GOD'S FACEBOOK PAGE

Taken in Florida at sunset...

If God had a facebook page,
I think the profile section would read something like this:

ABOUT:
I Am that I Am. 
I am Spirit.
I am the self-existent One.  
I am the Lord thy God. 
I am God and there is none other.
I  am eternal and unchangeable.
I have all knowledge.
I am everywhere at once.
I am all powerful.
I am Creator.
I am love. 
I am holy.
I am without measure and I know no boundaries.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.   I am also known as : Elohim, strength or power.  I am:   God of the Beginning.  God of Justice.  God of forgiveness. God of Heights.  God who is near.  God of your strength.  God of  your praise.  God of your salvation.  God of forgiveness.

I am God Who is near.  I am the Living and Holy God.  There is none like Me.

BASIC INFO:
   Birthday:  None.  I have always been. I am from everlasting to everlasting. I do not have it in me to not exist.  I was in the beginning.  I will always be.

   Religious Views:   Believe in Me, the Great I Am, God your creator.  Believe in My Son, Jesus, who shed His sinless blood on the cross to redeem you from sin.  Believe in the Holy Spirit who draws you to Me.  Believe that Jesus is coming again to gather His church unto Himself. 

   Political Views:  My Son, Jesus, is King of kings and Lord of lords.  All authority under heaven and earth is given to Him. 

WORK:
I speak and it becomes. I created the heavens and the earth.  I rule all of my creation.  I am reigning over all the nations.  I am causing the words proceeding from my mouth to accomplish that which I please, and to prosper in the thing for which I sent it.   Without ceasing I am calling and drawing humanity unto me.  I appear in the praises of My people.  I bring all things forth in fulness of time with a plan and a purpose...orchestrating the last days of the book of Revelation. 

EDUCATION:
I am omniscient.  I have complete and unlimited knowledge. I perceive all things.   I have no need of learning.  I am the source of all knowledge. 

LIVING:
   City:  I fill both the heaven and earth - I cannot be contained withn the universe.  My Throne sits in heaven, not within the physical universe.   My throne is in the heavens; and My kingdom rules over all.  My throne has never been vacant and never will be.  Heaven is My throne, and the earth is my footstool.  Revelation 22:1 Then he showed me the river whose water give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

    Future home:  The Holy City, the New Jerusalem. I will dwell with My people, I will be with them, and be their God. 

That city will have My Glory.  Her light will be like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And there will be a wall great and high, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

The wall of the city will have twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  The city is foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth...The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.  And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.  The foundations of the wall will be garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation is jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The  fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

The twelve gates will be twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city  pure gold, as transparent glass. And  the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 


CONTACT INFO:
You shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart...and I will be found of you.  My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer.   Come into My presence with thanksgiving; make joyful noise with songs of praise!  Cry to me, and I will hear you; and I will show you great things, and sure things which you know not. 

PHOTOS:
The heavens declare my handiwork.  If you've seen my Son, Jesus, you have also seen Me. 

FAMILY:
The Godhead:  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily...I am the Father...My Son is, Jesus, and also my precious Holy Spirit.  We are three in One.  My extended family includes all those who are adopted by a new birth through faith in my Son.  They are heirs and joint-heirs with my Son, Jesus Christ.  I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 


FAVORITE QUOTATIONS:
This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.
Ye must be born again.
Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
If God be for you, then who can be against you.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.


POST:
Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful. Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much as you can: for he is above all praise. When you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for you can never go far enough.

(If you post...in prayer...He will comment) 

[To comment on this blog, simply click on the blue link below which says "No comments".  It will open a field for typing - then will change to "1 comment" etc.]

and thanks...
...

Zoe, age 11 - This is her story

11-year-old Zoe Griffin


Zoe is 11 years old and she  has a story to tell.  I hope you will take the time to read it.

by Bryan Kemper , LifeSiteNews.com

She joined her mother and friends to lay thousands of roses outside the site of the Democratic convention and pray for the babies, the politicians and this generation.

