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Not that I am right, but, just a few years back I got to wondering about the race crap, the angry world and so forth......then for whatever reason I got to thinking about me----just what signals am I sending out. I want a better world to live in, I know there will always be hate and discontent, but can one person do anything to change it....NOPE!!!! But I have come to learn that "ONE" person can change their surroundings----I think-----Like I said a few years back and not that many years ----I took it upon myself to lead my one man crusade-----no matter where I am if I have eye contact I offer a pleasant greeting----Good Morning---Beautiful Day, ain't it-----I try to always thank store employees for being there---and so forth----Now I don't know if this changed anyone's heart, but I think it changed mine and that is step "ONE" in changing my surroundings. I am a Marine Veteran, many, many, many time I have folks thank me for my service and this opens up a door, I "ALWAYS" come back with "Thank you, but it takes us all to make America great, every person doing their job to the best of their ability----that is what makes America great." ----I have never said this that doors were not opened to share thoughts. A little example, the other day I was in BJ's doing some shopping and this Black lady thanked me for my service which opened that door, through our conversation "I think" she came to realize how important she was in making America great, or at least the things she said indicated so....then the real treasure----I made a friend-----OH YES!!!! Always in there I get the opportunity to share my faith, maybe just a little share, but, I get to plant a seed of thought.......Now after writing this I am wondering that prior to my little experiment what signals I was sending out----We are to let our light so shine, I reckon that means to turn that light on no matter where we are, HUMMMM!!! Maybe in past years my light was a bit deem, batteries getting a little low-----now just a passing thought here-----lets say you think the world is going to hell in a hand basket -----take a few weeks and experiment with the above---will you change the world, NO WAY----will you change you, probably, unless you are just an ole crouch.....I suppose being a Christian goes beyond Sunday
That lady in BJ's, I had to share a joke with her, "seems this man goes into a bar with an Ostrich and sits down and orders a beer, the Ostrich orders a beer, after drinking the beer the man reaches in his pocket and pulls out the exact amount of money to pay the bill----the next day the man comes back in the bar , sits down with his Ostrich and orders a beer and a burger, The Ostrich orders the same, they enjoy the burger & beer and ask how much, the bartender tells him and the man reaches in his pocket and again pulls out the exact amount of money to pay the bill, the third day the man & Ostrich come in the bar and order a beer, burger and fries, the Ostrich orders the same, comes time to go and once again the man reaches in his pocket and pulls out the exact amount of money to pay the bill......the bartender could not let it go and ask the man why when he comes in, no matter what he orders the Ostrich orders the same and when it comes time to pay he always has the exact amount of money in his pocket to pay the bill----the man says, well you see, years ago I was walking down the beech and found this dirty bottle and as I was wiping it off....POOOF-- A Jeanie popped out and said he would grant me any 2 wishes I had, well I thought on that and told the Jeanie that anytime I go into a store to buy something I always have the exact amount of money in my pocket to over the bill, no matter what- even if its a new car-----The Jeanie say DONE, now what else, the man thought and said I want a long-legged woman who agrees with everything I say---the Jeanie ---POOF it is done and gave him an Ostrich----Now I said above that I made a friend-----later I was at the gas station, and I hear someone yelling at me from across the lot, it was this lady from BJ's, asking me about the Ostrich------Now folks thought we were nuts, probably so, but I have a new friend---------sure beat a sour attitude anyday
For what is worth------I was going thru some very old stuff my grandma wrote years ago, say, IDUNNO, maybe 100 years ago, give or take a few....anyway it had to do with and about the founding of the Wesley Methodist church in Peru, Ind.......Seems it was in the year 1890---the charter members was made up of 14 people, but really was 7 husband & wives, in this group of founders was a man and woman by the names of Charles Artis and Sarah Artis. I can remember my dad a few times making mention on Mr. Artis but the thing I never knew was Mr & Mrs Artis were folks of color. I know nothing of their past, their present or their future, but what I do know that back in the late 1800's---early 1900's in God's house folks were considered God's children. I wish I knew more, I wish I understood more, speaking of a man in 2020 I can imagine there were difference, but not hate, prejudice and racism, which leads me to believe that those 3 factors must be taught in the home....YEP! I am just babbling on, but grandma raised a few questions in my mind, question I will never have the answer to, opinions? yes, answers? no. Maybe we need to think more on God's Children and not Political Correctness.......I understand also that the fox holes under enemy fire sort of follow the same God given thoughts on brotherly love.....jus say'n/think'n
Sort of neat, I was going through some old, old stuff written by my grandmother, so, I have no idea but could have been around 100 years ago, then I bumped into some of my mothers notes, I love it when they are hand-written, to me it is a note from the heart, not a professional's opinion.....not meaning that bad, jus say'n.....anyway one of mom's notes was concerning "separation"----seperation is not from contact with evil in the world or the church, but complicity or conformity with it....
