What are you making?" she asked the boy. He answered just as sweetly "I'm carving a spoon for you and daddy to use when you get old"</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-57082157826941551692015-10-14T01:00:00.003-07:002015-10-14T01:00:34.112-07:00I keep wondering what it would be like to be old and live in a nursing home. I wonder about arts and crafts hour. Will I really find it fun to do boring arts and crafts that wouldn't even entertain my ten year old? Will bingo really be the blast that the directors at these place claim it is? Will one weekly outing be enough? Will I (seriously now) find enjoyment from the food?Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-34112374490418410632015-10-14T00:32:00.001-07:002018-12-30T16:10:05.344-08:00"A Place for Mom"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have worked at three different nursing homes and I volunteer at three of them.
Ask me what really goes on there?
I will tell you that even in the best of them it is not "A Place For Mom". That's the headline to a commercial, in case you don't know.
I realize some people have no choice but to put someone in a nursing home. This might include a spouse who was so old that soon he would need skilled care as well, assuming that he and his wife had no children.
But what I don't understand is why so many Americans think that "busy" is a reason to dump granny. Yea, I think that's a fair term. You ought to see the old people lined up in a wheel chairs at one place I visit. They line the entry way on Saturdays waiting for someone to come get them out. I wondered why so many (read:all) of them were in wheel chairs (can't any of them walk?) but it makes perfect sense: they stick them in wheel chairs, otherwise, the residents would press their nose to the glass!!!!
You might wonder why I am so hard on people that do this (nothing get the defenses up like suggesting granny might not belong there), and I will tell you why...
First, I see them every day. I get the privelege of playing the piano for those who get left behind on Saturdays. I watch their sad faces in the "social" hall, resigned to the reality that they've been ditched. Again.
One day as I was entering, I witnessed the following: a very affluent Asian man, maybe in his forties, drove up to the nursing home in an expensive town car. He didn't even LOOK over at his immaculately dressed Asian mother, but stared out the rear view mirror as she let herself out. She was using a walker (the only one I had seen in the place all week), and she let herself out. Not a good by from him. No "let me get the door". She struggled to get her self, walker and all, out of the car while he completely ignored her. She closed the car door.Then, without a word, he drove off not waiting to see if she got in alright.
This is truly depressing because in Asia, they know better; see, over there, they would never think of putting their parent anywhere but in their own home, with the parents grandchildren right at hand.
I wonder if the second she got in the door, they didn't put her in a wheel chair to keep her out of the way (I never see walkers in there).
What sickens me is too think how fast she will deteriorate. I see it happen all the time.
But the closest to home is my own late mother in law.
Barbara was a wonderful mother in law, but she was very trusting. Her youngest son was in to drugs and she kept giving him money. He scammed her out of $35,000 before my brother in law helped her get an apartment, and got her a secure phone where she could not contact his scammer brother.
But Barb was a co-dependant and it didn't work...her wayward son kept finding a way to get in touch with his mom. He was a user and she was an enabler, so neither of them seemed uncomfortable with the arrangement. We began to question if maybe she was slipping mentally. She clearly needed to be protected from this guy. Before I knew i, my brother in law has put her into a nursing home.
"well" I thought, "maybe in this situation it's for the best". I called her the first week, and she told me how much she loved it there. I asked her if she wanted to be their and she insisted it was wonderful. And to be fair, it was a very nice facility. But again, it wasn't home.
Well, I waited, and then about two weeks later I called her. She seemed depressed. We came for a visit.
"I miss my grandkids" she told me. "Mom, what do you mean? The girls are right here?" My toddler had crawled into bed with her, and my infant was beside her "I mean ALL my grand kids"
I asked her if she didn't visit them, and she said they were not visiting all of the time like she had hoped (they lived right around the corner). I could tell she wanted out. Oh but what a war from the in-laws! I never won that fight. Within one month, she was gone. To glory. Departed.
</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-15962797150911426182015-10-14T00:26:00.002-07:002015-10-14T00:26:11.628-07:00Only the lonely
That's who you will find at the nursing home.Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-5034315022831784912015-10-14T00:02:00.001-07:002015-10-14T00:05:11.411-07:00Getting Grandma HomeI play the piano at several nursing homes in my area. It really saddens me to see these older people each day; most of them are slumped forward in wheel chairs.
