Oct. 10 Ephesians 1

Oct. 10

Ephesians 1

Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Eph 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph 1:3 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;

Eph 1:4 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;

Eph 1:5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,

Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved,

Eph 1:7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Eph 1:8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

Eph 1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

Eph 1:10 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;

Eph 1:11 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;

Eph 1:12 to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:

Eph 1:13 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,

Eph 1:14 who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory.

Eph 1:15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints,

Eph 1:16 don't cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

Eph 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Eph 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

Eph 1:20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph 1:21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

Eph 1:22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

Eph 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

James, chapter 1, Mark Copeland

                         "THE EPISTLE OF JAMES"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the value of enduring trials

2) To understand how sin develops, from temptation to death (separation
   from God)

3) To note the importance of being doers of the Word, and practitioners
   of religion that is pure and undefiled before God

SUMMARY

Following a simple and humble salutation (1), James begins his epistle
with a call to view trials as occasions to rejoice, understanding they
can produce patience which leads to maturity (2-5).  If wisdom is
needed, he counsels his readers to ask God with faith and no doubting
(5-8).  In the meantime, the poor are encouraged to rejoice in their
exaltation, while the rich are to be thankful for their humiliation
(9-11).

Motivation to endure temptation is given, along with an explanation as
to the true source of temptations and the development of sin which 
leads to spiritual death (12-15).  Let no one be deceived, God is not 
the source of temptation, but the Father of every good and perfect gift
which comes down from above, who has brought us forth that we might be
the firstfruits of His creation (16-18).

With admonitions to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath,
James then expounds upon a major theme of this epistle:  to be doers of
the word and not hearers only.  Illustrating the folly of being a
hearer only, he contrasts the difference between religion that is 
useless and that which is pure and undefiled before God (19-27).

OUTLINE

SALUTATION (1)

I. TRUE RELIGION ENDURES TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS (2-18)

   A. WITH JOY AND PATIENCE (2-4)
      1. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience
      2. Letting patience produce its perfect work
         a. That you may be perfect and complete
         b. That you may lack nothing

   B. WITH WISDOM FROM GOD (5-8)
      1. If you lack wisdom, ask God
         a. Who gives to all liberally and without reproach
         b. It will be given to you
      2. But ask in faith, with no doubting; for he who doubts...
         a. Is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind
         b. Should not suppose that he will receive anything from the
            Lord
         c. Is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways

   C. WITH A PROPER PERSPECTIVE (9-11)
      1. If a lowly brother, glory in your exaltation
      2. If rich, glory in your humiliation
         a. For as the flower of the field you will pass away, as the
            grass withers with the burning heat of the rising sun
         b. So the rich man will fade away in his pursuits

   D. WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF TEMPTATION (12-15)
      1. The man who endures temptation will be blessed
         a. For he will receive the crown of life when he is proven
         b. Which the Lord has promised to those who love Him
      2. Temptations do not come from God
         a. God cannot be tempted by evil
         b. He does not tempt anyone
      3. The source of temptations
         a. One is tempted when drawn away by his own desires and is
            enticed
         b. When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin
         c. Sin, when full-grown, brings forth death

   E. WITH AN AWARENESS OF THE FATHER'S GOODNESS (16-18)
      1. Do not be deceived, beloved brethren
      2. Every good and perfect gift is from above
         a. Coming down from the Father of lights
         b. With whom there is no variation or shadow of turning
      3. Of His own will He brought us forth
         a. By the word of truth
         b. That we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures

II. TRUE RELIGION CONSISTS OF DOING, NOT JUST HEARING (19-27)

   A. ONE SHOULD BE SWIFT TO HEAR (19-20)
      1. Let every one be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
      2. For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God

   B. ONE SHOULD NOT BE HEARERS ONLY, BUT DOERS (21-27)
      1. What to lay aside, and what to receive
         a. Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness
         b. Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to
            save your souls
      2. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only
         a. Otherwise you deceive yourselves
         b. You are like a man who after looking in mirror soon forgets
            what he looked like
      3. One who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in
         it...
         a. Is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work
         b. Will be blessed in what he does
      4. Your religion is useless...
         a. If you think you're religious, but do not bridle your 
            tongue
         b. You deceive only your heart
      5. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is 
         this...
         a. To visit orphans and widows in their trouble
         b. To keep oneself unspotted from the world

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - True religion endures trials and temptations (1-18)
   - True religion consists of doing, not just hearing (19-27)

2) How should Christians view trials in their life?  Why?  (2-3)
   - An occasion in which to rejoice
   - Knowing that testing one's faith produces patience

