tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49155977209142191232024-03-13T11:09:14.347-04:00New Bible ReflectionsLife, through the lens of The ScripturesGary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.comBlogger17253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-78346603997824471422024-02-02T11:07:00.002-05:002024-02-02T11:07:36.336-05:00A laughing matter by Gary Rose<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAkQTFAtHfsanucG8S-T83MxdjdXeJU6phDnU2CmQ9LbKCYexoTVh0-TaOvWx7PPC0sIE0oaDZHPiCLwxqL_Ayg2DMnGTTaDTRPShT4iaqQsjCRZPfwqBvVRPcGg7Eh1AJwBtjnuU5MMHryPV2MGu1G4s2v_Yidh2gEp6jSJv6OUzWWWcjnAEvcGLxD4/s892/a%20little%20humor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="687" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAkQTFAtHfsanucG8S-T83MxdjdXeJU6phDnU2CmQ9LbKCYexoTVh0-TaOvWx7PPC0sIE0oaDZHPiCLwxqL_Ayg2DMnGTTaDTRPShT4iaqQsjCRZPfwqBvVRPcGg7Eh1AJwBtjnuU5MMHryPV2MGu1G4s2v_Yidh2gEp6jSJv6OUzWWWcjnAEvcGLxD4/w493-h640/a%20little%20humor.png" width="493" /></a></div> <p></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;">The
above bits of humor were sent to me by my friend, Bruce Arnold. I
enjoyed them greatly and would like to say THANK YOU! I thought a bit
about humor in the Bible and remembered several passages from the
book of Genesis which involve Abraham and his wife Sarah. Hope you
enjoy the humor ( and the irony of the situation )...</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><b>A
doubting that is laughable</b></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><b>Gen
17 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When Abram was ninety-nine
years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God
Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I will make my covenant
between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Abram fell on his face. God
talked with him, saying,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">“As for me, behold, my
covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of
nations.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Neither will your name any
more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made
you the father of a multitude of nations.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I will make you exceedingly
fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I will establish my covenant
between me and you and your seed after you throughout their
generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to
your seed after you.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I will give to you, and to
your seed after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land
of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I will be their God.” …</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">God said to Abraham, “As for
Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name will
be Sarah.</span></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I will bless her, and moreover
I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be
a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.” </span></i></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>17
</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: black;">T</span><span style="color: black;"><u>hen
Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, </u></span><span style="color: black;">“</span><span style="color: black;"><u>Will
a child be born to him who is one hundred years old?</u></span><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><u>Will Sarah, who is ninety years old,
give birth?”</u></span></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>18
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Abraham said to God, “Oh
that Ishmael might live before you!” </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>19</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">God said, “No, but Sarah,
your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will
establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his
seed after him.</span></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><b>Gen
18 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh appeared to him by the
oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He lifted up his eyes and
looked, and saw that three men stood opposite him. When he saw them,
he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the
earth,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and said, “My lord, if now I
have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your
servant.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now let a little water be
fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I will get a morsel of bread
so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now
that you have come to your servant.” They said, “Very well, do as
you have said.” </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Abraham hurried into the tent
to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three measures of fine meal,
knead it, and make cakes.”</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Abraham ran to the herd, and
fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He
hurried to dress it.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He took butter, milk, and the
calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them
under the tree, and they ate. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They asked him, “Where is
Sarah, your wife?” He said, “See, in the tent.” </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said, “I will certainly
return to you when the season comes round. Behold, Sarah your wife
will have a son.” Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind
him.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now Abraham and Sarah were
old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>12</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Sarah laughed within herself,
saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being
old also?” </span></i></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>13</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh said to Abraham, “Why
did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child, yet I am
old?’</span></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>14
</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Is anything too hard for
Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes
round, and Sarah will have a son.” </span></i></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>15</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Then
Sarah denied, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid. He
said, “No, but you did laugh.” </span></u></span></i></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">We
often think of Abraham as a great man of faith and this of course is
correct. But, both he and his wife Sarah laughed at the prospect of
becoming parents in their old age. They doubted, but God turned that
doubt into reality.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><b>A
Joyful laugh</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><b>Genesis
21 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>1
</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh visited Sarah as he
had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.</span></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><u><b>2</b></u></sup></span><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Sarah conceived, and bore
Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken
to him.</span></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Abraham called his son who was
born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Abraham circumcised his son,
Isaac, when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Abraham was one hundred years
old when his son, Isaac, was born to him.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>6
</u></span></sup></span><i><span style="color: black;">Sarah said, “</span><span style="color: black;"><u>God
has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.”</u></span></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">If
even Abraham, with his great faith, could doubt something that God
had told him, don’t be surprised if occasionally we might stumble
in some aspect of our faith. I especially like the passage from
Genesis 21 because Sarah laughed at her own situation and gave glory
to God. </span></span></p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"> </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
</p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">As
for me, I will laugh at the jokes in life and remember that God
really does have a sense of humor, which is often coupled with a
tinge of irony. Life is GOOD, but with GOD it is great! I wonder,
when God created man, did he name the bones he put into our bodies…
if so, I wonder if it was HIM who had the idea of a <i>funny bone</i>….?
</span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }</style><p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-81068527022637802012024-01-18T13:13:00.004-05:002024-01-18T13:16:12.331-05:00It is what it is and that's that by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGrys0OGmmCSqxU92mJNC_xiXgb0JQb6j4BiIQbA6h-ena-AH9h_uTPk8h0F1YxC3N1V8bvtuyjyXa57pGQ-Rv9km9zDT44xIYgvVqQDgluAUWs_8uJLf3QOMMlwEG6mI5D3S6QLVAwtDyqx4nzrTlbmfkIkfSs7dzebqdmXJgBA6Qxw_XFp3dd-fzUY/s1843/it%20is%20what%20it%20is.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="1019" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGrys0OGmmCSqxU92mJNC_xiXgb0JQb6j4BiIQbA6h-ena-AH9h_uTPk8h0F1YxC3N1V8bvtuyjyXa57pGQ-Rv9km9zDT44xIYgvVqQDgluAUWs_8uJLf3QOMMlwEG6mI5D3S6QLVAwtDyqx4nzrTlbmfkIkfSs7dzebqdmXJgBA6Qxw_XFp3dd-fzUY/w354-h640/it%20is%20what%20it%20is.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">Yesterday, while she was perusing
Facebook, my wife Linda spotted this picture and remarked how
beautiful it was. I looked at it and agreed, saying;”<i>Now that is
</i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>one</b></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>
</b></span></i><span style="color: #2a6099;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>beautiful</b></span></i></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>
</b></span></i><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>bird</b></span></i></span>”.
Later, I looked at the Facebook page and noticed that <i>the comments
about it varied a lot</i>. Some people stated that they thought the
bird was very beautiful and others labeled it as a fake or even an
abomination.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">To
my surprise, I kept thinking about this bird throughout the day.
Finally, I said to myself: It is what it is and that’s that. Should
the bird be a creation in the mind of man, that changes nothing- it
is still beautiful; if it is the handiwork of God- it is still
beautiful, but it also proclaims how wonderful God’s creations can
be.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">It
should come as no surprise to those who know me that I prefer the
second option. At the same time, I thought, sometimes people are so
prone to criticize, that even those things that God <i>Might Have
Created</i> are suspect. Unfortunately, they put themselves in a
position of placing the wisdom and reason of human beings against the
stated will of God. With that in mind, I remembered Acts 21 and a
prophecy of one called Agabus…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><b>Acts
21 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When it happened that we had
parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to
Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Having found a ship crossing
over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When we had come in sight of
Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed
at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Having found disciples, we
stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that
he should not go up to Jerusalem.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When it happened that we had
accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey. They all,
with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of
the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">After saying goodbye to each
other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When we had finished the
voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers,
and stayed with them one day.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">On the next day, we, who were
Paul’s companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into
the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and
stayed with him.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now this man had four virgin
daughters who prophesied.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>10
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">As we stayed there some days, a
certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.</span></i></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>11
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Coming to us, and taking Paul’s
belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the
Holy Spirit: ‘So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns
this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
</span></i></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>12
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When we heard these things, both
we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.</span></i></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>13
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then Paul answered, “What are
you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to
be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus.” </span></b></i></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><i>14
</i></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><i>When he would not be
persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.”</i></span><span style="color: black;">
</span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">If
something has the possibility of being “from God” do we
immediately assume that is phony or are we spiritually enough minded
to diligently search out the possibility of it being from the
Almighty. More than this, are we willing to accept God’s will for
our life and joyfully seek <b>HIS</b> desires for us? Good question.
Now, reread Acts 21 (and especially verses 13f.) and ask yourself:
what would you do if the Bible plainly told you to do something you
did not want to do? </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }</style><p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-50414900717080735012023-10-12T13:44:00.000-04:002023-10-12T13:44:32.377-04:00Beyond blueprints by Gary Rose<p> <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJhzTXJd2tZ_Ub3j8X1KPwHkvNPGKyq0IYb6ify2_dMGROIT-VwC_Sqdh-hlObRTB6BmMg5M4dnTN1HIO_JmjHhkq-Tin8_8KvQIMtr4a_0itRxl_UOj8fDkLCFvG4Pb-nIq6wkv0q36xAik3UDllTKv3W63ZsBWEpgJAVY0_v25wQRC-cC4EO_jGBwk/s848/heaven.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="848" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJhzTXJd2tZ_Ub3j8X1KPwHkvNPGKyq0IYb6ify2_dMGROIT-VwC_Sqdh-hlObRTB6BmMg5M4dnTN1HIO_JmjHhkq-Tin8_8KvQIMtr4a_0itRxl_UOj8fDkLCFvG4Pb-nIq6wkv0q36xAik3UDllTKv3W63ZsBWEpgJAVY0_v25wQRC-cC4EO_jGBwk/w640-h272/heaven.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9AkM3C3w5VkAgK_bpOmHNuXNXi_RY4hH5PIrFG9c5RyEJ3GSgaPIfk79dIMFODWv0cvHxEXmVY6OmEMW0V49bU5iL1X4dtoZMkxQK22VjiYO6szKgCZytYlAZFgpI5FiFJ_SdW2uUosYqBAmvdgSZkQWy28Hd6kvnIpCskTf2NRU4sr9hn75gUnII-o/s790/pray%20for.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9AkM3C3w5VkAgK_bpOmHNuXNXi_RY4hH5PIrFG9c5RyEJ3GSgaPIfk79dIMFODWv0cvHxEXmVY6OmEMW0V49bU5iL1X4dtoZMkxQK22VjiYO6szKgCZytYlAZFgpI5FiFJ_SdW2uUosYqBAmvdgSZkQWy28Hd6kvnIpCskTf2NRU4sr9hn75gUnII-o/w506-h640/pray%20for.png" width="506" /></a></div><br /><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those
of you who know me well, are already aware that I quite often think
about astronomy. With astronomy on my mind, I recently changed my
application menu selector graphic ( that button on the bottom left
that accesses applications, settings, etc.. ) on my computer to the
picture at the very top. I enjoy this over my previous “stairway to
heaven” picture because of its color contrast, progression from
darkness to light and of course the end result the Christian will
receive at the top of those stairs. Now, I had not really intended to
use that ascending billowy staircase today and continued to peruse my
stock of pictures. Then I came across the second one. Unfortunately,
the original color of this was awful, so I reversed image and much to
my surprise, it looked like a blueprint to me. At that point, the
advice on the “blueprint” seemed very appropriate to me and so I
decided to use both pictures. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wanting
to go beyond mere human advice, I turned to the Bible and found this
passage within the book of Micah... </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Micah
6 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Brock Script;">8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require
of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
your God? </span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While
I think the “blueprint” is correct, somehow the word of God
seemed more meaningful to me. I will probably think about it for the
rest of the day.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Brock Script;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><i><b>I
hope <span style="color: #2a6099;">you will </span><span style="color: red;">as
well.</span></b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-71933245233244083492023-10-02T12:45:00.002-04:002023-10-02T12:45:57.003-04:00Doubt by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq35atvqrBJYsVGVEbWDMUO7967nnL8OmAqx1URbCaI1hpirOeddWuS-MFUrpO3bZucqMju1vAe4vbd1PZjcgG04RGZq8Wf1GWETnann_UjjhjGjXDAHzyotW4bVzPv5AMj35nT_y-WOKxGSPK00O3xBem02gSZmii4aW2FywgNlu7CAss2eqaRY4wVjk/s702/solid%20water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq35atvqrBJYsVGVEbWDMUO7967nnL8OmAqx1URbCaI1hpirOeddWuS-MFUrpO3bZucqMju1vAe4vbd1PZjcgG04RGZq8Wf1GWETnann_UjjhjGjXDAHzyotW4bVzPv5AMj35nT_y-WOKxGSPK00O3xBem02gSZmii4aW2FywgNlu7CAss2eqaRY4wVjk/w514-h640/solid%20water.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I first saw this picture, I had to do a double-take. The water looked
solid; how odd. Now, I know that this is an island in the middle of a
river, but still… the water just looked <i><b>solid </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to
me</span></span>. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
guess that is just the way life is; it is all too easy to be fooled
by appearances and misunderstand something that is right in front of
you.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
with this in mind, I thought of the Gospel of John and a man named
Thomas.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Bible says…</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
20 ( </b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>W</b></u></span><b>orld </b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>E</b></u></span><b>nglish
</b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>B</b></u></span><b>ible )</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>19
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When therefore it was evening,
on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were
locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Peace
be to you.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>20
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad
when they saw the Lord.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>21
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus therefore said to them
again, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Peace be to you. As the Father
has sent me, even so I send you.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>22
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When he had said this, he
breathed on them, and said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Receive
the Holy Spirit! </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>23
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">If you forgive anyone’s
sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins,
they have been retained.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>24
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But Thomas, one of the twelve,
called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>25
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The other disciples therefore
said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them,
“Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand
into his side, I will not believe.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>26
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">After eight days again his
disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the
doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Peace
be to you.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>27
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then he said to Thomas, </span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Reach</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
here your finger, and see </span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">my</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
hands. </span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Reach</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
here your hand, and put it </span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">into</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">my</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">side</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span></span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>28
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Thomas answered him, “My Lord
and my God!” </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>29
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus said to him, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Because
you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not
seen, and have believed.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like
that picture where the water seemed solid, sometimes we just can’t
believe what we see. Yet, most of the time, seeing is believing. For
Christians, we believe in God ( who we cannot see ). However, there
is overwhelming evidence that God is real, Jesus actually lived and
was in truth the son of God. These things give us hope of a life
beyond this life, which will be blessed right now because of belief
and even more so eternally in heaven.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Believe
in God, trust in HIM and do what the Bible tells us to do.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Humm,
that last sentence just could be a fairly good definition of a
Christian. Add the text of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and it just gets
better and better.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">See
what I am saying... no that is not right; <u>believe it because its
true</u>.</span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-43544626440896596102023-09-25T12:43:00.004-04:002023-09-25T12:43:46.785-04:00Reflection, by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyfG09bxKZ3KHsQSwQPCV1AOUh1Rc8ORflL7TXOdWQgZWuSbawmMXn3LK5_HKrLBZ-pVj7Y83BIzhGcBm17hrmnZqoG_bAqXblPd0xzyEA2d0ijxTnAUr0c3urGP1T24mmJ5912Ap0iv7iERJsyhmV5uZDu1G1gtczDhWh6C_k2zE4cjdqnuJSYywNL0/s1151/Beauty%20in%20a%20glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyfG09bxKZ3KHsQSwQPCV1AOUh1Rc8ORflL7TXOdWQgZWuSbawmMXn3LK5_HKrLBZ-pVj7Y83BIzhGcBm17hrmnZqoG_bAqXblPd0xzyEA2d0ijxTnAUr0c3urGP1T24mmJ5912Ap0iv7iERJsyhmV5uZDu1G1gtczDhWh6C_k2zE4cjdqnuJSYywNL0/w480-h640/Beauty%20in%20a%20glass.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; text-decoration: underline }</style></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I
wonder what is in this glass? Water, possibly. Perhaps alcohol, for
this glass does appear to be one that is used for drinking spirits.