While Zoe was praying, pro-abortion activists who claim to stand up for women began to belittle and scream at Zoe for her stand for life. What is so sad is that one of the women who did this to Zoe, Sunsara Taylor, is a well know anti-porn activist who claims to be against the degradation of women. I guess just not 11-year-olds who believe that women should not be dehumanized by the abortion industry.

Here is Zoe’s account:

“Hi, I’m Zoe. Something happened Friday night that a friend wanted me to blog about. I don’t have Facebook or Twitter or anything like that so I’m borrowing my mom’s page for now.

“What happened was a pro-life rally. We had showed up when only 4 people were there. I guess we were supposed to get there early. As more and more people came, a car arrived. A woman came out and opened the trunk. There were 3,300 carnations in the back of that car. We started to unload and unwrap the flowers. Lily, Bella, and I started to write pro-life statements with chalk on the sidewalks when some pro-abortionists came. They were holding signs and chanting: “A baby’s not a baby till it comes out, that’s what birthdays are all about!” They were blowing whistles and jumping around acting like 5-year-old children. I was so sad that these people were so blinded I started crying. Then we started laying down the flowers all across the sidewalk. When we finished, the line of carnations was probably a mile long. A pro-life woman let me hold a crucifix that she had. I started clutching it close to my heart. My knees were shaking, so were my hands.

“The pro-abortionists turned to us and started pointing at different people, saying, “You’re a person! You’re a person! Fetuses are not!” Then the woman saw me crying and said,” You are making this girl cry with your bull____”. I couldn’t stand any more of those lies. They pushed it too far. In the highest-pitched voice I have ever spoken in, I screamed, “THEY ARE NOT THE ONES MAKING ME CRY! YOU ARE! WITH YOUR DARK HEARTS, YOUR DARK MINDS TURNED AGAINST GOD!” My mom ran over to me, put her hand on my shoulder, and calmed me down. Then she went up to them and said, “HOW DARE YOU ATTACK A CHILD LIKE THAT!” While she was yelling, pro-lifers came over to me to calm me down. My whole body was shaking. Our friend, Mrs. McKinney, took me, Jack, and Bella to a CVS that was nearby. We got water and chips and went back. I sat down on a bench when a man from the Charlotte Observer came over to me and started interviewing me. Once he was done, a man came over and gave us ice cream. While I was eating, the pro-abortionists left. Then we started to clean up.

“On the way home I felt sorry that I yelled at those people. I told my mom, and she said, “Do you know why you feel that way? It’s because you have a heart. You have a conscience, and you know what’s right and what’s wrong. Those people attacked you like that because they don’t have a heart.”

I will never, ever forget what happened last night. I had a dream that night that they all converted to pro-life activists. I hope that dream becomes a reality.”
....
 

I FOUND A WAY TO BLESS PEOPLE OF ISRAEL

Shmuel Bowman

There was a burden on my heart to do something to help the people of Israel. 

After an online search for ways to bless Israel, I recalled a service I attended at Free Life Chapel in Lakeland, Fl. .... They had raised funds to purchase a bomb shelter in Israel.  I called the office of Free Life Chapel and learned that they gave through an organization called Christians United for Israel.  I contacted CUFI and was directed to the web site for Operation Life Shield. 

February 2 of this year....I received an email reply from the director of Operation Life Shield, Shmuel Bowman.  He provided information which led me to the conclusion:  this is what I am looking for. 

One small bomb shelter may cost around $15,000...and no, I can't provide the entire amount for one shelter.  My contribution is as the widow's mite....but it doesn't stop me from blessing Israel.  Their web site is constructed to receive any amount of donation / any day of the week. 

I will admit, I felt very good in my soul after my first offering.  I knew I had done something pleasing to the Lord.  I must stand before God one day - and I've done so little for the nation of Israel. 

Maybe you have wished you could bless Israel, too, but didn't know where to start - or you didn't know of a reputable ministry.  It doesn't matter if your amount is very small.  At least, I'm finally doing something....just something...to assist the people of Israel.  When we combine our meager resources, it adds up!  God can and will bless my small amount...He is keeping score. 

