.:Beautiful Self:.

UPDATE: Visit "Grow Up!"

2010-08-01T21:51:00.003-04:00

Hello All!
I'm not sure how many (if any) or who still follows this blog, but if there are still some out there I hope you'll take the time to read this post!

For those who are following (or were following) Journal: Beautiful Redemption -- that site, though still available to view, is no longer in use.

Please visit (and follow if you'd like!) Grow Up! -- the Lord has been using this site to reach many! What a wonderful Savior we have! Within this site, you'll find a few "old" articles, but many new ones. I am constantly updating this site with new information. There are also many helpful links and several suggested blogs that the Lord has used to touch my life.

Also, you can find Grow Up! on facebook! There is an e-mail address available on the facebook page where you can send any questions, comments, or article suggestions!

I hope that you will visit Grow Up!

"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." ~ Isaiah 55:6

~ Heather Joy

REMINDER!!

2009-07-30T10:18:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder: I've moved!

I sure hope you all will stop by my new blog...
http://redemptionjournal.wordpress.com/

If you have any thoughts you'd like to share on my new blog, please be sure to leave some comments!

Thank you,
~Heather ;)

I'm Moving....!!

2009-07-23T14:34:00.002-04:00

Farewell, Dear Blogspot.... I'm moving on....!

However, I hope my blogger friends will continue to "follow" me at my *new* location! "Following" works the same way... just copy my URL and paste it....
1. Go to the bottom of your dashboard where it says "Reading List"
2. Click the "add" button
3. Paste my new direct URL (http://redemptionjournal.wordpress.com/) into the box
4. Click "next"
5. Click "Follow"
....and it's as easy as that!!

I may update my blogspot from time to time (but no promises)! It has been fun!

~Heather ;]

In Possession of Stolen Property…?

2009-07-21T09:53:00.004-04:00

Two drugged up guys broke into the church and did much damage on the inside. They stole $900 from the church safe. They raided the kitchen, ate what they wanted, and made a mess of what was left. They tore through the Pastor’s office and stole a set of keys from a drawer. They ended their rampage by taking the church van for a joyride. They managed to crash into 6 other vehicles, and after a police-chase they ran head-on into another FORD van. That’s as far as they got. They were in possession of stolen property. They did what they wanted to do, and as a result of that they caused pain and problems for others. Property was damaged, carpeting and materials were ruined, cars were totaled, and the list goes on and on – thousands of dollars worth of damages.

If you’re a Christian – let me rephrase that: if you have asked Jesus to be your personal Savior – than you have been bought and paid for. You are no longer your own (I Corinthians 6:20, 7:23). Your body is the temple – the very dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19)! Therefore, you no longer have the right to do what you want to do, go where you want to go, say what you want to say, dress how you want to dress, look at what you want to look at, etc. What rights have the servants over their Master? None. They are to do, go, say, and work as the Master commands.

If you then live like you want to live, rather than living as God would have you to live – you are in possession of stolen property. I will say it again because it bears repeating: “You are not your own. You have been bought and paid for.”

Once you have been saved, if you still live like the world lives, talk like the world talks, go where the world goes, and act like the world acts – you are damaging the cause of Christ. Your poor testimony will cause people to look at Christians and think: “well, who do they think THEY are…? I know ________ and he claims to be a Christian, but he still does ________ and ________. So why are they preaching at me for it?” -or- “She claims to be a Christian, but I know who she really is… I’ve seen her at ________ and I heard she does ________ all the time.”
Those “Christians” are in possession of stolen property! By living unholy, worldly lives they are hurting the cause of Christ. And we wonder why church ministries are at a stand-still: not growing, indifferent, cold, dead. We wonder why so little is getting done for the Lord.
You’re argument: “I have my rights!” My reply: “What rights?”
We have been bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:20, I Corinthians 7:23) – and we weren’t cheap, you know. The price the wages of our sin set was the death of perfection, the shedding of innocent blood, the sacrificing of the Only Begotten Son of God. So I ask again: What rights do the servants have over the Master? None. We are the servants of Christ (or rather, “co-laborers” WITH Christ), held hostage by His love, and a prisoner of hope by the faith which we have in His everlasting promises.

We have been commanded to: “therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Our heart’s prayer should be as David asked: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Are you in possession of stolen property?

(Thought from Pastor Rick Williams)

Perhaps He’s Whispering To The Angels ♥

2009-07-17T14:51:00.004-04:00

I felt it was time to make another visit to my *ceiling*. I need to lift some things off my chest (if you will). Prayer requests and praises. Fears and worries. Cares and anxieties. Wants and needs. THIS is my *ceiling* for today...

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Sooo… I’m back to square one. Worry. Worry. Worry. Worry more. Worry. *blah* Though my job is secure, my particular position is not. *long story* So I wait… and guess what…? Yep, I worry. *stupid* I know better. I have Someone watching all this unfold, and He’s smiling. Why? Because it’s HIS plan. And He gets excited... Knowing His children don’t always understand what’s happening – but that’s the exciting part. It’s like someone who’s written a book that’s now being filmed – the author knows how the end of the story will turn out – but the viewers sit on the edge of their seats… waiting. God is my author… I’m just along for the show.

Discouragement is something that I don’t battle with often… but when I do, it’s pretty bad. The worst one was a 7-month time period, *which-h-h… we shall refrain from speaking of*. :) When the University told me it would be at least 2 more years worth of classes (ABOVE AND BEYOND my Associate’s Degree) before I would even be eligible to be admissible to their college heavy discouragement set in. I have seriously never felt so much like I have been wasting my time than I did at that moment. I called Mom to let her know what I had found out, and then I said: “Mom… I’m just so upset right now. I’m really discouraged…” Her answer: “Don’t be discouraged, Heather… because God’s got a plan in all this. Don’t forget that.” *about 20 seconds of silence for me to choke back the grateful tears* “Yeah… I guess you’re right. He’s got to have a plan… He always does.”
ANDDD… that plan set in less than 24 hours later… which I will share with you at another time.

Stress and anxiety have become pretty good friends of mine. Not by MY choice – but there they are. School – when coupled with a 40+ hour job, teaching private piano lessons, and church ministries – stresses me out. I’m anal when it comes to my grades. In my opinion, anything below an “A” is unacceptable. I really beat myself up over it. Last semester I was so stressed I had a constant twitch in my left eye half-way through the semester – the twitch didn’t stop until about 2 days after my last final. And I LET myself stress out. Wait… what’s that verse…? Oh yeah… “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7). Calming. Soothing. Reassuring. Encouraging. Stress-relief. *sighh-h-h-h*

While soaking in a bubble bath the other night, I began deeply thinking (as I often do). What’s the difference between “happiness” and “joy”? HAPPINESS is something that is based on circumstances. When things are good, I’m happy. When things aren’t good, I’m not happy. JOY is something that can never be taking away from me (“…your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22b). Sure, I can choose to “lose my joy” – but others can’t take it from me. I like to think of it this way: Happiness is earthly; joy is heavenly. Joy comes from the Lord (Galatians 5:22). I can still have a smile on my face – even if the economy stinks; even if I don’t agree with the political leaders; even if I lose my job; even if I fail my classes; even if everyone in this world forsakes me. I may not be “happy”… :) but I can still have my joy.

I don’t think God is laughing at this particular *ceiling* of mine… but instead, perhaps He’s whispering to the angels: “Finally… she’s starting to get it…!” :)

How God Must Laugh At My Ceiling

2009-07-15T11:59:00.002-04:00

My best friend (Sarah Pruitt) used to write unique little questions (little questions, but deep ones) on her ceiling because her bed was like a foot from it. She told me I need a ceiling to write my musings and questions on… THIS is my ceiling… or at least one of the many…

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Sometimes there is a loss for words… or at least, I am at a loss for the “right” words. I have something to say, but I don’t know how to say it. Or perhaps, I DO know how to say it, but I’m afraid of hurting someone. Silence and I have never been real good friends, but lately I have become better acquainted with it – and, most likely, it’s for the better.

So often I get worried that my plans won’t be fulfilled. Sometimes I question if God really knows what He’s doing… but then I remember that the clay has no right to accuse the Potter of being unfaithful to His work.

Sometimes I let myself get sick because what I WANT is not what HE WANTS, and it causes unrest in my heart. Seriously? What am I thinking? What’s meant to be will always find it's way. God doesn’t need my help. After all, He is God, you know…? It seems silly that I’m willing to trust Him with my eternal security, but not with my temporary, “like-a-vapor” life here on earth. *pfft*

And then there’s that aspect of loneliness. Constantly surrounded by people, but having the feeling of being alone… which is completely ridiculous because I have a Comforter who never leaves me and will not forsake me.

Tell me… what is God’s will? How do I know when I’ve found His purpose for my life? I don’t expect a great thundering noise, lightning flashing, and a giant hand writing on the wall – but a still, small voice would be nice. Or even a “sign” from Him. Perhaps His will is found only by taking it one day at a time, and trusting that the One Who holds the future of the world also carries me in the palm of His hand – and He never sleeps.

Since when does my opinion matter? Since when do people care what I have to say? Since when does God care what I think? Correct: It doesn’t matter. Many say “God said it. I believe it. And that settles it for me.” However, I believe the better way to say it is: “God said it. And that settles it for me.” It matters not if I believe it or not… what God said, goes. End of discussion. Period.

I have limits. I don’t like being pushed around, getting my toes stepped on, or being asked to do virtually “the impossible”. But sometimes it’s asked of me… or IS it? Maybe what I think is completely impossible for me to do really isn’t – but when looking at it from where I’m standing it looks like Mt. Everest is in front of me, and I must climb it… in one hour… barefoot. See… impossible. But from where God is sitting, everything’s all down-hill from there… literally. Oh, the irony… how He must laugh!

I have much to learn… and I take it as it comes. Ready and willing.

What Is a Fundamental Baptist Church?

2009-07-08T16:45:00.007-04:00

By: Dr. Jack Hyles (1926-2001),

Pastor of First Baptist Church in Hammond, IN (1959-2001).

He died Feburary 6, 2001 but his influence lives on.

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1-4

The word fundamental is a relative word. It becomes an adjective instead of a noun when it is used to describe a Baptist church. It is a shame that we have to say fundamental Baptist church, because all Baptist churches ought to be fundamental.

The word fundamental means, one who holds to the original faith and practice of a movement. A Masonic Lodge can have fundamentalists. If you go back to the fundamentals of the Masonic Lodge, you are a fundamental Mason. The word fundamentalist does not apply Just to a group of Baptists. It can apply to any group. There are many kinds of religious fundamentalists, and there are even many kinds of Christian fundamentalists.

The first Baptist church was started in about 31 A.D.

It was not started on the day of Pentecost. It was started during the earthly ministry of our Lord.