Whatever it is, it reflects the light around it beautifully. And the
that light; sunset and almost twilight – simply <i><b>beautiful</b></i>.
</span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">A
second thought… If I were a glass, what would I reflect and
display?</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Would
my imperfections make my the resulting reflection better or worse? I
wonder?</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Then,
I thought of something I read this morning as part of my daily Bible
reading…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>Psalm
8 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1
For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by
David. Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the
earth! You have set your glory above the heavens! </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">2
From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength,
because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and
the avenger. </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">3
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the
moon and the stars, which you have ordained, </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">4
what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man,
that you care for him? </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">5
For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and
crowned him with glory and honor. </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">6
You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put
all things under his feet: </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">7
All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field, </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">8
the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes
through the paths of the seas. </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">9
Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! </span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: #2a6099; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Jesus
said...</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>John
14 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;">WEB</span> )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">15
If you love me, keep my commandments. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">16
I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor,
that he may be with you forever: </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">17
the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t
see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you
and will be in you. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">18
I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>19
Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will
see me. Because I live, you will live also. </i></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>20
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and
I in you.</i> </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">21
One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who
loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will
love him, and will reveal myself to him.” </span></p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">What
the glass contains, it reflects. Hopefully, that reflection is
beautiful. The picture above reflects God’s creation at sunset. I wonder,
Gary, do you reflect Jesus? </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This
last question concerns not only myself, but all who read this post.
Question: Do you reflect Jesus ( because he is in you ) or something
else? Right about now, a little introspection just might be very
beneficial.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Not
interested, then, your reflection just might look like this….</span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; text-decoration: underline }</style></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVH8okIIow-imDiEqtu1vOObD5bcmhvITaL3KF4lmK_oORiPwAyI6TcU_hIYMAIxI0E_PAdpPlCf9KH-zEtqqm5q4qYX-jDkcMWhVVfpe2swa67HmQVk8haISBbDGxy-7IUSe4WPTNXlEWIdgedRfRcIDHbTIpl9KbbvEdTHSV2kZxkksjcCYFmdJ-9c0/s1151/Beauty%20in%20a%20glass%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVH8okIIow-imDiEqtu1vOObD5bcmhvITaL3KF4lmK_oORiPwAyI6TcU_hIYMAIxI0E_PAdpPlCf9KH-zEtqqm5q4qYX-jDkcMWhVVfpe2swa67HmQVk8haISBbDGxy-7IUSe4WPTNXlEWIdgedRfRcIDHbTIpl9KbbvEdTHSV2kZxkksjcCYFmdJ-9c0/w480-h640/Beauty%20in%20a%20glass%201.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-37229671798582508562023-09-11T16:05:00.000-04:002023-09-11T16:05:23.646-04:00The whole world by Gary Rose<p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/0/#">
<img align="bottom" border="0" height="480" name="Image1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8uqejmBKf0g-XIWkhJBEu8GirY1j4z5KYnZ1vSfWbVGYGd1j9JnvvvbsNeNpxMEC2od2h-R4jnWjc9zpgxtSNSXjJWdv-5isyfJFp9RtIgoTnqhBpq0b1vR7YwSTPejT0G6J5ZnTVfZai4pQ0v5Ukgh5r-BSePwP50e1JwZzr8yBalWlYmBlRaKgiAE/w640-h480/corinthians10_26%20whole%20world%20in%20his%20hands.png" width="640" />
</a>
</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%;">This picture reminds of
the song: “He's got the whole world in his hands”. I found a nice
version on the net; below please find the link. I hope you like it!</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNrpun-SOPo"><span style="color: #2a6099;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNrpun-SOPo</span></a></b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">The
above led me to think about God and the creation of all things.
Naturally, I started at the beginning. The Bible says...</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><b>Genesis
1 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;">1 In the
beginning God created the heavens and the earth.<br />
2 Now the earth
was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep.
God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. <br />
3
God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.<br />
4 God
saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from
the darkness.<br />
5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness
he called “night.” There was evening and there was morning, one
day. <br />
6 God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of
the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”<br />
7
God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the
expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was
so.<br />
8 God called the expanse “sky.” There was evening and
there was morning, a second day. <br />
9 God said, “Let the waters
under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land
appear;” and it was so.<br />
10 God called the dry land “earth,”
and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas.” God
saw that it was good.<br />
11 God said, “Let the earth yield grass,
herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind,
with its seed in it, on the earth;” and it was so.<br />
12 The
earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees
bearing fruit, with its seed in it, after their kind; and God saw
that it was good.<br />
13 There was evening and there was morning, a
third day. <br />
14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse
of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs,
and for seasons, and for days and years;<br />
15 and let them be for
lights in the expanse of sky to give light on the earth;” and it
was so.<br />
16 God made the two great lights: the greater light to
rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made
the stars.<br />
17 God set them in the expanse of sky to give light
to the earth,<br />
18 and to rule over the day and over the night,
and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was
good.<br />
19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
<br />
20 God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living
creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of
sky.”<br />
21 God created the large sea creatures, and every living
creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind,
and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.<br />
22
God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<br />
23
There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. <br />
24 God
said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind,
livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their
kind;” and it was so.<br />
25 God made the animals of the earth
after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything
that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.
<br />
26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and
over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”<br />
27
God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him;
male and female he created them.<br />
28 God blessed them. God said
to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.
Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky,
and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”<br />
29 God
said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is
on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit
yielding seed. It will be your food.<br />
30 To every animal of the
earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on
the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for
food;” and it was so. <br />
31 God saw everything that he had made,
and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was
morning, a sixth day. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
is a chapter of the Bible that most people have either heard of or
know or have studied. However, I have a few thoughts I would like to
share with you for your reflection:</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
is a creator.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everything
that you can perceive with your senses ( and more ) is created by
him.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everything
that He made is very good.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
is a pattern that he made in his creation.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God
made it in HIS own time and HIS own way, according to HIS desire.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Human
beings are the pinnacle and stewards of God’s creation. We are not
the product of the theory of evolution. We are special in this world
and are caretakers of all creatures, by God’s decree.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If
God decides that tomorrow he will destroy any or all of his creation-
it is HIS right to do so.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because
God created everything; HE is therefore in everything.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These
are but a few thoughts, but even considering one of them is
worthwhile and time well spent. The more that I consider the nature
and actions of God, the more I begin to grow as both a person and as
a follower of Jesus ( a Christian ). It is my prayer that you will
too!</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; text-decoration: underline }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-50673912600212751392023-09-04T14:48:00.003-04:002023-09-04T14:48:35.927-04:00Victory by Gary Rose<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQeJrgVIcuvwN28TgDCj2lYu_89LYxKO2nyiNBjY4jhTV7L2A3SQ76LyJurQzF_5gaDdXN4RS2oyKWgHOD_PzU4Sa8RiGxXhoP6aKpI0XLwWpWLZ0qBA8JiDf_3lp0757TyYYmOCRgJpjo2oBPLAPhCW2iK3jUJ_v3wcPINm8Y9l1ErhcQ-fmOtJl518/s868/victory.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQeJrgVIcuvwN28TgDCj2lYu_89LYxKO2nyiNBjY4jhTV7L2A3SQ76LyJurQzF_5gaDdXN4RS2oyKWgHOD_PzU4Sa8RiGxXhoP6aKpI0XLwWpWLZ0qBA8JiDf_3lp0757TyYYmOCRgJpjo2oBPLAPhCW2iK3jUJ_v3wcPINm8Y9l1ErhcQ-fmOtJl518/w331-h400/victory.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><p></p><p align="justify" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 2px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Cantarell;"><br /></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 2px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;">No
matter who you are, you are growing older with every minute. This is
an undeniable <i><u><b>F</b></u></i><i><b>-</b></i><span style="color: #2a6099;"><i><u><b>A</b></u></i></span><i><b>-</b></i><span style="color: red;"><i><u><b>C</b></u></i></span><i><b>-</b></i><span style="color: #ffbf00;"><i><u><b>T</b></u></i></span>.
You might be a very nice person or the complete opposite. Young or
old, rich or poor, someday your earthly body will fail you and you
will die. Depressing isn’t it?</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Cantarell;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;">However,
one of the reasons I follow Jesus of Nazareth is hope. Hope that
someday I will be victorious over death and decay. I WILL BE
VICTORIOUS BECAUSE JESUS WAS VICTORIOUS! Because Jesus lives, I will
live. His resurrection from the grave is what is in store for me.
