For it or Against it ?

Well, yesterday was a very eventful day. The market dropped over 700 points and the President said something must be done or we might experience something likened to the Great Depression. Now we are told that tax payers need to give Paulson 700Billion dollars so he can buy bad mortgage paper and bail the lending (investing) institutions out of this mess so they can again start lending to you and me or the small business man. We're told that if this don't happen by Friday of this week, Depression with a D will begin. Now if you look at the polls that Fox news is taking, over 70% of America don't want this bailout to occur. Does this mean that America really doesn't understand the magnitude of this problem or does this mean that America knows more than the Government. Well, I would like to be first to say, Congress is probably one of the most dumb group of people that I know, but unfortunately, this time, they are right that something has to be done. How can we be sure that 700 Billion will be enough. We can't nor can Congress guarantee this amount will work. Regardless of how much, something has to be done. Unfortunately, time is of essence and something, right or wrong, has to be done. If we do nothing, then the economy will start to shut down as we know it today. Banks will begin to close rather than consolidate. They can't stay in business, employee people without income. The grocery store can't get money to buy food to sell. You and I couldn't buy it because the banks closed and we don't have any money. The Government can't work fast enough to determine who has what. No gas could really mean no gas. The economy would shut down. We don't understand that or we wouldn't say don't do anything. If we had known in time, perhaps something realistic could have been done, but we don't have time on our side. Fannie and Freddie fed all the fat calfs and you can't make loans to people who can't repay and expect to make it up in volume!
You can't finance your way out of debt! I'm praying that God will give favor to America, but we sure don't deserve it. Remember we are the country that said no to Jesus in schools, God in our lanquage, We are the country that kills baby's and gives it no thought whatsoever. So we probably deserve anything and everything that comes our way, but I'm still praying for favor.

What do you think? This is a survey, so please respond.

Do you believe that the bailout should occur? Yes or No

Let me know.

Sun, Stand still---Moon stop

Joshua 10:12-15

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:

"Sun, stand still over Gibeon:
And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."

So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge upon their enemies.

Is this not written i the Book of Jasher? so the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.


Wow! Have you ever wished that God would heed your request like that even when it might go against His established plan. I have, but It didn't work for me. Now I'm reading why. Because God said so, that's why. I guess I have to agree with that, don't you think?

The other day, I was saying to myself, just after a car(driver) about ran over me, "I wish I were a cop, I'd pull that dude over and make him pay big bucks."
"Cops are never around when you need them." They are probably having lunch with ++++

Then I was at the mall. Not my favorite place to be, but was doing my honey-do behavior and there was a group of young people, most of whom had pins in their noses, hoses and roses. Their hair was multicolored and they used vile language and just not the kind of kid you would want your kid to turn out to be.

My first thought was, "I would like to take that pin in your nose and run it clear to your brain if you had one". Then I would like to take that vile tongue of yours and pull it to the ground and step on it".

Now what if God heeded my voice in these two instances, the result would have been disasterous and I could have hurt or gotten hurt and no one would have believed in God because of my actions.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it's important to do the right thing, remember whose we are and who we are and represent Christ in a way that brings Him glory and honor.

Well that's my spill for today and I will let you go, but don't forget to respond and let me know that your reading these blogs. OK

What does it take for us to know that the Lord is God

In Jeremiah 17:5-6 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited."

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins. he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

To turn away from God and do our own thing brings about curses on our life. I know this first hand. Many times it doesn't just effect us as individuals, it also can effect many others, our family, those that mean the most to us. You see you and I can't sin and it just effect us. Sin has a way of spreading it's cancerous consequences on not only us but others. But thanks be to God, we can be forgiven, but sometimes the consequences continue. Scripture tells us that God is faithful to forgive and to cleanse, but it doesn't say He takes away the consequences everytime.

