Sharing Something Silly

-Non Sequitur 

*

Following the Crowd

 -Yellowstone FB, Bison Herd

*

Alexander the Great put it succinctly:

"I am not afraid of any army of lions led by a sheep; 

I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."

*

Follow the Lion of Judah! 

Jesus! 

The Lamb who was slain, 

but who is the Lion of Judah!

Revelation 5:1-5

"I [John] saw in the right hand of Him [Jesus] who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?”

And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it.

Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, [Jesus] has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

*

- internet

*

Wisdom in Waiting and Trusting

-Alistair Begg, December 29, 2024

-Devotionals

*
 Seasons of Waiting

"[God] brought [Abraham] outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:5–6

If our faith is to remain steadfast in seasons of prolonged waiting, then we must be confident of these truths: first, that God has the power to do what He promised to do; and second, that God Himself is sufficient to meet all of our needs, in every season.

Abraham’s faith was tested in the waiting room of life. For years he lived in a foreign land, waiting for his “very own son” to come into the world as God had promised (Genesis 15:4). And it was his trust in God’s promises while he waited that God “counted … to him as righteousness.”

Paul, when he writes of Abraham’s faith during this time, says, “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21). In other words, Abraham believed that nothing and no one could stand in the way of God fulfilling His spoken word—even when he could not begin to see how God would keep His promises. His faith wasn’t a blind leap in the dark. Rather, it was a belief based on God’s character.

Fast-forward to today, and one of the great promises to which we cling is that the Lord Jesus has promised to prepare a place for us and that He will come to take us to Himself (John 14:3). Therefore, when we take Him at His word, we are filled with the hope of heaven. We can be certain beyond any shadow of a doubt that Jesus is coming back personally, He is coming back visibly, and He is coming back for His own. These promises to us are as sure as the promise God made to Abraham, for which he waited 25 years before it was fulfilled.

Furthermore, through Abraham’s experience we see that it is God alone who is sufficient to bring us through seasons of waiting. In Genesis 17, God appears once more to Abraham in order to strengthen his faith. How? By revealing who He is: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty [El-Shaddai]; walk before me’” (17:1). This Hebrew term, El-Shaddai, can mean “God who is sufficient.” God, in other words, affirmed His promises to Abraham on the strength of His character.

The Christian life is a life of waiting. And all of God’s “hold ons” and “not yets” are part and parcel of His purpose. Every season of waiting is an opportunity for you to take God at His word. And while you wait, you can surely trust Him to meet your every need. Rest in this: the God in whom you believe is able to do all that He has promised.

*

All emphases are mine: Piper's Wife

*

Beautiful, Yellowstone, God's Creation

-Yellowstone FB

*

Yellowstone, lovely in photos and magnificent in person!

*

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

There is an appointed time for everything. and there is a time for every event under heaven—

A time to give birth and a time to die;


A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal;


A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to weep and a time to laugh;


A time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;


A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

A time to search and a time to give up as lost;


A time to keep and a time to throw away.

 

A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;


A time to be silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate;


A time for war and a time for peace.

What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?

I have seen the task which God has given 

the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.

He has made everything appropriate in its time. 

He has also set eternity in their heart, 

yet so that man will not find out the work 

which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

I know that there is nothing better for them 

than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;

moreover, that every man who eats and drinks 

sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.

I know that everything God does will remain forever; 

there is nothing to add to it 

and there is nothing to take from it, 

for God has so worked that men should fear Him."...

*

The Christian Buddy System: Honor and Loyalty

Hebrews 10:19-25

..."Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."...

*

1 Corinthians 12:25 

(please read all of 1 Cor. 12!  :o)

..."if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."...

*

Romans 12:9-21

..."Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. 

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

*

Galatians 6:1-5

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

For each one will bear his own load."...

*

Why Whisper? :o)

-a Scottish site on the net 

*

A Merry Christmas!

Praising the LORD for our Salvation! 

Glory to His Precious Name!

Thankfulness for our Safety in Him alone!

Praise Him from Whom all Blessings Flow!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!

*

Healthy Snacks?!

-Garfield
 

My Father's Favorite Hawk

This beautiful little bird is an American Kestrel, which we always called just a Kestrel.

You can find them in the wild, but also in your own neighborhood looking for its food.

Another name which my father used besides Kestrel was "Chicken Hawk". 

I think it is one of the most beautiful birds, and one of my father's favorites.

He named our small sail boat, Kestrel.  

Happy Memories. :o) 

*

He will wipe away our tears!

-internet photo

*

"Earth has no sorrow 

that heaven cannot heal" 

This is attributed to Irish poet, writer, and lyricist Thomas Moore (1779-1852). 

