Snoopy's dinner issues:

 

Wolves in Sheep Clothing

 

What a graphic thought this is from Jesus.

There are always people acting and looking like "sheep" when, in fact,  they are actually dangerous "ravenous wolves".

These people do not have to have a degree in theology, they can be seemingly normal, but be careful what you learn and believe. The World is a dangerous place. 

There is one person who is safe. He is the Savior, Jesus Christ, Messiah, of the Bible. 

Matthew 7:13-20 

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

You will know them by their fruits. 

Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will know them by their fruits."

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Be careful out there. 

 

We live Against the Wind

Ephesians 6:10-17

"be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

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Who can stop the Power of the Lap?

 

It is all in the Details

Truth or Aberration?

 Think About It

"The greatest aberration of the mind 

is to believe a thing to be, 

because we desire it."

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Louis Pasteur

Chemist

Biologist

Microbiologist

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There is no co-pay!

PLUGGERS

-Rick McKee

Thankful for Laughter.

When the LORD brought His people out of slavery they sang:

"Our mouth was filled with laughter,

And our tongue with joyful shouting"

Psalm 126:2a

Why won't my husband agree to this?

 

What About Your Beliefs?

"People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs 

not on the basis of proof, 

but on the basis of 

what they find 

attractive."

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Blaise Pascal

1623-62

French Mathematician

Physicist

Inventor

Philosopher

Writer

Theologian

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Marriage: a Promise, a Pledge of Love, of Loyalty, and Faithfulness

 

"The Christian worldview contends that the healthiest, most meaningful, most satisfying, and most pleasurable sexual experience is found between a man and a woman in a covenant relationship called marriage. 

A covenant is a promise--a pledge of love, loyalty, and faithfulness. 

A covenant involves continuity--the sense of a common future--to look forward to and a history to look back on together. 

A covenant means belonging--a commitment to a rich and growing relationship of love and care."

Richard E. Simmons III, Reflections on the Existence of God, pg. 122

Redeeming Love has Been My Theme

There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

 There is a fountain filled with blood,


Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,


And sinners plunged beneath that flood


Lose all their guilty stains:


Lose all their guilty stains,
 Lose all their guilty stains;


And sinners plunged beneath that flood
 

Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see


That fountain in His day;


And there have I, though vile as he,


Washed all my sins away:


Washed all my sins away,
 Washed all my sins away;


And there have I, though vile as he,


Washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood


Shall never lose its pow’r,


Till all the ransomed church of God


Are safe, to sin no more:


Are safe, to sin no more,
 Are safe, to sin no more;


Till all the ransomed church of God


Are safe, to sin no more.

E’er since by faith I saw the stream


Thy flowing wounds supply,


Redeeming love has been my theme,


And shall be till I die:


And shall be till I die,
 And shall be till I die;


Redeeming love has been my theme,


And shall be till I die.

When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue


Lies silent in the grave,


Then in a nobler, sweeter song,


I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save:


I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save,
 I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save;


Then in a nobler, sweeter song,


I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.

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His Wounds Have Paid My Ransom

 How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom
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Stuart Townend

There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son

There is a redeemer

Jesus, God's own Son

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah

Holy One

Jesus my redeemer

Name above all names

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah

Oh, for sinners slain

Thank you, oh my father

For giving us Your Son

And leaving Your Spirit

'Til the work on Earth is done

When I stand in Glory

I will see His face

And there I'll serve my King forever

In that Holy Place

Thank you, oh my father

For giving us Your Son

And leaving Your Spirit

'Til the work on Earth is done

There is a redeemer

Jesus, God's own Son

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah

Holy One

Thank you, oh my father

For giving us Your Son

And leaving Your Spirit

'Til the work on Earth is done

And leaving Your Spirit

'Til the work on Earth is done

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Melody Green

"Death Comes Unexpectedly!"

If you have ever watched the original classic Disney movie, Pollyanna, with Hayley Mills, you may remember the pastor emphatically yelling the title of this post from the pulpit.

In this fallen world death is all around.

Dead trees, dead animals, dead pets, dead people we do not know, dead people from crimes, dead people from accidents, dead friends, dead family...

Death is everywhere. We can not get away from it.