Sometimes, they just appear to be sleeping, but what an uncomfortable position! I keep thinking their backs just must be killing them!
The first time I saw this, I started to approach the resident when suddenly, they snapped straight up, like they had just been taking a cat nap. "Well" I thought "It's a good thing I didn't interfere. I might have embarrassed them and myself".
But as my visits increase, I see this all the time. My daughter suggested to me that maybe they just can't sit up straight. But I know that many of them can.
I want to say something, but since it's everwhere, I ask myself....is this just normal?
And then I ask myself, Is this kind of normal good?
Now I want to talk about something else I see; lack of fresh air. One of the nursing homes I play at doesn't let anyone outside. At least not that I have ever seen. Let's think about what I just said; Inside. Not for days, or weeks, but months...and years. What would that feel like?
As a stay at home mom, I kind of know that feeling. But not for months.
Why do people seem to think that getting grandma out once a month is so okay? Would any of us be okay with just getting out of the house once a month? How about once a week, would that be enough?
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-54656814565903060272015-10-13T00:06:00.000-07:002015-10-14T00:25:19.721-07:00I just went to the website at one of the nursing homes I perform at, and it really disgusted me; what I saw online did not match up with what I see everyday.
At one of the places, they advertised that they were next door to a park. Well, I walk to that park each day after I play the piano for the elderly, and let me tell you, it is no quick sprint. It takes me five full minutes to walk across two parking lots and past several adjoining living centers to get there. Navigating the traffic on foot can be daunting; there are a lot of vehicles coming and going to the different living centers. I can't imagine someone in a wheel chair making it over there, if they were less than energetic.
Plus, I have never seen a power operated wheel chair at this place. These people just struggle and struggle to wheel these things even around a corner, with their frail aging hands.
(and almost all of them are in wheelchairs).
The other day, as I entered the dining hall, I saw a man struggling to open up a cannister of sugar for his coffee. He had obviously suffered a stroke recently, and he was over at the coffee counter (if that's what you call it) trying to open a tupperware container with one hand. Well I could see, there was just no way!. I raced over there and good naturedly asked if I could give him a hand (as one of his wasn't working). He nodded enthusiastically (he couldn't talk).Feeling like a million bucks, I then asked him how many sugars. Somehow he indicated to me that he wanted five full spoonfuls. Okay, now I was delighted and I told him how I liked lots of sugar in my coffee too. His eyes glowed approval as I heaped teaspoon after teaspoon in his mug. "I'll bet no one gives him enough sugar" I thought "no one ever gets my coffee right the first time".
And then I remembered this movie I saw once about a woman who had early Alzheimer's disease. Her family was contemplating putting her in a nursing facility. But her son stood up for her and said "can they do this for her or that for her" (example after example). But the final thing he said really spoke to me. As he gave his mom her evening tea, he said something like "will they know that she likes lemon with her tea?"
See, I don't think we really understand the quality of life these people have outside the nursing facility, verses inside.
All of those little extras add up to make a day, a life worth living. I see how living inside a facility can take life's joys away one nip at a time.
Speaking of which, after I gave him WAYY more than a nip of sugar, I began wondering...what if this guy has limits on the sugar he can have? Should I ask someone? But no one was there. (don't get me started on <i>that</i> subject..)
I took his coffee to the table for him and then it dawned on me...how does anyone manage to wheel themselves to a table while carrying coffee? The amount of personal care one would truly need does not match up to the amount actually given.
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-49308947284285113522015-01-02T16:08:00.002-08:002019-03-16T05:11:55.744-07:00The Truth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
If you still believe in abortion, watch this
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wOR1wUqvJS4" width="420"></iframe>
After you watch the video, click the link belov for Ways to get involved
<a href="http://">http://http://40daysforlife.com/apply/
</a></div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-33254038853003547432014-12-31T01:58:00.001-08:002014-12-31T01:58:20.303-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><h1>
Jesus is not an angel according to the word of God</h1>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jehovah’s witnesses, Mormons and Seventh day Adventists teach
that Jesus is an angel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seventh day Adventists and Jehovahs Witnesses both came from
a group called the Millerites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><h2>
Jesus is not an angel according to the word of
God </h2>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><h3>
Hebrews Chapter one makes this very clear</h3>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus purged our sins by Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hebrews 1:3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High Heb.