You can learn more by going to this web site - and you can hit the donate button if you want to help the people of Israel.   http://operationlifeshield.org/

To learn more, please click on the link below and watch a video by Shmuel Bowman, Executive Director, Operation Lifeshield.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=-RXTor25TYo&NR=1

Or call:
USA 404-909-8890 | Canada 647-728-7889

I'm sharing the email I received from the director this past February:

Here are 10 points about Operation Lifeshield. Please know that our donor recognition program is second-to-none, as we honour every single donation of any amount with a thank you note and receipt. Each Lifeshield shelter deployed is affixed with a large, elegant dedication plaque with the name of the donor or donors. Gifting an entire shelter (or co-sponsoring) is a tremendous act of giving, and a replica dedication plaque is presented to each major donor. Whenever possible, a dedication ceremony at the donated shelter is arranged with the donor or donors meeting community and security leaders and the recipients of the Lifeshield shelter. Operation Lifeshield is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the USA, and provides charitable tax receipts in Canada.
And now...the "top 10"...
 
1) Operation Lifeshield was founded as a grassroots response to the Second Lebanon War of 2006, as a practical way to save lives as Israelis carried-on with day-to-day life. The above-ground, quickly deployable protective shelters were recommended by the Home Front Command of the IDF as a needed solution that was sorely lacking in public spaces and schools;
 
2) Operation Lifeshield is the only NGO (non-governmental organization) fully-dedicated to providing protective shelters to Israeli citizens. Lifeshield receives no financial assistance from the Israeli Government;
 
3) Operation Lifeshield provides a tangible, concrete way to show support and love for the Israeli people. All donations go to a single program only - getting protective shelters to Israeli schools, kindergartens, community centers, parks and bus stop areas;
 
4) Stats: nearly 100 shelters deployed since 2007, 13 shelters deployed in 2011; 50 person shelter capacity, 70 tons, cost $40,000; 15 person bus stop shelter capacity, 30 tons, cost $20,000; 10 person bell-dome capacity, 10 ton shelter, cost $15,000;
 
5) Operation Lifeshield is a humanitarian non-profit organization, that provides life-saving protective shelters to all Israelis - Jews and Arabs;
 
6) Lifeshield shelters provide essential peace-of-mind, comfort and sense of security on a day-to-day basis - especially to children where shelters are placed nearby classrooms and playgrounds;
 
7) Lifeshield shelters can be picked up and moved to meet the changing security situation (ie, as Hamas continues to launch more sophisticated rockets, the location of shelters requires adjusting);
 
8) Lifeshield shelters are multi-purpose spaces, and are often used as small group classrooms, counselling rooms, play areas and art studios. At a seniors day center in Sderot, a Lifeshield shelter doubles as a fully-functioning library and reading room. All Lifeshield shelters are accessible for wheelchair, walker and baby stroller entry;
 
9) Lifeshield shelters are manufactured using steel-reinforced concrete, "trauma cement", and a product called "Flexdeck" - a thin metal fiber weave added to the already thick ceiling, that catches concrete debris that might be loosened by a direct hit. Lifeshield shelters protect against shrapnel spray and percussion blasts;
 
10) The request for Lifeshield shelters from municipal and regional leaders is overwhelming. The need for more shelters is greater than ever. Every single shelter saves many lives. The Talmud (the ancient code of rabbinic laws and wisdom) cites in Sanhedrin 37a: "Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."
.....
Luke 21: 2,3
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.   And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
.....

FRIDAY, the end...

It's Here!   Freedom...I mean...Friday has arrived.
The day of the week you have anticipated.
 
You made it.  The Monday - Friday work week is coming to a close.  School children and teachers are excited.  The weekend has finally arrived!  That ought to make you shout! 

The age we are now living in is coming to a close, also. And that should make you shout!  It's called the Church Age.  Between the 69th and 70th week of  Daniel is the church age, which has been going on for 2000 years. It is in this space of God’s timeline that He is building His church from people all over the world through faith in Jesus Christ. The 70 weeks of Daniel is another subject. There's not time or space to explain - just know that it is time now for the return of Jesus Christ.

The church is the body of Christ and it is made up of born again believers from all over the world. We assemble in local congregations for the purpose of worship, the preaching and teaching of God’s word, and fellowship.  