3) What is the value of developing patience? (4)
   - It helps to make one perfect and complete, lacking nothing

4) If we lack wisdom, what should we do?  Why?  How? (5-6)
   - Ask of God
   - He gives to all liberally and without reproach
   - In faith, with no doubting

5) What is one who doubts like?  What can he expect?  Why? (6-8)
   - Like the wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind
   - To receive nothing from the Lord
   - He is double-minded, and unstable in all his ways

6) In what should the lowly brother glory?  The rich man? (9-10)
   - His exaltation
   - His humiliation

7) What is the rich man like in his pursuits? (10-11)
   - A flower of the field that soon withers with the heat of the 
     rising sun

8) When is the man who endures temptation blessed?  How will he be 
   blessed? (12)
   - When he is proved
   - By receiving the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who
     love Him

9) What should no one say when they are tempted?  Why? (13)
   - "I am tempted by God"
   - God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone

10) Then how is one tempted? (14)
   - When drawn away by his own desires and enticed

11) When is sin born?  What does sin produce when full-grown? (15)
   - When desire has conceived and given birth
   - Death

12) What is the source of every good gift and every perfect gift? (17)
   - From above, coming down from the Father of lights

13) How has God brought us forth (given us birth)?  Why did He do this?
    (18)
   - Of His own will, by the word of truth
   - That we might a kind of firstfruits of His creatures

14) What does James desire of his "beloved brethren"? (19)
   - To be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath

15) Why should one be "slow to wrath"? (20)
   - The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God

16) What needs to be laid aside? (21)
   - All filthiness and overflow of wickedness

17) What needs to be received with meekness?  Why? (21)
   - The implanted word
   - It is able to save your souls

18) To avoid deceiving ourselves, what must we be? (22)
   - Doers of the word, and not hearers only

19) What is one like who hears the word but does not do it? (23-24)
   - One who looks at himself in a mirror, only to go away and soon
     forget what he looked like

20) Who will be truly blessed in what they do? (25)
   - He who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it
   - He who is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work

21) Whose religion is useless? (26)
   - The one who thinks he is religious, but does not bridle his tongue
     and deceives his own heart

22) What is pure and undefiled religion before God? (27)
   - To visit orphans and widows in their trouble
   - To keep oneself unspotted from the world

Problem solved!

Our vacation was wonderful; we did everything we wanted to do and much more!!! We did a lot of sightseeing and shopping and the food was simply marvelous.  Amish pork and sauerkraut for supper and biscuits with sausage gravy for breakfast every day...WOW!!!  Then we went to New Jersey and the pork roll egg and cheese on a hard roll was to die for!!!  My oldest daughter put together one of the best Shrimp dinners I can remember and that seafood dip was wonderful.  After three weeks of this I expected to gain weight and I did (5 lbs.).  I am gradually getting used to my former weight watchers diet again but frankly I miss my Northern "comfort food".  I guess food is what you make it and how you think about things REALLY DOES AFFECT YOUR LIFE.  This applies in the spiritual realm as well as this passage from the book of Matthew shows...

Matthew, Chapter 13

 1 On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.  2 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.  3 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, "“Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.  5 Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.  6 When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.  7 Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.  8 Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.  9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”"

  10 The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

  11 He answered them, "“To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.  12 For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.  14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, 

‘By hearing you will hear,
and will in no way understand;


Seeing you will see,
and will in no way perceive:


  15 for this people’s heart has grown callous,
their ears are dull of hearing,
they have closed their eyes;


or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,


and should turn again;
and I would heal them.’

^{You can believe whatever you want to about weight loss, but we all know that how we shower does not change anything (except removing dirt, of course).  Likewise, you can believe anything you want about God, but if you don't listen to him with an unbiased open heart it won't do you any good!!!  That's the point of the scripture and if we really understand it, our lives will be changed for the better!!!  Beware though, reading your Bible can be like stepping on a scale after a three week vacation... SHOCKING!!!}

Oct. 9 Psalms 148-150

Oct. 9

Psalms 148-150

Psa 148:1 Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh from the heavens! Praise him in the heights!

Psa 148:2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army!

Psa 148:3 Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!

Psa 148:4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens, You waters that are above the heavens.

Psa 148:5 Let them praise the name of Yahweh, For he commanded, and they were created.

Psa 148:6 He has also established them forever and ever. He has made a decree which will not pass away.

Psa 148:7 Praise Yahweh from the earth, you great sea creatures, and all depths!

Psa 148:8 Lightning and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling his word;

Psa 148:9 mountains and all hills; fruit trees and all cedars;

Psa 148:10 wild animals and all livestock; small creatures and flying birds;

Psa 148:11 kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth;

Psa 148:12 both young men and maidens; old men and children:

Psa 148:13 let them praise the name of Yahweh, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.