The Catholic church was started in 313 by Constantine, the Emperor. Constantine united the church and the state in the Roman Catholic hierarchy.

In 1530 the Reformation came and the Lutherans started. About the fourteenth century a man named John Wycliff became very disenchanted with the Catholic church. Then came another man named John Huss, who likewise was disenchanted with the Catholic church. Following Huss came a man whose name was Savonarola. All three of these men were martyred by the Catholic church. Then came a man named Zwingli, who was also disenchanted. He became a part of the Reformation. Zwingli was followed by Martin Luther, who was followed by John Calvin.

In 1531 the Episcopalian church started.

In 1541 the Presbyterian church started.

In 1602 the Congregational church started.

In 1785 the Methodist church was started by John Wesley.

In 1812 the Disciples of Christ were started. We now call them the Church of Christ, Christian churches, or Disciples of Christ.

Around 1900 the inter-denominational movement began to flourish in America.

Remember that a fundamentalist is someone who goes back to the original faith and practice of a movement. How far back does someone have to go in order to be considered a fundamentalist? They must go back to the origin of their movement.

To be a fundamentalist Methodist a person would have to go back to 1785. A fundamental Methodist is not a fundamentalist as we Baptists count a fundamentalist. They still sprinkle because John Wesley sprinkled. They still believe in denominational lordship of the churches. They still believe that salvation can be lost because John Wesley believed it. They still believe in holiness. John Wesley was wrong on holiness. John Wesley was a great man and certainly deserves our attention as a man of character, discipline, and prayer, but not as a man of doctrine.

I believe we ought to pray for, love and admire people of other denominations, who believe the Bible, but not doctrinally like we do, but I do not think we ought to work with them. I think it is unwise to work with people that are fundamental in their own doctrine.

When I was a young preacher, I pastored the Grange Hall Baptist Church in the country, outside of Marshall, Texas. The Grange Hall Methodist Church was a good Methodist church. They had a fundamental Methodist preacher named Edmond Robb. He and I became good friends. Both of us were in the same little country neighborhood. I respected Ed Robb and the Grange Hall Methodist Church. We never had any trouble, because did not try to unite in our efforts.

America was much better off when Baptists worked with Baptists, Nazarenes worked with Nazarenes, and fundamental Presbyterians worked with fundamental Presbyterians, etc. We do not reveal our differences as much if we stay in our own camps and do our own work. We got the job done better back in those days as well.

I admire the fundamental inter-denominational people. I respect them, but I do not work with them. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was about a mile and half from our church. They had revivals just like we did. They got people saved just like we did, but they sprinkled babies and converts. Their denomination assigned the preacher to the churches. I respected them, and I prayed for their revivals, but did not unite with them.

Let's allow the fundamental Disciples of Christ, the fundamental Methodists, the fundamental Congregationalists, and the fundamental Presbyterians to live, but let us be fundamental Baptists. The Baptist distinctives that have made us different through the years are no longer precious because we have worked with good people whose doctrines were wrong in some important areas.

There are those in the Lutheran church who have returned to the fundamentals of the Lutheran church, but they are still different from a fundamental Baptist in some important areas. They still sprinkle babies. They still have the Bishopry over the churches. They are totally wrong on the doctrines of the church, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

I respect and admire a fundamental Lutheran preacher. I rejoice with him for his morals. I rejoice because he stands for righteousness. I rejoice that he fights unrighteousness. I rejoice that he has revivalsand gets people saved, but I cannot rejoice that he is wrong on the local church. I cannot rejoice that he is wrong on baptism. I cannot rejoice that he is wrong on sprinkling babies. I cannot rejoice that he is wrong on the Lord's Supper. I can thank God for him, but I will not join up with him.

To be a fundamental Baptist you must go back to Jesus. Nobody is a true Bible fundamentalist unless he is a fundamental Baptist. Nobody who sprinkles babies is a true fundamentalist because no babies were sprinkled in the Bible. To be a true fundamentalist you cannot believe in falling from grace, because the Bible teaches that you cannot fall from grace. To be a true fundamentalist you must be separated from the world. To be a true fundamentalist you must be a soul winner. You can be a fundamental inter-denominationalist and not believe in soul winning, but you cannot be a fundamental Baptist and not believe in soul winning.

A fundamental Baptist church is a church whose faith and practice goes back to 31 A.D. to Jesus. You can be a fundamental Methodist and go back to Wesley. You can be a fundamental Presbyterian and go back to Calvin or Zwingli. You can be a fundamental Lutheran and go back to Luther. You can be a fundamental Catholic and go back to Constantine, but you cannot be a real Bible fundamentalist unless you go back to Jesus.

Two things cause these movements to move away from the fundamentals.

1. Unwillingness to accept the stigma of either extreme. Either position has a stigma. If a man is a strict fundamentalist, the great host of society calls him a radical. Most people do not want to be considered fanatical.

The evangelicals came along and taught fundamentalists how not to be radical. The evangelical movement was not founded because of conviction. It was founded because the evangelical people were not willing to be branded for Jesus' sake. They did not want to bear the stigma.

The farther from fundamentalism the Devil can brand as radical, the better he likes it. He likes it when more liberal Christians are called fundamentalist because it moves the line of what a radical is considered to be. If you are not a fighting fundamentalist, you are an evangelical.

The neoorthodox movement is the same thing to liberalism as the Evangelical movement is to fundamentalism. It is a way to avoid being in the extreme of a movement.

In Washington, D.C. you will not find many old fashioned conservative Republicans. Nor will you find many staunch liberals. The same concept applies. Everyone wants to be moderate, so they will not be considered radical.

The evangelical movement is nothing more than fundamentalists who use liberal terms. The neoorthodox movement is nothing more than liberals who use fundamentalist terms. New evangelicals are those who meet somewhere in the middle.

2. A desire to gather a larger following. Many people make the mistake of believing that they will grow more by appealing to a wider scope of people. In reality, people are drawn to that which is distinct. Most people hold to extreme beliefs and are thrilled to find an institution that has not compromised those beliefs. That has been the secret of the success of the First Baptist Church of Hammond. We have done nothing to try to appeal to crowds other than proclaiming the uncompromised truth of the Word of God.

Many men who had great and growing ministries saw the opportunity to enlarge their outreach and changed their position more towards the middle. In most cases the ministries diminished.

Let me make a few observations.

1. The Devil wants to bring the term radical toward the center.

2. Let us thank God for every group that broke with their original group when it got liberal and went back to what it used to be.

3. Let us hold to our Baptist distinctives. They do matter. Baptism does matter. It is in the Great Commission. Soul winning does matter. It is in the Great Commission. The Lord's Supper does matter. It is one of the church ordinances. It does matter. The doctrine of the church does matter. Let us hold dear and treasure our Baptist distinctives while at the same time admiring those who are willing to take a stand in their denomination.

4. Let us not be ashamed of being considered radicals.

5. We had a stronger nation when each did its own work alone and the rest of us admired each other from a distance. I am a Baptist. I thank God that I am a Baptist. I thank God for my Baptist heritage. 1 thank God for Baptist distinctives. I thank God for the men who died for them. If they can be martyred for these Baptist distinctives, the least I can do is believe them.

Happiness? Seriously...!?

2009-07-06T22:25:00.009-04:00

Finally the work day ended, and I rushed to my car - I had to make it to the college before 6:00! The wheels in my mind began turning:

"What is happiness...? Am I happy? Or am I just pretending? Or maybe I don't know what real happiness is... so then technically if I'm missing out, I don't know it. After all, isn't ignorance bliss?"

Sacrifice?
Peace?
Guilt-free conscience?
Love?
Money?
Health?
Family and Friends?
Church... Religion?
Attention?
Stuff?

I think I finally narrowed it down to one thing..... Jesus.

Because in Jesus we have all the rest:

Because of His love for me, He sacrificed His life and died for me - which in turn brings me peace. I walk in His will for my life, and therefore have a guilt-free conscience. He gave me a godly family, and wonderful friends. He blessed me with a good job, so I have money to provide for my needs. I have a great church that He has allowed me to attend, and have more than just a religion... I have a relationship with the God of Heaven. He showers me with attention, and loves me like I am His only child (at least, that's how I feel... but then again, all His children feel this way...). Any and All the "stuff" I may ever need, I find in Him. Surely, He satisfies my every longing.

"God doesn't have to bless me,

but He's been so good to me."

~Daddy

What do you say happiness is?

Application: Date ME...!! HA! ;D

2009-07-01T15:06:00.003-04:00

My Co-worker made this for me... as a joke... sorta.
I am single. BY CHOICE. Currently, I have about 12 men standing in line.... ;)

Update: I LIVE....!! ♥

2009-06-30T15:25:00.008-04:00

AHHHH-h-H-h-HHH-AAAAHhHhhH-H-AA-AHHAAH- AAAHHHHHH!!!!

I LIVE!!

I feel terrible that I have not been blogging lately. My idea of "summer vacation" was that it'd be slower than my hectic crazy life during the semesters. WRONG! Now that school's out and I don't have to stay up and study untill 2:00 AM only to have to wake up at 5:30 AM for work --- I'm still verrrryyyyyy busy! Does it ever end? I know, I know... when I kick the bucket.

I've been having a good time though: parties, activities, sports, church ministries, etc, etc, etc... :) But it's been non-stop. I feel like Superman... untill Monday morning rolls around, and I need my coffee before I turn into the Hulk. Attractive little fellow that he is... I'd rather not look like him.

Here's a couple pictures that were taken over the past couple months or so.... Enjoy!

Me and my friend Rachel: a group of us went out and had a night a bowling... or at least attempted to bowl. and afterwards we all went to BigBoy... which is where this picture was taken. Everyone else had their significant other with them, or were getting married in a few weeks, and Rachel and I were the only single ones there. Everyone decided that we should be a couple for the night.... We fed each other strawberries. Everyone laughed. :)

This is me in Texas. Vacation #1 for this year! Texas was great! It was nice to just get away from everything, and be out in the warm country.... Where the cows roam free, and the cowboys are plentious....! Where the days are scouldering hot, and the nights are infested with scorpians....! Where the lifestyle is slow, and everyone's very laid back....! I have learned from all this that I am, without a doubt, truly, 100%, no hope of changing, extremely, for sure, completely a city girl. ♥ ;) ♥ (May.21-28.2009) ♥

I was messing around with my camera... and this little picture happened. *accidentally* which I'm okay with... I happen to kinda, a little bit, like it! ;)

My Best Friend Sarah (or Sarah Marie, as I call her... or My Love.. which is what we call each other! HA!) This was in Claires (a little accesory store in the mall). We were laughing so hard that day. I look like something from off of Star Wars; and if you notice her "sunglasses", there are no lenses... just plastic bars across them. In her words: "There were obviously made for people who aren't aloud to drive yet... THESE JUST AREN'T SAFE!!" *laugh. out. loud.* Oh man... I could tell you stories of the times she and I have together!! *wheeeeehwww!!*

This picture was just taken about a week ago or so... at Metro Beach! I decided to give the tree a little hug (as a joke), and mom took a picture. Knowing how much I hated my Environmental Science class I had last semester, mom said: "Maybe if you would've taken a pic like this and sent it to your teacher, he would've given you an A+ instead of an A-!!" She's so funny! I love her! ;D

Well.... that's it for now! Hopefully I'll be back sooner than later! I hope all is going well for you all!