1:3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God appointed the Son to be heir of all things Heb. 1:2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God made the worlds by His son Heb. 1:2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus has a more excellent name than they angels<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heb 1:4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is better than the angels<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heb: 1:4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(not better than the “other” angels. He is not an angel. If he was, it
would have read “better than the other angels”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See, right here is where a lot of 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> day Adventists
miss it. They have been so preconditioned to thinking Christ is an angel, they
subconsciously add the word “other”. The Jehovahs Witnesses actually alter
their scriptures and add the word “other” throughout these texts. This is not
surprising. Remember, they both sprang from the same group, the Millerites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only Jesus is called the Son. No other angels are Heb. 1:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only Jesus (not any angel) is begotten of the Father. Hebrews
1:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He got his name through inheritance Heb 1:4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Jesus was brought into this world, the angels
worshipped him at God’s bidding Heb. 1:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus’ throne is forever and ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heb 1:8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The angels are ministers Heb. 1:7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But Jesus is God! Heb. 1:8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-54999856189439884482014-12-15T06:32:00.000-08:002014-12-15T06:32:35.629-08:00Bwack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Don't be a chicken. Tell someone about Jesus today<span id="goog_1259213997"></span><span id="goog_1259213998"></span></div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-44586375850438849422014-11-19T15:10:00.000-08:002014-11-20T05:44:40.786-08:00An Open Letter to Pastors RE: ISIS CRISIS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently, three American Rabbis were shot and killed in their synagogue by Hamas. The Rabbis were praying for peace. They are survived by three widows and twenty-four children.<br />
<br />
Recently Washington invited Muslims only to attend a private prayer in the National Cathedral. Since Muslims everywhere believe we are the great Satan, do I really believe that they are praying for peace? No one shot and killed these Muslims. On the contrary, only one protester was there.<br />
<br />
She was a Christian woman who had driven all the way from Tennessee to make her voice known.
Somehow she slipped into the service. She was not disruptive and she definitely did not harm anyone, however she did make her voice heard.<br />
<a href="http://www.wnd.com/2014/11/christians-muslims-conquering-washington-national-cathedral/">http://www.wnd.com/2014/11/christians-muslims-conquering-washington-national-cathedral/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
She said something to this effect: We are a Christian nation, we serve our lord Jesus Christ. That cross over there is a cross like the one Jesus died on. This is a church. Even though we are Christians we allow you Muslims to build Mosques in our country. Why must you come in our churches to pray?<br />
<br />
Again, she harmed no one and calmly stated the truth, yet she was forcibly removed from this Christian cathedral of our great nation. Conversely, the welcomed Muslims prayed everywhere with their faces to the ground
Also, Muslims believe that when they pray on a piece of property, it becomes “sacred” and belongs to them
<br />
<br />
But perhaps the most important thing we need to remember is, these are the same people who have sworn that they would raise their Muslim flag over the White House.
I think it’s time that we as Christians make our voices heard and take back America. After all, this is a Christian Nation and it was founded on Christian principles.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/woman-who-proclaimed-jesus-during-islamic-prayer-service-at-national-cathedral-i-love-muslims-129782/">http://www.christianpost.com/news/woman-who-proclaimed-jesus-during-islamic-prayer-service-at-national-cathedral-i-love-muslims-129782/ </a><br />
<br />
One of the amazing things to me is that this cross still exists in the National Cathedral.
It would have been unfathomable to our forefathers to ever think that one day Christian prayer would be replaced with Muslim prayer and I think they would want us to do something about it.<br />
<br />
That’s why this Sunday I’m encouraging all pastors to make this day different. I’ve decided to call it “Make a difference Sunday” because really, that’s what Christ has called us to do. But it doesn’t matter what you call it, the point is, we all have a pen and most of us can afford a stamp.
<br />
<a href="http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/53238/20141118/christian-woman-disrupts-muslim-service-at-landmark-u-s-church-urges-believers-to-fight-for-truth.htm">http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/53238/20141118/christian-woman-disrupts-muslim-service-at-landmark-u-s-church-urges-believers-to-fight-for-truth.htm</a><br />
<br />
This Sunday I urge you to put the names and addresses of your area’s Senators, congressmen and representatives on the overhead of your church. Urge your parishioners to make a difference and write their representatives.