That line of thought sort of went along with Jonah----
complicity and conformity makes a mind wonder just how far from Grace we have fallen----I suppose I could be all wet, but I remember things in the church which were considered "wrong", period, but today, well it is a different story----I suppose it is necessary for me to really clean my porch, be sure that baby is spic & span-----
the blind leading the blind
A subject that has been at the very front for me for years & years. Today the writers use, let us say better words, a new way of telling the old, old story. Please do not take this as negative to your post, just maybe icing on the cake.
I will only hit the top points, but back years ago I gave several talks on the "Communist rules for revolution."......Folks never thought of me as being nuts, but maybe a man with a screw or 2 loose up there somewhere. I had a passion for this subject and was free to speak my mind, back then "VERY FEW" took this seriously...., never could such a thing happen in the USA----yet, today I look and see where the chickens have come home to roost. Back when I was speaking on this subject it was said that no such rules existed, just a myth----but you weigh it in the balance and you be the judge, even if it were a myth, sure would have been a good thing if folks would of at least gave a penny's worth of thought........
Communist Rules for Revolution
In May 1919 at Dusseldorf, Germany, the allied forces discovered a copy of these ‘Rules.’ They were first printed in the United States in the ‘Bartlesville (Oklahoma) Examiner-Enterprise’ the same year, 1919.
Almost 20 years later, in 1946, the attorney general of Florida obtained them from a known member of the Communist Party, who acknowledged that the ‘Rules’ were then still a part of the Communist program for the United States.
1. Corrupt the young, get them away from religion. Get them interested in sex. Make them superficial. Destroy their ruggedness.
2. Get control of all means of publicity.
3. Get people’s minds off their government by focusing their attention on athletics, sexy books and other trivialities.
4. Divide the people into hostile groups by constantly harping on controversial matters of no importance.
5. Destroy the people’s faith in their natural leaders by holding the latter up to contempt, ridicule and obloquy.
6. Always preach true democracy, but seize power as fast and as ruthlessly as possible.
7. By encouraging government extravagance, destroy its credit and produce fear of inflation with rising prices and general discontent.
8. Foment unnecessary strikes in vital industries, encourage civil disorders, and foster a lenient and soft attitude on the part of government toward such disorders.
9. By specious argument cause the breakdown of the old moral virtues, honesty, sobriety, continence, faith in the pledged word, ruggedness.
10. Cause the registration of all firearms on some pretext, with a view to confiscating them and leaving the populace helpless.
Maybe I have a screw or 2 loose, IDUNNO, but, but, but,
STANDING ON THE PROMISES.....
I am sure that somewhere along the line I posted this, but this morning as I read the hi-lited passage and notes I thought that it is well worth a re-share....
Hebrews 2: 1
"Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."
Then the notes goes like so----"The danger of drifting"
We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift towards disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated. --- D.A. Carson in For the Love of God.---------Then C.S. Lewis wrote---"As a matter of fact, if we examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how may of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away?