My God is good! ALL the time my God is good!

In Jesus

2009-06-08T10:19:00.004-04:00

I’ve tried in vain a thousand ways
My fears to quell, my hopes to raise;
But what I need, the Bible says,
Is ever, only Jesus.

My soul is night, my heart is steel –
I cannot see, I cannot feel;
For light, for life I must appeal
In simply faith to Jesus.

He died, He lives, He reigns, He pleads;
There’s love in all His words and deeds;
There’s all a guilty sinner needs
Forevermore in Jesus.

Though some should sneer, and some should blame,
I’ll go with all my guilt and shame;
I’ll go to Him because His name,
Above all names, is Jesus.

Acts 4:12 ~ “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

HIS STORY:
James Procter was born and raised in an old-fashioned Christian home. He was in church every time the doors were open. He heard the truth preached constantly. Yet in his early teens he began to read the writings of the Free Thinkers and other infidels. He read the error of these writers to such an extent that his own faith in God became shaken. Eventually, he renounced all interest in the Christian faith and the Bible. He later joined the Free Thinkers’ Society in Manchester, soon becoming its president. During the early years of infidelity and searching for life’s meaning, James Procter penned the first two verses of this hymn. In the second verse he especially described his own attitudes as an unbeliever.

Later, while serving as the President of the Free Thinkers’ Society in Manchester, England, James experienced a serious illness. Fearing that the end of his life was at hand, he one day requested his sister to send for a minister of the Gospel. A faithful man of God came to his bedside and led Mr. Procter to a saving faith in Christ. The illness took and turn for the better and his sister described this experience during his convalescence:

“One day as I sat at my brother’s bedside he said: “Sister, go over to that old bureau and look through some papers in the top right drawer. You will find a sheet on which are too verses of a poem. I want to finish that text right now.”
I went over to the bureau and soon located the paper and began to read: “I’ve tried in vain....”
“Yes, yes, that’s it. Now let me dictate the last two verses to you.” with great excitement, my brother repeated the words slowly for the last two stanzas while I wrote them down with much care. That closing verse was especially meaningful to my brother as it represented his personal testimony to his many long-time friends, the other members of the Free Thinkers’ Society.

Though some should sneer, and some should blame,
I’ll go with all my guilt and shame;
I’ll go to Him because His name,
Above all names, is Jesus.

You can well imagine my delight on that November day of 1903 when the noted Gospel musician, Robert Harkness, expressed a real interest in my brother’s text. On a train trip home from Manchester, England, one rainy day Mr. Harkness wrote down the music that would accompany the song “In Jesus”.

Mr. Procter was raised in the light of the truth of Jesus. But no one is above falling. He renounced all interest in anything that had to do with the faith of his fathers and Jesus Christ. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” But shortly before he died, he got it settled; he got it all made right. Oh, I’m so glad he changed his mind, aren’t you!

The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” God’s promises are true – they’re real! God is so good!

“Atheism is the death of hope, the suicide of the soul.” – Anonymous
“Atheism is rather in the lip than in the heart of man.” – Sir Francis Bacon (Essays: Of Atheism)

Acts 10:43 ~ “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

I Timothy 2:3-6 ~ “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

Discussion: KJV Bible - The One & Only?

2009-06-04T09:57:00.009-04:00

The following is a “status update” that I posted on FaceBook on June 3, 2009. Everything underneath it is the discussion that came of my status! The “argument” started on the 3rd of June and continued through the 9th of June. *whew!* What an issue... and I find it very interesting that those who “oppose” the KJV don’t try to defend the “bible version” they prefer. No, no... instead they try to disprove and trample all over the Word of God. Incredible. Some people may not appreciate everything that they will read here, but that’s ok. :) I stand for the truth. I’m willing to fight for it – because it’s worth it. God has been so good to me.

~~the KJV Bible is the inspired, preserved down through the ages, flawless, two-edged Sword, Holy Word of Almighty God! I stand by that truth! I thank God for my KJV Bible.

Gregory: You guys worship it like it's the original document handed down from God himself! It is, after all, a translation. :D

Heather: watch your words, bud... He allowed it to be carefully translated into the English language for us. That Bible has survived and been preserved through the ages and many persecutions. But truth always rises.
Without the KJV there wouldn't be all these other "wanna-be" bibles out there that are translated from it.

Sarah 1: wow. Just a thought: I have friends that are missionaries to Japan. They have been denied support from several churches because the Bible they use is in Japanese, therefore not KJV. Does that even make sense?

Gregory: Did you know the KJV isn't even the oldest existing English Bible? The Geneva Bible is even older, and it's what the pilgrims and early immigrants used to keep their faith strong. Not to sound rude, but no translation was taken from the King James. All current translations use even older manuscripts than the KJV was taken from, with a fresh set of Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic scholars.

Brian: we know where the translation was taken from, and we don't worship the book. But we believe it is the translation for English speaking people.

Heather: Sarah, no I agree with you. Other languages will have their own "KJV" version for their languages! But the KJV for the English speaking people is what I’m talking about!

Jessica: God built this country on the KJV Bible. I think if it was flawed in anyway God would not have allowed it to withstand all these years.

Heather: Brian, exactly!

Heather: Jessica, exactly! I have smart friends!

Steven: KJV is cool, but I don't speak 'Old English'. I thank God for giving our culture a translation for our Language. I love and thank God for my ESV and NASB Bible!

Gregory: Amen Steven! :)

Laurel: I love to teach grammar and outlining from the KJV.

Heather: there was a day when kids were taught how to read by reading that blessed KJV Bible...!

Lauren: I agree with you about the KJV Heather, and you do have smart friends...some of them anyway! ;)

Jeremy: Actually, America was founded on the Geneva Bible (the Bible of the Puritans in Massachusetts), which is around 95% similar to the AV and was used as a reference in the AV's translation. It was still a popular Bible during the days of the American Revolution in many of the northern colonies. By the time the AV really took hold in the States, it was in the 1780's, and it had already been revised several times until it arrived in its current state in 1769 with the Oxford Standard rendering.

Steven: Even Jesus quoted the Old Testament from multiple translations.

Jeremy: Including the Septuagint, which was translated from those terrible Alexandrian texts.

Caleb W: Jesus Christ IS the word. He can say whatever he wants. As the author, he can make revisions whenever he wants.

Charlene: I just read this verse tonight, perfect timing, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are which testify of me." John 6:39. The scriptures aren't life in itself, but they testify of the life giving Saviour. It's all about HIM.

Caleb D: As far as translations are concerned I am not going to tell anyone they are wrong for reading the Bible if it's not a version I like. I know lots of people that have come to the truth using many different versions. I myself prefer my NASB.

Jeremy: Spot on. I've known people who use versions I would never recommend to anyone and they had a more solid testimony than me.

Barbara: I'm so glad that Christ loves everyone despite of which Bible they use, or even if they own a Bible! :)

Sarah 2: Well-put, Barb! For personally I believe the King James Bible is the translation God has preserved and intended for us to use today! The new scholars that make these new translations are usually not seeking God's input but relying on their own intellect to put it together the way they think it should have been done and thus, they cause contradictions all over! Why try to fix what isn't broken? The old English is easy enough to understand. You may have to look a word or two up in the dictionary, but what's wrong with expanding your knowledge a little bit, right?!?

Tracy: I can understand where the KJV only people are coming from. It would seem that a translation that has been passed down through the ages should be honored and respected, and they are right. But after receiving counsel and teaching from men who have sought to study, we need to remember that it is only a translation. There are many translations to be wary of for sure! The ESV though seems to be the most accurate of all translations. My belief on this stems from the teaching of several very wise men that I respect. My pastor is an older gentleman that has devoted most of his time to studying the scriptures, and has come to this conclusion after much study. I still enjoy using my KJV from time to time though.

Sarah 2: I don't understand why people don't have enough faith in God to believe that He could give us His perfect inerrant Word in the predominant language of our day. If they are all only translations, can you tell me where truth is? Where is God? If He isn't big enough to give us His Word how are we supposed to believe He's big enough to save us from a burning hell?!? I don't trust what ANY man says. I trust what God said in His word. His PERFECT Word, the King James Bible! It’s not out of respect for anyone but the God who loved me enough to give me His very best!

Tracy: I would encourage you as a sister in Christ to consider the ESV translation. I was very leery of reading anything but KJV for a long time, but I have been very blessed by this one. I am thankful for studied men who encouraged me to read the ESV.

Heather: what isn't broken doesn’t need to be fixed. We need to be very careful.... God warns against changing even one cross of a "t" or one dot of an "i" in His Word... so many "translations" today have cut out such verses that support the virgin birth, the blood of Christ, the resurrection, make Jesus look like a queer, etc.

Sarah 2: I appreciate your insight, but have to decline the offer. Like I said in one of my earlier posts, why would I want to find a fix for what isn't broken?!? What need would I have to read anything, but what has proven to be my help in struggles, my hope when I'm desperate, my encouragement when I'm down and my light when I can't find my way?!?! I don't read a translation of the Bible. It’s not a "version" it is THE BIBLE! The only perfect Word in existence today. I know plenty of scholarly people who have done the research. And again, they depend more on their intellect than a faith in God to direct them to the truth. God is big enough to show Himself and His Word to anyone looking to find Him!

Heather: I had a NKJV for a couple months and found it to be lacking. I simply wanted to compare it to the KJV ---- I have learned that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and unable to fail: He claims in the KJV Bible that they are "the very Word of God". I am a KJV-only believer by conviction.
Why do standards keep dropping?? Raise the bar back up! ...and we wonder why Christians are such a mess today! We wonder why preachers don’t preach with God's power on their lives!
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom. 10:17)

Barbara: I think I am going to re-write Shakespeare. I just can't understand it! :) I usually try to stay away from this debate as much as possible. I do believe that my God will preserve His word for us. But, I do not want to argue/debate with someone just b/c they happen to use a different translation. I grew up using the KJV. I know its power in my life, and I find to use anything else just sounds strange. Like taking a beautiful poem and adding slang. BUT, I also respect that other people who have grown up using a different version may feel the same way. I think it is wonderful to study out for yourself why you believe what you believe, but in the end, I don't believe the Lord would want us being divided over "issues." Sometimes, "issues" turn people away from seeking out a personal relationship with Christ. I have met many KJV only Christians who cause more harm with their testimony, and I have met many sincere, devout Christians who use different versions.