You needn’t be “political” if that bothers you, you need only state the facts of what’s happening. Most people would write if they knew who to write, so make that plain and they will take action. But if you don’t tell them, they won’t know what’s going on. If you give them no CLEAR call to action they will not act. So this Sunday, I am asking you to please make a difference. Encourage your people to take a stand and make their voice heard.<br />
<br />
Together, we can make a difference.
</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-70152830832959407502014-11-08T14:39:00.000-08:002014-11-08T14:39:34.485-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<object height="240" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://media.chick.com/tract_1.swf"></param>
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Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-33669551747415462012014-11-08T14:26:00.000-08:002014-11-08T14:32:19.060-08:00What matters most<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ik-XOVZcwow" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-49245721059315871902013-01-23T12:03:00.004-08:002013-01-23T12:23:10.182-08:00Where is your Lamb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Living Waters<br />
"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation"<br />
<br />
I have a friend who is a Messianic Jew. That means, she is a Jewish woman who became a believer in Messiah. Now that she is a "completed" Jew, (i.e., she has accepted the One who came to save her, who is also himself a Jew,) I was wondering how her people, the Jews, dealt with the whole sin issue.<br />
<br />
Her eyes flashed as she told me, if you want to rankle any Jew, just ask them one question: where is your lamb.<br />
<br />
Oh come on Sandy, I told her. Surely there is some provision that Jewish people make for their sins. And of course I don't believe that we must sacrifice bulls and goats as the children of Israel did. After all, that's why Yeshua came. To be a living sacrifice to atone for our sins. And I know that Jewish people don't believe that. So, I asked her, since they don't sacrifice animals for their sin like they used to, what DO they do to address the sin issue.<br />
Sandy explained to me that they have some sort of ceremony where they draw water out of some vessel, as mentioned in Isaiah 12:3 "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation". It's really cool, because when I looked this verse up, it reminded me of the account of Jesus with the woman at the well. Check it out:<br />
John 4 <br />
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<br />
King James Version (KJV)<br />
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<br />
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.<br />
<br />
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<br />
4 And he must needs go through Samaria.<br />
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5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.<br />
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<br />
6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.<br />
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<br />
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.<br />
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<br />
8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)<br />
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9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.<br />
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<br />
<br />
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.<br />
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<br />
<br />
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?<br />
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12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?<br />
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13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:<br />
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14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.<br />
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15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.<br />
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16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.<br />
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17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:<br />
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18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.<br />
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19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.<br />
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20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.<br />
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21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.<br />
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22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.<br />
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23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.<br />
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24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.<br />
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25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.<br />
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26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.<br />
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<br /></div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-49054894632418201032013-01-23T11:49:00.001-08:002013-01-23T12:35:14.358-08:00Messianice Prophecies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Messiah would be born of a virgin</h3>
(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23) <h3>
Messiah would be listed in the lineage of Abraham</h3>
(Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16), <h3>
Messiah would be of the tribe of Judah</h3>
(Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14), and of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)<br />
<br />
<h3>
Herod orders slaughter of babies</h3>
Old testament reference, Jeremiah 31:15 Fullfilled in Matthew 2:16-18<br />
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<h3>
Messiah would be taken to Egypt</h3>
(Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15)<br />
<br />
<h3>
Messiah would be Heralded by the messenger of the Lord</h3>
Old Testament References Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1 New Testament fullfilment Matthew 3:1-3<br />
<br />
Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17)<br />
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Preached good news (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:14-21)<br />
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Performed miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35)<br />
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Cleansed the Temple (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:12-13)<br />
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Ministered in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-16)<br />