This past Lord’s day, I heard an excellent lesson about the
resurrection of Jesus. The good news is: It was the first of several
lessons on the topic from the 15<sup>th</sup> chapter of the book of
1<sup>st</sup> Corinthians.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Cantarell;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;">The
Bible says...</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Cantarell;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b>1
Corinthians 15 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>1
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now I declare to you, brothers,
the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in
which you also stand,</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>2
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">by which also you are saved, if
you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you
believed in vain.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>3
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">For I delivered to you first of
all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures,</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>4
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">that he was buried, that he was
raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and that he appeared to
Cephas, then to the twelve.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then he appeared to over five
hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some
have also fallen asleep.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles,</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and last of all, as to the
child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">For I am the least of the
apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I
persecuted the assembly of God.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span>But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace
which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all
of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;">----------------------------------</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>54
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">But when this corruptible will
have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on
immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed
up in victory.” </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>55
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">“Death, where is your sting?
Hades, where is your victory?” </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>56
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">The sting of death is sin, and the
power of sin is the law.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>57
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">But thanks be to God, who gives us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>58
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Therefore, my beloved
brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s
work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b>A<span style="color: #2a6099;">N</span><span style="color: red;">D</span></b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b>1
John 5 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span> )</b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>4
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">For whatever is born of God
overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world:
your faith.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Cantarell;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: medium;">If
you believe the documented fact that Jesus died for our sins and that
he now is living, your faith will be rewarded at the moment of your
demise. And that reward is not temporary, it is permanent! Until that
day, I will live in the knowledge that with Jesus Christ, I WILL BE
VICTORIOUS. Can you say that? If not, then put aside whatever is
preventing you from obeying the Gospel and become a Christian <b>N</b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><b>O</b></span><span style="color: red;"><b>W</b></span>!</span></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-19560845452435125832023-08-21T10:02:00.001-04:002023-08-21T10:02:45.513-04:00Be all that you can be by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBqUJDY1N4HKG9Ri0xsFZdP6OeTr9Nyl4XrY5wA8RamU7iRxFUh88oKm9_5AwXf_1Y0U6iqXB6lR76TEl2NVXxt7O-bp2VnR144Oc3sRUv-wn1QfCkMtpVTFfFNLkXVQ7FknuaSEXdZeAtP-RCbmwu3eHWoG0AdvJWRQjbRrfX6HIwU1zA3qgEeFFTJs/s960/Golden%20text%20of%20Bible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBqUJDY1N4HKG9Ri0xsFZdP6OeTr9Nyl4XrY5wA8RamU7iRxFUh88oKm9_5AwXf_1Y0U6iqXB6lR76TEl2NVXxt7O-bp2VnR144Oc3sRUv-wn1QfCkMtpVTFfFNLkXVQ7FknuaSEXdZeAtP-RCbmwu3eHWoG0AdvJWRQjbRrfX6HIwU1zA3qgEeFFTJs/w480-h640/Golden%20text%20of%20Bible.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="break-before: page; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Unlike
my normal way of doing things, I chose this “Sermon Starters”
picture. First, I am NOT preaching a sermon AT You. Next, this
picture brought back a memory from about 1972. It was about 4am and I
was sitting at my desk in the quality control office and I said to
myself: now what? Why? Because I was in early 20’s and had a job
that many were envious of; a quality control supervisor.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">A
friend had recently given me a copy of the “Living Bible” and I
was reading through it with joy. It seemed to me that the things
within this book was the pinnacle of human existence, the highest
goal that a person could possibly achieve, namely, being a genuine
Christian.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Five
decades have come and gone, but this one fact remains: If you aim
high in your goals, you just might reach unexpected heights. Even if
never reach your goals and fall flat on your face, you just might be
covered in stardust.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Think
about what you would like to do with the rest of your life and then
consider what God can do. The Bible says…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>N</u></span>ew <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>A</u></span>merican
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>S</u></span>tandard <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible
)</b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup>16</sup></span>
“For God so loved the world, <span style="color: #2a6099;">that He gave His
only begotten Son,</span> <span style="color: red;">that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-22793232299295949442023-08-16T12:54:00.001-04:002023-08-16T12:54:34.044-04:00THE TRUTH by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEvQY5IZvLce_tE8BaAAvkWNFHugJbW35avaYti_5BUUu5QLmg6za0jKtfSPQyqoD4j8o5a2l5-Dg2cDm1J8wYLH-KYh62eU7LZbBeRqANjwpdRSuJpRQld8tjo2axQXO6PcQEvN8uOrwgtjvK6MEhBIqGeB11Aze71MYPSAxdLZfWycExQzedPRqPEo/s960/real%20or%20not.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="554" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEvQY5IZvLce_tE8BaAAvkWNFHugJbW35avaYti_5BUUu5QLmg6za0jKtfSPQyqoD4j8o5a2l5-Dg2cDm1J8wYLH-KYh62eU7LZbBeRqANjwpdRSuJpRQld8tjo2axQXO6PcQEvN8uOrwgtjvK6MEhBIqGeB11Aze71MYPSAxdLZfWycExQzedPRqPEo/w370-h640/real%20or%20not.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;">When I saw this picture, I thought: Is
this real or a fake? Being the skeptic, I think it is a fake.
However, just suppose this picture genuinely represented a natural
phenomenon in the sky? How marvelous that would be! Today, people use
technology to cleverly twist and manipulate the truth to the point
that it is difficult to determine what the truth is. Even before our
advanced technology, people manipulated THE TRUTH and this was
happening when the Apostles wrote the New Testament. Consider the
following Bible passages...</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><b>2
Peter 1 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2a6099;">16</span>
For we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made
known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we
were eyewitnesses of his majesty. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2a6099;">17</span>
For he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice
came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.” ( see also 1:17 Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7;
Luke 9:35 )</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2a6099;">18
</span>We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him
on the holy mountain. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><b>Galatians
1 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"> </span>)</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Paul, an apostle (not from
men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the
Father, who raised him from the dead),</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and all the brothers who are
with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Grace to you and peace from
God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">who gave himself for our sins,
that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to
the will of our God and Father—</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">to whom be the glory forever
and ever. Amen. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I marvel that you are so
quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a
different “good news”;</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and there isn’t another
“good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to
pervert the Good News of Christ.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But even though we, or an
angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other
than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">As we have said before, so I
now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other
than that which you received, let him be cursed.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">For am I now seeking the favor
of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were
still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But I make known to you,
brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it
is not according to man.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">For neither did I receive it
from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation
of Jesus Christ.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">For you have heard of my way
of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond
measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I advanced in the Jews’
religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more
exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But when it was the good
pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called
me through his grace,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">to reveal his Son in me, that
I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer
with flesh and blood,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>17
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia.
Then I returned to Damascus.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>18
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then after three years I went
up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>19
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But of the other apostles I
saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>20
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now about the things which I
write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>21
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then I came to the regions of
Syria and Cilicia.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>22
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I was still unknown by face to
the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>23
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">but they only heard: “He who
once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to
destroy.”</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>24
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">And they glorified God in me. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Yatra One; font-size: medium;">Two
apostles, two very different men, but one truth; THE TRUTH from God.
Now, whether or not that picture of a heart in the sky is the genuine
article or not is really of no consequence. But, any attempt to say
that THE WORD OF GOD is untrue can lead to some very terrifying
consequences, namely eternal punishment. Believe the Apostles of
Christ, for almost all of them (the exception being john) were
martyrs for the Gospel of Christ. Believe what the Bible says and do
what it tells you to do and live forever. Choose Jesus and live
because of HIM. Think about these things, because your very life
depends upon it!</span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; text-decoration: underline }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-81145733092179786822023-07-24T15:30:00.002-04:002023-07-24T15:30:54.007-04:00Determination by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijERKWSf7d0qgUn-Vcl7bGLSlsBtEx7Gk4cLag-bs3mfcVrIhRzw7uZ3M2tPaCuM78J8113gJS-jXoLJjYzZWd9HHsmy8Ocw5BC4TJYql_F7SFMdegDZ7satREIOBqbRgPWahdnaKXfGrURjnbUsHdDv0EaYcZSQ3eYLfKCk5hkEhxaRe9Bmw6djjqvo4/s831/right%20over%20the%20hurtle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="831" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijERKWSf7d0qgUn-Vcl7bGLSlsBtEx7Gk4cLag-bs3mfcVrIhRzw7uZ3M2tPaCuM78J8113gJS-jXoLJjYzZWd9HHsmy8Ocw5BC4TJYql_F7SFMdegDZ7satREIOBqbRgPWahdnaKXfGrURjnbUsHdDv0EaYcZSQ3eYLfKCk5hkEhxaRe9Bmw6djjqvo4/w640-h466/right%20over%20the%20hurtle.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Over
the past few months, my wife and I have found ourselves watching
“Heartland” almost daily. Much to my surprise, I have begun to
genuinely appreciate the relationship between a human and a horse.
Heartland often shows how horses gradually develop the ability to
jump a hurtle and I wondered if the same process would apply to dogs.
</span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">When
I saw this picture, I realized that the answer was a resounding
“<u><b>Y</b></u><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>E</b></u></span><span style="color: red;"><u><b>S</b></u></span>”.
How, I wonder is this achieved? The answer is love, discipleship and
repetition coupled with determination. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">The
achievement I just mentioned, also applies to humans who wish to
excel at something as well. Well, how about Christians? </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Consider
the following passage from the book of Hebrews…</span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hebrews
6 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="color: #417cbe; font-size: large;"><sup><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1
</span></span></sup></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Therefore
leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">press
on </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to
perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead
works, of faith toward God,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>2
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">of the teaching of baptisms, of
laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal
judgment.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>3
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">This will we do, if God permits.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>4
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">For concerning those who were once
enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers
of the Holy Spirit,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>5
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">and tasted the good word of God,
and the powers of the age to come,</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>6
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">and then fell away, it is
impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the
Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>7
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">For the land which has drunk the
rain that comes often on it, and brings forth a crop suitable for
them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God;</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>8
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">but if it bears thorns and
thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be
burned. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>9
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">But, beloved, we are persuaded of
better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even
though we speak like this.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">To
my fellow Christians I say: <span style="font-style: normal;"><u>NEVER</u></span>
<u>GIVE</u> <u>UP</u><b>,</b> <u>NEVER!</u> Love Christ and your
brethren, make every effort to develop your discipleship in all
aspects and be a <u>determined</u> Christian. If you do these things
you will overcome any and all obstacles that Satan may throw your way
( with help from God Almighty, of course ). In short, you will be a
winner ( just like that dog ).</span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-2286097413358284952023-07-10T14:50:00.003-04:002023-07-10T14:50:35.302-04:00Perspective adjustment by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kmraaf8xG2luzK5qLYbd0WTvsMjuCiipWmgiFfDILDDXepcn4vOWxzfcgZLWoQSOyvaqocdEhSsiQbYhNjmXXoW2ko2ajPck3LQfbJEHQ4IFbw67Xe-V48geupir6pov_rAOndDr1njBNe3fMECSFWNWaggvZ-vWIvVCzhiPSDFUetpSa1104zCt57w/s993/COMPLETE%20RAINBOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kmraaf8xG2luzK5qLYbd0WTvsMjuCiipWmgiFfDILDDXepcn4vOWxzfcgZLWoQSOyvaqocdEhSsiQbYhNjmXXoW2ko2ajPck3LQfbJEHQ4IFbw67Xe-V48geupir6pov_rAOndDr1njBNe3fMECSFWNWaggvZ-vWIvVCzhiPSDFUetpSa1104zCt57w/w464-h640/COMPLETE%20RAINBOW.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently,
I found this picture of a rainbow. Its uniqueness is found in the
description- a rainbow is actually a circle, not just the arc that we
see from the ground. Over my lifespan, I have seen literally
thousands of rainbows, some in the skies, but even more in pictures
from the internet. Today, I find that my perception of them is far
too small, for I have thought of them just from a ground perspective.