Barbara: ran out of room... I believe the Lord cares more about our heart than which big black book we proudly caring under our arm.

Kirstyn: It's so funny that you just got attacked on here for thanking God for the KJV... Great, you all have opinions!! But has anyone ever seen a status that says "I thank God for my uninspired, man-written fill-in-the-blank!!" I promise you there's a whole lot more to be thankful for in that good ol' KJV!! Here's a thought: I was just in my old Jr choir last night and the new teacher taught the kids Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." And my mom asked "who can tell me what that means?" Several of the kids knew exactly what it meant, but what impressed me was a 12 year old boy who gave a perfect explanation of that verse... He didn't have to have it dumbed down into "modern English" so he could understand it! And this isn't a kid that grew up in church or in a Christian school... This kid is a bus kid of maybe 4 yrs and he's gone to a public school. Amazing that a 12 yr old could do that when adults complain not being able to understand it...

Heather: I am not disrespecting anyone. This is not a heated argument. It’s merely a discussion. Through studying and by discussion, faith grows. Roots are grounded deeper. Minds are challenged. It’s not a matter of what's good, or what's not.... it's a matter of what's right! God is right.

Heather: Kirstyn, you're exactly right! It really shows the intelligence of our day, doesn’t it!... or the lack thereof - to prefer a more simple, watered down "imitation" of the Bible over the real deal.
It’s more than just a "black book".... it's the Word of God!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

Sarah 2: Well-said, Heather! I don't think God wants us to be divided over petty things either. And I certainly know what you mean by not wanting to do more hurt than help. But I just don't see the issue of the Bible as small. If there is no real Bible, where is truth? Why should we believe any of it if no one can prove it's absolute? I can't put my complete trust in something that is incomplete. Does that make sense? I'm probably just repeating myself now. AMEN, Kirstyn! That good ol' teaching has done us some good! :-) Boy, do we all have something to be thankful for! I'm glad that in a world like we live in, I have somewhere to turn to that has all the answers I could ever need. And I don't have to doubt if this is the right "version" or if that's not really what God meant! So glad that "I know whom I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able!"

Barbara: I hope no one thought I was addressing them individually, b/c that is not my intent. I LOVE my Bible. No one can persuade me to use anything else. It is powerful, life-changing, and direct access to the thoughts and desires of our God. I just feel like FB is such a public place. I have friends in Germany who will be able to see these comments... Read More. ;) My concern is for non-believers who see Christians arguing, and to them it is arguing no matter how passionate we may feel, about which Bible is the real Bible. If they see that we can't even agree on which is the Bible, than how can we agree on anything else. Again, this is just my opinion. I love you all! Well, if I actually know you!!! :)

Heather: Sarah.... amen! God has been so good to us!
And I'll say it again: I THANK GOD for my KJV Bible!

Heather: Barb... I hope lost people DO read this. They need to know what the truth is! They are thrown this and that, sold this and that, taught this and that.... meanwhile they’re headed straight for Hell!
No, no... The truth needs to be taught, spoke of, discussed, proven, shown evident, testified of, held high, and protected. I'm willing to take that challenge.

Sarah 2: I know what you mean. Like you, I hope no one thinks I was upset with them. I usually try not to even get in conversations like this just because most people already have their minds made up! :-) I hope some of us have been challenged though!

David: Wow. It is interesting that when someone takes a stand for a book that has stood the test of time, it brings out so many comments. New translations are translated from corrupted manuscripts which removed the words blood, Christ, Lord Jesus, and many other important words from the Bible. Using a new translation just because you think it is easier to understand to abandon a trusted Bible. After all, our problem is not that we don’t understand the Bible but that we don’t DO what we already know!

David: And I thank God for people like Heather who are willing to buck the "Bible of the month club" philosophy!

Sarah 2: That will preach, David! Amen!

Heather: Mr. Arnold... you are right! Churches all across the country have split, fallen apart, and did 180-degree turns and are now heading the wrong direction because of this issue alone! God is not a man, that He should lie - and He changes not! Therefore, why does mankind feel the need to change His Word....? It needs not to be changed! It needs to be obeyed!!

Kirstyn: If Christians back down today because we don’t want to argue, then I think it would be a slap in the face to those who DIED to see that Bible passed down to the next generations… If it’s worth dying for, it’s certainly worth “squabbling” over!! I make no apologies for being a KJV believer, and thank God that those before us who didn’t apologize but rather gave their lives!!

Steven: Interesting Discussion :) Things I wonder though are this:
1) Why do King James Only-ists create a standard that even Jesus and Paul didn't abide by. They both quoted the Old Testament using Multiple Translations. Are you better than Jesus or Paul?
2) Do you stone your preacher for breaking down a Greek word in his sermon? If you were consistent you should, since the ESV and NASB does exactly that.
3) Where in the Bible does it say we should embrace a certain culture or language? It says we should embrace a Holy and sinless lifestyle. Not a particular culture or language.
Trying to force today’s English-speaking people to use the KJV only is like trying to force today’s Greek speaking people to use the Koine Greek only.
God is sovereign over all things, including Culture and Language changes.
Grace and Peace,
Steven :)

Heather: 1. Jesus merely quoted Himself - after all, He wrote the Bible. God is not the author of confusion, and He cannot and will not contradict Himself. People all through the ages have tried to disprove it, but none have succeeded. Praise God!
2. When my preacher breaks down a Greek word in His sermon He does not claim that his words are the Bible - he merely helps us understand. The different is, the translations claim to be something they are not. The preacher explains, and does not claim that his words are what they are not.
3. This is not about a culture or lifestyle. The Bible claims that it is the "very Words of God", and it warns against changing even one "jot or tittle". It's not about race or styles - it's about what's right.No one is forcing anyone. God gave man a free will to do as He pleases. Hence, we have the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Tower of Babel, etc and etc. God is Sovereign, Amen!

Karah: I have to comment. The KJV is not the original Bible. It was translated by men of “that day”. It was written in the language of “that day”. King James was also a queer and wanted his name put on the Bible of that day. People do not speak the way they spoke in King James’ time. To compare Shakespeare to the Bible is very wrong. You need to be able to interpret the Bible correctly, especially if you’re a new Christian. New Christians get very frustrated if they can’t understand the Bible. Why would you give them something they can’t study? I was brought up with the KJV and couldn’t understand a lot of it. To say that the KJV is the only Word of God is so wrong. There are many translations out there that have been proved to be better translated from the original scripts than the KJV. The KJV is a translation of another translation. By all means be proud of your Bible, but really study where it actually came from. Don’t just listen to what others tell you.

Heather: I’ve never had a child tell me they don’t understand.
And what of those back in pioneering days that didn’t speak “old English” either....
Truly, this discussion could go on and on – it has been going on for centuries.
The KJV has stood the test of time. Martyrs died defending it. People today treat is so flippantly… like a revision needs to be made every 5 years. Truth needs no revision! Things get lost in the shuffle – like the blood of Christ, the Virgin birth, Jonah and the whale.... God help us.

Karah: You're forgetting the point that the KJV is a revision as well. My Bible talks about everything that you listed that "got lost in the shuffle". You can't say that the KJV is the original word of God, because it's not. AGain the KJV is a revision of another translation. You can't keep avoiding that point. I know my Bible is a translation and not a translation and not a revision of another translation. KJV onlyers need to accept that their translation is really a revision of another translation. If you want to use the KJV, then by all means that’s great, but to say that the KJV is the ONLY Word of God is horribly wrong. It also was re-written by MEN. I’m glad you’re thankful for your Bible, we should all be thankful for our Word of God. But I had to comment on the incorrect information. Besides, the true Word of God is Jesus. The Bible is a historical document. There will be many translations throughout the ages, into the languages of the people reading it. But Jesus is the TRUE Word of God.

Sarah 2: You may be able to understand that version better, but what you're getting is what the translator wants you to get and not what was inspired by God. Why is it so easy for someone to put their faith in God to save them, but not to preserve His Word forever? And whoever you learned that King James was a queer from was SORELY mistaken! You should really do some more study. And not just from the side you stand on, but from the other side as well to weigh what's really at stake here.

Sarah 2: For the record, there are no "originals" why do people say that like they'll just go get the papers Paul wrote on and tell you what He said? The scholars of today are translating from translations! Anyone that wants to can translate, but that doesn't mean God has put His hand on them and is writing through them! The versions now are nothing more than that. They are incomplete without the hand of God on them! If you have never put your faith in a LIVING book before, it would explain why maybe you are having a hard time grasping that it is ALIVE and God Himself penned it through the men that translated.
Let God be true and every man a liar!

Gregory: It's apparent that this is a very interesting discussion that carries a lot of baggage for people. All I can add to it is that today's translations are more accurate than the KJV, as we have discovered older and better manuscripts since that time. Scholars today better understand the ancient Hebrew and Greek than those of the KJV did. The Bible was written to be read in the language of the people; there is nowhere in the Bible that says any translation is or will be divinely inspired. That verse was written far before the King James ever existed, so how could you take that and try to apply it to the KJV? Lastly, people have died for the Bible since its publication up until this day in some countries. That is not a KJV-only issue.

Gregory: Oh, and I agree with Barbara and so many people here! We shouldn’t be divided. We should use what we believe gives us the greatest understanding of God’s Word and the most accurate rendering of it, then take it and spread it everywhere. It is, after all, the Good News that changes lives. :)

Heather: True. He that is not against us, is for us (Luke 9:50). As long as the common goal is to win precious souls to the Lord Jesus Christ we are for each other. We should be “rightly dividing the Word of Truth”, though.
Sarah, I also agree with you.

Karah: I'm not sorry for what I said, but honestly Sarah Cheedie you should be ashamed of yourself for saying what you said to me. I do not know you and you do not know me. I don't appreciate being told that I'm basically not a Christian and I don't know how to read the Bible and I don't understand it. I am not sorely mistaken in anything. I have been studying this issue for a very, very long time. I’m saying the KJV is a translation of the Geneva and Bishop Bibles. The KJV was good in its day. I have not once said that any of you are not Christians because you read KJV only and I would appreciate the same respect from you. I do look at things from the other side because I’ve been there. Have you done any research on your own side or the other’s? I have been a Christian my entire life. I am not so arrogant as to sit here and tell others they are not getting God’s Word because they don’t ready the KJV. That is why most people dislike Christians.

Heather: No one can judge anyone and say whether they are saved or not. You’re not a Christian based on what Bible you read or church you go to. You are saved only through the blood of Jesus Christ. And that is the ONLY way!

Karah: I just wanted to comment, and I’m done. Gregory Sage, I agree with you. I think more people need to be informed on where they get their translations from. I agree that we shouldn’t be divided over the same Bible, just translated at different times. To go so low as to make comments as the person said below my comments is exactly why there are so many people who don’t want anything to do with Christians. If you’re putting down your fellow believers then how can you witness to those who don’t? Try to listen to what others have to say instead of snapping back with nasty and uneducated comments. You’re wrong to say what you said about me and others on here and I think you need to be called out on that, Sarah.

