Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night(year)

Well, here it is December 18th. Seven more days to Christmas and 13 more days until 2009. Where did time go? It only seems like it was yesterday that I was thinking about taking a weeks vacation during spring break, yesterday since I was thinking of taking a week off for summer vacation, yesterday since I was thinking about taking a week off and going to the mountains to see the leaves turn orange. Where is time going? I can remember my parents talking about how "time flys" and I always thought, I think it goes by slowly and yet we both were spending the same amount of time. I guess when you get as old as dirt, like I am, you realize that time is going by fast and you don't have as much time left as you use to. Statistics say that I have already lived 77 1/2% of my life already, which means if statistics are right, I only have 22 1/2% of my life remaining. Think about it! If you have a glass of water and you drank 77/12% of the glass of water, you only have a little bit left.
You might ask youself, well, why on earth are you thinking about time anyway. We can't control time, it is what it is and life on earth is already determined. God already knows if I die before statisticals, at statisticals, or after statisticals and nothing I do will change that. Well that's not exactly true. Yes, God does know when I will come home to heaven to live with Him and He knows the exact time only because He is God and He is soverign all knowing God, however, I could do things that cause my time on earth to be shrotened or lengthened and He does know which of those will occur. It does matter what I do while I'm here on earth. It does matter what I believe and live out here on earth. According to God's word, I can choose to be blessed or cursed. Jeremiah 17:5-8 I can choose to read God's Word which blesses me or I can choose to read other material which only gives me information which in the long run is useless based on eternity. Listen to God's Word,
"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the Words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the T I M E is near. Rev. 1
Psalms 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of HIS saints.
Psalms 90:10 "The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is ony only labor and sorrow."

Throughout scripture we are told about T I M E. Scripture also says a thousand years to us is like a day to the Lord, so when God talks about eternity, then that is really a looooonnnnnnngggggggg time. In Ecclesiastes we are told there is a time for everything; a time to be born and a time to die, but it's all those times in between that really count for eternity. What we do with the time that God gives us is so important. It makes the differnce between being blessed and being cursed here on earth. It makes the difference both here and in eternity.

So time is important and it's important as to what you do with the time you have. Follow Christ in all that you do, love those around you and remember that no one should ever be unloved by you. You must love them as if their eternity depended on it and perhaps it might. Then when your time comes you will be able to say,

"For this is God Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death"
Psalms 48:14
I hope you and yours has a very Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and a blessed life with Christ forever and ever.

I LOVE GOD'S WORD!

I have been reading a chapter of Proverbs everyday for a long time now and many of the Proverbs are life principles for me. Being flesh, I sometimes violate those same scriptures that I consider as principles in my life. I realize that doesn't happen to you but I have to battle this almost daily. In other words, just like in vs. 1, I don't always answer softly, but sometimes I answer with a loud voice and I want to stir up anger. That's the battle that i have to fight daily. Well, the Proverbs contain great wisdom and great principles for all of us to live by. I would encourage everybody to read a Proverb everyday. Chapters 1,15, 16 and 30 each have 33 verses and in chapter 1, we find out that we need knowledge, in chapters 15 and 16, we get understanding and in chapter 30 we read about real wisdom. Now I didn't intentionally leave the other chapters out because they too, relate to Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom, but it just so happens that today is the 15th and this is where I'm at in my quiet times. I encourage you so much to read the Proverbs that I went ahead and printed chapter 15 below so you wouldn't have to go get your bible. It's in the NEW KING James version and it is just full of principles that both convict and convince my heart. I bet-cha you can't read these 33 verses without being convicted about something. When we are convicted, we just need to repent, Praise God and move on and don't do that thing again. Just recently, someone just unloaded on me and let me have it with both barrels. Now because I disagreed with this person, my first thought was to let this person have a full dose of "I got cha's". As I look at it today, I still believe that person was totally wrong and they were speaking from the flesh only and not able to back up what they were saying to God's Word. I could have given them scripture upon scripture, but then vs two says "the tongue of the wise pours forth rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. So this time, I answered softly and shortly.
Now I know this person expected me to unload also, because I've done it on numerous occassions, but no, I didn't act in the flesh. Now all I can contribute that to is trying to live out the Proverbs. Don't get me wrong, I can mess up as well if not better than most, but this is how the Proverbs is helping me. So I say all this just to say, todays Proverbs are full of nuggets of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Read them below and see if God brings to mind something, someone or sometime that you needed to exercise these nuggets but failed to do so.