This revelation brought forth another thought in the form of a
question: I wonder, has my conception of Christianity, the Godhead
and the Gospel suffered from a lack of perspective as well?</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Bible says...</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ephesians
1 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span>Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of
God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ
Jesus:</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">even as he chose us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without
blemish before him in love;</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">having predestined us for
adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to
the good pleasure of his desire,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">to the praise of the glory of
his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">in whom we have our redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to
the riches of his grace,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">which he made to abound toward
us in all wisdom and prudence,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">making known to us the mystery
of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">to an administration of the
fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in
the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">in whom also we were assigned
an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of
him who works all things after the counsel of his will;</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">to the end that we should be
to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">in whom you also, having heard
the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom,
having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">who is a pledge of our
inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the
praise of his glory.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
a bit of reflection, I realize that I need to adjust my perspective
in a number of areas, namely; time, space, power, blessing and the
sheer scope of existence ( both now and eternal ).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
short, my perspective is way too small. God’s Gospel, power,
blessings and will are of an eternal nature, with unlimited
understanding, power and precision. This makes my understanding of
reality far too small to understand the totality of God Almighty. God
views reality from a spiritual perspective, which results in a
physical reality. I can only see the physical existence and partially
understand the spiritual. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Frankly,
I think the world is headed towards global thermonuclear war. If this
should happen, then what? Well, my thoughts turn to something that
was said in Kevin Heaton’s adult bible class yesterday morning. If
it wasn’t for Moses interceding with God, then The Almighty would
have just wiped Israel off the face of the map and started all over
again. Could not God, with his unlimited power do the same for all of
humanity? I believe God could do this and far more. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
power that is beyond my humble understanding, there is nothing that
any Christian should really worry about for God really does have
everything under control, whether or not I can understand it. About
this moment, I recalled the words of the prophet Habakkuk…</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Habakkuk
3 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span> )</b></span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>16
</sup></span>I heard, and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the
voice. Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place,
because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up
of the people who invade us. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>17
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">For though the fig tree doesn’t
flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails,
the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and
there is no herd in the stalls: </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>18
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I
will be joyful in the God of my salvation! </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>19
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength.
He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and enables me to go in high
places. For the music director, on my stringed instruments. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_1"></a>
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
then this passage from the book of Revelation…</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Revelation
21 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span> )</b></span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_1"></a>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span>I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first
heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride
adorned for her husband.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I heard a loud voice out of
heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he
will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself
will be with them as their God.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He will wipe away from them
every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there
be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have
passed away.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He who sits on the throne
said, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Behold, I am making all things
new.”</span><span style="color: black;"> He said, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Write,
for these words of God are faithful and true.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to me, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“It
is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I
will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water
of life. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">He who overcomes, I will give
him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">But for the cowardly,
unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that
burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.3in; margin-right: 0.31in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>To
those who really love God, I say… OVERCOME! God will work
everything out, BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD! </b></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.3in; margin-right: 0.31in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_2"></a>
<span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now
that is one huge perspective adjustment!</b></span></span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p><p><br /></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-66691816997811450792023-06-26T14:10:00.001-04:002023-06-26T14:10:06.983-04:00One Beautiful Rose by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj0yuJr26s9EnHHlvuEJLK4cJMCBrF-zSNjPaJSclcvaEj3rPfwLaFVvqemyIuH1E8ldBTr2of_jCB5h_fWlVQHzTsZYS5CrXk045KZSijrgMEgLmqa-oV4Ce4IcHUxetKOm8_OqHWE7Bgi2cyMdF_FcVObvF3ketgWiY_K6w0qKwz436S_wofu80zKs/s1104/One%20beautiful%20rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj0yuJr26s9EnHHlvuEJLK4cJMCBrF-zSNjPaJSclcvaEj3rPfwLaFVvqemyIuH1E8ldBTr2of_jCB5h_fWlVQHzTsZYS5CrXk045KZSijrgMEgLmqa-oV4Ce4IcHUxetKOm8_OqHWE7Bgi2cyMdF_FcVObvF3ketgWiY_K6w0qKwz436S_wofu80zKs/w426-h640/One%20beautiful%20rose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">Recently,
the world situation has become increasingly more dangerous. It seems
like a large part of the world is gearing up towards thermonuclear
war. In the U.S.A. the nation is becoming more radicalized towards
the left, with sins that were considered abominable fifty years ago,
now considered “normal”. <i><b>Have things gone crazy</b></i><b>?</b>
Yesterday, I saw this picture on the internet and frankly thought it
was the most beautiful rose I have ever seen. I hope you do as well!</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">After
looking at that rose for awhile, I thought of the Apostle Paul’s
comments to the Christians at Philippi…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><b>Philippians
4 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>W</u></span></span>orld
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible
)</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Rejoice in the Lord always!
Again I will say, “Rejoice!”</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Let your gentleness be known
to all men. The Lord is at hand.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">In nothing be anxious, but in
everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts
in Christ Jesus. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>8
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Finally, brothers, whatever things
are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things
are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any
praise, think about these things.</span></b></i></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">If
all the world should in fact go crazy and if the entire planet is
destroyed by their stupidity, we can rejoice in the fact that all who
have <i>CHRIST</i> as their <i>SAVIOR</i> will live eternally! </span></p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"> </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">Today,
think about the above passage and take solace in the fact that <i><u><b>WE</b></u></i><i><b>
</b></i><i><u><b>HAVE</b></u></i><i><b> </b></i><i><u><b>HOPE.</b></u></i></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-54310691737125087322023-06-12T16:58:00.003-04:002023-06-12T16:58:45.410-04:00Am I resolved to... by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTkHQ7AS_zja237qj5MAzs-vy_XBzf10caH5B1v6dNz-1AYB8aaUIXyL1yzK5BX9kqKej1Nq1n1XLeqWEFq7wqFNUafgU86K9qh_5P5YM3VR1BnnmYDs8kclI49NJKdZjprUdP2zFtEMbODo_o1GoDWva2DiPg2_dVYm5uNyCiIj79eGjWQfkZCC9/s536/resolution%20for%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="536" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTkHQ7AS_zja237qj5MAzs-vy_XBzf10caH5B1v6dNz-1AYB8aaUIXyL1yzK5BX9kqKej1Nq1n1XLeqWEFq7wqFNUafgU86K9qh_5P5YM3VR1BnnmYDs8kclI49NJKdZjprUdP2zFtEMbODo_o1GoDWva2DiPg2_dVYm5uNyCiIj79eGjWQfkZCC9/w640-h330/resolution%20for%202023.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One;"></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;">I
saw this enclosed within a sign outside a church building. I could
not adjust the rest of the picture to something that I could use, so
I just deleted it and used this small portion and put in within a
frame. Anyway, even though it is not the beginning of the year, we
should do what it says; follow the Bible and yes, go to church.
Straightforward, simple instructions, easy to understand, yet few
will do these things.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;">Why?
There are many possibilities, but I think most of the time it boils
down that they simply do not want to obey Jesus. Consider the
following passages…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><b>1
Corinthians 15 ( </b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>W</b></u></span><b>orld
</b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>E</b></u></span><b>nglish </b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>B</b></u></span><b>ible
)</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><b>1
Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to
you, which also you received, in which you also stand,<br />
2 by
which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I
preached to you—unless you believed in vain.<br />
3 For I delivered
to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for
our sins according to the Scriptures,<br />
4 that he was buried, that
he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,</b><br />
5
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.<br />
6 Then he
appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain
until now, but some have also fallen asleep.<br />
7 Then he appeared
to James, then to all the apostles,<br />
8 and last of all, as to the
child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.<br />
9 For I am
the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the assembly of God.<br />
10 But by the grace of
God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not
futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace
of God which was with me.<br />
<b>11 Whether then it is I or they, so
we preach, and so you believed. </b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"> <b>Romans
6 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span> )</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><b>1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may
abound?<br />
2 May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live
in it any longer?<br />
3 Or don’t you know that all we who were
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?<br />
4 We
were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just
like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
so we also might walk in newness of life.<br />
5 For if we have
become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be
part of his resurrection;<br />
6 knowing this, that our old man was
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so
that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.</b><br />
7 For he who
has died has been freed from sin.<br />
<b>8 But if we died with
Christ, we believe that we will also live with him;<br />
9 knowing
that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more
has dominion over him!<br />
10 For the death that he died, he died to
sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.<br />
11
Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in
Christ Jesus our Lord. </b></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;">One
last passage from the Bible; Jesus said…</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><b>Matthew
28 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;">WEB</span> )</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>18
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus came to them and spoke to
them, saying, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“All authority has been
given to me in heaven and on earth. </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>19
</sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Go, and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>20
</sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">teaching them to observe all
things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age.”</span><span style="color: black;"> Amen. </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Yatra One; font-size: large;">Jesus
is not just a king, HE is king of kings and Lord of Lords. 1 Timothy
6:15; Revelation 17:14 and 19:16. His will for you is to do what he
told you to do. Paul knew this, the other apostles knew it and anyone
who comes to The Scriptures with an open mind can easily know what to
do in order to be saved from the consequences of their sins. Start
today, reality is that it does not have to be the beginning of the
new year to resolve to obey the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Why
not now?</span><br /></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-91614765386983199442023-05-22T11:45:00.001-04:002023-05-22T11:45:15.145-04:00There IS something in a NAME by Gary Rose<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwyENO1jgCZIJYDYIMZdK_x9LSVvtf4MO6fScUoqT58ZMuZ_4XASfgrhmpA_YVtY-1FYJFoi7JtEKKyq8ovfCozNtDY-GcLzgfg6U-ZTs4v6fn_nXJXF9ZSlX28euoSzSa8WmOltZgB-qmX_y-KXfxm1DoxvBNwtoEk9fDB5cnAGGG1XsekaqLSy5/s854/flame%20lilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwyENO1jgCZIJYDYIMZdK_x9LSVvtf4MO6fScUoqT58ZMuZ_4XASfgrhmpA_YVtY-1FYJFoi7JtEKKyq8ovfCozNtDY-GcLzgfg6U-ZTs4v6fn_nXJXF9ZSlX28euoSzSa8WmOltZgB-qmX_y-KXfxm1DoxvBNwtoEk9fDB5cnAGGG1XsekaqLSy5/w552-h640/flame%20lilly.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><br />
<p></p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
flower is called a “Flame Lilly”. Good name, because if you look
at it very quickly, it appears to be on fire. Now, I know that its
not on fire, it just looks like it, but for a brief (and I do mean
brief) moment, I thought… is it on fire? We all have situations
like this; we look at something or experience something and ask
ourselves… is it real?</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Consider
this passage from the book of Exodus…</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Exodus
3 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now Moses was keeping the
flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led
the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s
mountain, to Horeb.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The angel of Yahweh appeared
to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and
behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moses said, “I will turn
aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When Yahweh saw that he turned
aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and
said, “Moses! Moses!” He said, “Here I am.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said, “Don’t come
close. Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place you are
standing on is holy ground.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>6
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moreover he said, “I am the God
of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob.” Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look at God. </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh said, “I have surely
seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard
their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I have come down to deliver
them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of
that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and
honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the
Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now, behold, the cry of the
children of Israel has come to me. Moreover I have seen the
oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Come now therefore, and I will
send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people, the children of
Israel, out of Egypt.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moses said to God, “Who am
I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children
of Israel out of Egypt?” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said, “Certainly I will
be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you:
when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on
this mountain.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>13
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moses said to God, “Behold, when
I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your
fathers has sent me to you;’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’
What should I tell them?” </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>14
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I
AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I
AM has sent me to you.’”</span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A<span style="color: #2a6099;">N</span><span style="color: red;">D</span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
8 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span> )</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Again, therefore, Jesus spoke
to them, saying, </span><span style="color: #df0000;"><b>“I am the light of
the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will
have the light of life.”</b></span><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The Pharisees therefore said
to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus answered them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Even
if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I
came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came
from, or where I am going. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">You judge according to the
flesh. I judge no one. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Even if I do judge, my
judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who
sent me. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>17
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">It’s also written in your
law that the testimony of two people is valid. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>18
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">I am one who testifies about
myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>19
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They said therefore to him,
“Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“You
know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my
Father also.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>20
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus spoke these words in the
treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him,
because his hour had not yet come.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>21
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus said therefore again to
them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“I am going away, and you will
seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t
come.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>22
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The Jews therefore said, “Will
he kill himself, that he says, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">‘Where
I am going, you can’t come?’</span><span style="color: black;">” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>23
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“You
are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of
this world. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>24
</sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">I said therefore to you that you
will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will
die in your sins.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>25
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They said therefore to him,
“Who are you?” Jesus said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Just
what I have been saying to you from the beginning. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>26
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">I have many things to speak
and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the
things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>27
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They didn’t understand that
he spoke to them about the Father.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_1"></a>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>28
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><b>Jesus therefore said to
them, </b></span><span style="color: #df0000;"><b>“When you have lifted up
the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of
myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. </b></span><span style="color: black;">…...</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>52
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then the Jews said to him,
“Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets;
and you say, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">‘If a man keeps my word,
he will never taste of death.’</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>53
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Are you greater than our
father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make
yourself out to be?” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>54
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus answered, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“If
I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies
me, of whom you say that he is our God. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>55
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">You have not known him, but I
know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a
liar. But I know him, and keep his word. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>56
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Your father Abraham rejoiced
to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>57
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The Jews therefore said to
him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>58
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Most
certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_2"></a>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>59
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Therefore they took up stones
to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple,
having gone through their midst, and so passed by. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Moses
saw a burning bush that was not consumed and soon learned that GOD
was revealing HIMSELF as “I AM”. In the New Testament, God sent
Jesus who referred to himself as “I AM” on multiple occasions.