Sarah 2: Karah, I apologize if that’s how that came across, but I don’t know where you got that I said you weren’t a Christian for it. I said that people put their faith in God, but can’t seem to find His truth anywhere. I have done research on both sides. I was challenged at an early age to begin studying it because someone may someday try to take it from me and I better know what I believe and why. I didn’t say anything about anyone here not being a Christian. I’m not ashamed of the fact that I know the King James Bible is perfect and inerrant and that if it’s not King James it’s not Bible. I will not now nor ever apologize for that.

Karah: One more thing. To say that the KJV is inerrant is also incorrect. It was written by men. It is the 4th revision of an original revision. I realized I didn't go in to more detail of King James. He was gay; he was in love with his male cousin and had many male lovers. The KJV was dedicated to King James because he ordered it to be re-written because at the time there were two Bibles in dispute. The Geneva Bible and the Bishop's Bible, put together as the KJV. Eventually the KJV Bible was ordered to be the only Bible to be used and no other by the political leaders of the day. Plus it was economically cheaper to print one Bible rather than 2 or 3 etc...To say that a man written document is flawless is wrong. Also you said that people put their faith in God but fail to find his truth anywhere is a conflict. How can you have faith in God if you can't find his truth? So your statement makes no sense. I have faith in God and I know his truth and have found it. Period.

Tracy: Just as a clarification about the ESV. The scholars who translated this version were not trying to change the KJV like most of the others do. It is truly a word for word from the Greek and Hebrew languages. Karah is right about King James, although I'm not saying that "his" translation is bad. There are some places that are just not as accurate as they could be. I still use KJV much of the time and all of the scripture that I memorized as a child is from there, so I still have a great appreciation for it. We need to be careful both in being dogmatic about it and being liberal about what we choose to read. This has been an interesting discussion – It gives all of us some food for thought!

Sarah 2: Where did you find that truth? What I said is correct. It doesn't make sense to me. How can you say you have God and you know Him if He is always changing and you can't find an absolute truth?"

Sarah 2: I'm not saying you're not a Christian. I'm simply asking as a christian, where do you find truth?

Karah: I suggest you read The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust Modern Translations by James White. He has multiple degrees in Greek. In his book he carefully and meticulously documents the flaws within the KJV. Take 1 John 5:7 for example........"

Karah: Daniel B Wallace (a evangelical Christian who also has Greek training) says:
Modern advocates of the Textus Receptus and KJV generally argue for the inclusion of the Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7) on the basis of heretical motivation by scribes who did not include it. But these same scribes elsewhere include thoroughly orthodox readings—even in places where the TR/Byzantine manuscripts lack them. Further, these KJV advocates argue theologically from the position of divine preservation: since this verse is in the TR, it must be original.

Karah: ...Cont..... But this approach is circular, presupposing as it does that the TR = the original text. Further, it puts these Protestant proponents in the awkward and self-contradictory position of having to affirm that the Roman Catholic humanist, Erasmus, was just as inspired as the apostles, for on several occasions he invented readings—due either to carelessness or lack of Greek manuscripts (in particular, for the last six verses of Revelation Erasmus had to back-translate from Latin to Greek).

Karah: I recommend the NASB. Besides the Interlinear, the NASB is the closest to the original text we have. Check out this link from http://www.facebook.com/l/;Christianbook.com. Scroll down to "How Literal"? http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=73521&sp=104481

Caleb D: Boy, what a discussion! I haven't done months and months of studying but what I do know is that the KJV, ESV, and NASB are word for word translations from manuscripts and versions like the NIV are thought by thought translations. The Word of God is very important but the version each person chooses to use should never be a defining factor in their salvation. Thanks for facilitating this discussion Heather!

Gregory: Actually that was one lie I was always told growing up, Caleb, was that the NIV is a thought for thought translation. Actually, it is almost word for word. Personally, I prefer the meaning driven because word-for-word isn't the best English and doesn't make as much sense to English-speaking people as they would to Greek. The translations I use (like the NLT) use the closest sayings in English that express the original Greek and Hebrew the best. Also, does it matter if King James was gay or not? That should be the least of our concerns. If God can accept someone for who they are, who are we to point fingers?

Gregory: That is an excellent resource, Karah! :) Another of his books I loved was “What’s With the Dudes at the Door? Stuff To Know When the Cults Come Knocking”.

Caleb W: Wow. There is a lot of misinformed people here. I use facebook on my cell phone so I’m gonna be writing little mini essays. I am a Greek student and anyone with ANY language training can tell you that it is impossible to give a word by word translation or to vocally interpret it either. All these other so called Bible's come from older texts that were found in A) Rome or B) Egypt, both which God is clearly against according to the Bible. Septuagint is basically a pile of crap. The Jews involved were not all Levites and thus had no business touching it. The Dead Sea scrolls had nothing to add except a chunk in Isaiah that is not found in ANY other manuscript.

Heather: PREEEEEAAACHHH!!!! Wooo!!

Caleb W: King James was decidedly straight. I have read his letters to his cousins. At the time this was perfectly normal. Keep in mind he was Scottish, who tend to use terms of endearment with both sexes. Calling a man lovely or fair or dear was just Scottish brogue.

Caleb W: The King James was not a Geneva Bible revision but a translation from seven different texts. "purified in a furnace seven times thou shalt keep them O Lord from this generation forever." these so called Bibles don't really change much of the King James... ONLY PUTS SATAN IN PLACE OF JESUS IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH. But that’s not a big deal... They are pretty much the same, right?

Caleb W: It only attacks the incarnation of God. It only weakens the trinity. It only removes\changes the Blood of my Savior too many times to list here. Now I wonder who hates the blood of Jesus Christ? Me? Nope! God? Nope? You? I hope not! Satan? Ding, ding, ding! I think we have a winner... Well, more of a loser actually.

Caleb W: Now its catholic time YAY! Oops! Peter is married! But isn't he the first pope? But he has a mother in law. Well we better change that. Oh crap! Jesus has siblings in multiple gospels. Rats, I guess Mary wasn't a perpetual virgin with all those kids. (And don't even try to say they are cousins because Jesus refers to his cousins later and they are nowhere near the same Greek word. Not that the Greek is even important. It’s a dead, unstable language. Ok so let’s make the catholic’s happy.

Steph: I ♥ the ESV, I never understood the Bible so clearly until reading it in the ESV.

Heather: ....I stand upon a Rock that never changes.

Steph: In 1769 the Oxford University Press published an edition of the King James Version in which many small changes were made. These changes were of five kinds: 1. Greater and more regular use of italics; 2.** minor changes in the text**; 3. the adoption of modern spelling; 4. changes in the marginal notes and references; and, 5. correction of printers' errors. This edition soon came to be known as "The Oxford Standard" edition, because it was widely accepted as a standard text by commentators and other publishers. The editions of the King James Version published in our century generally reproduce this Oxford edition of 1769, with or without the marginal notes. The following information is given so that the reader may gain an accurate impression of how far the modern editions differ from the original King James Version of 1611.

Steven: If your Rock is the KJV....well your 1769 has many changes from the original 1611.

Heather: Jesus is the Rock. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee!

Steph: you're right Jesus is the Rock, not a translation.

Heather: "....and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Praise God! He is so good!

Steven: Thank the Lord that He has preserved His Word through a mass of manuscripts which allow us to know His Word thoroughly rather than a singular translation which limits our studies to the interpretations of fallible men.

Loretta: I’m thankful that God blessed me with Christians in life that believe the King James Bible and have the testimony to back it up.

Heather: ....and it’s not the Bible’s fault if one does not understand it.

Loretta: Some of the best Christians I know are King James Bible Believers. I’m so tired of Christians justifying themselves by pointing out the faults and hypocrisy of the King James Bible Believers.

Heather: AMEN! I thank God that there are still people with backbone and guts willing to stand for the truth. I don’t apologize for that statement. I won’t sit down, shut up, back off, or run and hide. I am willing to stand and fight for the truth no matter the cost.

Steph: there is nothing “wrong” with the KJV, but it is not the only version – that is the point.

Heather: you’re right. It’s not the only “version”... but it is the only one that’s Bible. And that’s not just my opinion. It’s God’s declaration.

Steph: So in the Bible it declares to only use the KJV? And believe it or not it’s called the King James “Version”.

Steven: Heather, where in the bible or which Prophet said to only use the King James Translation? You and the Men you listen to. you are speaking where God hasn’t spoken.

Heather: Bible verses have been provided in the past 90 comments, but strangely enough they seemed to have been overlooked. Hmm.
Let’s do this. Instead of “trying” to “disprove” and “trample” the KJV, why don’t you provide some verses in the Bible that support “YOUR bible”. I’ve not heard any defense for these other “bibles”… only a battle against the KJV. Now let’s reverse it.

Steven: Who is trying to disprove or trample the KJV? The only thing trying to be disproved is the view that the KJV is the only translation Christians should read. I will be happy to address any verses that you feel support KJV onlyism. I haven’t seen any Biblical support here, only views from 1800KJVONLY.

Heather: we said nothing about you “shouldn’t read them”. We said they are not the inspired, preserved Word of God. There’s a big difference between those two statements.

Steph: At this point I will agree to disagree. If you ever want to know some of the changes made to the KJV just let me know and I will send some to you. There is nothing wrong with the KJV, I personally when quoting verses quote the KJV because that is how I was raised as you know and it is near and dear to my heart. However the ESV really makes some scriptures more clear, and I am like WOW, that is awesome.
P.S. Love ya Heather :)

Heather: I love you too, Steph! :) that won’t change.

(That's it so far.... if more comments get posted on FaceBook, I'll be sure to transfer them over.)

Your thoughts on the matter........?
I welcome you to join in.
Comment away..... :)

It Wasn't Me....

2009-06-02T09:46:00.002-04:00

I went to that "Greater Vision" concert on Friday night with a group of people – boy, was that ever fun!! We had such a great time!
There was a group called “Crossing” that opened the concert for them – and they did a great job as well! The lead singer wrote a song called “It Wasn’t Me” – wow! There was such a powerful message contained in that song.

Let me explain. This was his illustration....