God’s timeline of events was put on hold during the church age; just think of it as He hit the pause button.  God said, "Timeout. There's a work to be done.  I have a mission for my people, those that are called by My Name.  I want them to go into all the world and preach the gospel and build the Kingdom of God."

God is about to hit the play button and end this age.  And when He does... The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ will rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

 

Raptureready.com says: There has never been a time in history when the return of the Lord has been so near. It is undeniable that we are seeing prophecy fulfilled at an astonishing rate. It is important to live as though we will not have another chance to get our hearts right with God. We need to act as though there never will be another opportunity to witness to our loved ones.

 

Believers will be removed from all distress..persecution and oppression.  It's called the "blessed hope of the redeemed."

 

If you are not saved, it isn't too late.  You can pray today, on this Friday, to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  

 

I John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

Paul the apostle tells us:
“…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10: 9).

 

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

 Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

 

vs. 10-13

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

 

Happy Friday!

...

THURSDAY, say...thank you

You're on a downhill slide...
tomorrow is Friday!  Wonderful Friday.

Thursday isn't known so much for being the
day after Wednesday as it is for being the eve of
Friday! 

In the Japanese language, the days of the week are named after elements of nature e.g. Sun, Water. Thursday is called mokuyoubi (木曜日), with its representative element being wood or tree.  I know...it means nothing to me, either.  I just thought it would be interesting to throw that tidbit of info in the blog!  :)

Each November, Thursday plays hosts to Thanksgiving Day, or, what we lovingly call Turkey Day.  On a weekly basis, Thursday should be declared as a day to be thankful...why wait till November? 

I'm reminded of this old chorus:

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul
Thank you Lord, for making me whole
Thank you Lord, for giving to me
So great a salvation, so rich and so free.

Thankfulness seems to be a lost art today. Warren Wiersby illustrated this problem in his commentary on Colossians. He told about a ministerial student in Evanston, Illinois, who was part of a life-saving squad. In 1860, a ship went aground on the shore of Lake Michigan near Evanston, and Edward Spencer waded again and again into the frigid waters to rescue 17 passengers. In the process, his health was permanently damaged. Some years later at his funeral, it was noted that not one of the people he rescued ever thanked him.

Jesus spent His earthly life ministering to the hurting, the oppressed, and possessed.  Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? The following are nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.

One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Any rabbi could have done it."
One said, "I was already much improved."

Personally, I am thankful for God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the precious Holy Spirit.  One evening on Mt. Nebo (my study/prayer mountain) I wrote in my notebook:

I need to write this a hundred times:
The more I communicate/connect in prayer,
The greater the Holy Spirit involvement = BIG FAITH
The more I connect in prayer, the more the Holy Spirit reveals.
The more I connect in prayer, the more the Holy Spirit speaks.
The more I connect in prayer, the more the Holy Spirit is present.
The more I connect in prayer, the more the Holy Spirit acts.
The more I connect in prayer, the more the Holy Spirit anoints.

Tis' good to be thankful.  Especially if you are excited about Friday.

In his book FOLK PSALMS OF FAITH, Ray Stedman tells of an experience H.A. Ironside had in a crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside invited his to have a seat. Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, "Do you have a headache?" Ironside replied, "No, I don't." The other man asked, "Well, is there something wrong with your food?" Ironside replied, "No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat."

The man said, "Oh, you're one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don't have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!"

Ironside said, "Yes, you're just like my dog. That's what he does too!"

So, Unless you are a dog or a cat...give thanks today. 

It's Thursday.
...

Footprints in the Sand (to Carol, my friend)

I wrote her name in the sand...

Today is Carol Cox's birthday.  She entered heaven about 3 months ago.  We were good friends.

After moving to Florida for a season...Carol and I  kept in touch via cell phone...talking often about the things of the Lord. 

We usually talked while I was out walking or riding my bike - waiting for the sunset to paint the most incredible pictures in the sky...and when I drove alone to Vero Beach, we talked while I watched the ocean waves or walked the beach.  I remember Carol listening to the roar of the waves via my cell phone.  She loved it.  She always wished she could be there, too.