God Bless and have a great week-end
Yesterday I was rescearching one subject and bumped into Scripture about the Holy Spirit and ran across in study the H.S of today verses the H.S. of old times, hi-lited the Scripture, hi-lited the notes for a good post, reckon maybe God thought it a bad idea, I can't find it this morning....HOWEVER-- I saw this hi-lited piece from 1 Corinthians , notes concerning the church ---"Churches should not be marked by ego, personality, or power plays.--- Instead a heart of humility and service, combined with a sound understanding of doctrine, keeps preferences and opinions from turning into convictions."----
we need not forget that our church is the body of Christ and the attendees make up the church, quite simply we are the body. This then made me think of Jesus teaching over in Matthew 15:9 "These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and in vain they worship Me, teachings as doctrines the commandments of men".-----Over in Collossians Paul teaches, that all the man made commandments and doctrines according to mankind-----these things indeed have the appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Jus a little side note---we have to be careful what we hear, even when it comes from our choice of religion. We have to be familiar and friends with the Holy Spirit and He will guide us. On my side I have God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, pretty good team there.....Pay close attention, when a person says "I think" what they are doing is passing on their personal opinion---that is not all bad, but keep in mind the Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things-
God Bless and have a super day
Just POPPED in the ole brain a moment ago.....well worth sharing----If you think on the tune, sort of makes you want to pat your foot
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
When troubles surround us
when evils come
The body grows weak
The spirit grows numb
When these things beset us,
He doesn't forget us
He sends down His love
On the wings of a dove
When Noah had drifted
on the flood many days
He searched for land
In various ways
Troubles, he had some
but wasn't forgotten
He sent him His love
On the wings of a dove
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
Just a few little words......but, OH what strength in a time of trouble, worry, doubt, concern, fear, just whatever may trouble one's heart, even when at death's door
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me"
We can research this verse, we can get opinions from great minds of religon, we can hear really good sermons, on Psalm 23, and we hear good comforting words at the departure of a dear friend or family member...........BUT---to me they carry a dear and special place in my heart, I may stray, I may fall short, I may stumble and fall and get all dusty, but I know God's grace will see me through.....I have made mention of this before, and probably will do so many times in the future.....when I laid in my hospital bed right on the edge of stepping off into eternity, I saw going around in a circle, like the ticker on a TV screen, the Lords Prayer----then every now and then, right through the middle, from left to right, those words cut through. My friend, no matter what is tossed in your path, try to remember those words. To the higer educated minds Psalm 23 carries their thoughts, but for me, trodding through life, with all its challenges, worries, pain, despair, well! That is the Valley of the shadow of death, But from someone who was right at death's door, "FEAR NOT". for God is with you....We just have to learn to remove stuff from our hands and put all that stuff in God's hands.
I often have said that we take our problems right to the foot of the cross, then when we get up to leave we pack up all those problems and take them with us.....We need to learn to just trust in God more than in ourselves-----God Bless
Just a few little words......but, OH what strength in a time of trouble, worry, doubt, concern, fear, just whatever may trouble one's heart, even when at death's door
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me"
We can research this verse, we can get opinions from great minds of religon, we can hear really good sermons, on Psalm 23, and we hear good comforting words at the departure of a dear friend or family member...........BUT---to me they carry a dear and special place in my heart, I may stray, I may fall short, I may stumble and fall and get all dusty, but I know God's grace will see me through.....I have made mention of this before, and probably will do so many times in the future.....when I laid in my hospital bed right on the edge of stepping off into eternity, I saw going around in a circle, like the ticker on a TV screen, the Lords Prayer----then every now and then, right through the middle, from left to right, those words cut through. My friend, no matter what is tossed in your path, try to remember those words. To the higer educated minds Psalm 23 carries their thoughts, but for me, trodding through life, with all its challenges, worries, pain, despair, well! That is the Valley of the shadow of death, But from someone who was right at death's door, "FEAR NOT". for God is with you....We just have to learn to remove stuff from our hands and put all that stuff in God's hands.
