One interesting tale... Gary
http://executableoutlines.com/text/ruth1_1.htm
11/20/11
11/19/11
Necessary things...
There are millions upon millions of older people in this country. People who have worked hard all their lives, have been devoted to their families, paid their bills and tried hard to please God in every way possible. They are called Christians. Oh, there are all types, phony ones, proud ones, holiday ones, immature ones and then there is the "real McCoy". However, they all have one thing in common: they are human beings and human beings grow older. With age comes the question: What have I done with my life? We wonder what was the point of it all and as we progress towards "old age", some of us begin to think of the next life... and that's a good thing!!! But, first, we need to check our attitude at the door... here is what I mean...
WEB: Matthew Chapter 18
[1] In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
[2] Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in their midst, [3] and said, "“Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. [4] Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. [5] Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
Humility is the stuff of genuine Christianity. It is an insight towards personal growth and the sign of true conversion from the world of "I". I liked the picture because its true, because it transcends the harsh reality of the world and leads to possibilities of what can be. And with God, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!! We just need to get ourselves out of the way and lean on HIM. Isn't this what kids do? Is it possible? You bet!!! Can you say this about yourself; I can't answer that question but this I know... until today, I never thought of a telescope like this before!!! I can't wait until God shows me something new... I might actually learn something.
The leadership qualities of Joshua by Mark Copeland
Today's link... Enjoy.... Gary
http://executableoutlines.com/text/jos24_29.htm
11/18/11
Not this turkey!!!
Wednesday's are always busy days for me; I usually get a visit from one of my granddaughters, and I have church services in the evening and of course there is compiling my daily blog post. But, this past Wednesday was different. My sister-in-law invited us over for an early Thanksgiving dinner. We all had a nice time and watched "The Red Shoes" with Rob Morrow. So, when I noticed this picture...bingo!! Rejoicing; and then I thought of this passage from the New Testament...
WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 9
[16] For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don’t preach the Good News. [17] For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. [18] What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News. [19] For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. [20] To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; [21] to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. [22] To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. [23] Now I do this for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a joint partaker of it.
The Gospel of Christ can be the most flexible concept imaginable! Consider the sheer number of cultures, locations and time periods it has been adapted to. How? By reaching out to others; finding a common point of reference and relating. We all breath the same air, we all sleep, we all eat, we all pay bills and have family's. Paul sought out opportunities to relate to others and it not only worked, but made him happy as well. Speaking of happiness... Wednesday, I had my usual leg-joint portion of the turkey and NO, I DON'T EAT FLAMINGO!!!!
Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here by Mark Copeland
Link for today...Gary
http://executableoutlines.com/text/num32_6.htm
11/17/11
The value of "1"
This picture is right up there with "terrified tissue" and the days when we used to sing "on top of spaghetti all covered with cheese". Days when we completed "99 cans of beer on the wall" several times in one day and were PROUD of it. We had friends and enemies, but the lists were never permanent and at the end of most days there wasn't anyone in the enemies category. So it is that this picture brings back a lot of childhood memories, especially of grade school comrades so far removed from Florida. When I think of people, I remember Romans chapter 16 and the importance of people to the apostle Paul.
World English Bible: Romans Chapter 16
[1] I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae, [2] that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.
[3] Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [4] who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles. [5] Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. [6] Greet Mary, who labored much for us. [7] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. [8] Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. [9] Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. [10] Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. [11] Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. [12] Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. [13] Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. [14] Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. [15] Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. [16] Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
[17] Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. [18] For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent. [19] For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil. [20] And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
[21] Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives. [22] I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord. [23] Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother. [24] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.
OK, I know I put a lot of things in BOLD today, but frankly I could have emphasized a lot more! What stands out is how personal Paul wrote, how concerned for individuals he was!!! Every Christian is important, no matter how hard it is to pronounce their name!!! Aside from Jesus and the apostles, Tertius is my most favorite character in the Bible! I think of him often because he was a nobody, some slave who was identified by a number representing his status to a Roman master. To be number five on a list of slaves was nothing to brag about. Yet, he did the physical writing for the book of Romans and that is something!!! If a "nobody" like him can be blessed with such a great spiritual task, then there is hope for someone as insignificant as myself. In many ways we should strive to be like children; innocent and straightforward, loving those who love us and forgiving those who don't. Don't like this?? Am I bad? Say the words of the picture out loud!!
[1] I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae, [2] that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.
[3] Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [4] who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles. [5] Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. [6] Greet Mary, who labored much for us. [7] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. [8] Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. [9] Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. [10] Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. [11] Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. [12] Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. [13] Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. [14] Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. [15] Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. [16] Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
[17] Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. [18] For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent. [19] For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil. [20] And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
[21] Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives. [22] I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord. [23] Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother. [24] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.
OK, I know I put a lot of things in BOLD today, but frankly I could have emphasized a lot more! What stands out is how personal Paul wrote, how concerned for individuals he was!!! Every Christian is important, no matter how hard it is to pronounce their name!!! Aside from Jesus and the apostles, Tertius is my most favorite character in the Bible! I think of him often because he was a nobody, some slave who was identified by a number representing his status to a Roman master. To be number five on a list of slaves was nothing to brag about. Yet, he did the physical writing for the book of Romans and that is something!!! If a "nobody" like him can be blessed with such a great spiritual task, then there is hope for someone as insignificant as myself. In many ways we should strive to be like children; innocent and straightforward, loving those who love us and forgiving those who don't. Don't like this?? Am I bad? Say the words of the picture out loud!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)