Oh...say can you see...

 

Precious in His Sight

 ~Thank you to Patriot Post

Psalm 116

Sometimes you just need a break

 ~internet photo

What? Never having to say you are sorry?!

"Victimhood" Means You Never Have to Say You're Sorry

"Behavior that is objectively wrong, violence, hate, harassment and terrorism, becomes right if the perpetrators are victims who claim to be striving for a society of moral equity. 

But the truth about victims is that they never want to stop being what they are. If they did, they would become survivors. 

Victimhood is convenient and comforting. Victims never have to learn to do better. They spend all of their time telling others to do better so that xer’s feelings aren’t hurt again.

Victimhood views failure as a conspiracy, rather than a choice, and nations and societies that embrace victimhood quickly turn into failed states. 

America used to get things done. Now we no longer win wars or can even stock supermarkets. 

There are a thousand points of failure and they begin with a culture that is hostile to achievement and supportive of victimhood."

~Daniel Greenfield, A Nation of Victims is Doomed to Fail.

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Micah 7:2

..."The godly person has perished from the land,

And there is no upright person among men.

All of them lie in wait for bloodshed;

Each of them hunts the other with a net."...

Psalm 37:35-37

..."I have seen a wicked, violent man

Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.

Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more;

I sought for him, but he could not be found.

 

Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright;

For the man of peace will have a posterity."...

Habakkuk 2:4

..."“Behold, as for the proud one,

His soul is not right within him;

But the righteous will live by his faith."...

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Cats: How they view themselves

~internet photo 

Springtime

 

You Are To Love on Your Family Right Now

2 Timothy 4:1-5

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

preach the word; 

be ready in season 

and out of season; 

reprove, 

rebuke, 

exhort, 

with great patience 

and instruction.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."...

*

Survivors

"We are all the descendants of survivors. 

Our grandparents and great-grandparents fought in wars, persisted through economic turmoil and didn’t give up. 

Whatever happened to them, they didn’t see themselves as the victims. 

They were strong, not because they postured on social media, but because they got up whenever they were knocked down. 

They had their grievances and resentments, but they didn’t build their lives around them.

Survivors are motivated by love and duty. 

They understand that there is more to life than their own pain. 

They redeem their suffering by making their lives matter. 

That is the essence of the human ideal. 

It’s how nations and families are built." …

-Daniel Greenfield, A Nation of Victims is Doomed to Fail.

*

Titus

...2 "But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

3 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. 

These things are good and profitable for men.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned."...

*

I've Found a Friend, O Such a Friend!

 I’ve Found A Friend; O Such A Friend!

He Loved Me Ere I Knew Him;


He Drew Me With The Cords Of Love,


And Thus He Bound Me To Him;


And Round My Heart Still Closely Twine


Those Ties Which Naught Can Sever;


For I Am His, And He Is Mine,


For Ever And For Ever.

I’ve Found A Friend; O Such A Friend!


He Bled, He Died To Save Me;


And Not Alone The Gift Of Life,


But His Own Self He Gave Me,


Nought That I Have, Mine Own I Call,


I Hold It For The Giver:


My Heart, My Strength, My Life, My All


Are His, And His For Ever.

I’ve Found A Friend; O Such A Friend!


All Power To Him Is Given,


To Guard Me On My Onward Course,


And Bring Me Safe To Heaven.


Eternal Glories Gleam Afar,


To Nerve My Faint Endeavour;


So Now To Watch, To Work, To War,


And Then To Rest For Ever.

I’ve Found A Friend; O Such A Friend!


So Kind, And True, And Tender!


So Wise A Counsellor And Guide,


So Mighty A Defender!


From Him Who Loves Me Now So Well


What Power My Soul Shall Sever?


Shall Life Or Death? Shall Earth Or Hell?


No! I Am His For Ever.

*

John 15:12-17

...“This is My commandment, 

that you love one another, 

just as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this, 

that one lay down his life for his friends.

You are My friends 

if you do what I command you.

No longer do I call you slaves, 

for the slave does not know 

what his master is doing; 

but I have called you friends, 

for all things that I have heard from My Father 

I have made known to you.

You did not choose Me but I chose you, 

and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, 

and that your fruit would remain, 

so that whatever you ask of the Father 

in My name He may give to you.

This I command you, that you love one another."...

*

The First Week of Spring!

 

Sweet Spring Green

 

Go Green

 

Can't get away from the Green!

 

It Is A Green Weekend

 

Happy Today

 

It's Not Easy Being Green

 It doesn't matter if you are Irish...Just be happy and smile.  

:o)

and cheer when the bagpipes go by !!!

"Essentially a Cult"

 ~Ben Shaprio

*

Romans 8:9-14

..."However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. 

But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."... 

*

Who can save us?

Galatians 5

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 

A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted?

Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another."

*

It Was Just a Box

 

When will You choose to Believe?

 Philippians 2:1-18

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, 

if there is any consolation of love, 

if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, 

if any affection and compassion,

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, 

maintaining the same love, 

united in spirit, 

intent on one purpose.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, 

but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

do not merely look out for your own personal interests, 

but also for the interests of others.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,who, 

although He existed in the form of God, 

did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

but emptied Himself, 

taking the form of a bond-servant, 

and being made in the likeness of men.