Ben Franklin is famous for many things, but this quote is one in which many people have heard: 

"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Many times death slowly takes a person's life, and yet, Karl Meldan's line as the preacher in Pollyanna is true, death can certainly come unexpectedly.

In general, people are afraid of death, but perhaps, in this day and age, the number of those who are not afraid is growing. The evil world is wooing, and people become caught up in it.

Death is part of life, but it won't always be this way.  It began thousands of years ago in a beautiful garden .  This is when Adam and Eve did the first thing wrong. This wrong thing is called sin. It is rebellion against God. Rebellion's cost is death and so Adam and Eve and all who came from them will die, physically and spiritually - separated from God. This is our curse, but there is an answer to solve this curse.

Although our world of people seemingly keeps going and going, this verse, 

Genesis 3:15b, "He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”  

expresses to us that, right then and there, when the first sin happened,  Adam and Eve were told by God that He would send a Savior through their family. Thus, the first couple always anticipated the answer to the curse with each new baby boy.

The answer is the Savior, Jesus Christ. He was the plan before creation, explained to the first man and wife, spoken of in prophecies throughout the Old Testament,

Isaiah 53:12c "... He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors."  etc...

and then brought to fruition in the New Testament

Matthew 1:20-21 “...Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  (Isaiah 7:14)

The answer to all of our fears concerning death is to seek the Truth in Jesus. The Truth in Jesus is easy to find, although the world has always squashed it, hidden it, perverted it, veiled it, mocked it, suppress it, twisted it, water it down, laughed at it, criticized it, rewrite it...

You can find the real truth of Jesus as the world's Savior in a well translated Bible. Even if you don't know or can't understand how Jesus can be your Savior, you can cry out to Him in prayer.  The LORD always hears the cries of those who want to know Him.

Romans 5 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 

And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 

The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Death may come unexpectedly,

but even you 

can have life in Jesus by accepting Him as your Savior!

Glory to God!

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John 3:16-21 

" “For God so loved the world,

 that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, 

but have eternal life.

For God did not send the Son 

into the world to judge the world, 

but that the world might be saved through Him.

He who believes in Him is not judged; 

he who does not believe has been judged already, 

because he has not believed 

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This is the judgment, 

that the Light has come into the world, 

and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, 

for their deeds were evil. 

For everyone who does evil hates the Light, 

and does not come to the Light 

for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

But he who practices the truth 

comes to the Light, 

so that his deeds may be manifested 

as having been wrought in God.”

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Spring!

 Little Robin Redbreast

Sat upon a rail;

Niddle noble went his head,

Widdle waggle went his tail

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Living for the LORD Today

 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."

Trust in the LORD

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Unique Differences

 

The Second Day of Spring!

 

Happy Spring!

The joys of new life remind Believers of what is to come!

Hope to see you there!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I have such happy memories from my childhood of special St. Patrick's Day cards from my Scottish grandma.  It wasn't until I was older when my mother would laugh at the cards we received and explain that her mother thought it was so funny to send them because she was Scottish. 

This is why I enjoy making and sending St. Pat. cards.  :o)

The Puppy is In

 

Everyone needs a hug now and then.

Reach out to others. Let them know you are thinking of them. 

Real hugs are wonderful, but it is really quite easy to give a hug with sweet, caring words. 

Try it, you may like it-- someone may give you a hug someday.

Ephesians 4:32

..."Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

Colossians 3:12-17

..."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."...

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Abuse, Control, and Manipulation: Life in a Cult

WOW, what a sight! Can you imagine seeing icebergs floating by in your own town on a regular basis? 

Icebergs can be massive. During their whole life time they deal with melting, changing, rolling, breaking apart, and moving... always moving, always changing. They are completely unpredictable in how they act as they move and what they look like at any moment as they slowly melt and move.

Icebergs are a perfect analogy of abusive people. A man or woman, husband or wife, or a group of people can be controlling and manipulative, which is abuse. 

They can be mildly abusive in their control and manipulation to outrageously controlling, manipulative in abuse.

From mild to outrageous: abuse is wrong. God designed us to be free. Free from the abusiveness of wicked, controlling, and manipulative people.

John 8:31-36

"...So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

They answered Him, 

“We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

Jesus answered them, 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed..."

Psalm 118:5-9

"...From my distress I called upon the Lord;

The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.

The Lord is for me; 

I will not fear;

What can man do to me?