Every person has someone who believes in them.  Someone who will treasure the insignificant things that matter only to you.  Carol did that for me.

One day, while on the beach, I wrote her name in the sand and snapped a picture of it.  I sent it to her.  This photo is now the cover picture for her fb memorial page. 

I went to her fb page today in remembrance of her birthday.  When I saw the photo...I noticed the footprints underneath her name.  Mine.    I didn't notice them before because my focus was on her name. 

Seeing the footprints in the sand made me realize that the small things we do for another person makes a much larger impact than we can imagine.

That day at the beach - I would have never, in my wildest dreams, thought or expected that picture to be where it is ... for this day...her memorial day.

Small things really are big things.   Life is short. 

Don't wait until you can do Big things for someone...do the small things...for that is what will remain, even after they are gone.

You are leaving footprints, evidence you were there...touching a life.

Watch your step...
...

WEDNESDAY, anticipate

You made it!  You made it to Wednesday! 
The day between Tuesday and Thursday. 
You are on your way to Friday.   
You can do this.  Yes, you can.

We have come to think of Wednesday as meaning that one has made it "over the hump" towards the weekend.

On Wednesday we begin to anticipate the fact that Friday is almost here. 

 ~Emile Zola (French Novelist) said:
"If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you:  I came to live out loud."

It's time for someone to say to you: YOU CAN LIVE OUT LOUD AND IT'S OKAY!

It must be grievous to the Holy Spirit when we live defeated and sad lives.  I feel for humans...I understand their pain because I am one, too!  We all know about the struggles of life.  None are exempt.  You matter, you are important...and it's alright if you are not perfect!   Jesus Christ provided the freedom to live abundantly. He is your source of life and He is not stingy!   

While pastoring I met people suffering from such low opinions of themselves, they could hardly hold their head up.  They felt unworthy to attend church.   But, I'm here to tell you that God deems you of such value that He sent His only Son to die on the cross so that you might be set free from sin and inherit eternal life. 

Anticipate!  God has a blessing with your name on it and no man can take it from you.  Jesus Christ will bless you and cause you to become and then live up to the potential he placed inside of you.  He will bless you in order to establish your steps.  He wants you to anticipate hope and joy instead of sorrow and stress! 

Humanity needs healing.  It's way past time for us to tell people just how valuable they are to God.   True, we are unworthy, but we are not worthless.  I love the quote: Don't you dare, for one more second, surround yourself with people who are not aware of the greatness that you are.

The Bible is your greatest source of encouragement:

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Wednesday means that you are almost there.  You are almost to the end of the work week.  Rest is coming.  Time off from work is just around the corner.  Anticipate the weekend. 

You have permission to live in anticipation of something. 

Someone wrote: “Don’t tell me the sky is the limit, there are footprints on the moon!”  You do not have to remain a captive of your environment.  There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them.  The Sprit of God knows no limits and has no boundaries, therefore, when He moves in your life it will be greater than you can think or imagine.  If God be for you, tell me, who can be against you? 

Remember, it's always too early to quit! You've made it to Wednesday. You may be in the Wednesday of a situation! Smack dab in the middle of chaos.   If so, you're on your way to the end of "not enough" - you are near the finish line of "hurts and failures" - there are possibilities waiting. Be encouraged. You are valuable. There's not another person like you. There are lives that can only be touched by you.  They are specifically your assignment!

Take courage, your dreams and hopes are not in vain.  Don't give up.  I wish I could show you, whether you are lonely or in darkness of despair....the astonishing great Light (His Name is Jesus) inside of you, waiting to shine on the path of your destiny.

 It may be Wednesday in the midst of your problems...if so:  it's a firm declaration that you are on your way out of whatever you are going through.  You are going to make it!

It's Wednesday.  Anticipate. 

I believe in you. 

You can do this.  Yes, you can.
...

TUESDAY...tell them

It's Tuesday. The third day of the week.  The second day of a normal work week.  You are right between Monday and Wednesday, in case you didn't notice.

Tuesday has never been an exciting day.  It's just another work day.  It isn't close to Friday, so it doesn't get much respect. 

One person said, "Tuesday isn't so bad...It's a sign that I've somehow survived Monday."