Growing up, one of my favorite phrases was: “It wasn’t me!” If cookies were missing out of the cookie jar, “it wasn’t me”; if the couch was torn, “it wasn’t me”; if there were muddy footprints all over the clean floor, “it wasn’t me”; if the flowers were trampled – “it wasn’t me”.
And then as I get older and realized that the adults around me aren’t as dumb as they look, I realized I can’t NOT take the blame for the wrong things I did. When I would wake up drunk in the middle of the bathroom, there was no way I could stumble to my feet, look at myself in the mirror and say “it wasn’t me”. When I cussed angry words at people there was no way I could later walk up to them and say “it wasn’t me”. When I smoked those cigarettes and used those drugs, there was no way I could explain to someone that “it wasn’t me”. When I lied to someone and it came back to bite me, there was no way I could look at the ones I’d hurt and say “it wasn’t me”.
But then there was that day when I crawled to the cross and asked Jesus to be my Savior... I was cleansed of all my past, present, and future sins, and made holy in the sight of Almighty God – NOW, and only now, I can stand before you and say that “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! It was HIM! I was hopeless and helpless of myself – there was nothing I could do of myself to merit the favor of God – I was lost, condemned, and headed straight for hell, but then Jesus stepped in! He took my place: when I should have been the one that climbed that hill to Calvary, HE was carrying MY cross upon HIS back – on which HE was nailed in MY place – taking MY sin upon HIS shoulders! It wasn’t me! It was HIM!

What an awesome God He is! What a wonderful, loving, compassionate, forgiving, gracious, merciful God He is! I am so thankful for my salvation.... So thankful! I hope you feel the same way!

If you're my friend on FaceBook, I posted some pictures! :)

You Raise Me Up ♪

2009-05-29T12:29:00.001-04:00

Isn't this precious. . . . .

The King James Bible Stands!

2009-05-27T02:57:00.002-04:00

Are they not the cutest ever!? This is Bethany and Elijah Waters. They go to my church, and they sang at the Beggar's Meeting 2009. They did a great job! Enjoy!

seriously, this family is one of the most musically-inclined families I have ever met. They all play guitar. The oldest girl plays the piano amazingly. The oldest boy plays every stringed instrument imagineable (almost). They all sing. But most of all, they all love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind. They're truly amazing!

The Henson's...!! :)

2009-05-27T02:34:00.005-04:00

I'll post more about these wonderful people later.... but just listen for now!

This is the kind of singing I love. I love the Hensons. I loved Micah. Micah wrote the song the ladies are singing (below) - it's titled: "All That Matters". Micah went home to be with the Lord in Fevruary 2009 - he was only 29 years old. But God makes no mistakes - and God was ready for the face-to-face company of His servant Micah. Micah wrote alot of the songs this dear family sings. The Henson's come to our annual Old Fashioned Tent Revival every summer, and visit throughout the year - Mrs. Henson and the 3 "kids" would sing (Kim is at the piano, Micah with the guitar, Renae singing like the angel that she is) and Mr. Roger Henson would preach - what a man! He has a constant "tear in his voice" - he preaches with a tender heart for the lost and for the Lord. Truly, they are some of the greatest people and Christians I have ever known. All the pianists at my church are constantly saying that it's our life long ambition to be able to play the piano as well as Kim Henson one day! ;) I love this family dearly, and thank the Lord for their unwavering, faithful testimony to the Lord! I am blessed to know them.
Anyways.... without further delay - enjoy the kind of music I love and was raised on. These CD's are constantly blaring in my car as I cruise down the road....! ;)

And here's a repeat for you....!! You just can't sing enough about Jesus. You can't praise Him enough. You can't love Him enough. You can't serve Him enough. But if I had but one breath I'd use it to praise Him with, because He's all that matters!!

Mark & Liz Rogers

2009-05-27T01:09:00.003-04:00

These two wonderful people come to our church on occasion. Mrs. Rogers is one of the craziest, funniest, sweetest, godly, most beautiful women you will ever meet. She spoke at our ladies' "Day of Refreshing" just a couple months back - what a blessing she was! Mr. Rogers is an evangelist that travels the country and plays the piano just beautifully. And then it's quite obvious that they both are gifted with the ability to sing. They have two small children, a girl and a boy. What a wonderful blessing it is that these godly people are apart of mine and so many other lives. If you'd like to check out their ministry in greater detail, click here.

Happy Birthday To Me ♪

2009-05-24T15:05:00.002-04:00

So today is my birthday! I am 21 years old now. Just a number. Another year older. But it's a day for me to celebrate the life the Lord has given me. I am so thankful that I am not walking through this life alone though --- I have Almighty God on my side, and He loves me!

So here I am on vacation in Texas with my brother as he visits his biological family. I'm currently sitting on "my" bed, sipping on a Dr. Pepper (MmMmmm....! Oooooo.....! Ahhhh....!!!), watching Jasmine (my brother's youngest half-sister) playing her online game "Impressive Title" (and I'm not really sure how it happened, but I got suckered into creating an account on there too - which WILL be deleted by the end of the night, I can assure you of that). Earlier today I went to church with the family, which (in my opionion) was a great way to spend my 21st birthday! After church, we drove back to the house, where I helped Jasmine feed the COWS (Zeth and Jasper)!!! *yuck!* :X Yesterday, when I helped her feed the cows my brother was outside shooting a gun, and it spooked "my" cow and it just about trampled me! And then after it was all done eating and I was untying it, that bad-breath, hunk of steak sneezed all over my legs. *GROSS!!!* Scott and his biological mother killed a momma scorpian with eggs on its back the other day. For some reason, the giant toads like the pool and we found 7 of them stuck in the filter one morning (dead, of course - and smelly).

So far I've counted at least 46 people who have wished me a happy birthday on facebook - it's so great to have such amazing people in my life! :)

Anyways, that's my update post from the very distant land that I'm in right now!

Sweet, Sweet Goodbye....*

2009-05-19T09:18:00.004-04:00

*....For a few days anyways! :)

I don't know how much blogging I'll be doing over the next couple weeks --- after today, I have a 4-hour workday on Wednesday, then I'm on vacation for a week and a half! (Yes, I'm oober excited!)

I am going to Texas with my brother, where I will be meeting the rest of his biological family for the first time. He has been down there to visit them once before, but he asked me if I'd like to come along this time - of course I said yes!

As you know, if you've read my post titled: "I Grew In Her Tummy", I am adopted. Shortly after I started looking for my biological mother, my brother decided he would try to find his as well. and he did - about a month after I found mine.

He had a Christian heritage - a strong, Christian heritage. His "mother" was young when she had him, and since she was not married, she thought it best that her baby be raised in a home that had a mom AND a dad. So she gave him up for adoption. And I'm so glad she did - because that made it possible for him to be my brother! :)

So anyways, I'm going to Texas -- and I'm looking forward to it verrryyyyy much! My life has been non-stop since last August.... (here's a little peek):
This is a schedule of my daily, weekly, monthly life! haha! Mind you, it's a 45 minute drive (one way) from my house (or work) to church.
Sunday: Choir practice (9:15-9:30), Sunday School (9:45-10:30), Morning Service (10:45-12:00-ish), Teach 5 piano lessons (12:15-3:00-ish), Choir practice (4:30-5:30), Evening Service (6:00-7:30-ish), Music and Sound-check practice (7:45-8:80-ish)
Monday: Work (7:30-4:30), 1-hr Dinner relaxation, Homework (5:45-??)
Tueday: Work (7:30-4:30), 1-hr Dinner relaxation, Homework (5:45-??)
Wednesday: Class (8:00-1:30), Work (2:00-6:00), Church (7:00-8:30), Homework (9:30-??)
Thursday: Work (7:30-4:30), 1-hr Dinner relaxation, Homework (5:45-??)
Friday: Work (7:30-4:30), 1-hr Dinner relaxation, Homework (5:45-??)
Saturday: Piano Students (10:30-11:45-ish), Homework (3:00-??)
.....And then it starts all over again.....
BUT NOT ANYMORE...!! Because school is out for the summer! yay! :) :)

Tonight I am going out to dinner and then bowling with some friends! And then tomorrow I have a 4-hr workday! Pack. Board the plane Thursday morning, and enjoy sweet vacation untill 28-May-09! I turn 21 on 24-May-09! (which is no big deal really... it's just another number... another year older... but I'm still excited!) On 29-May-09 I'm planning on going to hear Legacy 5 at a Southern Gospel concert with some of my friends from church! And then on 30-May-09 I'll probably hang out with my BFF! :)

Yes, I'm greatly looking forward to the next 2 weeks! I return to work on 1-Jun-09. *gahhhh...!* But I don't want to think about that right now. haha!

So anyways, I said ALL that to say that I probably won't get a chance to blog much while I'm on vacation... I might get a chance to post something either today or tomorrow.... if not.... adiós. ¡véale más adelante! (that's "Goodbye. See you later!" in Spanish!) :)

Guilty, Until Proven Innocent

2009-05-17T21:07:00.016-04:00

I know what you're thinking: "No, no, Heather... It's 'Innocent, until proven guilty'! Not the other way around!"

Sure it is.... but just wait. I'm not finished yet.... :)

There's this thing called the "Death Penalty". Depending if the crime committed falls into the category of capital crimes (aka: capital offences), the offender has the possiblity of facing the Death Penalty (something I, for one, am completely for. It's Biblical.)

Did you know there's a Spiritual Death Penalty? It's true.

It all started in a garden long ago. There were laws laid down... and they were disobeyed. The shackles of sin were placed on Adam and Eve, and they were forced to leave the garden. The bail that was set required the sacrificing of a spotless lamb upon an altar, the shedding of blood. However, that payment would not forever sin atone - it only lasted until another sin was committed. More laws were laid down - in Exodus 20, God carved the 10 Commandments on two tablets of stone and gave them to the people; and for 2,000 years the world "paid bail" in that manner.

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10)

But I'm so thankful... because one day and angel appeared unto a little virgin girl and declared unto her that she would concieve and bring forth a son who would be called Emmanuel. The Great I Am. The Prince of Peace. The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:7-11)

MY Savior.

And then that one atoning day came. It started off as any other - but it would end in a manner like that which had never seen before nor would be seen again.
A garden. An agonizing prayer: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Betrayal by a "friend". A joke of a trial. Mockery. Beatings. Scorn. A crown of thorns. The wounds. A long, long road. A Hill called Mt. Calvary! A Cross! The Blood! A storm. God the Father weeping as He turns His back on His Only Begotten Son. A voice peircing the sky: "My God! My God! Why hast thou forsaken me...?" and then moments later, the shout of victory: "IT IS FINISHED!"

Finished. Done. Complete. Accomplished. Forever.

A grave. 3 days. and my Savior arose from dead - conquering Hell and the grave, forever removing the sting of death!

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Collosians 2:13-15)

I asked Jesus to come into my heart and save me - to wash my heart clean with His precious blood on May 2, 2001. It's as if Jesus walked into my Spiritual "jail" that day, opened the cell door, walked me out, and took my place. He had already paid the price. No more "bail". No more shedding the blood of spotless lambs upon an Altar. The Perfect Lamb of God had forever appeased the wrath of God the Father that day as He hung on the Cross on Mt. Calvary!

I'm so thankful for a Savior Who cared THAT MUCH for my soul. Where would I be if not for His grace?