Psa 148:14 He has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise Yah!

 

Psa 149:1 Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

Psa 149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him who made them. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Psa 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!

Psa 149:4 For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation.

Psa 149:5 Let the saints rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds.

Psa 149:6 May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

Psa 149:7 To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;

Psa 149:8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

Psa 149:9 to execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this honor. Praise Yah!

 

Psa 150:1 Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!

Psa 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Psa 150:3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre!

Psa 150:4 Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!

Psa 150:5 Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals!

Psa 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!

Oct. 9 Galatians 6

Oct. 9

Galatians 6

Gal 6:1 Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted.

Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal 6:3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Gal 6:4 But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.

Gal 6:5 For each man will bear his own burden.

Gal 6:6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

Gal 6:7 Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Gal 6:8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Gal 6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.

Gal 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

Gal 6:11 See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.

Gal 6:12 As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Gal 6:13 For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

Gal 6:14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Gal 6:16 As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God's Israel.

Gal 6:17 From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.

Gal 6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

James, Introduction, Mark Copeland

                         "THE EPISTLE OF JAMES"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR:  James, who identifies himself as "a bondservant of God and of
the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:1).  There are four men who bear this name in
the New Testament:

   James, son of Zebedee and brother of John - A fisherman called by
   Christ (Mt 4:17-22) who later became an apostle (Mt 10:2).  Together
   with John, they were nicknamed "Sons of Thunder" because of their
   impulsiveness (cf. Mk 3:17 with Lk 9:51-56).  He was killed by Herod
   in 44 A.D. (Ac 12:1-2).

   James, son of Alphaeus - Another one of the apostles (Mt 10:3; Ac
   1:12), about whom very little is known.  He may be "James the
   younger," whose mother, Mary, was among the women at Jesus'
   crucifixion and tomb (Mt 27:56; Mk 15:40; 16:1; Lk 24:10). In Jn 19:
   25, this Mary is called the wife of Cleophas, perhaps to be 
   identified with Alphaeus.

   James, father of Judas the apostle - Even more obscure, one of the
   few references to him is Lk 6:16.

   James, the brother of our Lord - A half-brother of our Lord (Mt
   13:55), who did not believe in his brother at first (Jn 7:5).  He
   became a disciple following the resurrection (1Co 15:7; Ac 1:14) 
   and gained prominence in the church at Jerusalem (Ga 2:9).  As 
   evidence of his prominence, Peter sent him a special message 
   following his own release from prison (Ac 12:17).  James also played
   an important role in the conference at Jerusalem (Ac 15:13-33), and 
   Paul brought him greetings upon arriving at Jerusalem (Ac 21:18-19).

"James, the Lord's brother" (Ga 1:19) is most likely the author of this
epistle.  Tradition describes James as a man of prayer, which may
explain the emphasis on prayer in his letter.  It was said that he
prayed so much, his knees were as hard as those on a camel.   He was
martyred in 62 A.D., either by being cast down from the temple, or
beaten to death with clubs.  It is reported that as he died, he prayed
as did Jesus, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

RECIPIENTS:  The epistle is addressed to "the twelve tribes which are
scattered abroad" (1:1).  This naturally leads one to think of Jews (Ac
26:6-7) living outside the land of Palestine.  Since the Assyrian and
Babylonian captivities, many Jews were scattered throughout different
nations (Ac 2:5-11).  While Jews, the epistle makes it clear that they
were also brethren in the Lord, i.e., they were Jewish Christians.
Nineteen times James calls them "brethren" and at least one time he
definitely means those who were brethren "in the Lord" (2:1).

It appears many of these Jewish Christians were poor and oppressed.
Being Jews, they would often be rejected by the Gentiles.  As Jewish 
Christians, they would also be rejected by many of their own 
countrymen.  The letter indicates that most were poor, and some were 
being oppressed by the rich (2:6-7).  Because it was not addressed to a
single church or individual, it has been categorized a "General" or
"Catholic" (universal) epistle along with 1 and 2 Peter, 1 John, and 
Jude.

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:  With no mention of the Jerusalem conference
recorded in  Acts 15 (A.D. 49), and the use of the word "synagogue"
(assembly, 2:2), A.D. 48-50 is the date commonly given for this
epistle.  This would make it the first book of the New Testament 
written.  If James, the Lord's brother, is the author, then he probably
wrote it in Jerusalem.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:  The epistle deals with a variety of themes,
with an emphasis upon practical aspects of the Christian life.  Some of
the subjects include handling trials and temptations, practicing pure
religion, understanding the relation between faith and works, the
proper use of the tongue and display of true wisdom, being a friend of
God rather than a friend of the world, and the value of humility,
patience and prayer.