Many years ago in a period commonly known as Next Friday Afternoon, there lived a King who was very Gloomy on Tuesday mornings because he was so Sad thinking about how Unhappy he had been on Monday and how completely Mournful he would be on Wednesday.

But, hey, cheer up!  Tuesday is an important day.  Presidential elections are held on Tuesday.  Yea!!  It's an important day of the week. 

This is one day of the week that can be revitalized by sharing your testimony of how Jesus Christ saved your soul...when He brought salvation and He made you whole!  So, why aren't we testifying, why aren't we telling others what Jesus did for us?   Face it, communication has never been easier.  We have cell phones, texting, facebook, email...and yet a face to face encounter - telling someone about Jesus Christ on a one-on-one basis is difficult.   

We used to have "testimony" services in our churches. You don't hear much of them, lately.  There are stories we can tell that would cause the world to double over with laughter.  A comedian has nothing on church folks. We could write their material. 

I remember several of those times. One lady stood in the testimony service and she talked on and on and on....about her preparation H.  They left it at a house where they were visiting and had to turn around and go get it....Thank God they finally recovered that tube... so she could sit down, no pun intended!   That's all of the story that I remember - probably because I was laughing so hard!

 I remember my husband telling this story about a couple in church:  the wife testified, then it was  her husband's turn.  He handed his gum to her and she chewed it while he testified!  That happened, so help me, with my hand on my heart!

And how many times have we heard:  "The devil's been after me all week, praise His Holy Righteous Name."  Of course, we knew what he meant.  The praise part was referring to the Lord, of course.  Often, you had to know the person in order to interpret the full meaning.

And we haven't even started on the foot washin' services!  That will have to wait till another time.

A grateful woman on a farm wrote to the vendors of the patent medicine:
"Four weeks ago I was so run down that I could not spank the baby. After taking three bottles of your Elegant Elixir I am now able to thrash my husband in addition to my other housework. God bless you!"   -- Hallelujah! 

All joking aside, Jesus loves for you to tell others about him.  He loves for you to brag on Him.  He gave us instructions in His Word to GO and make disciples...teach them...tell them!

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:19-20

Why testify?
1.  Jesus commanded it.
2.  You are the only one who can tell your story.
3.  It will help you to be an overcomer.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,  and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives  unto the death.

See?  Tuesday doesn't have to be a dull, nothing-happening day!  Tell someone about Jesus.  Make Tuesday pop!  It will make Monday look really bad.  :)

There was this soft-spoken man who was a commuter on the Long Island Railroad—on the five o’clock local. Every evening, after the train had left the subway, he would begin a journey through the car from front to back. At each seat he would stop and say, “Excuse me. But if any of your friends are blind, tell them to consult Dr. Garl. He restored my sight.”

Why don’t we have that same courage and conviction and boldness?

Even on a Tuesday.
....

MONDAY, I will rejoice...

Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Monday is the day of the week between Sunday and Tuesday.  It comes from Old English Mōnandæg and Middle English Monenday, which means "moon day". 

According to Wikipedia:

1.  In the Garfield comics and shows, the title character hates Mondays, and is frequently harmed during them.
2. Monday is the most popular day to commit suicide, call in sick,  and surf the web in the Netherlands.
3.  During July 2002, the consulting firm of PriceWaterhouseCoopers Consulting announced that it would rename itself to Monday, and spend $110 million over the next year to establish that brand.
4.  In the film Office Space (1999), character Nina says to Peter "sounds like someone's got a case of the Mondays" suggesting Peter is not in a good mood.

Anonymous wrote: Just once, I would like to wake up, turn on the news, and hear..."Monday has been canceled, go back to sleep."

Anonymous also wrote: It's awful knowing that one seventh of our life will be wasted on Mondays.

Poor Monday!  It's a dreaded day because we'd rather be doing other things than going to work.  Monday has a way of casting a shadow over our soul.  A dark cloud.  As though life is over.  We can't live or enjoy anything, because it's Monday. 

I read about one person who thinks Mondays are part of a vast right-wing conspiracy.  Could it be?