Proverbs 15
1. A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But the perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5. A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
6. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
10. Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.
11. Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
12. A scoffer does not love one who comes to him, Nor will he go to the wise.
13. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15. All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18. A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19. The way of a lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
20. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
21. Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22. Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
24. The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
25. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27. He who is greedy fro gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
29. The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
31. The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
32. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

America: From Glory to Shame

America: From Glory to Shame


I wrote this blog and due to my dumbness, I lost it and so here it is again, not exactly the same, but for the most part the same. I hope you will read this and then pray and ask God to bless America. We are in deep trouble and it doesn’t seem like we have any concept as to why things are going South for America. I am gathering my information from the book that I just read called “Truth Decay”. It is authored by Steve Hale who is an evangelist.

In Matthew 7: 24-27 we read about obedience and disobedience to God’s word being likened to two different types of foundations. One built on rocks and the other built on sand. Foundations are important to the final structure of a building. Poor foundations built on sand are likened to a foolish man and a well built foundation built on rocks is likened to a wise man. Which are you? Foolish or Wise

One thing about both foundations is that storms of life come to both. In these verses, the differences in the two foundations were directly related to how God’s Word was received. Obedience to and reverence to God’s Word creates a solid foundation that can withstand the storms of life. However, disobedience to and defiance of God’s Word creates a sandy, unstable foundation that leads to a great fall. What can be said about individuals can also be said about nations. In the early stages of America, scripture was highly esteemed, and throughout history as we know it, God has protected America. However, it is well documented that the centrality of the Bible has now been replaced with other ideologies. Our forefather’s commitment to absolute truth as contained in Scriptures has now been substituted for moral relativism.
Jesus warned that any person or nation that disregards God’s Word would experience a great fall. History proves Him right and America will not be an exception. Steve Hale likens our position today as that of the titanic. We know that all the reports show that the icebergs are out there and we as a nation are saying, “full steam ahead”.

Even though America is not mentioned in scripture, as we read chapter one of Romans, we feel as though it is a mirrored picture of America. Vs. 18 of chapter one says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” We must not miss this; that through out scripture we read where God “gave them over”, “He gave them into the hand”, “He gave them up”. Now we read again in verses 24,26,28 that again God is saying He will give individuals or nations over to their own desires and take his hand of protection and provision away. In Psalms 81:9-14 we read that God commanded that Israel not worship other God’s and they did so and so He gave them over to their own stubborn heart. Psalms 106:35-42 we see where they started sacrificing their own daughters and sons and shedding innocent blood. ( Could this be related to our practice of abortion today?)

The Vietnam War Memorial contains 68,000 names and it stretches 500 feet long, however if a memorial was built today for all the innocent, defenseless babies whose blood we have shed since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, it would have some 50 million names on it and would stretch for some 80 miles. Remember, Israel was brought into subjection to her enemies for these very things and that’s why God will have to deal with America if we don’t change. See Psalm 78:58-62—Nehemiah 9:29-30---1 Kings 14:9,16 Romans 1: 26 says, “For this reason God gave them up”. America has exchanged truth for a lie and rather than serving the Creator, we serve the Creature. If you continue to read these two verses 26 and 27 we see that God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, men did the same. Verses 26 and 27 tell us that the Homosexual lifestyle is , 1. Unnatural 2. shameful 3. in error to the truth 4. penalty to be paid. Notice, verse 26 strongly claims that homosexuality was not the cause of God’s judgment, but rather it was the consequence. Homosexuality was an instrument of God’s judgment.
Social Experts say that America’s social cauldron began in 1987. That’s the year that the number of kids in foster care began to rise and continued to keep climbing. Out of wed-lock births began to rise at very high rates. The rate of juveniles committing violent crimes began to rise and the national drug network started exploding off the charts. AID’s had a big jump in cases. Now these same social experts wanted to know what really made 1987 so significant to cause this kind of massive change. So they went back in the archives and chronicled the news for 1987. Here are the top four news events in 1987. 1. Jim Bakker and Jessica Hahn with their sex and money scandal; 2. Jimmy Swaggart charged with plotting hostile takeovers; 3. Oral Roberts holing up in his university’s prayer tower vowing never to emerge unless he raised $8million dollars that God told him to do. (so he says)
4. Oliver North’s Iran-Contra, charge of trading weapons-for-hostages.
All of these were Christian leaders engaged in unethical behavior. 1987 was also important because of more development in drug trade began. That’s when smokeable cocaine, better known as “crack” became available to the public. Although America has morally changed, drugs was not the reason, it was only a symptom. America believes that there is no such thing as absolute truth. America believes that Truth and morality are relative. What’s right for you, might not be right for me and vice versus.
So when did this exchange of truth for a lie actually happen? It was not 1987. That just happened to be when (social experts) noticed it. Some would say it started in 1925 with the Scopes trial, others would say it was 1947 when evolution began to be taught in our public schools. Some say the 1960’s when in 1962 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that leading in prayer in our public schools was now illegal and unconstitutional. Here is the prayer that they ruled illegal. Only 22 words and it stirred hatred and strife. “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our Country.
Amen. Really threatening don’t you think? That was just a beginning of what was to come. The next year, the same court outlawed the reading of the Bible in our schools. Then in 1965, that same court ruled it was against the law to verbally pray over your meal in a school cafeteria. In 1973, that same court ruled in favor of abortion on demand. In 1980, it became unconstitutional for the Ten Commandments to hang in the hallways of classrooms of our educational institutions. In the early 90’s it was ruled unconstitutional to pray at high school graduation exercises. It is now unconstitutional for a board of education to use or refer to the word “God” in any of its official writings. Without question, it is now unconstitutional to show the film that depicts the settlement of Jamestown because the fact is there was a cross erected at the Jamestown settlement. Don’t forget that Woodstock New York occurred during the 60’s
Now that we’ve told God that He is not wanted in our schools, our court houses, our homes, our businesses and certainly not in our education process, is it no wonder that God might just “give us over to our own desires”.
Until the 1960’s, America was still considered and respected as a God-fearing and law-abiding nation. Interestingly enough, from 1927 to 1962 there were never more than two consecutive years in which SAT scores declined. But then after the Supreme Court started rulings like I just spoke about the SAT scores declined for 18 consecutive years. Since these dates, America has become the world leader in crime, juvenile homicides, pornography, divorce, abortion, teenage pregnancies, and illegal drug use. I said WORLD LEADER! Now not only are we world leaders in these areas, to top it off we are now among the world leaders in illiteracy. Yes, Glory turned to Shame! Bill Bennett in his address to the Southern Baptist Convention several years ago said this; “The simple fact is that we cannot expect to maintain our civilization with 12 year olds having babies, 15 year olds killing each other, 17 year olds dying of AIDS, and 18 year olds ending up with diplomas they can’t even read. Our glory is changed to shame and we don’t even know it.
I won’t even give you the test scores that are written on pages 29 and 30 but the end result is we are last in almost everything.
Well, America said “we did not like to retain God in our knowledge” and so there you go. Here we are and the down hill grade is steep and we are speeding up.
Steve goes on to say that the solving of this problem is not in the White House but in God’s House. Jesus clearly handed the church the responsibility of upholding the nations morality when He declared to us to be the salt of the earth.