I'm reminded of Manasseh who became King at the age of 12 and for 55 years he remained King of Judah and he lived in Jerusalem. Even at the age of 12, scripture says that he did evil in the sight of God. You see Israel had already gone through defeat and destruction for disobedience to God. Manasseh's father, Hezekiah was a good man and had tried to bring Israel back to God and yet his son didnt' listen and he did more evil than Israel had ever done in it's history up to that point. Had bad was he? He did everything opposite of what his dad did. His dad tore down what was called the high places where they placed idols, gods etc; and Manasseh built them back. He raised altars to Baals, built wooden images and worshipped them. He worshipped all the stars and made gods by their names. He even built himself a god and placed it inside the house of the God. Now he not only did this evil, but scripture says he seduced all of Judah to do the same things. Scripture also says that God tried to speak to Manasseh and all of Judah but they would not listen. So here's what happened.
God allowed Assyria to come in and defeat Judah and when they found Manasseh, they put hooks in his nose and led him out of Jusah and they bound him up in leather straps and took him captive.

Now Manasseh did just what most of us do when we get into trouble or when we place other things before our God. He prayed! Scripture tells us that as evil as he was, His God heard his prayer and He answered his prayer. He was faithful and just to forgive his sin and to cleanse him from all unrighteousness. Scripture says that then after God brought him back to Jerusalem, that he knew that the Lord was God.
It took all those consequences of sin to bring Manasseh back to his God. He made all the changes that he should to restore his relationship with God but consequences remained and he then died.

God is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse. Don't be upset if consequences of sin remain, but never forget that Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

How long will you shine?

I've recently heard of "moveie stars" "Hollywood" come down hard on Sarah Palin. They complain that she doesn't have experience, doesn't have what it takes to be VP or President. I heard one say the other day that she was not famous so therefore she shouldn't be in the lime light. Now I really thought that was nothing more than jealousy, but I don't guess I could expect anything deeper than that from Hollywood.
Then I heard Sarah Palin say that the thing that makes her qualified for the job is God working in her life. Now how better could one say it. She gives God credit, glory for who she is and for her future. This is a very wise women and in my book she shines better than any "movie star" who is in the lime light today.

Wouldn't you just know it, in my quiet time today, God led me to scripture that just fit into my thought process. Now it probably is the other way around, God allowed me to have thoughts that just confirmed His Word, but which ever way, God is true.
Listen to this: Speaking of the coming of Christ,Daniel the prophet wrote in chpt 12"At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall wake, some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (this is good, listen what God says to you, me, Sarah Palin, to the whole world. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

WOW! Did you hear that? God says that if you want to stand out, give glory to Him,
Be a praising worshipper, Shine in His Kingdom, we are to seek out wisdom and win people to the Lord. This is not like the stars in Hollywood who come and go in a certain period of time, This is a for ever and ever period of time. ETERNITY!
How can you and I become wise, well God didn't hide it from us or just allow certain ones to be wise. In James 1:5 God says to everybody; "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Then in James 3:13-18, we are told what real wisdom is.
So folks, we have no excuse for not shining like the stars of heaven, we have no excuse for not shining like the moon and the sun. God desires for us to do so.
Ecclesiates 8:1 says; Who is lie a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? " A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed."
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Sharing God's word with the world is God's plan for bringing in the sheeves. Jesus says that, He came into this world to seek and to save all that are lost. That was you and me and now, we have the awesome privledge to share what God has done in our life with the world.

Are you doing this? Are you shining like the stars? Are you giving God glory and honor by and through your life?

I challenge you to get into God's word today and begin to shine.

What'cha think?

I ran across this poem today that was written by John Leland back in the early 1700's
I think. It was later put to music and a song was made of it. The more I read it, the more I liked it. I like reading poetry and the history behind it and or songs. Most of them have great stories behind them. Read this and tell me what'cha think?

Oh When shall I see Jesus
and reign with Him above
and from that flowing fountain
Drink everlasting love!
When shll I be delivered
From this vain world of sin,
And with my blessed Jesus
Drink endless pleasures in?

But now I am a soldier,
My Captain's gone before
He's given me my orders,
And bids me not give o'er;
And, if I hold out faithful.
A crown of life He'll give'
And all His valiant soldiers
Shall ever with Him live.

Through grace I am determined
To conquer, though I die;
And then away to Jesus
On wings of love I'll fly.
Farewell to sin and sorrow,
I bid you all adieu;
Then, O my friends, prove faithful,
And on your way pursue.

