Love, Heroism, and Beauty

-Alistair Begg

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"Art talks to us about love, heroism and beauty.

It asks us what we love and what we want to be." 

Daniel Greenfield

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Philosophy

-Alistair Begg 

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"When you strip philosophy down to its essentials, it’s really about three things:

 

whether God exists,

whether we have souls,

 

and whether we are truly free. 

Together, they answer the question of how we should live. 

If we are free, if God exists, and if there is something beyond this life, then our choices carry real weight. 

Human reason seems built for this purpose — not just to understand the world, but to guide our moral behavior."

-Michael Smith, A Civilization Losing Its Moral Compass

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Wrong Thinking leads to Wrong Choices

-Charles Schulz

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A certain type or kind of person seems to always find themselves as "victims" even if it is their own choices which get them in trouble or cause them issues.

How can we help them? They do not ask for or want any input on their own decisions. They end up in a life they did not want and they can't change.

In Charles Schulz comic strip the character, Schroeder, has had to put up with the girl, Lucy, forever. She is self-centered, narcissistic, cruel, mean, obsessed, and bent on marrying this boy. 

I am thankful for this certain strip as it blatantly pictures the girl, Lucy, as she really is--even when the character, Schroeder, gently points out that she doesn't have to be that way.

In the end, of course, Lucy, continues to think only her own way--she will never learn.

Meanwhile, in real life, there are real people who are so very like this character. 

Their own choices: life long mistakes, "poor me" attitudes, easily blaming everyone else although everything in their lives have been their own choices. Their friends help them make wrong choices because these same friends are also caught up in wrong thinking.

The only "way out" is to righteously cry out to the LORD God Almighty. 

Your life is slipping away, wasting away, by continuing on your wrong paths. 

Stop listening to the wrong thinking of your friends. 

REAL friends help you to get on the right paths!

Paths can change! Paths are changing every day for those who are willing to trust only in the LORD. 

Lucy's narcissism continues:

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The LORD hears when I call to Him

 -bunny meme

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"O, grief hath changed me 

since you saw me last"

-Shakespeare

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Psalm 4

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!


You have relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? 


But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The Lord hears when I call to Him.

Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. 

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!


You have put gladness in my heart,
more than when their grain and new wine abound.


In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.

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God's Creation in Feet

-meme

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Hold Fast to the Word He Preached

-meme

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1 Corinthians 15:1-4,8-10,20-23,50-58

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...

...He appeared to me [Paul] also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me...

...now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming...

...Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

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What About Nature!

-MUTTS

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My father would have loved this one!💕

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Birds of Prey are Fascinating

-Meme

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For all of you out there who love God's creation--notice the fantastic design of these Birds of Prey talons.

We love an Awesome God!

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Springtime in a Bunny Quilt!

-Little Red Hen Quilt Shop

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 Sweet Spring Bunny Quilt

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Bunny, Bunnies everywhere

-Little Red Hen Quilt Shop

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Does this Shoe Fit?

-meme

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References

Amen Clinics

Heart of Sound

 

Look up: 

"Cult Behavior Signs"

Read and Read and Read about Cults. 

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You are not alone.

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Cry out to Jesus!

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Psalm 3

O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!


Many are rising up against me.


Many are saying of my soul,


“There is no deliverance for him in God.” 

But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,


My glory, and the One who lifts my head.


I was crying to the Lord with my voice,


And He answered me from His holy mountain. 

I lay down and slept;


I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.


I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people


Who have set themselves against me round about.

Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!


For You have smitten 

all my enemies on the cheek;


You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.


Salvation belongs to the Lord;


Your blessing be upon Your people! 

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There is Freedom in Christ! Cry out to Him! 

He will give you a way to escape! And a way to return to a normal life!

He will give you a way to survive if you have "lost" a loved one to a cult-like situation!

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Are You Accountable?

-Kinsman

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"Accountability is not for others; it is for you. 

You are accountable to God and yourself when you decide to take or reject responsibility,

whether a job, home, 

defending our country,

starting a family, 

putting up with big pressure, 

holding your tongue, 

making ends meet, 

or all of the above."

 

- Robert B. Charles, from: Mark Twain and Education

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The Spring Birds are Back!

-MUTTS 

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SPRING has really SPRUNG! 

-even though we still have cold temperatures!

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Matthew 6:19-34

..." “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 

But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. 

You cannot serve God and wealth.

“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."

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This is Very Good Information to Know

-meme

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Traditions and History are Important!

-P-51D & F-22A, by Glenn

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"Sad will be the day when the American people forget their traditions and their history, and no longer remember that the country they love, the institutions they cherish, and the freedom they hope to preserve, were born from the throes of armed resistance to tyranny, and nursed in the rugged arms of fearless men."