I often have said that we take our problems right to the foot of the cross, then when we get up to leave we pack up all those problems and take them with us.....We need to learn to just trust in God more than in ourselves-----God Bless
Hey there, well we all made it to Saturday....WAAAHHOOO!!!! I was reading in Matthew and when I got over in chap. 7 I got hung up, well let me say stalled, this really stuck in my mind and I have been visiting many different reference books since...So just maybe for discussion or your something to kick your brain in gear this weekend, allow me....
I Never Knew You
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
I could be wrong but I think every time I have heard this used in teaching classes or sermons it is tied into works...and I suppose rightfully so....but I wonder if maybe folks get to tied up on works, then do the works assuming they are working their way into heaven---a very easy trap to fall into.....but the part that I got hung up on and I got hung up because I remembered that over in John chap 6 when Jesus was asked---what shall we do that we may work the works of God----Jesus answered with---"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent"......Then else where Jesus taught that after he went to His Father that He would send the Helper (Holy Spirit) to walk along beside of us. Let us put works on the back shelf for a moment---if we truly believe then the works that we do are Holy Spirit inspired, they are not works that we do on our own.....When I do works on my own, pride steps in and God is pushed out----we are saved by God's grace unto good works. For me it would be difficult to be a Pastor and not allow pride to step in, I would have great difficult if I were a Choir director and not let pride step in-----One of the things that brought me back to Christ was this very thing---I was at one time running my 3 little business and doing transportation work for a major company, not bad for a high school education, money was not problem, in 1978 I purchased a new pickup, new Cadillac , 3 bedroom home on the river, I mean I was in tall cotton and "I" gave a "lot" of $$$$$$ to the church and a lot of $$$$ through my S.S. Class----please notice I said "I DID"----I did all the works, my pride stepped in and I put God outside.....Pride has it consequences----I fell out of a truck, broke everything, and I mean everything in my right wrist, the doctors thought I would lose use of my right hand, today it is in very good shape, we almost lost everything, thanks to my wife for being able to stretch a dollar 10 ways from Sunday----then one day I came back to Christ, do I have the $$$$ I had back then, "NO"---but I have more now than then, including my bank account, am I rich?--"NO" but somehow I am better off....another story for another time. ---- I suppose the important thing is for us to learn to depend upon the Holy Spirit to lead us and not us lead ourselves
God Bless----Have a great weekend
Well, let me start by saying Happy Saturday......I am relative new to this board and reckon maybe I should have waded in rather than jumping in-----If anything I posted was offensive, judgmental, nasty, or Holier than Thou, I do apologize-----Reckon I have just heard so much from so many different directions concerning politics that I just lost a screw or 2 and vented here.....so , I apologize if I stepped on a toe or 2......That being said, I like personal notes, personal testimonies and a lot of times even them can drag a person down, allow me a moment to share a "drag me down" Christian story----I am 77 and still kicking, I have been a Methodist all my life, baptized in a back woods mountain creek, then some where along the line I sort of lost my way, nothing real bad just figured the whole world revolved around me---long story here, but I will cut to the chase, one day I found my way back to the Lord and have tried to be a faithful servant, a real struggle as the devil knows my every weakness and never fails to tempt me, I really think the older we get the more the devil works on us because our time here on earth is drawing close to the end....the real GOOD life is right around the corner and the devil really wants me to miss out. Let me come back to my attitude---as I said I have been a Methodist for 77 years, now I just don't understand, while I am concerned about losing my way, I am concerned that my loving Methodist Religion has left me. I'll not speak of all the social issues they have given in to, just to make folks happy----I say Methodist, but truthfully I question the faith of organized religion, I pray for wisdom and understanding and pray that I do not become judgmental , but just recently I witnessed the, what I call, a mountain of HYPOCRISY. My church due to this virus shut down the Church Worship services, then after a period of time they went to parkinglot services, but you had to stay in your car, then they went to a limited number of people inside for worship service, but social distance was practiced, you had to wear a mask and could only hum a tune, no singing.........OK! We all need to be safe---I get it-----Here is the straw that broke the camels back----A lady passed, 97 years old, been a member since Moses parted the sea, I loved the woman, she was a real special person, but NOW the church tossed all the rules out the window and totally open the church to all for a memorial service --- then had everyone in the social hall to socialize------The Scripture from James was on 100% display----by the way, other folks have passed and services were limited....................Once again allow me to apologize for running off-----But sometimes I can't help but wonder what message we as Christians are sending out-----then I have to come back to one of my favorite saying---"Don't tell someone to clean their front porch until you have cleaned your porch"----So reckon, maybe I need to look more inside than outside...........I do enjoy the board and appreciate all that is posted and if I in any way was or am out of line I apologize-----