Whene'er you meet with troubles
And trials on your way,
O cast your care on Jesus,
And don't forget to pray:
Gird on the heav'nly armor
of faith and hope and love;
And when the combat's ended,
You'll reign with Him above.

O do not be discouraged,
For Jesus is your friend;
And if you lack for knowledge,
He'll not refuse to lend.
Neither will he upbraid you,
Though often you request,
He'll give you grace to conquer
And take you home to rest.

And when the last loud trumpet
Shall rent the vaulted skies,
And bid th'entombed millions
From their cold beds arise;
Our ransom'd dust, revived,
Bright beauties shall put on
And soar to the blest mansions
Where our Redeemer's gone.

Our eyes shall then with rapture,
The Savior's face behold;
Our feet, no more diverted,
Shall walk the streets of gold
Our ears shall hear with transport
The hosts celestial sung;
Our tongues shall chant the glories
Of our unmortal King.

Try this

Have you ever read the Proverbs only in the positive and then only in the negative. I challenge you to do it. Now here is what I mean. Today is the 12th of September so I'm reading the 12th chapter of Proverbs. Here's a new way to read these proverbs of Soloman, son of King David.

12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge.
12:2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord
12:3 But the root of the rigteous cannot be moved
12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.

So on and So forth: Then read the negative like this

12:1 But he who hates correction is stupid
12:2 But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn
12:3 A man is not established by wickedness
12:4 But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.


There is such contrast in the Proverbs that I sometimes find it easier to read them like this and I tend to remember them better by sometimes reading them like this.
Not Rocket Science or anything like that, but just a way sometimes to emphasize the positive and the negative of life lessons. Just try it one time and see if God can speak to you in a more personal way. We should all try to get closer to God each and everyday and anything that will help us do that is worth trying.

Soloman was the richest and most wise man in his day and God uses these proverbs of Soloman to give us common sense approach to life. Again, this too is not rocket science, but just the heart of God. I've learned to love the Proverbs and if you and I had no other Word from God but the Proverbs, we could come to know Christ and we could know what God wants from each of us and the path that He would have us to be on.

Well, today is Friday and I will leave this with you until Monday. Hope you and yours have a great week-end and don't forget the Lord's Day and sometime between the time you read this and Sunday, find time to spend with God and do your best to be open to the Spirit of God speaking to you. God bless.

Two Treasuries, Two Perspectives, Two Masters

Martin Luther said; "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

Jim Elliot said; "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

In the greatest message ever preached, Jesus addresses the believer's proper relationship to money and possessions:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

"No one can serve two masters, Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:19-24

Jesus always had two kingdoms in mind. He spoke here of the two treasuries, two perspectives, and two masters of those two kingdoms.

Each couplet presents two options and demands one choice. There's a default choice if "no choice" is made. Unless the right choice is deliberately made and tenaciously clung to, the wrong choice will naturally be implemented. In that case, as if on automatic pilot, people will spend their lives investing in the wrong treasury, adopting the wrong perspective, and serving the wrong master.

Question? What treasury, What Investment, What Master are you contributing to?
Be honest now. Which means the most to you. The things here on earth,or the things in heaven? Honesty here will help you get real with where your heart is and knowing where your heart is is essential to serving the right master.