Thomas Moore's full quote is:

"Here bring your 

wounded hearts, 

here tell your anguish; 

Earth has no sorrow 

that Heaven cannot heal".  

*

Isaiah 35:10

..."And the ransomed 

of the Lord will return

And come with joyful shouting to Zion,

With everlasting joy upon their heads.

They will find gladness and joy,

And sorrow and sighing will flee away."...

*

Revelation 21:4

..."and He will 

wipe away every tear from their eyes; 

and there will no longer be any death; 

there will no longer be any mourning, 

or crying, 

or pain; 

the first things have passed away.”

*

Winter Solstice

-Winter gate, High Clear, England
 *

Winter Solstice 2024

*

Isaiah 1:18

“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."

*

The Dangerous "Christian-eze" Among Us

-dangerous grizzly bear:Yellowstone FB
 *

Control, Falsehoods, and Manipulation Techniques 

After 'being around the block' a few years in my Christian walk among many Christian sinners, I can recognize many falsehoods and their "christian-eze" (false information and behavior with at least some true Christianity included) which are used by deficient, shadowy people who are teaching falsely as well as using control and manipulation techniques to catch and control others.

These are dangerous behaviors for Christians and non-Christians alike as BOTH can be easily deceived by these false teachers. 

They may "look like a duck" (looking and acting like true Christians), but they are definitely teaching and behaving unlike true Christians.

True, righteous Christians are open, teaching truth from the Word, not from their own sinful minds. They truly care about others, and do not devise ways to control others. 

True Believers do not manipulate you, control you, or give you false memories of your life before  "them". 

True Believers really care about others: Christians and non-Christians alike.

True Believers love others even if you sin against them. They pray for you to come to truth and reality. 

True Believers DO NOT use MANIPULATION to CONTROL others.

Who are your friends and how do they treat you?

*

Colossians 3:1-17

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."...

*

He is the Love of My Life

Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Friend, Believer in Jesus, Christian Apologist, Airplane Enthusiast, Reader...

He is a gift from the LORD to me.

*

Christmas Kitties

-internet comic

*

 

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

~Yellowstone FB 

*

As the saying goes:

"Lie down with dogs;

get up with fleas."

*

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

..."Do not be deceived: 

“Bad company corrupts good morals.”

Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. 

I speak this to your shame."...

*

- essentially saying that associating with morally bad, unrighteous people can negatively influence your own character and lead you astray.

-unknown

*

A Life of Grieving-Understood by the Man of Sorrows

-yawning Fox, Yellowstone FB

*

"There is no grief 

like the grief that does not speak."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

*

Isaiah 53:3-6

..."He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him."...

*

The Child within Mary

-internet photo

*

The First Person to recognize Jesus was an unborn Child: 

His relative, John (the Baptist).

*

Luke 1 & 2

*

Babies in the womb

*

God is still God

-Scotland FB

*

The dawn is not distant, 

nor is the night starless; 

love is eternal!

God is still God,

 and His faith shall not fail us;

Christ is eternal!

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

*

Advice from Lucy

 

We are definitely PLUGGERS

-PLUGGERS 

*

Moo-oo-oose!

-Yellowstone FB 

*

"Every heart has its secret sorrows, 

which the world knows not, 

and often times we call a man cold, 

when he's only sad."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

*

Isaiah 41:10

‘Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, 

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, 

surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you 

with My righteous right hand.’

*

Prodigals: Going along with the Crowd

-Yellowstone FB

*

"When a prodigal son wants to follow his appetites, or the latest fashion in idols, he tells himself that he has made a careful evaluation of everything when he is in reality just going along with the crowd. At such time, the last thing he wants to listen to is wise counsel."

-Phillip E. Johnson, The Wedge of Truth

*

A Foundation in Freedom

-internet photo

*

"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. 

The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue."

-John Adams, 21 June 1776

*

Obstacles in Life

-internet photo 

*

God's Creation up Close

-Yellowstone bird, FB 

*

We will never take our lives here for granted. 

There is always something which we see in person, or like this Yellowstone bird photo, we see and, thus, admire the LORD's creation even more so.

We can see things we have never seen before or we can see the same things over and over and still be in awe over the LORD's designs.

Sunsets seem the same, but they are never exactly the same; beautiful clouds, storm clouds, lazy wind day clouds...bird flocks seem the same, but every time the joy is more heightened because we know who created these things. 

Praising the LORD for His creation!

*

John 1:1-5

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."...

*

Genesis 1:1-2

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."...

*

Colossians 1:13-20

..."For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."...

*

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

..."Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."...

*