Coincidence? I think <i>not</i>. In John chapter eight, the Jews
understood who Jesus claimed to be; The God who spoke to Moses at the
“burning bush” and they wanted to stone him for it. The truth is
that some will accept Jesus for who he really is and become his
followers and others will not. I believe what Jesus said is <i>THE
TRUTH</i>, do you?</span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-63241665979006365562023-04-10T14:27:00.001-04:002023-04-10T14:27:52.108-04:00Understanding and the filters people use by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTDov7tL9btElmx1up7zsodBfOmpYJ9BjpFvTA6gvOem4MGpsHcjRlhXp8N2gVcIZQCcG41FKCKJ1PIa6qrP-SQabJgu9TzfvdNDNlzKe4uOLwELdoUYuwmFmDPT44AK67QwOsGSu4KmYPQiifai5MmMTjC_k7aMJgDtVqQCKiW7dVZ-ifZ3Jmx8p/s1286/another%20perspective.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="1286" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTDov7tL9btElmx1up7zsodBfOmpYJ9BjpFvTA6gvOem4MGpsHcjRlhXp8N2gVcIZQCcG41FKCKJ1PIa6qrP-SQabJgu9TzfvdNDNlzKe4uOLwELdoUYuwmFmDPT44AK67QwOsGSu4KmYPQiifai5MmMTjC_k7aMJgDtVqQCKiW7dVZ-ifZ3Jmx8p/w640-h162/another%20perspective.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today,
I saw a picture of an owl (the one on the extreme left above) that
was quite interesting to me. Interesting, because this little guy had
turned his head to an extreme angle, which seemed to say that he was
making quite an effort to understand me. Now, I am fairly sure that
he is able to do this because the anatomy of his neck differs from
yours and mine, but irregardless of how he does it- HE CAN DO IT!</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway,
as you can see from the photo labels, I tried adjusting the original
picture in the following ways: Black and White, Edge detection,
Emboss and Outline. I did this to reciprocate his action- namely, it
appears that he is trying to understand me, so I should do the <i><b>same
</b></i><i><b>in return</b></i><i><b>.</b></i></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How
do <span style="color: #2a6099;">I understand</span> <span style="color: #ff4000;"><u>HIM</u></span>?</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1.
The original picture: </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">as
presented in normal understanding.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>2</b><b>.</b>
A very literal understanding (black and white) that is superficial.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>3</b><b>.</b>
A colored view (Edge detection) with my ideas colored by my own
preconceived ideas.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>4</b><b>.</b>
A superficial view of his main ideas only (Embossed).</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>5</b><b>.</b>
A selective view that (Outlines) only the ideas that I like and
ignores the rest.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then,
I thought of the following passage from the Bible; it says…</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Matthew
16 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Control Freak Upset;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now when Jesus came into the
parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Who
do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Control Freak Upset;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They said, “Some say John
the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the
prophets.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Control Freak Upset;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“But
who do you say that I am?”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="font-family: Control Freak Upset;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Simon Peter answered, “You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Who
is the Son of Man? People have differing opinions, which, like the
picture at the top are mostly are the result of trying to understand
him through something other than a straightforward method. Face it,
people understand life as they wish to understand it! People use
whatever filter they can to achieve the result they want, <u>period</u>.
Only Simon Peter gave the correct answer. He just accepted Jesus
based on the facts as he knew them. OK, its many, many, many years
later, so what kind of conclusion do we arrive at? I don’t know
what you will say, but I think that in spite of all the time that has
passed, there is one thing that <i>PROVES</i> the identity of Jesus-
<i>HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD</i>! No one has ever produced his
corpse, and for me, that is enough.</span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How
</b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><b>about</b></span><b> </b><span style="color: red;"><b>you</b></span><b>?</b></span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-7903860161432908362023-04-03T12:52:00.001-04:002023-04-03T12:52:28.820-04:00Color Me Believing by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAtYvKTe51jyqbXAy7BVdhH4WpBZEPkuvaC1pVTcLyPyd_MNLENfkA2ZhCKkRfweJhxM3Zb0HdHS0r6uOatbnj1OrGAXCmIvrsY4xt6EToVoMNo5Mv0Ua-4Lk6kUumykgYBk-hS9LaH-b4ByJ1GVZLCtvR0JBWpndtjRBt9TK_4s37_p1SG1CqMWC/s720/Peruvian%20Colored%20Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="720" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAtYvKTe51jyqbXAy7BVdhH4WpBZEPkuvaC1pVTcLyPyd_MNLENfkA2ZhCKkRfweJhxM3Zb0HdHS0r6uOatbnj1OrGAXCmIvrsY4xt6EToVoMNo5Mv0Ua-4Lk6kUumykgYBk-hS9LaH-b4ByJ1GVZLCtvR0JBWpndtjRBt9TK_4s37_p1SG1CqMWC/w640-h608/Peruvian%20Colored%20Mountains.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
first, I thought this picture was a phony; some manipulated effort to
deceive. I did a little research on the internet and found many
references to the Peruvian colored mountains, including the following
picture…</span></span></p><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDR1d9ePyDeB_ioe59Db8XQ4pK1pIDh3x-HbjluG-NCHB6XU7Lt-4bKSGs44JyEDcgMZK9EiZcPHmBlTDbIRAvwxIrW7AWx3AeZfQxNGo12DMfFmz9SXW0pyNBnORary7lgDNVVSGetHLHwkiMvrkKj44r2h8SyVWRPsh4LvCnJzo9HQolo7vy5-Y/s1130/Peruvian%20Colored%20Mountains%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="1130" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDR1d9ePyDeB_ioe59Db8XQ4pK1pIDh3x-HbjluG-NCHB6XU7Lt-4bKSGs44JyEDcgMZK9EiZcPHmBlTDbIRAvwxIrW7AWx3AeZfQxNGo12DMfFmz9SXW0pyNBnORary7lgDNVVSGetHLHwkiMvrkKj44r2h8SyVWRPsh4LvCnJzo9HQolo7vy5-Y/w640-h300/Peruvian%20Colored%20Mountains%201.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span>
<p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Well,
</span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><span style="font-size: large;">color
</span></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>me</u></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>BELIEVING!</u></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
above led me to think of a passage from the Gospel according to John…</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Bible Says...</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John
20 (<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><span style="background: transparent;">W</span></u></span>orld
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>19
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When therefore it was evening, on
that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked
where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came
and stood in the midst, and said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Peace
be to you.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>20
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When he had said this, he showed
them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when
they saw the Lord.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>21
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus therefore said to them
again, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Peace be to you. As the Father
has sent me, even so I send you.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>22
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When he had said this, he breathed
on them, and said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Receive
the Holy Spirit! </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>23
</sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">If you forgive anyone’s sins,
they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they
have been retained.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>24
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">But </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">Thomas</span></span></span><span style="color: black;">,
one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus
came.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>25
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">The other disciples therefore said
to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I
see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his
side, I will not believe.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>26
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">After eight days again his
disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the
doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Peace
be to you.”</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>27
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then he said to Thomas, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Reach
here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it
into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>28
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Thomas answered him, “My Lord
and my God!” </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>29
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus said to him, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Because
you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not
seen, and have believed.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>30
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Therefore Jesus did many other
signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this
book;</span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>31
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><b>but these are written, that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that
believing you may have life in his name.</b></span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What
does it take to truly believe in God, and </b><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>in
JESUS</b></span><b>?</b> First, it takes a rational mind. Why?
Because Jesus of Nazareth is probably the most documented person in
history; investigate this for yourself and believe truth of it.
Secondly, The Bible is founded upon thousands upon thousands of
ancient manuscripts in Greek (the predominate language at the time of
Jesus), which testify to the truth about this man. Third, from the
first century to this very day, millions upon millions of people have
died rather than deny him. Fourth, either what Jesus said was true or
he was a mad-man. Just read the Gospel account of the Sermon on the
mount (Matthew, Chapters 5-7) and you will quickly realize that no
mad-man ever spoke like this!</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
do not know who you are or what you believe, but believe me when I
say that Jesus was exactly who he said was. No, Jesus is not
physically here now, so that those who disbelieve can not use their
hands to touch him like Thomas, but eventually he will return (and
that will be too late for those who disbelieve).</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
urge you to both believe in Jesus and obey his Gospel; your very life
depends upon it! Consider Jesus’ last message as found in the
Gospel of Matthew…</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Matthew
28 (<span style="color: #2a6099;">WEB</span>)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>16
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">But the eleven disciples went into
Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.</span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>17
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When they saw him, they bowed down
to him, but some doubted.</span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>18
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus came to them and spoke to
them, saying, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“All authority has been
given to me in heaven and on earth. </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>19
</sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Go, and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>20
</sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">teaching them to observe all
things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age.”</span><span style="color: black;"> Amen. </span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_1"></a>
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Become
a disciple by believing in Jesus, repenting of sin and being
baptized for the remission of all your sins (see the book of Acts,
the second chapter, for the first Gospel Sermon) and obeying his
commandments for the rest of your life! Eventually, the age will
change and Jesus will return and take his own to heaven.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Start
with belief and go from there, it is entirely possible that Jesus
will return in our lifetime! Believe these things, for they are
absolutely true. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Will
you <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>Color you</u></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>rself</u></span><span style="color: #2a6099;">
</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">as</span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Believing</span></span><span style="color: #c9211e;">?</span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-7872321508811500482023-03-20T16:56:00.000-04:002023-03-20T16:56:11.731-04:00"If" by Gary Rose <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fclzuqIOk32ek1iL60j0f19f_VdSzfjiLouvI9lTsLWEPg_zf0v64MaDmInARzca-KfpiEhkrYC47pIIFV0LA1c83pLB86us7mKvlPD2qTByC4LWFPuK1lPcjP33VtyMdyJB4w4FbsQ7OwVo7o9N-w05RDJVOxubZ5udXcwRf9YE-1aSYS1KHGED/s810/If%20I%20knew%20you....png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="490" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fclzuqIOk32ek1iL60j0f19f_VdSzfjiLouvI9lTsLWEPg_zf0v64MaDmInARzca-KfpiEhkrYC47pIIFV0LA1c83pLB86us7mKvlPD2qTByC4LWFPuK1lPcjP33VtyMdyJB4w4FbsQ7OwVo7o9N-w05RDJVOxubZ5udXcwRf9YE-1aSYS1KHGED/w388-h640/If%20I%20knew%20you....png" width="388" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">I
have been feeling a little “down” lately, with the passing of my
best canine friend ever, Pal. I really do not know how to express
this relationship, but we genuinely loved one another; of that I am
absolutely convinced. In addition to Pal, I have loved my wife of 54
years, Linda. Our love is best described as “complex”, but, it
endures. When Pal died, we cried as one. Beyond this, I have many
friends and those of you who are my friends know it- because I have
told you that you are. For my fellow followers of Christ who I have
not told; I am telling you now – I love you. As flawed as I am, I
do love you with all the Agape love that I can understand and
practice.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Yet,
I have a friend that I have never even seen and without a doubt, I
KNOW that HE is my friend, because he died for my sins. His name is
Jesus and our friendship is unlike any other that I have ever known.
You see, HE loves me in-spite of every thing I have every thought,
said or done. He forgives me of every sin when I truly repent and
will be at my side in the final judgment. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Jesus
said:</span></p><p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>John
15 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible
)</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">“I am the true vine, and my
Father is the farmer. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Every branch in me that
doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit,
he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">You are already pruned clean
because of the word which I have spoken to you. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Remain in me, and I in you. As
the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the
vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;"><b>I am the vine. You are the
branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much
fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. </b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;"><b>If a man doesn’t remain
in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather
them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. </b></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>If
you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever
you desire, and it will be done for you. </b></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">“In this is my Father
glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.