Being found in appearance as a man, 

He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

For this reason also, 

God highly exalted Him, 

and bestowed on Him the name which is 

above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, 

of those who are in heaven 

and on earth and under the earth,

and that every tongue will confess 

that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the glory of God the Father.

So then, my beloved, 

just as you have always obeyed, 

not as in my presence only, 

but now much more in my absence, 

work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

for it is God who is at work in you, 

both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

so that you will prove yourselves to be 

blameless and innocent, 

children of God above reproach in the midst 

of a crooked and perverse generation, 

among whom you appear as lights in the world,

holding fast the word of life, 

so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory 

because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering 

upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, 

I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way 

and share your joy with me."...

*

What happens when you are on vacation?

 

I've Found a Friend, O Such a Friend!

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!


He loved me ere I knew Him;


He drew me with the cords of love,


And thus He bound me to Him.


And round my heart still closely twine


Those ties which naught can sever,


For I am His, and He is mine,


Forever and forever.

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!


He bled, He died to save me;


And not alone the gift of life,


But His own Self He gave me!


Naught that I have mine own I call,


I’ll hold it for the Giver,


My heart, my strength, my life, my all


Are His, and His forever.

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!


All pow’r to Him is given,


To guard me on my onward course,


And bring me safe to heaven.


Th’ eternal glories gleam afar,


To nerve my faint endeavor;


So now to watch, to work, to war,


And then to rest forever.

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!


So kind and true and tender,


So wise a Counselor and Guide,

So mighty a Defender!


From Him who loves me now so well


What pow’r my soul can sever?


Shall life or death, shall earth or hell?


No! I am His forever.

~James Small

*

Psalm 51

*

Learning to relax in an anxiety filled life

Our anxiety is often a fear of what might be rather than focusing on what is real or true.

As God's children we must concentrate on what is true.

Philippians 4:8-9

..."Finally, brethren, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is of good repute, 

if there is any excellence 

and if anything worthy of praise, 

dwell on these things.

The things you have learned 

and received and heard 

and seen in me, 

practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you."...

*

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

...“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."...

* 

Matthew 6:25-34

...“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not worth much more than they? 

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 

And why are you worried about clothing? 

Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? 

You of little faith!

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own."

*

I want to be like wool

 Isaiah 1

...2

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; 
For the Lord speaks,
 “Sons I have reared and brought up, 
But they have revolted against Me.

3 

“An ox knows its owner, 
And a donkey its master’s manger,
 But Israel does not know,
 My people do not understand.”

4 

Alas, sinful nation, 
People weighed down with iniquity,
 Offspring of evildoers,
 Sons who act corruptly!
 They have abandoned the Lord,
 They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
 They have turned away from Him.

5 

Where will you be stricken again,
 As you continue in your rebellion?
 The whole head is sick
 And the whole heart is faint.

6 

From the sole of the foot even to the head
 There is nothing sound in it,
 Only bruises, welts and raw wounds,
 Not pressed out or bandaged, 
Nor softened with oil.

7 

Your land is desolate, 
Your cities are burned with fire, 
Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence; 
It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.

8 

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,
 Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

9 

Unless the Lord of hosts 
Had left us a few survivors,
 We would be like Sodom,
 We would be like Gomorrah.

10 

Hear the word of the Lord,
 You rulers of Sodom;
 Give ear to the instruction of our God,
 You people of Gomorrah.

11 

“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me? ”
Says the Lord.
 “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams 
And the fat of fed cattle;
 And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

12 

“When you come to appear before Me,
 Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

13 

“Bring your worthless offerings no longer,
 Incense is an abomination to Me.
 New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

14 

“I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, 
They have become a burden to Me;
 I am weary of bearing them.

15 

“So when you spread out your hands in prayer,
 I will hide My eyes from you;
 Yes, even though you multiply prayers,
 I will not listen.
 Your hands are covered with blood.

16 

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; 
Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,

17 

Learn to do good;
 Seek justice, 
Reprove the ruthless,
 Defend the orphan,
 Plead for the widow.

18 

“Come now, and let us reason together, ”
Says the Lord, 
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
 They will be as white as snow; 
Though they are red like crimson,
 They will be like wool.

19 

“If you consent and obey,
 You will eat the best of the land;

20 

“But if you refuse and rebel,
 You will be devoured by the sword. ”
Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

21 

How the faithful city has become a harlot,
 She who was full of justice!
 Righteousness once lodged in her,
 But now murderers.

22 

Your silver has become dross,
 Your drink diluted with water.

23 

Your rulers are rebels
 And companions of thieves;
 Everyone loves a bribe
 And chases after rewards. 
They do not defend the orphan,
 Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

24 

Therefore the Lord God of hosts,
 The Mighty One of Israel, declares,
 “Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries
 And avenge Myself on My foes.

25 

“I will also turn My hand against you, 
And will smelt away your dross as with lye 
And will remove all your alloy.

26 

“Then I will restore your judges as at the first, 
And your counselors as at the beginning;
 After that you will be called the city of righteousness,
 A faithful city.”

27 

Zion will be redeemed with justice
 And her repentant ones with righteousness.

28 

But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, 
And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.

29 

Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired,
 And you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen.

30 

For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away
 Or as a garden that has no water.

31 

The strong man will become tinder,
 His work also a spark.
 Thus they shall both burn together
 And there will be none to quench them."