OKAY, I know this has been long, but I hope I have wetted you appetite to get his book and read it. Here are the chapter titles. 1. A nation is crisis 2. Moral Relativism 3. Truth Matters 4. The way we were 5. America’s favorite pastime
6. The danger of “safe” sex 7. Abortion: The American Holocaust 8. Alcohol: America’s beverage of choice 9 Random chance or intelligent design
10 The glut of smut 11. The abnormality of Homosexuality 12. Bring back the glory.

Its’ only 233 pages long and you will really like this book.

Birth Announcement

Luke 2:1-20 1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11”For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

What a blessed story and what a blessed Savior! Notice, the very Son of God is born and the first people to know about it were Shepherds. Think about it: The Lord wanted the Shepherds to know about this first. Remember, Jesus always referred to Himself as a Shepherd of the sheep. Shepherds lived in the field with the sheep. They were the one’s who chose the special sheep to be sacrifices and now the spotless lamb of God is born and they are notified of it. They no longer will have to provide sheep for sacrifice, they no longer will have to determine which one dies and which one lives. God the Father decided the one and final sacrifice would be His Son, Jesus and He’s letting the Shepherds know about it. The Shepherds met Jesus and it was such a life changing event that they had to tell everybody about what had happened. You too have to meet Jesus before you can tell others about Him. If you haven’t met Jesus yet, listen to the Spirit of God telling you that a Savior is born, and His name is Jesus. He will change your life and you too will then want to worship Him.

OK, something happened and it didn't come through

Well as you can see, below, that I started to post my blog yesterday and something happened. Don't ask me what, but all of the blog didn't show up. I have no idea where the rest is and I don't have the time to redo it. Maybe I will learn about this blogging deal someday and not mess up so much, but until then, I will have to go out there into cyber space and look for it. I can almost see it now. It's just out there floating around as if it's lost, and it is, and I just can't reach it. Oh well someother time. Soon.

America: From Glory to Shame

I was given a book for Christmas that I began reading today. It's author is Steve Hale who is an evangelist from FBCW. The name of the book is "Truth Decay" and after reading the first 50 pages, I highly recoommend it.

Out of Pocket

Spent Thanksgiving with Beth, Lisa and the grandchildren. Started feeling bad on Friday and by the time I got home on Saturday, I had full blown Bronchitis. Tried to die couple times but went to the Doctor on Monday and I'm hoping to go back to work on Thursday. Had new carpet put in my office while I was out and hope my computer is plugged in when I get back. Otherwise, If I have to do more than turn it on, I'm out of luck. HOpe to be back in saddle in next few days. By the way, anytime with my girls and grandchildren is a great time.