Making it through the Storm

We've heard lots of news lately about the storms(hurricanes) in South Fl. and Louisiana and how many lost their lives down in Haitti, Cuban etc; It's a terrible thing to have to suffer through when everything you have is on the line. Many of these people losts everything they had but their life. Storms are of awesome power and the winds, rains, lightning, thunder are all under the control of our Heavenly Father. Did He purposely send this storm to kill people? No, but He did allow these storms to happen. This morning, I was reading about another storm that Jesus allowed in Matthew 14:22-33 I'll let you read it, but here are a few things that I got out of these passages. 1, There are lessons to be learned out of every storm we go through. Jesus used the circumstances of this storm to teach his disciples about Faith or the lack of Faith. 2. Not every storm comes about because of disobedience. Notice in vs.22 it says that Jesus MADE His disciples get into the boat. In other words, they were obeying Jesus but the storm still came about. 3. The disciples couldn't see Jesus, but He could see them. Scripture tells us that they went before Him and they Jesus went into the mountain by Himself and that He was there alone. We should always remember that trusting Christ (Faith) is without vision. We don't just trust in what we see, but what we don't see. When we can't see His hand, then we have to trust His plan. 4. Their fear eventually became their joy. They seemed to be without hope, just knowing that they were going to die in this storm. Believing they were going to sink, they became fearful. Jesus chided them a little by saying, " Oh you of little faith". How many times has He said that to me? Thousands! It's much easier to trust what we can see than to trust what we cannot see. 5. Jesus ALWAYS comes through at the right time. His timing is not always our timeing. Jesus is always available with His hand stretched out to bring you and me to Himself. Many times we just have to do this through faith and not because we can see His hand. His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours and we cannot always know where, how, why, when what He is going to do, but we can always know He is always there because He promised to never leave us or forsake us.

The folks going through these hurricanes know first hand, either they trusted or they did not. No man could stop the winds and they became catergory 4 winds. In scripture today, our Savior can stop the winds or the storms of our lives if we but just trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not into our own understandings, but in all our ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths. You see, one day in the storm with Jesus, the disciples learned how to trust. Perhaps you are going through a storm in your life. Maybe the winds are howling around you, perhaps the rains are soaking you down. Be of good cheer, Jesus has His hands out waiting for you to take hold and give Him that storm.

Back in the saddle again

Well, a week at the beach is enough for anybody and now I'm spending a few days back in Tennessee with Beth and Lisa. I love coming to Tennessee at this time of year. You can see the change of season is in the air. The leaves haven't changed, but the grass is just not as green as in the summer. The air gets cooler at night and it's just something in the air that says, Fall is in the air. I had dinner with Lisa last night and we got to talk about her children, my grandchildren. I love talking about them. I'm so proud of them and yet I can see how God has worked in and through their lives. Their mom and dad have been faithful to teach them and help them see Christ in everyday life. They didn't give them everything they wanted and that has helped them to appreciate things much more. Zach called me and told me that his golf team at school won a tournament and that he shot a 77. Now that's my boy. Zack went on two mission trips this summer and he got so excited about doing God's work. Golf was his life and all he talked about but I heard him say that life was not made up of just golf. Now he still loves the game as his granddaddy does, but he sees the picture much bigger now. Anna, fell in love with missions and she wants to go back now. She is working hard at school and working hard so she can buy those backpacks that I'm hearing about. She is top notch and a beautiful young lady. Is she perfect. Well! in my book she is but I know that life is tough for a young girl today and I pray for her daily. Now, let's talk about my oldest grand-son. Brandon was always the kid who could make top grades without much study (like his mom) and he was the one that I thought would perhaps be a doctor, lawyer etc; but after about 3 years of college, he's got burned out and has stopped going to school and has gotten a job at a bank. Now that's not what I would have planned for him, but you know, God is in charge and he is God's child and I have to trust that God will have His perfect will done in and through Brandon's life. I pray for him everyday also. Well, this morning Lake had to go to school and Kaden and Granddaddy stayed together while his mom took Lake to school. Special times with your grandchildren are just the greatest times. Kaden always has funny things to say. This morning, he says "Granddaddy, I know how to cook breakfast. I put milk in cereal" No doubt he got that from his mom, ha. Now my youngest daughter is still back in Atlanta and I always miss her when I'm not there. She is the youngest and probably the most spoiled. I like to think that all my girls are "daddy's girls", and if their not, I still like to think so. Their mom, might think different, but this is my blog and I will say what I want and think the way I want. OK? I will be going back to Atlanta either Saturday or Sunday morning and back to work on Monday morning. My schedule is fixed and counseling is heavy at this time. I will be traveling at the end of September and then the next thing you know, it will be Christmas. Well, enough of this scribble, I've bored you to death, not that I really believe anyone has read all this, but hopefully I will be back to my normal blogging next week. See ya then.