</span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Even as the Father has loved
me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;"><b>If you keep my
commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my
Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.</b></span><span style="color: #df0000;">
</span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">I have spoken these things to
you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made
full. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">“This is my commandment,
that you love one another, even as I have loved you. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Greater love has no one than
this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>14
</sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">You are my friends, if you do
whatever I command you. </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><u><b>If</b></u>
I will listen and do what he commands me to do, I have his promise
that he will love me and be my friend. This has given me great
comfort of late and will continue for the rest of my life, if I
remain faithful. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">If
you don’t know Jesus, now, now is the time to become his friend and
be blessed for it! Do it now, you will never be sorry, ever!</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Your
friend,</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Gary</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-59258620672843384412023-03-13T16:16:00.001-04:002023-03-13T16:16:25.906-04:00Reminders of love by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHCPxSdShwG8oWmk-U1niIA83VovsKwM2vYUEORq-2gN0sirWXQhluNh8ezUqP6sjFtR4_8mUPNAW6DFvpRHoEXhC5mQLq4TrHE_O85uay_p8GiPvDFjLVXZ71Hg9NjH5_R7cBiFc7yiDYFi1vI19LQAVR8SmYHCVvmtFk7pTalg8WMSVFw3dh1p8/s814/I%20heard%20your%20voice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="541" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHCPxSdShwG8oWmk-U1niIA83VovsKwM2vYUEORq-2gN0sirWXQhluNh8ezUqP6sjFtR4_8mUPNAW6DFvpRHoEXhC5mQLq4TrHE_O85uay_p8GiPvDFjLVXZ71Hg9NjH5_R7cBiFc7yiDYFi1vI19LQAVR8SmYHCVvmtFk7pTalg8WMSVFw3dh1p8/w426-h640/I%20heard%20your%20voice.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Today,
I tried writing a post several times, but without success. I just
couldn’t seem to think clearly. Unlike other episodes of “writers
block”, I had a very good reason- My dog Pal. We took him to the
vet last Thursday and waited for what seemed like an hour. I held him
the entire time and he didn’t move a bit. It has always been like
that, for I know he loved being held. His kidneys had failed and this
had an awful effect on his already weakened heart. Anyway, there was
only one thing to do; put him to sleep. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The
thing is: Pal will always be with me. His love was so sincere and
intense that over the past decade it has genuinely changed me. Today,
as I sat at my computer, I just happened to look up and noticed a
paper printout of last weeks picture of Pal that I had used for my
blog post. I realized that my memory of him will never fade away
because his life and mine will always be intertwined. While looking
for a picture for today’s post, I found a poem that just seemed to
say how I felt, so I used the picture of the poem (above). After
looking at it a bit, I thought about a passage from the Bible and the
following words became more meaningful to me than ever before.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The
Bible says…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b>Luke
22 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They went, found things as he
had told them, and they prepared the Passover.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When the hour had come, he sat
down with the twelve apostles.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“I
have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
</span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">for I tell you, I will no
longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of
God.”</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>17
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He received a cup, and when he
had given thanks, he said, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Take this,
and share it among yourselves, </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>18
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">for I tell you, I will not
drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of
God comes.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>19
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He took bread, and when he had
given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“This
is my body which is given for you. </span><span style="color: #df0000;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Do
this in memory of me.”</b></span></i></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2</b></sup></span><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>0
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Likewise, he took the cup
after supper, saying, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“This cup is the
new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You
know, the poem and the celebration of the Lord’s supper have
something in common- <i><b>doing</b></i>. When I do something it
often triggers a fond memory. I will remember my dog Pal by simple
actions that I do and I will remember Jesus while partaking of the
celebration of the Lord’s supper. Funny, as I think about it, there
is another thing that the poem and the supper have in common-<i><b>
love</b></i>. Somehow, my life seems much better as I contemplate
these things. Humm, Pal and especially Jesus both really, really
loved me. I think I will hold onto that thought...</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Your
Friend,</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Gary
</span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-11106764421860399972023-03-06T17:19:00.000-05:002023-03-06T17:19:44.181-05:00Of love and friendship by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPy2I6XpIlg0TdeFdAiSKdwI_rYYPkHmX9t8bx-sTIUzshxSwHFhwKwNCqbfBK90SfTT_KuHHruq-9VCrpp1P8B4hwwJP7F3t8ru-eEGN2vASMYx_aAgtwjiayJmw0Y2Uf1qtvcX7F6jBdfIO7LURsGwlzbxY-61YyfyxmgR-LNkWpYtZb6WSB1de/s572/Pal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="408" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPy2I6XpIlg0TdeFdAiSKdwI_rYYPkHmX9t8bx-sTIUzshxSwHFhwKwNCqbfBK90SfTT_KuHHruq-9VCrpp1P8B4hwwJP7F3t8ru-eEGN2vASMYx_aAgtwjiayJmw0Y2Uf1qtvcX7F6jBdfIO7LURsGwlzbxY-61YyfyxmgR-LNkWpYtZb6WSB1de/w456-h640/Pal.png" width="456" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">This
is a picture of my dog Pal just after his last grooming in November
of last year (2022). Lately, he has been having a rapid decline in
health and doesn’t look as good as he did in November. Frankly, I
don’t think he will make it to his 15<sup>th</sup> birthday (June
3<sup>rd</sup>). </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">He
is undoubtedly the best dog that I have ever had. His love and
dedication to me is beyond my ability to describe. Should he die
soon, I don’t know how I will be able to deal with it, but I will
have the memory of my best friend to help me cope with his absence. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">During
the last ten years of Pal’s life, he has reminded me of what love
and dedication to his master really means. Namely, that my will is to
be that of MY master because I love HIM unconditionally. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">As
I consider this situation, I am reminded of a passage of Scripture
from the Gospel of John…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">The
Bible says…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>John
21 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">After these things, Jesus
revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He
revealed himself this way.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Simon Peter, Thomas called
Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and
two others of his disciples were together.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Simon Peter said to them, “I’m
going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.”
They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night,
they caught nothing.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But when day had already come,
Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was
Jesus.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus therefore said to them,
</span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Children, have you anything to eat?”</span><span style="color: black;">
They answered him, “No.” </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Cast
the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”</span><span style="color: black;">
They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for
the multitude of fish.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">That disciple therefore whom
Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter
heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he
was naked), and threw himself into the sea.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But the other disciples came
in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about
two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">So when they got out on the
land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Bring
some of the fish which you have just caught.”</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Simon Peter went up, and drew
the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and
even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Come
and eat breakfast.”</span><span style="color: black;"> None of the
disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it
was the Lord. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then Jesus came and took the
bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">This is now the third time
that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the
dead.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>15
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">So when they had eaten their
breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Simon,
son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”</span><span style="color: black;">
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for
you.” He said to him, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Feed my
lambs.”</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>16
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to him again a second
time, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Simon, son of Jonah, do you
love me?”</span><span style="color: black;"> He said to him, “Yes,
Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him,
</span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Tend my sheep.”</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>17
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to him the third time,
</span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Simon, son of Jonah, do you have
affection for me?”</span><span style="color: black;"> Peter was grieved
because he asked him the third time, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Do
you have affection for me?”</span><span style="color: black;"> He said to
him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for
you.” Jesus said to him, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Feed my
sheep. </span></b></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><sup>John
21 ( </sup><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u>E</u></sup></span><sup>mphasized
</sup><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u>B</u></sup></span><sup>ible
</sup><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u>R</u></sup></span><sup>otherham
)</sup></span></b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>15
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When, therefore, they had broken
their fast, Jesus saith unto Simon Peter––Simon, son of John!
lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him––Yea, Lord!
thou, knowest that I am fond of thee, he saith unto him––Be
feeding my lambs.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>16
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">He saith unto him, again, the
second time––Simon, son of John! lovest thou me? He saith unto
him––Yea, Lord! thou, knowest that I am fond of thee. He saith
unto him––Be shepherding my sheep.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_2"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>17
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">He saith unto him, the third
time––Simon, son of John! art thou fond of me? Peter was grieved,
that he said unto him, the third time, Art thou fond of me? and he
said unto him––Lord! all things, thou, knowest: thou perceivest
that I am fond of thee. Jesus saith unto him––Be feeding my
sheep.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_1"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">This
exchange between Jesus and Peter is important. Important because
Jesus refers to true heavenly love (agape) and Peter refers to
friendship (phileo). Normally, I use the World English Bible, but
today I added The Emphasized Bible by Rotherham as I think the latter
more accurately conveys the meaning. Why is this important to me now?
Well, I love my dog in a way that he will never understand because HE
is a DOG and I am a HUMAN. We both love, but in different ways due to
our natures. The same is true for my relationship with God. I love
The Almighty with my best effort to attain to the true love which
Jesus exhibits. My best efforts fall abysmally short, but
nonetheless, I keep striving to do better.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">I
do not know what the immediate future will bring for my beloved dog
Pal, or what will happen to him after he dies, but I know that <b>my</b>
<b>master</b>, <b>Jesus,</b> loves me in this life and in the life
after this one. I do not know <b>EXACTLY</b> what heaven will be
like, but deep down I hope that Jesus will allow Pal to be there.
Humm, I wonder if there will be squirrels in Heaven ( I think Pal
would like to know as well )?</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">I
know this all may be a bit too personal for many of you out there,
but it is what it is. I have just one question for <b>YOU</b>: Have
<b>YOU</b> thought about your relationship with <b>God </b>lately- <b>Do
you really, really love HIM?</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>I
hope and pray that you respond with an overwhelming <span style="color: #c9211e;">YES!</span></b></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css"><font style="font-family: courier;" size="5">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</font></style></p><p><br /></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-38532743273616067112023-02-27T16:03:00.001-05:002023-02-27T16:03:51.882-05:00Contrast by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdPNTzGStMsARlVzXquZxOqsag1a2DfuumOH_z5oI2PolkHjTr56c6-h0OgsdFiEwkzow0j4gzsna_oKf2LTrAa0wQqy7IfzHpkgmIDtSWWNNbfLCwtUu3XI9LpE_Znq1p9KKVnRBNA2-BXE9bSFSso4PDEmLEYSAqf7DMFluXEOvlKnyhXv6eVqY/s960/contrast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdPNTzGStMsARlVzXquZxOqsag1a2DfuumOH_z5oI2PolkHjTr56c6-h0OgsdFiEwkzow0j4gzsna_oKf2LTrAa0wQqy7IfzHpkgmIDtSWWNNbfLCwtUu3XI9LpE_Znq1p9KKVnRBNA2-BXE9bSFSso4PDEmLEYSAqf7DMFluXEOvlKnyhXv6eVqY/w444-h640/contrast.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">Beautiful
picture. I have seen many similar pictures over the years, but none
quite like this. This one differs from the norm in intensity;
specifically, in its <i><u>contrast</u></i>. As I thought about it,
this aspect of the picture made me think of the lives of people. Some
people are bright and cheerful, while others are dark and dismal. And
these contrasts are reflected in their behavior as well. <i>Generally
speaking</i>, those who are bright often do good things, but those
who have a predominant darkness to their character often do very bad
things. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">This
human contrast caused me to recall a passage from the apostle Paul’s
letter to the Galatians…</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><b>Galatians
5 ( </b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>W</b></u></span><b>orld </b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>E</b></u></span><b>nglish
</b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>B</b></u></span><b>ible )</b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>17
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><b>For the flesh lusts against
the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary
to one another</b></span><span style="color: black;">, that you may not do
the things that you desire.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>18
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But if you are led by the
Spirit, you are not under the law.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>19
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now the works of the flesh are
obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness,
lustfulness,</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>20
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions,
heresies,</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>21
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">envyings, murders,
drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you,
even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things
will not inherit the Kingdom of God. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>22
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>23
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">gentleness, and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>24
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Those who belong to Christ
have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>25
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">If we live by the Spirit, let’s
also walk by the Spirit.</span></b></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">The
things of the <i><u>Spirit</u></i> are good attitudes and actions,
but those characteristic of the <i><u>flesh</u></i> are evil. Life is
full of choice and those decisions and subsequent actions will
ultimately determine both our life in this world and our abode of
either heaven or hell in the next.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic; font-size: large;">Take
a few minutes and look at the qualities and characteristics of each
group and choose. Which people would you like to live with eternally;
<span style="font-style: normal;">Spiritually minded</span> or those
set on the flesh. Your choices will lead one way or another, for to
choose the things of the Spirit will lead to choosing Jesus and
eternal life, but the other choice results in destruction. Quite a
contrast isn’t it?</span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-26750455837231142422023-02-20T16:22:00.001-05:002023-02-20T16:22:11.903-05:00 Hardness of Heart by Gary Rose <div class="date-posts"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting"><div class="post-header">
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<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2542994559433788212" itemprop="description articleBody">
<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sc3J7gh35TnMvcZBreMvfxrewOONr5tHVmZQbchE8dpbJZ9R5J5tJmgYTSL-OpWGMUarbXbm6Bvogk4271VvxfSHX_4TaYJAcL3uOuPNMKloznSUXv6_60q4EthFymjbMzJpKUZuCX4WHXoWyzKBlKqIomc-S68c2huzTosxTTHDaYnoM-zgTSmb3w/s1280/1a%20not%20again.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sc3J7gh35TnMvcZBreMvfxrewOONr5tHVmZQbchE8dpbJZ9R5J5tJmgYTSL-OpWGMUarbXbm6Bvogk4271VvxfSHX_4TaYJAcL3uOuPNMKloznSUXv6_60q4EthFymjbMzJpKUZuCX4WHXoWyzKBlKqIomc-S68c2huzTosxTTHDaYnoM-zgTSmb3w/w360-h640/1a%20not%20again.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></sup></span></span></p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><sup>Well,
here is something new- </sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup><i><u>an</u></i></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup><i>
</i></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup><i><u>exasperated</u></i></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup><i><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></i></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup><i><u>lion</u></i></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>.