-Roger Sherman, signer of the Declaration of Independence

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***If you aren't paying attention 

this has been happening in our own time today!***

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"...You were dead in your sins..."

-B-29 & B-2

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Mark 5:1-11
 

"...8 For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” ..."

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Ephesians 2:1-10

"...8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast...." 

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Romans 8

" 1-2 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death...."

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SET ME FREE

It hasn’t always been this way

I remember brighter days

Before the dark ones came

Stole my mind

Wrapped my soul in chains

Now I live among the dead

Fighting voices in my head

Hoping someone hears me crying in the night

And carries me away

Set me free of the chains holding me

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free

Morning breaks another day

Finds me crying in the rain

All alone with my demons I am

Who is this man that comes my way?

The dark ones shriek

They scream His name

Is this the One they say will set the captives free?

Jesus, recue me

As the God man passes by

He looks straight through my eyes

And darkness cannot hide

Do you want to be free?

Lift your chains

I hold the key

All power on Heaven and Earth belong to me

You are free

You are free

You are free

-by Mark Hall

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My easy "Go To" TV

-PLUGGERS

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"Call Back" to Others to Encourage Them Along

 -Kinsman

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Luke 21:13

..."It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony."...

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Life is a steep climb, and it is always encouraging to have those ahead of us “call back” and cheerfully summon us to higher ground. We all climb together, so we should help one another. 

The mountain climbing of life is serious, but glorious, business; it takes strength and steadiness to reach the summit. And as our view becomes better as we gain altitude, and as we discover things of importance, we should “call back” our encouragement to others.

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If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back--

It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;

And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,

Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;

Call back, and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn;

That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook the hill,

He bore you up and held you where the lofty air was still.

O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face;

They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint in the race;

But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,

And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,

And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky-

If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back--

It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony tack.

--December 19, Streams in the Desert

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Something so Precious...

-PLUGGERS

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

-internet t-shirt

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Scottish 

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"O, LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me."

-CH-54B Tarhe (Skycrane), by G. Chatfield

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Psalm 5:8

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Romans 8:28

..."And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."...

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Psalm 42:5

..."Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him

For the help of His presence."...

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Praise You in this Storm

I was sure by now

That You would have reached down

And wiped away our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen",

and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am 

Every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side 

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry

You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

--Mark Hill

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2 Corinthians 4:16-18

..."Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

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Psalm 121:1-2

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

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Psalm 3:3-5

..."But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,

My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

I was crying to the Lord with my voice,

And He answered me from His holy mountain. 

I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustains me."...

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This is the Piper's Wife, only my current list would have been left at home.

-PLUGGERS

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Think about what is happening in the USA...

-meme on the net 

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International Bag Pipe Day

-Someone I know 

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A Plaid/Plain, Plain/Plain, not a Plaid and a Plaid

-Pickles

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Cultivate the Heart with More Importance then the Head

-Josh Atkinson Photos

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"The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities; and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head."


-Noah Webster (1788)

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There is a Moral Truth

-Kinsman

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"We are watching a civilization decide whether it still believes in moral truth at all. 

A culture that abandons 

virtue for outcomes, 

truth for narrative, 

and conscience for consensus 

does not drift gently into decline; 

it slides into something colder and harder, 

where power masquerades as compassion 

and coercion is baptized as care. 

Once “fairness” replaces goodness, literally anything becomes permissible in its name."

-Michael Smith: A Civilization Losing Its Moral Compass

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Beware Counterfeits!

-meme

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Ephesians 2:1-10

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."...

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Reality in Real Life

-Mallard

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A Place for Everything

In my father's house and his back yard

There are piles of junk and two rusted cars

They remind him of his younger days

He keeps his memories all over the place

He's a packrat of some great repute

A fact that no man could dispute

Mom just shakes her head and sighs

And keeps her kitchen clean

Ahh there's a place for everything

So why can't he ever find anything

Still it comforts him just knowing

That it's always there if he needs it

He's built sheds and barns to house his stuff

There are shelves and bins and hooks and dust

His little empire fills him up with pride

The neighbors cringe, he just smiles

Ahh there's a place for everything

So why can't he ever find anything

Still it comforts him just knowing

That it's always there if he needs it

Well I must admit I understand

These traits we share with this old man

Dad's got higher piles of junk than mine

But I'm sure I'll catch up in time

Ahh there's a place for everything

So why can't I ever find anything

Still it comforts me just knowing

That it's always there if I need it

He's got buckets full of rusted bolts and two drawers packed with old remotes from TVs that died long ago and ashes from an old wood stove.

His work bench is piled with wires and screws and things he's not sure what they do, he's got stacks of shingles, he's got a perfect roof and old electric motors too...

Ahh there's a place for everything...

--Lance Cowan/Sam Gray

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Hat tip to Tim and own his dad  :o)

And so much love, happiness, and joy in my memories of my own father...

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