God Bless---& Let your light so shine that others may see Christ in you
I thought with all the political opinions, like I said, "I thought "----ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND, ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND"............At 77, I love my wood work shop, I love cooking on my grill, I love seeing on Christian Boards how Jesus has pulled one out of the muck, I love just sitting on the porch counting my blessing, NOW for politics, know how & why & where my vote will go, I also 100% believe that God is in charge, I have no fear. I do get concerned should some poor lost sinner needing help might come a calling on a Christian Board and all they find is a bunch of bithcing.
Anyway God Bless, now back to my work shop......I spend some good quality time with God out there
I thought this was a Christian place.....I totally believe in freedom, I believe and respect what ever others may think.....but on a Christian board, suppose a long lost sinner or another brother or sister is seeking christian support and they tune in to a bunch of political crap......what message are they receiving? That is on TV 24/7.....jus say'n
Yield Not to Temptation
Al Green
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin
Each victory will help you or some others to win
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue
Look ever to Jesus and He'll carry you through
Just ask the Savior to help you
To comfort, strengthen and keep you
He is willing to aid you
And He will carry you through
Ask the Savior to help you
To comfort, strengthen and heal you
Oh, He is willing to aid you
Jesus will carry you through
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain
God's name hold in reverence, don't take it in vain
Be thoughtful and honest, kindhearted and true
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through
Oh, ask the Savior to help you
To comfort, strengthen and keep you
Oh, He is willing to aid you
Jesus, He will carry you through
All I wanna do is ask the Savior to help you
Comfort, strengthen and keep you
He is willing to aid you
And He will carry you through
I wanna just ask the Savior to help you
To comfort, strengthen and keep you
He is willing to aid you
He will carry you through
Some may say or think "OH HUM_BUG", but then really? Christians organizations may be more guilty of this than they are willing to admit----Then as a Christian is God pleased with our actions? Several days ago I had an incidence occur in my circle of life and ever since this passage of Scripture has haunted me, I mean really haunted me--- As Christians we all come up short, that s why God offers forgiveness, however, and maybe I am wrong, but I hold the Christian institutions to a higher standard than the folks sitting in the congregation. If no one in this world ever practices what they preach-- the Christian Institutions should stand firm on the Word of God and not waiver. Hypocrisy runs right along with Coveting....God Bless
James 2:1-8
New King James Version
Beware of Personal Favoritism
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
Hey Foxwoods, it was not just a scam----it was a very good scam...probably right in there amongst the top 10 scams....they did make themselves some $$$$$$$ ----Now the important stuff, VEGAS, we put off our trip also. No idea when the Diamond Lounges will open and the Paris where we like, they may never open the Lounge again.. Over the years we have met some really nice folks out there. OH WELL, maybe in time, get this election over and hopefully people will resume some type of normal living. The one good thing about NAGP Board, although folks never met in person, I feel right at home here.....99.9% germ free
This board has been nothing but entertainment for years, I can't remember the last serious moment here
Solomon had like 700 wives, princesses & 300 concubines-----might answer the reason for such a book as Ecclesiastes.....That's a lot of women telling you to take out the trash.....Sorry, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity, bet seriously, can anyone imagine
Mark 9:23-24
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
This Scripture has a big place in my heart and mind. I have read and re-read & re-read on this, I suppose it is a prayer that I figure I really need, Lord help my unbelief. Once again this morning I got to digging in to this topic and figure maybe it is worth sharing....."Help my unbelief" may not be as one may think....Help my unbelief maybe should be a daily prayer in each of our lives.....most of what I am putting out here comes from the Interpreters Bible......Hopefully it will offer food for thought to others....God Bless and help me get this right...