It's a choice though. Jesus will not force His free gift of Eternal Life on you - you must reach out and accept it. If you never ask Him to come into your heart and cleanse you with His blood, you will have to pay for all your sins on your own. And since that is impossible, you face the spiritual Death Penalty: Hell. (Matthew 25:41, Revelations 20:13, 14)

Please don't die and go to Hell when you don't have to. The price has been paid. And Jesus is willing to save you - He WANTS to save you. (II Peter 3:9) He suffered an agonizing death for you on the Cross of Calvary so you wouldn't have to suffer for all eternity in a place called Hell forever serperated from Almighty God. Don't slap the everlasting arm away that is willing to save your soul. Please. Please.

You're guilty. Until proven innocent
through the complete cleansing of your
heart that only Jesus Christ give.

(I could tell Satan was really fighting this post the whole way through. My "copy/paste" button wouldn't work, the formatting and layout of this post kept going all weird... My thoughts kept getting all jumbled up, and I was having a hard time recalling Scriptures, etc... I have three words for that dirty, stinkin' liar: "Bring. It. On." (Ephesians 6:12)

By One, Many.

2009-05-15T23:27:00.004-04:00

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5:19)

I don't think we fully understand the depth of this verse. What we do affects others. EVERYONE around us is going to be affected in some way - be it big or small - by the choices we make.
.

Let's take a look at a few people in detail, shall we?.... Ohhhh, we shall...!
.

Adam. The first man ever created. Eve. First woman created from the rib of Adam. God said (and I'm paraphrasing): "You can eat of any tree... ANY tree... in this garden, EXCEPT THAT one." Adam and Eve didn't ask Him why... and God didn't give them any reasons.
(just as a side note (because I know you love my little rabbit trails).... God doesn't have to give you the reason for anything in your life. He's God. He can do what He wants... without your approval. There's nothing wrong with asking God "why?"... So long as you know that you're the one that's wrong, and He's always right, everything will be ok.) Getting back on track now.... Adam and Eve were in the garden - everything was going great... and then Satan showed up [isn't that how it always goes?! Everything's fine and dandy, then here comes the snake... just in time to ruin everything....]. Had Eve obeyed God, and not bought into a lie that tree would've never been touched that day, that piece of fruit would've never been eaten, that garden would have still had two more inhabitants. But we all know that's not how the story goes....
Because they sinned... we have a sinful nature (*Gee, thanks Grandpa Adam.... *pfft*).

.
David. A man after God's own heart. He penned the beautiful book of Psalms. He "encouraged himself in the Lord" (I Samuel 1:30). But we all know he wasn't perfect. He committed adultery, and because of that sin He had a man murdered - left out on the battlefield to defend his nation alone. And then the baby he had concieved with Bathsheba died in infancy. Because of his sinful, lustful behavior, just look how Solomon turned out: 700 wives and 300 concubines later, the Bible says he loved many strange women, and his wives turned his heart away! THIS is the guy who asked God for wisdom, above riches and kingdoms! And then there was Absalom - he tried to usurp his father's thrown, and ended getting his hair stuck in a tree and he hanged to death. And we can't forget Amnon - and he "had a friend whose name was Jonadab... and Jonadab was a very subtil man." *winner.... NOT!* That "friend" (which was also his cousin) helped lustful, wicked Amnon rape his half-sister Tamar! Do we see a trend here...?! Hello!! It all starts with one man. One sin. "What parents do in moderation, the children do in excess" (that's what my parents always told me).
.

Paul. Once called Saul. Once persecuted Christians. Was knocked off his high horse (literally) and was blinded by the Light of the World. Blinded. Forgiven. Redeemed. Transformed. Changed. He was one of the greatest apostles in the world, and he claimed himself to be the "chief of sinners" (I Timothy 1:15). What a humble man. He endured more than we could ever imagine: persecution, imprisonment, beatings, mockeries, shipwreck, exile, etc and etc. WOW! Kinda makes your "problems" seem rather small, huh? I know it does for me. Many lives were changed because of the great ministry Paul had for the Lord.
.

Jesus. Oh, how sweet the Name! Born as a baby, Almighty God "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Oh, but wait...! There's more: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phillipians 7-11). Jesus Christ took my place, your place, the world's place - and died in our stead. He hung on my cross. He paid my debt I could not pay. He bridged the gap for me!
.

By one, many....

"No man is and island, entire of itself."
..................................................................~ John Donne

Hmmmm....! (T.G.I.F...!!)

2009-05-15T18:50:00.009-04:00

· A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk I have a work station...

· How come you never hear about gruntled employees?

· If quitters never win, and winners never quit, what fool came up with, "Quit while you're ahead"?

· Employment application blanks always ask who is to be notified in case of an emergency. I think you should write: A Good Doctor.

· What was the best thing before sliced bread?

· Why do Superheroes wear tights?

· If Buzz Lightyear doesn't know he's a toy why does he stop talking when humans are around?

· If humans evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?

· Why do Psychics keep sending me spam, don't they know I'm not interested?

· What was the root of all evil before money?

· Who cut off Mickey's tail?

· If we all stopped voting, would the politicians go away?

· What seeds were used for seedless grapes?

· Isn't it scary that a doctor's office is called a practice?

· Why can't you tickle yourself (but others can)?

· How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?

· If a turtle loses its shell, is it considered naked or homeless?

· Why do we put suits in a Garment Bag and put garments in a suitcase?

· Is it possible to have a civil war?

· What happens if you get scared ½ to death twice?

· If "Con" is the Opposite of "Pro", is Congress opposed to progress?

· Is animal shampoo tested on humans?

· Why is abbreviation such a long word?

· Why do they but braille numbers on drive-up ATM's?

· Is there another word for synonym?

· When it rains, do cotton fields shrink?

· Do chickens think rubber humans are funny?

· Why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?

T.G.I.F....!!!! :)

You Are Beautiful....!!

2009-05-14T15:26:00.004-04:00

I am just so blessed to "know" each of the wonderful people who visit my blog and encourage me on a regular basis. I created this award because I'm so thankful for each of you! I wanted to personally thank a few of you for your godly influence, honest wisdom, daily encouragement, and beautiful self! You truly are beautiful!

*drum roll, please....!*

♥ Alleluiabelle at Humble as I go - You are a constant (and I mean constant) blessing to me! Every comment you leave is refreshing in its own way! I always feel encouraged by what you have to say - I do not take you for granted! You are Beautiful!

♥ RCUBEs at Off The Beaten Trek - You are a wonderful woman! I love reading each of your posts. You share your everyday life and always have a spiritual application when you draw the punch line. You encourage me to seek Him more and be a better testimony! You are Beautiful!

♥ Kathleen Smith at Heart2Heart - When you told me you "busted through (the fence) and at times, took the fence down... (and) lived as a fence sitter and fence painter", I knew you and I had alot in common. Fellow Fence-sitter, thank you for being honest with me in your posts. Thank you for encouraging me that no matter what I do, I have a God Who forgives! You are Beautiful!

♥ Beth in NC at I Am Heading Towards My Final Destiny - You are so full of energy, so full of life, so full of love for the Lord! What a blessing! I thank you for each of the wonderful comments you have left me - you have encouraged me to draw closer to my God, because He fails not! You are Beautiful!

♥ Martha at Fly Away Birdie - Your blog is a wonderful place for me to go when I am needing something, but not sure just what. I always go away feeling blessed, encouraged, refreshed. Thank you for your comments - you are a sweetheart, and I'm glad I "know" you! You are Beautiful!

Please take this award as a token of my thanks to each of you - feel free to pass it along to other beautiful people in your life! I thank you - from the bottom of my heart - I thank you! You are Beautiful!

Here are some "beautiful" words of wisdom from people of the past:

"Beauty is not in the face;
beauty is a light in the heart."
~Khalil Gibran, (1883 - 1931)

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"People are like stained glass windows:
they sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in their true beauty
is revealed only if there is a light within."
~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

"Remember how in that communion only,
beholding beauty with the eye of the mind,
he will be enabled to bring forth, not images of beauty,
but realities (for he has hold not of an image but of a reality),
and bringing forth and nourishing true virtue to become
the friend of God and be immortal, if mortal man may."
~Plato, Symposium

Something Beautiful ♥

2009-05-13T17:19:00.009-04:00

In His time. In His time.
He makes all thing beautiful in His time.
Lord, my life to You I bring—
May each song I have to sing—
Be to You a lovely thing in Your time.

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”
....................................................~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

Not your time.
Not my time.
In HIS time.

Why are we so impatient? Why do we rush about and get all upset and stressed over nothing? That’s all it is really… in the light of all of eternity… this life here on earth is really *nothing*. It’s a vapor. Here today. Gone tomorrow. It's over in the blink of an eye.

But it’s beautiful. It’s a gift. It’s life.

Here’s another thought for you… no matter what your past, no matter how deep in sin you once were, no matter what people may think and say of you now… In Christ, your life is beautiful. Through God’s eyes, your life is Perfect. Through Jesus’ blood, your life is Clean. Amazing. Miracle.

No one is above falling. So before you start bragging on how great you are, take heed lest you fall. (“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” ~ I Corinthians 10:12) And if you’re bragging about yourself in the first place… well, then… I have no words for you. The truth is, no one is great. None of us are anything good.

The Bible says:
“there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18b)

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18)

BUTTTTT..... THERE IS GOOD NEWS......!!
(I love good news…)

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

~II Corinthians 5:21

Something Beautiful, something good—
All my confusion He understood.
All I had to offer Him was bitterness and strife—
But He made Something Beautiful out of my life.

Imagine Me Without You

2009-05-08T16:03:00.008-04:00

Imagine me without You: I'd be lost and so confused.
I wouldn't last a day -
I'd be afraid without You there to see me through.
Imagine me without You: Lord, You know it's just impossible!
Because of You it's all brand new.
My life is now worth while...
I can't imagine me without You!

The funny thing about this song is that... the song describes exactly what we'd all be like without the Lord! It went way past just trying to "imagine" what it would be like:

Lost.

Confused.

Unable.

Afraid.

Worthless.

Pointless.

Those who have grown up in a Christian home for all (or even most) of their life don't really have a "past" to compare our "Christian walk" to. But those who have lived in the "world" and have been entangled in deep, gross sin - and then were saved from a life of misery - seem to take their Salvation much more seriously.

Please, don't get me wrong. Everyone's Salvation Testimony is important. wonderful. unique. special. amazing.