I have more than a few doubts about this image being one that has
been photo-shopped, but I will imagine for a moment that it is real.
Since I know that the lion’s mate does most of the hunting, perhaps
she brought home only a small bit of game. Or, perhaps </sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>he
</sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>was
napping and the cubs ate everything </sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>she
caught</sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>.
</sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>Maybe
</sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>the
waterhole had dried up ( again? ). Whatever caused this expression,
it is familiar. We experience moments like this periodically and they
usually are not the best moments of our day. </sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>Sometimes
our exasperation can go further and we become agitated to the point
of anger. Our actions and attitudes may or may not be a justifiable
response to the situation, but this picture makes me wonder- did
Jesus have moments like this? </sup></span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><sup>The
Bible says...</sup></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><sup>Mark
3 ( </sup></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u>W</u></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>orld
</sup></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u>E</u></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>nglish
</sup></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u>B</u></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><sup>ible
)</sup></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>1
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">He entered again into the
synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>2
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">They watched him, whether he
would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>3
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to the man who had his
hand withered, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Stand up.”</span></b></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>4
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Is
it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a
life, or to kill?”</span><span style="color: black;"> But they were
silent.</span></span></b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>5
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When he had looked around at them
with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said
to the man, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Stretch out your hand.”</span><span style="color: black;">
He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the
other.</span></span></b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>6
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">The Pharisees went out, and
immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might
destroy him. </span></span></b>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Rules
and regulations; that is all the religious leaders of Jesus’ day
knew. This sort of thinking was all about obedience and although I
would like to think their hearts were right with God, it is plain
from verses 5 and 6 above that they were NOT. </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Yet,
the Pharisees were supposed to not only know the <i><u>letter</u></i>
of the Law, but its <i><u>intent</u></i> as well. Jesus knew
their hearts and performed this miracle in spite of their spiritual
condition. When Jesus’ actions conflicted with their state of mind
and attitudes, they did what all evil men do- they conspired to
destroy the opposition.</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Today,
I spent some time reflecting upon something I should have been doing
and have not. I realized that I was wrong and have made steps to
change. You see, I really don’t want Jesus ( the lion of the tribe
of Judah ) looking at my life and being exasperated ( or even
worse-angry ). </span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">How
about you? Anything wrong in your life? If your reflections reveal
the need to change, don’t put it off- just do it! I don’t know
about you, but I am glad that the God I worship is a forgiving one!
Continue in your attempts to follow God more closely and you will be
blessed for both your attitude and actions. Believe this, because its
<i><u>TRUE</u></i>!</span></p></div></div></div></div>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-24166873453002195672023-02-13T16:22:00.001-05:002023-02-13T16:22:20.162-05:00Superman by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3o7b4IgDpKNfRNIrfz3pfEF-sDz84f9JJC5AnEl6GnMZO00HoscSjZ2gIv7Pvo_pWRXTETU8A7VDNxD1RhhZyjhk9ET_50lJkd2UjEzi5vnnlltrhamDO92WeEit7KWdA-UPEM97wH-f2gpsD8EhHLe19PwTWAT5SfPqkWXsT6qkUhuzsUPeY0yW/s1024/jeSus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3o7b4IgDpKNfRNIrfz3pfEF-sDz84f9JJC5AnEl6GnMZO00HoscSjZ2gIv7Pvo_pWRXTETU8A7VDNxD1RhhZyjhk9ET_50lJkd2UjEzi5vnnlltrhamDO92WeEit7KWdA-UPEM97wH-f2gpsD8EhHLe19PwTWAT5SfPqkWXsT6qkUhuzsUPeY0yW/w640-h480/jeSus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><sup>I
grew up in the 50’s and those days seem so very simplistic compared
to today’s environment. And the TV, it was actually in black and
white and we only had THREE CHANNELS ( when reception was unusually
good ). I liked many different westerns, but more than them all, I
loved Superman. I couldn’t wait until that show came on and would
do everything I could to watch it. Superman was the embodiment of
everything about America in those days; goodness, justice and the
American way. He fought evil and always won and his motives were
always selfless and pure. What a TV show!</sup></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><sup>Today,
I saw the picture at the top and thought about Jesus being a
SUPERMAN. No, not in the sense of being from another planet, but
rather, being in perfect harmony with his heavenly father. Jesus was
perfect in all aspects of his humanity and beyond that- He was ( is )
God in human form. In addition to all that he had genuine power.
Power of the mind, of the will and power in this world and beyond. It
would take several very large books to describe it all, so I will use
only one passage from the Bible. Consider this passage from the book
of Revelation…</sup></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><sup>The
Bible says...</sup></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><sup><b>Revelation
19 ( </b></sup><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u><b>W</b></u></sup></span><sup><b>orld
</b></sup><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u><b>E</b></u></sup></span><sup><b>nglish
</b></sup><span style="color: #2a6099;"><sup><u><b>B</b></u></sup></span><sup><b>ible
)</b></sup></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">I saw the heaven opened, and
behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and
True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">His eyes are a flame of fire,
and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name
written which no one knows but he himself.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He is clothed in a garment
sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The armies which are in heaven
followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Out of his mouth proceeds a
sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations.
He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the
fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He has on his garment and on
his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” </span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus,
now there is a real <i>superman</i>. He goes beyond just waging war
on evil; he alone is the “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Ultimately, he utterly defeats ALL OPPOSITION to God’s will. Not
just the physical aspect of evil, but he overcomes all the spiritual
aspects as well- every single thing that refuses to obey God is
defeated, period.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">With
all of the above, Jesus loves us all. Reread John 3:16 and think
about it- perfection, utter perfection.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
is the only genuinely Super, Superman that has ever lived. Obey him
and live, disobey and eventually suffer eternal punishment. With that
in mind, do whatever you have to do to be right with God and do it
NOW. You will be glad you did; eternally!</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-49807926110513517072023-02-06T12:41:00.001-05:002023-02-06T12:41:11.035-05:00Beyond the mountain by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TlhBP72wVgxM3KWL5UEXQ2N_XhKHIEBr_jUTdxhmO4jR3x1Yyp-vRzWBMeoKXJDFL0xGY8lJQ9z0_UUgTBxvXqVpPRWEg7R09QUcAVR-wWq5M_x0VgeqkFLO_EtN0Q--bRqaYLjw33BbkXSF6SHfENNpp4zNbkWySGa-9Z2gXBKx3lFjugJi4-uG/s1080/Incredable%20cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TlhBP72wVgxM3KWL5UEXQ2N_XhKHIEBr_jUTdxhmO4jR3x1Yyp-vRzWBMeoKXJDFL0xGY8lJQ9z0_UUgTBxvXqVpPRWEg7R09QUcAVR-wWq5M_x0VgeqkFLO_EtN0Q--bRqaYLjw33BbkXSF6SHfENNpp4zNbkWySGa-9Z2gXBKx3lFjugJi4-uG/w427-h640/Incredable%20cloud.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
colors and the contrast of that multicolored cloud against that black
background of distant stars seems to just take my breath away. After
a few seconds, I noticed several lightning bolts and thought of the
Israelites in the wilderness and the following passage from the book
of Exodus...</span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Exodus
19 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">In the third month after the
children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same
day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When they had departed from
Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in
the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moses went up to God, and
Yahweh called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you
shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">‘You have seen what I did to
the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you
to myself.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now therefore, if you will
indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own
possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine;</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and you shall be to me a
kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which
you shall speak to the children of Israel.” </span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moses came and called for the
elders of the people, and set before them all these words which
Yahweh commanded him.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">All the people answered
together, and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.”
Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold,
I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak
with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words
of the people to Yahweh.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to
the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash
their garments,</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and be ready against the third
day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all
the people on Mount Sinai.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">You shall set bounds to the
people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto
the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall
be surely put to death.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">No hand shall touch him, but
he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or
man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall
come up to the mountain.” </span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moses went down from the
mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed
their clothes.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to the people, “Be
ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”
</span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>16
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">It happened on the third day, when
it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick
cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet;
and all the people who were in the camp trembled. </span></b></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>17
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Moses led the people out of the
camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>18
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Mount Sinai, all it, smoked,
because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like
the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>19
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When the sound of the trumpet grew
louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>20
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai,
to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the
mountain, and Moses went up. </span></b></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>21
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down,
warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to gaze, and many
of them perish. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(emphasis
added GDR )</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hebrews
12 ( </b><span style="color: #2a6099;"><u><b>WEB</b></u></span><b> ) </b><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">note</span></u><span style="font-weight: normal;">:
The following is written to Christians...</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>18
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">For you have not come to a
mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to
blackness, darkness, storm,</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>19
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">the sound of a trumpet, and the
voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more
word should be spoken to them,</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>20
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">for they could not stand that
which was commanded, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it
shall be stoned;”</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>21
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;"><b>and so fearful was the
appearance, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”</b></span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>22
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">But you have come to Mount Zion,
and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
innumerable multitudes of angels,</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>23
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">to the general assembly and
assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the
Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_1"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>24
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">to Jesus, the mediator of a new
covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that
of Abel. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(emphasis
added GDR )</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Revelation
21 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span> ) </b><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">note</span></u><span style="font-weight: normal;">:
the following is a prophecy of future events... </span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">One of the seven angels who
had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues
came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the
wife, the Lamb’s bride.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He carried me away in the
Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city,
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">having the glory of God. Her
light was like a most precious stone, as if it were a jasper stone,
clear as crystal;</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">having a great and high wall;
having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names
written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the
children of Israel.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">On the east were three gates;
and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on
the west three gates.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The wall of the city had
twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles
of the Lamb.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He who spoke with me had for a
measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its
walls.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The city lies foursquare, and
its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the
reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height
are equal.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>17
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Its wall is one hundred
forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>18
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The construction of its wall
was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>19
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The foundations of the city’s
wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first
foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony;
the fourth, emerald;</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>20
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">the fifth, sardonyx; the
sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the
ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the
twelfth, amethyst.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>21
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The twelve gates were twelve
pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of
the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>22
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">I saw no temple in it, for the
Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.</span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>23
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">The city has no need for the sun,
neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated
it, and its lamp is the Lamb. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(emphasis
added GDR )</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>24
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">The nations will walk in its
light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the
nations into it.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>25
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Its gates will in no way be
shut by day (for there will be no night there),</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>26
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">and they shall bring the glory
and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_2"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>27
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">There will in no way enter into it
anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only
those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(emphasis
added GDR )</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
Israelites were greatly afraid in the Exodus experience at the
mountain, and with good reason. In contrast, imagine the joy of
seeing the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven and realizing that
soon you would be <i>living</i> with God for eternity. May you live
your life in such a way that your name is written in the book of life
and that when the time comes, the one and only God actually welcomes
you into heaven!</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-88411344953835217102023-01-30T14:52:00.002-05:002023-01-30T14:52:50.889-05:00Coffee by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4HsdXBZPgJyF56r9BVJonQbX2O5UC280-7dUNicdFHJXzKILaYuyvYM_JB69cBH2O_4nJXc876M46U3o9yd-sHx3x6AlgGYfH6J3aDPNHjknm7OahxUKHwgxp4E_wirLXkLpm1m3wBKVLEZV-PVxXKRLTimuWjR3JSJvcil-4Io5TbMKysyi4Rit/s826/coffee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="826" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4HsdXBZPgJyF56r9BVJonQbX2O5UC280-7dUNicdFHJXzKILaYuyvYM_JB69cBH2O_4nJXc876M46U3o9yd-sHx3x6AlgGYfH6J3aDPNHjknm7OahxUKHwgxp4E_wirLXkLpm1m3wBKVLEZV-PVxXKRLTimuWjR3JSJvcil-4Io5TbMKysyi4Rit/w640-h624/coffee.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
like coffee. Coffee has been on my mind lately, as yesterday, a
friendly neighbor gave me a Keurig pod of a type of coffee called
Espresso. This was a special Italian dark brew and <b>WOW</b> was it
just about the strongest coffee I have ever had in my life! </span><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like
I have already said, I have been thinking a lot about coffee lately,
so when I saw this picture, I had to use it in a post, so, I put a 3D
frame and then a regular frame around it just to emphasize its
importance. Admittedly, this picture is <u>not</u> <u>perfect</u><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span>( no period after the last “e” ) but I like what it says
and so what, very little I do comes even close to being perfect. But
my efforts aren’t really that important, but <i><u><b>the
message is</b></u></i><b>:</b> <span style="color: #c9211e;"><u><b>C</b></u></span><b>hrist
</b><span style="color: #c9211e;"><u><b>O</b></u></span><b>ffers </b><span style="color: #c9211e;"><u><b>F</b></u></span><b>orgiveness
</b><span style="color: #c9211e;"><u><b>F</b></u></span><b>or </b><span style="color: #c9211e;"><u><b>E</b></u></span><b>veryone
</b><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><u><b>E</b></u></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>verywhere</b></span>!