Jesus put no limits on the power of faith, He calmed the raging sea, rose the little girl from the dead, raised Lazarus from the dead, healed the man from the caves with a whole ton of demons in him and the list goes on & on. "I BELIEVE---HELP MY UNBELIEF"----These words can have different meanings , "change my unbelief into belief, help my want of faith" or they can mean "help me in spite of my inadequate faith.". The difference is not quite as great as may seem at first, when one receives God's help in spite of the lingering unbelief, that experience will to some degree at least, change unbelief into belief. But either way it is a prayer that should rise daily from our hearts and lives. We are strange mixtures of belief and unbelief. There is a war in our minds, one day we cry, "Lord ! I believe"; the next day we wonder about it. In some areas of life we believe with unanimous heart; in others the highest point we ever seem to reach is "help my unbelief."---On sunny days we sing "My heart is fixed O God; but under leaden skies the song dies on our lips. It is like a civil war in our lives.---"Heart in, Hand out"----the split personality in religion! In theory we believe; In practice we often insist on using something else. We pray "Thy kingdom come'; but there are times when we only half believe in its coming. An inadequate faith grows into a deeper faith as we act on what faith we have. "The experiment becomes an experience."
God Bless and have a Blessed Day
See God always comes through,,,,,just when one believer doesn't exactly know what to say, the Holy Spirit tells another believer to step up----help the poor ole guy out---thanks
Looks like I am going to dominate the page today..... I am sitting on the deck, temp. here in my back yard is 63, I thought of how after the snow flys &the ice is gone and the 1st sign of spring just how great a temp. Of around 60 is,,,,, today with a slight breeze, cloud coverage rather heavy, and as I said 63,,,, hummm , down right chilly,,,actually feel like I am freezing my buttocks off,,, I don’t get it!!! Now seeing as how this is the Bible Board I suppose there should be a Scripture reference——- well , I ain’t gotz one,, but I will add , sit outside, watch the clouds roll by and allow your mind to wander....Draw near to God & He will draw near to you——- I was really wondering how I could make this crazy post approiate for the Bible Bloard
loved that story----thanks
Naw,,,, you just gonna wait a bit, buy it back, talk a little positive trash , then complain and then sell and then wash it through again....... hey, nothing wrong with that, just say,n......I love to watch the ATM folks at work
As I started my morning Bible stuff this thought entered my tiny lil mind...it has to do with being cast into darkness......I got to thinking how could anyone not be concerned about being cast into darkness? I mean that is nasty stuff, I wonder if it is maybe they just don't care, but then this would come because they do not believe and then I wondered if lack of belief comes from our religious organizations missing the boat in their teachings/preaching.....Like I said, a thought entered my mind.