In our little world, our human existence, we live according to time.  Hours, days, weeks, months, and years.  God's dimension is different.  It is timeless.  Every breath we take can be aware of and spent in His realm - rejoicing in Him - no matter the day of the week.  Perhaps that is why He told us to rejoice.

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

This is the key to Paul's theology here.  Rejoice.  He is writing to Christians, giving  specific exhortations to individuals to rejoice.  It doesn't matter what day of the week it is!  Rejoice!   For in Christ Jesus our Lord, we are able to rejoice, we have cause for rejoicing, in any and every situation. Paul is writing to Christians here.

Some people believe Monday is punishment for what they did on the weekend!  But, could it be that Monday is a test to see if Christians are still joyful as they were on Sunday?  Just sayin'.

I'm convinced that God is thinking:  "If they can rejoice on Monday - then they will fly through the rest of the week with a decent attitude!"

Rejoice defined:  To be glad, take delight in.  To feel or express great joy!

By now, you are either mad at me or convicted.  I'm not sure which.  But, we can't get away from the Word which says to express great joy!

After all,  we don't know but what the rapture might take place on a Monday!  Even before you've had your coffee! 

Here, have a cup of coffee.

Now, go and rejoice...it's Monday.  This is the day the
Lord has made...for you to enjoy.



Go ahead .....smile. 

....

The Cracker Barrel Lantern

My table at Cracker Barrel

Suzette accompanied me to Cracker Barrel this evening.
We had a great visit.  Through conversation and google, we both learned more about dolphins and how they sleep and breathe...it was a good visit.   I feasted on CB's homestyle chicken, which is served only on Sunday, by the way.


As you are aware, each CB table has its own lantern...creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere.  I like that.  So, I snapped a picture of the lantern at my table.  It looks cozy, doesn't it? 

I asked my daughter, "Why don't we create atmosphere for our own table at home?"  I don't remember her answer.  It was probably, "I don't know."

Atmosphere is everything. 

A church has a great atmosphere.  We feel good when we are in church.  Do you remember missing a Sunday or more ...  and when you return the first thing you say is:  "Oh, it's so good to be back in church."  Why?  Because it's a good place.  The atmosphere created by musicians, singers, and the preaching of the Word minister to your soul. 

Libraries, schools, doctor's offices...they all have their own unique atmosphere. 

A home should have the best atmosphere of all.  Fortunately, this can be created, changed, or even improved.  As one woman stated:  I believe our homes are to be a visible reflection of our Lord and Creator, in whose image we are made, and are to draw first of all our families and then a lost and dying world to Christ.

Good things don't often happen by chance.  We create much of what we experience in life.  A room can be transformed by simply playing soft music or lighting a scented candle. 

In the busyness of life, the hustle and bustle of getting things done...we have forgotten to deliberately (and on purpose) take whatever steps necessary to set the atmosphere around us.

One evening a few months back, I was babysitting Chloe and Ben.  I needed something to keep her busy and entertained.  Something fun.  I changed the tv channel to music - fun music - and we created our own c r a z y dances...in the living room.  She was hesitant at first, but then she really got into it!  It was crazy.  And the best thing about it was when she asked weeks later if we could do some crazy dances again. 

How long has it been since you made up crazy dances in your living room? 

You can create a spiritual atmosphere in your house...there's much more to living than dishes and laundry and watching television.   You say, "But, you don't know how tired I am at night."   "You don't know how much I have to do before I go to bed."  And that is true!  I understand.  But, there is at least one thing we can do - on purpose - to lighten the load and make life a little better.  Find that one thing.   You are very creative.  Give yourself permission to have a good time.  It's okay to lighten the load a bit.  And it's alright with the Lord if you take time out to play and laugh. So what if the dishes stay in the sink.  It's for certain, they will be there later. 

If you don't have a lantern, then use candles.  But, do something!  Life is short.  Our world is changing fast.  Get all you can out of it.  You  pass this way but once.  Jesus came to give us an abundant life, not a miserable life.

“I regret that it takes a life to learn how to live.”
                                                     ― Jonathan Safran Foer

No, there are no pictures of me and Chloe doing crazy dances.  That remains our secret. 

Love to you,
....