No matter who you are, no matter where you are, forgiveness is
offered to you. </span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently,
I was in church and I saw a presentation on the video screens that
listed all the “greatest” attributes of John 3:16. I wish I could
remember them all, but I can’t. Instead, I thought I would list a
number of translations for comparison study. I read them all and
personally, I like <b>Young’s Literal Translation</b> the best,
followed by <b>The Emphasized Bible by Rotherham</b>. <b>BUT</b>,
they all convey the message of the abbreviation in the picture, so
your choice is just as good as mine. Actually, the best choice is
probably one of the Greek presentations, but my Greek is a little
fuzzy these days, so I will leave the minute emphasis of that
language up to the scholars. I hope you enjoy thinking about the
message of John 3:16 ( in English ), for one could easily spend hours
upon hours taking in all the greatness of it!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Bible says...</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>W</u></span>orld <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>E</u></span>nglish
<span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>B</u></span>ible )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">For God so loved the world,
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish, but have eternal life. </span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 (<u> A</u>merican <u>S</u>tandard <u>B</u>ible )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_1"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him
should not perish, but have eternal life.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>W</u>ebster <u>B</u>ible )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_2"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him,
should not perish, but have everlasting life.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>D</u>isciples <u>L</u>iteral <u>N</u>ew <u>T</u>estament )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_3"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">“For God so loved the world
that He gave </span><span style="color: grey;"><i>His</i></span><span style="color: black;">
only-born Son, in order that everyone believing in Him may not
perish, but may have eternal life.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>E</u>mphasized <u>B</u>ible - <u>R</u>otherham )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_4"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>16
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">For God, so loved, the world,
that, his Only Begotten Son, he gave,––that, whosoever believeth
on him, might not perish, but have life age–abiding. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(
Emphasis by Gary )</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>H</u>olman <u>C</u>hristian <u>S</u>tandard <u>B</u>ible )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_5"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">“For God loved the world in
this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes
in Him will not perish but have eternal life.</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_6"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>Y</u>oung’s <u>L</u>iteral <u>T</u>ranslation )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_8"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>16
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">for God did so love the world,
that His Son--the only begotten--He gave, that every one who is
believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(
Emphasis by Gary )</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>L</u>iteral <u>S</u>tandard <u>V</u>ersion )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_7"></a></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">for God so loved the world
that He gave the only begotten Son, that everyone who is believing in
Him may not perish, but may have continuous life.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>K</u>ing <u>J</u>ames <u>V</u>ersion [ + Strong’s numbers]
) </b></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">For</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G1063&|_STRONG_G1063|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G1063</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
God</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G2316&|_STRONG_G2316|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G2316</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
so</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G3779&|_STRONG_G3779|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G3779</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
loved</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G25&|_STRONG_G25|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G25</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
the world</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G2889&|_STRONG_G2889|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G2889</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">,
that</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G5620&|_STRONG_G5620|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G5620</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
he gave</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G1325&|_STRONG_G1325|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G1325</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
his</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G846&|_STRONG_G846|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G846</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
only begotten</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G3439&|_STRONG_G3439|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G3439</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
Son</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G5207&|_STRONG_G5207|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G5207</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">,
that</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G2443&|_STRONG_G2443|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G2443</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
whosoever</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G3956&|_STRONG_G3956|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G3956</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
believeth</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G4100&|_STRONG_G4100|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G4100</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
in</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G1519&|_STRONG_G1519|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G1519</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
him</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G846&|_STRONG_G846|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G846</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
should</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G622&|_STRONG_G622|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G622</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
not</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G3361&|_STRONG_G3361|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G3361</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
perish</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G622&|_STRONG_G622|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G622</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">,
but</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G235&|_STRONG_G235|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G235</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
have</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G2192&|_STRONG_G2192|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G2192</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
everlasting</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G166&|_STRONG_G166|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G166</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">
life</span><a href="tw://d1?t=G2222&|_STRONG_G2222|_IGNORE_|verse:43.3.16|modid:kjv"><span style="color: #498e3e;"><sup>
G2222</sup></span></a><span style="color: #df0000;">.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>B</u>yzantine <u>G</u>reek <u>N</u>ew <u>T</u>estament )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">16
ουτως γαρ ηγαπησεν ο θεος τον κοσμον
ωστε τον υιον αυτου τον μονογενη εδωκεν
ινα πας ο πιστευων εις αυτον μη αποληται
αλλ εχη ζωην αιωνιον </span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>John
3 ( <u>A</u>postolic <u>B</u>ible <u>P</u>olyglot )</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>God
Loves the World </b></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> 16
ούτω γαρ ηγάπησεν ο θεός τον κόσμον ώστε
τον υιόν αυτού τον μονογενή έδωκεν ίνα
πας ο πιστεύων εις αυτόν μη απόληται
αλλ΄ έχη ζωήν αιώνιον </span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
know, I know, perhaps listing the Greek texts was a bit too much.
Please forgive me for that, but if you do know Greek, then you will
be doubly blessed. </span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
really is important though, is that you take a little time and think
about how God loves you, whoever you are, whatever you have done in
your entire life. I have… and its humbling to the extreme! </span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
</p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your
friend because of Christ,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gary
Rose</span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915597720914219123.post-90994320305443790682023-01-24T14:03:00.005-05:002023-01-25T14:43:57.387-05:00Fortitude by Gary Rose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvCotr9bH08lz4pIkxpE7o0TMZhBkujGC-NAx7bjNxXAZIZwVUpm1__osCKr4sXc9FSN676YZlCEUZdCKBmVdlyJQiZHsUcaQTHpNEQ9RC-fz4DkMCIc3LCAmHEQ3R__o6BORvP8ZcI-dLJzth-wLOaY0-PocnNeRkPnEkDMPKO58msYLVgWI39iq/s780/1aaa%20%20never%20give%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="780" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvCotr9bH08lz4pIkxpE7o0TMZhBkujGC-NAx7bjNxXAZIZwVUpm1__osCKr4sXc9FSN676YZlCEUZdCKBmVdlyJQiZHsUcaQTHpNEQ9RC-fz4DkMCIc3LCAmHEQ3R__o6BORvP8ZcI-dLJzth-wLOaY0-PocnNeRkPnEkDMPKO58msYLVgWI39iq/w640-h498/1aaa%20%20never%20give%20up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p align="justify" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now,
there is one tough frog! Imagine, being in the process of being eaten
alive and still having the fortitude to fight back. Obviously, that
bird is much bigger and has his prey right where he wants him; but
does he really? Froggy may still be getting some air, but I wonder
how long “big bird” can survive under froggy’s counter attack.
I have no information on exactly who wins, but somehow I think froggy
will, because he has <i><b>genuine fortitude</b></i><i>.</i></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
this world, governments will crush all those who oppose them. Face
it, the system is powerful; beware when the government offers to
help, for in truth it will ultimately only further its own
interests.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus
was ( is ) no weakling. He opposed ( and still is opposing ) evil in
all its myriad forms. His weapons have always been those of reason,
sometimes couched in the form of parables. And when evil people
perceived that Jesus was speaking about them, they did everything
they could to destroy him.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Consider
the following...</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Matthew
21 ( </b></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>W</b></u></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>orld
</b></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>E</b></u></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>nglish
</b></span><span style="color: #2a6099;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>B</b></u></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>ible
)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>45
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When the chief priests and the
Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about
them.</span></b></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>46
</sup></span><span style="color: black;">When they sought to seize him,
they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a
prophet. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">(
Emphasis added- Gary )</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Matthew
22 ( <span style="color: #2a6099;"><u>WEB</u></span> )</b></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_HEADER_SECTION_"></a>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>1
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus answered and spoke again
in parables to them, saying,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>2
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">“The Kingdom of Heaven is
like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>3
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">and sent out his servants to
call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not
come. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>4
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Again he sent out other
servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have
prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all
things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!”’ </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>5
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">But they made light of it, and
went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise, </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>6
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">and the rest grabbed his
servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>7
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">When the king heard that, he
was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned
their city. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>8
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Then he said to his
servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t
worthy. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>9
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Go therefore to the
intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to
the marriage feast.’ </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>10
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Those servants went out into
the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad
and good. The wedding was filled with guests. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>11
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">But when the king came in to
see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding
clothing, </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>12
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">and he said to him, ‘Friend,
how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was
speechless. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>13
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Then the king said to the
servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him
into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of
teeth will be.’ </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>14
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">For many are called, but few
chosen.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>15
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Then the Pharisees went and
took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>16
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They sent their disciples to
him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you
are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you
teach, for you aren’t partial to anyone.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>17
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Tell us therefore, what do you
think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>18
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But Jesus perceived their
wickedness, and said, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Why do you test
me, you hypocrites? </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>19
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">Show me the tax money.”</span><span style="color: black;">
They brought to him a denarius. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>20
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He asked them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Whose
is this image and inscription?”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>21
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
Then he said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“Give therefore
to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that
are God’s.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>22
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When they heard it, they
marveled, and left him, and went away. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>23
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">On that day Sadducees (those
who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>24
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">saying, “Teacher, Moses
said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry
his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.’</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>25
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now there were with us seven
brothers. The first married and died, and having no seed left his
wife to his brother.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>26
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">In the same way, the second
also, and the third, to the seventh.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>27
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">After them all, the woman
died.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>28
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">In the resurrection therefore,
whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>29
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But Jesus answered them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“You
are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>30
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">For in the resurrection they
neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels
in heaven. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>31
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">But concerning the
resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to
you by God, saying, </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>32
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">‘I am the God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of
the dead, but of the living.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>33
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">When the multitudes heard it,
they were astonished at his teaching.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>34
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">But the Pharisees, when they
heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves
together.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>35
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">One of them, a lawyer, asked
him a question, testing him.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>36
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">“Teacher, which is the
greatest commandment in the law?” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>37
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus said to him, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“‘You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind.’ </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>38
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">This is the first and great
commandment. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>39
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">A second likewise is this,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>40
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">The whole law and the prophets
depend on these two commandments.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>41
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">Now while the Pharisees were
gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>42
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">saying, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“What
do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?”</span><span style="color: black;">
They said to him, “Of David.” </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>43
</b></sup></span><span style="color: black;">He said to them, </span><span style="color: #df0000;">“How
then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>44
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">‘The Lord said to my Lord,
sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your
feet?’ </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;">
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup><b>45
</b></sup></span><span style="color: #df0000;">“If then David calls him
Lord, how is he his son?”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; margin-top: 0.02in;"><a name="_FOOTER_SECTION_1"></a>
<span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #417cbe;"><sup>46
</sup></span><span style="color: black;"><u>No one was able to answer him a
word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that
day forth.</u></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">(
Emphasis added - Gary )</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Make
no mistake, the people who opposed Jesus knew what the law of Moses
said. Most of them had studied it for years and were quite educated.
Yet, for all their education, they failed to understand the true
meaning of the Scriptures. They were lost and didn’t even realize
that they were. They tried to defeat Jesus’ teachings, but failed.
Today is no different, for Jesus’ understanding of the Scriptures
stands today as perfection.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May
we all be blessed with the fortitude to confront all who oppose Jesus
and succeed in defeating false teaching or ungodly attitudes wherever
we may encounter them!</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Andika New Basic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ps.
Remember to pray for that frog!</span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style></p>Gary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110383785123701054noreply@blogger.com0