The lady who cut my hair also is a fellow church member, I have mentioned here many times that I am of the Methodist religion, however my wife and I when ask, we do not say we are Methodist...we say we are of the Christian faith, or we are Christian-----Anyway yesterday I was getting my ears lowered and I told this lady that I had received the church newsletter and I went through it 3 times looking and could not find it, there was many, many articles relating to GOOD WORKS, many articles about health, music, feeding the hungry, helping the poor---you know all those good Christian acts....all were based on what mankind is doing.......the saving grace of Jesus Christ was nowhere mentioned, I really felt like the newsletter was more of working than believing......Let me better explain my thoughts---I know a man who was very active in church, he also had his own business and was really doing well finically and he always contributed to the church.....He did a lot through his S.S. Class was very faithful in his giving, not only of his money but also his time, the church members gladly would say he was a very good person. One day the Good Lord came calling this man to accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior, he went forward and turned his life over to Jesus, then as time passed he learned where in one part of his life he was missing the point, "YES" -- he did lots of good works, notice I said "HE" did good works, what was missing was God doing the good works, God receiving the credit, I suppose it could be said the man showered himself with self-praise......Now I am not going to beat up on this guy because it is an easy path to follow, after all many Angels did the same thing and given the opportunity to be rather wealthy many of us would fall into the same trap.----I started with the thought of being cast into darkness, then jumped to my church's news letter----my thoughts went to the most important thing for a church is to save folks from being cast into utter darkness. I wonder if all organized religion is sort of missing the point----but then it is each of us, those who profess to be CHRISTIAN, to let our light so shine that others may see Christ in us------Maybe the organized religion really is not missing the point, maybe the CHRISTIAN is the one falling short..........Yesterday I spent a few minutes going through the 7 churches in the beginning of the Book of Revelation------they sort of sound familiar----God Bless and thanks for allowing me to ramble on & on-----How does that ole song go, "I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together"----it is not he organized part, it is the you & me's
It is a good thing to plant some spiritual seeds or be the the water boy/girl who waters those seeds-----we just never know when the slightest little thing we say or do might help to promote God's work----
As I was preparing to do my morning Bible stuff I opened my Bible and it opened to the intro. to 2 Corinthians and I see a hi-lited couple of verses which I think are good points for a Christian to think on.
Here we go: "For all the anxieties, pressures, and disappointments we wrestle with, it is encouraging to remember that God's people are only on a temporary assignment in the wilderness of this world, where our aim is to point fellow travelers to the way and be "well pleasing to Him".
Sort of ties in with Jesus teaching in Matthew 5; “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.-----just thinking
when I was trailer/truck'n for a living I would everyday list to Dr. McGee----an excellent Bible teacher....IMO-----I would not bet on it as those days are long past, but, I think Dr. McGee is the guy who taught me this phrase which I quote over & over again, many, many times....anyway he (I think) said that. " he thought the problem today is that we have been educated beyond our intelligence ". Like it or not---that is a mouth full----IMO--Today we have a bunch of highly educated people who could not pour "P" out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel. jus say'n
I do not disagree, but I often wonder in comparison the Viet Nam era, the MLK times, when churches were burned or blown up, then over history just every now and then folks really loose their way. This go round something seems different....but then at 77 I just shake my head. I never protested or tore other folks stuff down---but when I look back over the years I often wonder how in the world I have survived these 77 yrs and at the same time cannot help but be so thankful for God's saving grace. It is good to look at where we have been and where we are now-----if that does not make one thankful , nothing will, unless some of you are Polly Pure------------God Bless
I really like Caleb also
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
This morning from Mark 13 as I read this my mind wondered off and where it reads--"False Christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive "-----Got me to wondering if or when such happens how easily will organized religions follow the false christ or prophets. Our churches very easily closed and Locked the doors of the church building over a flu panic.......I am not saying Corona stuff is not bad, I am just saying how easy it has been to lock the church doors. When miracles and wonders are preformed will mankind question from where they come or will they be a sheep and just follow along? My opinion here, nothing more & nothing less than an opinion----those who never read their Bible will have no clue of strange things happening. That being said, those who have accepted Jesus Christ, although they may never read the Scriptures, will have the confidence that they will be led by the Holy Spirit. A little something there to think on----God Bless
I was sup early this am and reading in Mark the cleanses of the temple and the withered fig tree, then reading things concerning faith ---this tune came back into the ole mind.--
How about this for a late evening thought?