The Lord is for me among those who help me;

Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in princes..."

Psalm 142:5-7

"...I cried out to You, O Lord;

I said, 

“You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

“Give heed to my cry,

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors,

For they are too strong for me.

“Bring my soul out of prison,

So that I may give thanks to Your name;

The righteous will surround me,

For You will deal bountifully with me.”

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord! 


Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord while I live;


I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Do not trust in princes,


In mortal man, 

in whom there is no salvation.

His spirit departs, 

he returns to the earth;


In that very day his thoughts perish.

How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,


Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Who made heaven and earth,


The sea and all that is in them;


Who keeps faith forever;

Who executes justice for the oppressed;


Who gives food to the hungry.


The Lord sets the prisoners free.

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;


The Lord raises up those who are bowed down;


The Lord loves the righteous;

The Lord protects the strangers;


He supports the fatherless and the widow,


But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever,


Your God, O Zion, to all generations.


Praise the Lord!

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A Lovely Cup of Valentine Tea

 Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8

My soul waits in silence for God only;


From Him is my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation,


My stronghold; 

I shall not be greatly shaken...

...My soul, wait in silence for God only,


For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,


My stronghold; 

I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest;


The rock of my strength, 

my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people;


Pour out your heart before Him;


God is a refuge for us...

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You are more valuable than many sparrows

I saw him just yesterday at the bird feeder. A male English Sparrow just like all the rest of them around him, but he was kind of ratty looking and he wasn't really trying to eat.  I knew he was towards the end of his life.

I love the LORD and His creation He made for us. I enjoy it every day where ever I am.

I also know of our fallen world, that even the creation groans all through time because of Adam and Eve's choice to rebel against the LORD.

So as I watched this dying sparrow on my feeder my heart ached for the inevitable. I not only ached for this tiny bird, but for all of the sorrows of mankind. 

I didn't see him again until this morning. We have had much snow and bitter cold temperatures. As I walked out to refill the far feeder and birdbath, there he was two feet from the birdbath standing on the snow as if alive. He had not flown or hopped away so I knew he had died right there frozen, looking perfectly fine, although a bit ratty.

It struck me so hard that I wept for this little bird and for all of the sorrows, struggles, and then the end of life for all of us. 

Even so this is not an end.

We have a great God who loves us so. His desire is for us to turn to Him, trust Jesus as our Savior from this fallen world, from our own sins. He is waiting through all time for each one of us to turn to Him in His truth. 

He knows all about you even if you do not know Him.  He knows how many hairs you have on your head, even each one which falls out throughout the day.

He knows His creation and even every single little bird which loses its life--He knows.

Jesus said:

"...What I tell you in the darkness, tell in the light; 

and what you hear whispered in your ear, 

proclaim on the housetops.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body 

but are unable to kill the soul; 

but rather fear Him who is able to destroy 

both soul and body in hell.

Are two sparrows not sold for a penny? 

And yet not one of them will fall to the ground 

apart from your Father.

But even the hairs of your head are all counted.

So do not fear; 

you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows."...

Matthew 10: 27-31

If you do not know the LORD God or His Son Jesus Christ you can know Him by reading the Bible. Begin in the book of John. 

When you become a child of God your life will never be the same because you become a new creation in Him. You become white as snow. Isaiah 1:18

..."if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."...

2 Corinthians 5:17

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Jesus lets not one guilty blemish stay!

Jesus' Precious Blood

What sacred fountain yonder springs

Up from the throne of God,

And all new covenant blessings bring?

‘Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

What stream can sweep away

My sins just like a flood,

Nor lets one guilty blemish stay?

’Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

What mighty sum paid all my debt,

When I a bondman stood,

And has my soul at freedom set?

’Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

What stream can sweep away

My sins just like a flood,

Nor lets one guilty blemish stay?

’Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

What voice is that which speaks for me

In heaven’s court for good,

And from the curse has set me free?

’Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

What stream can sweep away

My sins just like a flood,

Nor lets one guilty blemish stay?

’Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

What theme, my soul shall best employ

Thy harp before thy God.

And make all heaven to ring with joy?

’Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

What stream can sweep away

My sins just like a flood,

Nor lets one guilty blemish stay?

’Tis Jesus’ precious blood.

-William J. Irons

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