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Entered Jerusalem as a king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-9) <br />
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First presented Himself as King 173,880 days from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25; Matthew 21:4-11)<br />
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Rejected by Jews (Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter 2:7)<br />
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Died a humiliating death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53) involving: rejection (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:10-11; 7:5,48), betrayal by a friend (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:18), sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15), silence before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14), being mocked (Psalm 22: 7-8; Matthew 27:31), beaten (Isaiah 52:14; Matthew 27:26), spit upon (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:30), piercing His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; Matthew 27:31), being crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38), praying for His persecutors (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34), piercing His side (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34), given gall and vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21, Matthew 27:34, Luke 23:36), no broken bones (Psalm 34:20; John 19:32-36), buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60), casting lots for His garments (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24).<br />
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Rose from the dead! (Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31)<br />
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Ascended into Heaven (Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:9)<br />
<br /></div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-29912973431672058542012-09-15T17:35:00.002-07:002012-09-15T17:35:02.830-07:00Take your pulse and feel your zeal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
God is calling all believers to have a closer walk, a deeper walk with him. But some believers do not <br />
<br />
<br />
desire to get closer to God.<br />
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Badly enough.<br />
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Badly enough to sacrifice and make changes.<br />
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The truth is, we all know what we need to do to be closer to God. We just don't want it badly enough to do it. Simple things.<br />
<br />
Things like:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Turning off the television<br />
<br />
Reading a chapter of Bible each morning<br />
<br />
Writing down a prayer request list<br />
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Getting on our knees for 10 minutes every evening and every morning.<br />
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The truth is. We did much more than this in our early days with Jesus.<br />
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So what happened??<br />
<br />
We cooled off.<br />
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We are no longer fiery in our zeal for Christ. Now, we are cold, or even worse, room temperature (lukewarm).<br />
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Yes, that's right...lukewarm is even worse than cold, because “lukewarm” means straddling the fence. And Jesus hates it. HATES it (Revelations 3:15)</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-31539488820194525132012-07-11T03:24:00.000-07:002014-12-15T06:32:18.034-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I hope when Jesus comes, I am doing more than telling others how to live their lives...I don't want him to find me blogging but not doing, preaching but not living it.I hope when Jesus comes, my heart is pure and my life is right. I don't want him to find me living a lazy, half=hearted exixstence.<br />
I hope when Jesus comes back that I am not yelling at my kids, scolding my husband, sleeping in late, or goofing off. <br />
I hope when Jesus comes back that I am about my fathers business.</div>
Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-62630799474995600242012-07-11T03:19:00.000-07:002012-07-11T03:19:50.917-07:00Little Ruthie.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I remember a woman at a church I used to attend, named Ruth.<br />
She was very....aromatic.<br />
She didn't pronounce all of her words correctly.<br />
She talked slow.<br />
One night after surface, and I kid you not, the PASTOR's wife, yes, his wife, walked out of the bathroom, waved her hands and went "WHEWie, something STINks in there! What is that smell!!"<br />
(no, it wasn't what you think). It was little ruthie, God's sweetheart.<br />
I watched in horror as the Pastors wife embarrased shamed and rebuked that poor woman for not bathing. I told her before I left "What if that woman doesn't have a place to bathe at? Are you sure she doesn't?"<br />
"Yes, she does." The woman said "She told me she can wash up at her sisters"<br />
And while we were talking, I noticed a shower stall at the church.<br />
Couldn't someone have politely invited her (privately) to use the showers at church?<br />
I wonder if Jesus always smelled real nice</div>Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-3479603572120553572012-07-11T03:14:00.000-07:002012-07-11T03:14:14.150-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At church last night, I watched a movie on evangelism. The preached told a story of a good samaritan who dropped of a bum at the door of the church. He said,"this is My friend. I am coming soon. Take care of him. Do whatever it takes to tend to his needs, and when I return, I will pay you back"<br />
The church is the inn keeper.<br />
We are the church.<br />
Christ is both the man at the door, and the good samaritan.<br />
What are we doing with the people He brings us?<br />
Do we charge them money for certain events, and leave them out sometimes?</div>Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950400371145214381.post-75604818364019214072012-07-11T03:06:00.001-07:002012-07-11T03:06:15.891-07:00The Elephant walk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This week, we went to the Topeka Zoo. I saw this elephant, and for some reason, I felt like I needed to stop and watch him. Most people glanced quickly, and went on. But there was a lesson. I felt it. So I stayed.<br />
I began noticing that the elephant always stayed in one place. He would pace back and forth, in place on two feet, swinging his trunk. My daughter later said that she was sure that one of his back feet never left the ground. <br />
You know what happened don't you? That poor little guy had probably been chained as a child.<br />
I saw the misery in his eyes. I wanted to scream at him look (big) little guy! You have a whole yard to play in now! Run! YOu are freeee!<br />
The more I watched him, the madder I got. <br />
Because it reminded me of me.<br />
I have habits.<br />
I am free in Christ.<br />
I need to be reminded.</div>Why I grow tearoseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11830184241586253219noreply@blogger.com