I'm standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Steve, back years ago when I went to speak at a church & every time I taught S.S. I would always without fail open with---"May I ask you why are you here today? You could be cutting the grass, out on the golf course or maybe just sleeping-in, fishing or whatever----May I suggest to you that you are right where God wants you to be."-------------Sometimes in life we just need to stop and say to ourselves, all will be well, I am right where God wants me to be
vrs. 15 teaches a lot......yes I opened to 1 Corth. 3----out of the 17 verses I have 7 hi-lited---but verse 15 has always offered me hope----I may fall short, I may stumble, I may fall down and get all dusty, but in the end I will be saved. We can never earn our salvation through service (works)----God's grace saves me, It is faith---I believe in the gospel
thank you ---sort of where we are in our thinking.....a thought I have or had----where has the Christian community lost out when it comes to talking with God, have we made talking with God so formal, so high and mighty that we loose our closeness....We sing what a friend we have in Jesus----but then are afraid to have a chat with Him. This subject has got me coming from so many different angles, surprises me that in the past I never gave much detail thought.....Tahnks much for your thoughts
Think I. will start this beautiful Tuesday off on a UP-NOTE---a good thought---yet one that just might kick your tinny little minds in gear.......A few days ago I received a private message on fb from a nephew, actually great nephew, asking for a bit of advice. He is 17 yr. old and he & his girlfriend do Bible Study several times a week, the thing that he is having a problem with, well maybe not a problem, let's say a lock of understanding, and was asking me how to best deal with it....His girlfriend & he really enjoy their Bible Study, however she has difficulty praying with him......Now put yourself in my shoes for a second, someone asking for advice on say, when & how to pray----or ---- praying with a friend out loud-----Now to each of us this could offer many different answers....I had to take time, I mean a couple of days to sort out my thinking. As a Christian we have to be very careful of what we offer to other seeking the way. Bottom line, after consulting with "many" different references, many different Scripture verses I have come to really learn that this is not that simple of a subject.....Now maybe you may say "OH PHEWYYY", well I'll give you that, but take a few moments and start checking out the subject of praying----private, in a closed room, open in a group, or with just a couple. Then when I went to google and got to checking what the Pro's have written, I quickly learned that so much was just a verse to make their point and really had nothing to do with prayer---a loud clanging symbol-----man-made religion.....The thing that coming into my mind was that if I should give bad advice or misunderstood advice, then I will be held accountable for misleading a young Christian. Now several days later we are still working on this very subject----The one point I made that I am solidly set on---was, "Personally, 1 on 1, talk with God, He knows what is in your heart even before you speak a word, seek guidance , ask that God will allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in all understanding----then open your mind & heart to God's will." I found that I just can not say what works for me because of the true fact that God has given each of us has a unique personality----some of us are bold, some are shy, some of us are at square one in our Faith Walk and others are many years down the road in our Faith Walk------If you can offer any personal thoughts or feelings, thank you---I would prefer your personal thoughts and feelings not something that is not from the heart------Knock---Ask---Seek-----then trust in the Holy Spirit-------God Bless, a pinch of humor here....this was to be just a word or 2
I was wondering, just curious......If I should die tonight if admittance to heaven is put on hold due to Corona virus stuff, should I die I wonder if I could be put in a holding tube till germ free conditions arrive, I wonder will I be satan free or will he try to steal me away, there are just so many unanswered questions----HUMMMM!!!! reckon it is best to just not die tonight and ride this storm out----So St. Peter don't you come a calling cause I can't go, I owe my soul to the Corona virus store-----Now for you young ones, that would be Tennessee Earnie Ford's old song-----HUMMM !! Maybe a big ole Pork Chop and a Blooming Onion just might clear things up------OH!! I know this has no Bible reference, but, still I wonder, what if
When I opened my Bible this morning it opened to this hi-lited passage---
Micah 6: 8---
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But,
to do justly,
to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?
In 1 Samuel 15 we see this:
Behold to obey is better than sacrifice
All throughout the New Testament we are taught that to be right in the sight of God is to BELIEVE....Many, in my opinion, put way to emphasis on doing good works and neglecting their commitment to faithful living....Something there to think on this morning----God Bless