While these may appear unrelated, they are crucial to the growth and
development of the Christian.  For this reason, I suggest that James'
purpose was:
                         TO INSTRUCT CHRISTIANS
                 CONCERNING TRUE AND PRACTICAL RELIGION

In this epistle is a call to be doers of the Word, manifesting a living
faith through one's works.  In 108 verses, there are 54 imperatives
(commands), prompting some to call James "the Amos of the New
Testament."

KEY VERSE:  James 1:22

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

BRIEF OUTLINE:

SALUTATION (1:1)

I. TRUE RELIGION ENDURES TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS (1:2-18)

   A. WITH JOY AND PATIENCE (1:2-4)

   B. WITH WISDOM FROM GOD (1:5-8)

   C. WITH A PROPER PERSPECTIVE (1:9-11)

   D. WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF TEMPTATION (1:12-15)

   E. WITH AN AWARENESS OF THE FATHER'S GOODNESS (1:16-18)

II. TRUE RELIGION CONSISTS OF DOING, NOT JUST HEARING (1:19-2:26)

   A. ONE SHOULD BE SWIFT TO HEAR (1:19-20)

   B. ONE SHOULD NOT BE HEARERS ONLY, BUT DOERS (1:21-27)

   C. ONE SHOULD NOT SHOW PERSONAL FAVORITISM (2:1-13)

   D. ONE SHOULD SHOW THEIR FAITH BY THEIR WORKS (2:14-26)

III. TRUE RELIGION DISPLAYS WISDOM, NOT JUST SPEAKING (3:1-18)

   A. THE DANGER OF THE TONGUE (3:1-12)

   B. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY WISDOM (3:13-18)

IV. TRUE RELIGION BEFRIENDS GOD THROUGH HUMILITY (4:1-17)

   A. HOW TO BE AN ENEMY OF GOD (4:1-6)

   B. HOW TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD (4:7-17)

V. TRUE RELIGION BLESSED THROUGH PATIENCE, PRAYER AND LOVE (5:1-20)

   A. THE CURSE OF RICH OPPRESSORS (5:1-6)

   B. THE BLESSING OF PATIENCE (5:7-12)

   C. THE BLESSING OF PRAYER (5:13-18)

   D. THE BLESSING OF LOVE FOR THE ERRING (5:19-20)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) What four men bore the name of James in the New Testament?
   - James, the brother of John
   - James, the son of Alphaeus
   - James, the father of Judas
   - James, the brother of our Lord

2) Which one is most likely the author of the epistle?
   - James, the Lord's brother

3) To whom was this epistle addressed? (1:1)
   - The twelve tribes which are scattered abroad

4) From the epistle itself, who were the original recipients? (cf. 2:1)
   - Jewish Christians

5) What is this epistle commonly called, along with 1 & 2 Peter,
   1 John, and Jude?  Why?
   - A "general" or "catholic" epistle
   - Because it is not addressed to a particular church or individual,
     but to Christians in general

6) When was this epistle likely written?  From where?
   - A.D. 48-50
   - Jerusalem

7) As suggested in the introduction, what is the purpose of this
   epistle?
   - To instruct Christians concerning true and practical religion

8) What might serve as the "key verse" of this epistle?
   - James 1:22

9) According to the outline above, what are the main points in this
   epistle?
   - True religion endures trials and temptations (1:1-18)
   - True religion consists of doing, not just hearing (1:19-2:26)
   - True religion displays wisdom, not just speaking (3:1-18)
   - True religion befriends God through humility (4:1-17)
   - True religion blessed through patience, prayer and love (5:1-20)

Hospitality plus...

This is a picture of our middle daughter, Melissa (and her dog, Shilah).  I love this picture because it accurately reveals the attitude of love that we saw in her home. Frankly, it was wonderful to stay with her and her family, as they went out of their way to make us welcome.  It couldn't have been easy for them to put us up, as one of them has been out of work (which we found out about AFTER we arrived) for several months.  Their hospitality reminded me once again of this verse from the book of Hebrews....

Hebrews, Chapter 13

2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. 

We have three beautiful daughters and sometimes they do things that we do not necessarily agree with, but there has always been a bond of love between us.  Other times they do things we are very proud of and our recent stay with Missy is an example!!!   As long as I am discussing family, let me ask for your prayers, because my wife, Linda, is scheduled for major surgery this Thursday!!!  Thanks a LOT; we both appreciate it!!!!