But those who grow up in Christian homes (ok... I'll give you myself as an example: I was raised in a Christian home, went to a Baptist church all my life, have parents who were always very involved in the ministries of our church, have been involved in ministries myself, homeschooled my whole life, sheltered (for the most part) from worldliness, high standards, went to Bible College for a year, etc and etc...) tend to be more curious about what's on "the other side of the fence". We are more apt to test the waters of sin... we find it to be kind of a game: let's see how close we can get to everything that we've been forbidden from our whole lives! That's just like saying: "I'm going to run through a puddle and try not to get wet." Listen friends! If you play with fire - you're going to get burnt!
Whereas, those who have been saved OUT of a life of sin, already know what's on the other side of that fence. They've been there... they've already seen the destruction, lies, and ruin that lie beyond the shadows... So, of course, why would they want to go back?

Stupid!

What are/were we thinking?!

And, hey! I have every right to be speaking about this right now! I've been there. I've jumped the fence. You don't even want to know all of the sin I was involved in... even less than a year ago. Me! who was raised in a Christian home! Me! who was surrounded by godly influences all my life! Me! who was taught to walk the high road and keep the standards high! I willingly threw it all away.... to enjoy the "pleasures of sin for a season."

But Mercy is Great. and Grace is Amazing. and God is Good.

God is so good.

I have no other words right now....

God is so good.

"From that time many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?

thou hast the words of eternal life."

~John 6:66, 67, 68

It's All About The Blood

2009-05-07T19:20:00.015-04:00

Just a few thoughts on my mind......

You know....
It doesn't matter what religion you are.
It's not about what church you go to.
It makes no difference what race you are.
It matters not how old you are.

Salvation is of God. from God. in God. because of God.

Though it brings us freedom, it wasn't free.
It cost something.
It cost Someone.
It took sacrifice.
It took death.
It took the shedding of blood.

...for without the shedding of blood

there is no remission of sins.

~Hebrews 9:22, Matthew 26:28

It's all about the blood.
It's all about Calvary.
It's all about mercy flowing down that Old Rugged Tree.
It's all about grace.
It's all about sacrifice.
Redeeming love.
It's all about the blood of Jesus Christ!

Putting everything else aside, I have ONE question for you:
Are you washed in the blood?
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside those garments that are stained with sin -
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb...
There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean -
Oh! Be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Whiter than snow! - yes! - Whiter than snow!
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow!
...................................................((Psalm 51:7)

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

~Isaiah 1:18

There's room at the cross for you!

Oh! There's room at the cross for you!

Though millions have come -

There's still room for one!

Yes, there's room at the cross for you!

I'm so thankful that there was room at the foot of my Savior's cross for me! No one is born a Christian. No one enters this world with a God-given right to go to Heaven when they die. Being raised in a moral, Christian home isn't enough. No one can do it for you. Being baptized as an infant when you nothing about what was being done means absolutely nothing.....

Listen friend, we're back at square one here: free will. It's our choice. It can't be forced on us. It can't be prayed on us. It can't be blessed on us. It can't be bought on us. Salvation is through the precious blood of Christ - shed 2,000 years ago on a hill called Mt. Calvary.....

~~ ONCE FOR ALL ~~

.....that the world through Him might be saved!

"For whosoever shall call upon the name

of the Lord shall be saved."

(Romans 10:13)

Not "might be" saved.

Not "hope so" saved.

Not "if I never sin again" saved.

Not "if I pay money to the church" saved.

Not "if the priest prays for me" saved.

It's not about other people.

It's not about what you can do.

It's about what Jesus did.

If you've trusted Christ as your Savior,

will you do me a favor....

Please, leave a comment under this post about when and how you asked Christ to be your Savior. I would love to hear your testimony. Then go tell someone else. The greatest gift you can give to someone is the directions to Heaven!

A (Discouraged) Ray of Sunshine...?

2009-05-06T22:52:00.013-04:00

"You're a ray of sunshine around this place! Everyone loves you because you're always happy and you always make people smile. You just light up a room when you walk through a door.... just like a ray of sunshine....!" Susan smiled brightly as she shared her opinion OF me WITH me.

I really didn't know what to say. I'll be honest with you: I've been very discouraged for the past few days. I haven't felt much like smiling. I haven't wanted to be around people - in fact, a dark. discrete, secret cave has sounded quite delightful lately. It's been a struggle to smile. It's been a struggle to speak kindly and try to encourage people when I MYSELF am so discouraged. I've been irritated with people... Please, don't talk to me. Please, don't e-mail me. Please, don't text message me. Please, don't call me. Please, don't look at me. Please, STOP BREATHING!! (kidding...) There are just so many means of communication for people to get ahold of me at any moment - any time of the day (...or night).

Sleep is already hard to come by for me because of my crazy, hectic schedule. BUT LATELY, it's pretty much been non-existent.

This post is not meant to be a big pity party,

whining, complaining session...

I promise.

If anything, I pray this will encourage you.

I was reading my Bible last night - just trying to find SOMETHING to lift my spirits and hopefully give me a peace before going to bed **hoping that perhaps I could sleep completely through the night without waking up several times throughout the night**. I opened my Bible up to Acts 9.... here's what I read:

Acts 9:
[1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
[2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
[3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
[4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
[5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
[6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
[7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
[8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
[9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
[12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
[13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
[14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
[16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
[18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
[19] And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
[20] And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

I'm having a hard time choosing which part is the biggest blessing to me; however, I'm going to have to say that this is what stuck out to me the most: "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (vs 16). How great is it that God knows everything that will ever happen in our lives! Later on we read all that the Apostle Paul endured for the cause of Christ! I will write another post that goes a little deeper into this thought at a later time.

Even in the Valley, God is good.

ALL the time my God is good!

I'm so thankful.

I still have a Bible: my Guide to survival that brought me to this place.
I still believe the Christian's old-time conviction is the answer in this modern day.
Old Saints who are prayin' and sinners who were strayin' are recieving God's saving grace.
The Old Rugged Cross is still saving the lost.
Thank God, some things never change!

"For I am the LORD, I change not...."

~Malachi 3:6

Say Hello To Miles...!!

2009-05-06T16:52:00.006-04:00

I would like to introduce you all to someone! Meet Miles at ...at thy word I will...!
He is a fellow Parkview-ite (meaning, he goes to the same church as I do: Parkview Baptist Church)!
He is new to the blogspot scene, but I know he will be a blessing as he shares what's on his heart over time. He is a blessing to serve the Lord with at church! Stop by his blog, be a follower, be an encouragement to him!

The Beggar's Rags

2009-05-05T08:52:00.007-04:00

A beggar lived near the king's palace. One day he saw a proclamation posted outside the palace gate. The king was giving a great dinner. Anyone dressed in royal garments was invited to the party.

The beggar went on his way. He looked at the rags he was wearing and sighed. Surely only kings and their families wore royal robes, he thought. Slowly an idea crept into his mind. The audacity of it made him tremble. Would he dare?

He made his way back to the palace. He approached the guard at the gate. "Please, sire, I would like to speak to the king." "Wait here," the guard replied. In a few minutes, he was back. "His majesty will see you," he said, and led the beggar in.

"You wish to see me?" asked the king. "Yes, your majesty. I want so much to attend the banquet, but I have no royal robes to wear. Please, sir, if I may be so bold, may I have one of your old garments so that I, too, may come to the banquet?"

The beggar shook so hard that he could not see the faint smile that was on the king's face. "You have been wise in coming to me," the king said. He called to his son, the young prince. "Take this man to your room and array him in some of your clothes."

The prince did as he was told and soon the beggar was standing before a mirror, clothed in garments that he had never dared hope for. "You are now eligible to attend the king's banquet tomorrow night," said the prince. "But even more important, you will never need any other clothes. These garments will last forever." The beggar dropped to his knees. "Oh, thank you," he cried.

But as he started to leave, he looked back at his pile of dirty rags on the floor. He hesitated. What if the prince was wrong? What if he would need his old clothes again. Quickly he gathered them up.

The banquet was far greater than he had ever imagined, but he could not enjoy himself as he should. He had made a small bundle of his old rags and it kept falling off his lap. The food was passed quickly and the beggar missed some of the greatest delicacies.

Time proved that the prince was right. The clothes lasted forever. Still the poor beggar grew fonder and fonder of his old rags. As time passed people seemed to forget the royal robes he was wearing. They saw only the little bundle of filthy rags that he clung to wherever he went. They even spoke of him as the old man with the rags.

One day as he lay dying, the king visited him. The beggar saw the sad look on the king's face when he looked at the small bundle of rags by the bed. Suddenly the beggar remembered the prince's words and he realized that his bundle of rags had cost him a lifetime of true royalty. He wept bitterly at his folly.
And the king wept with him.

We have all been invited into the royal family--the family of God. To feast at God's dinner table, all we have to do is shed our old rags and put on the "new clothes" of faith which is provided by God's Son, Jesus Christ.

But we cannot hold onto our old rags. When we put our faith in Christ, we must let go of the sin in our life, and our old ways of living. Those things must be discarded if we are to experience true royalty and abundant life in Christ.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

What are you holding on to from your life before knowing Jesus? Whatever it is, get rid of it! God will give you everything you need ... you don't need to rely on the world to satisfy you anymore! Isaiah 64:6 says: "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

Tell me something.... Why would you choose to remain in your filthiness, when God is is freely offering His righteousness to us. Hosea 14:4 says: "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him."

What is that "secret sin" that you're still holding on to - unwilling to fully surrender to God because He might "mess up your life", "tamper with YOUR plans"...? Really? Let go, and let God. You could have such a rich, fulfilling life... but it's your choice. See, God will not force anything on you... just as that King did not force the beggar to throw away his old rags - but - oh! - how he wished the beggar would have! It's called a "free will".

Please, let it go....

In The Waiting....

2009-05-04T15:49:00.003-04:00

This song has been special to me for many years now. I think the first time that I heard it was in the summer of 2003. It broke my heart because of it's truth. I was hurting. I needed answers. I needed peace. The peace that passeth all understanding. His peace. He IS Peace. The Prince of Peace. My Peace. I like this place of waiting now... because it reminds me again Who's God, and Who's the creation. Are you in the waiting....?

Pain.
The gift nobody longs for, still it comes.
And somehow leaves us stronger when it's gone away.
Pray.
I try and pray for Your will to be done.
But I confess it's never fast enough for me.
It seems the hardest part is waiting on You -
When what I really want is just to see Your hand move.

I want a peace beyond my understanding.
I wanna feel it fall like rain, in the middle of my hurting.
I wanna feel Your arms as they surround me.
And let me know that it's okay to be here in this place -
Resting in the peace that only comes:
In the waiting.

Time.
A time to let it go and just believe.
Trusting in what no one else but You can see.
Free.
Freedom from the fears that hold me in.
When I can't get beyond where I have been -
But then again the silence doesn't mean that I'm alone.
As long as I can hear that I am still Your own.

I want a peace beyond my understanding.
I wanna feel it fall like rain, in the middle of my hurting.
I wanna feel Your arms as they surround me.
And let me know that it's okay to be here in this place -
Resting in the peace that only comes:
In the waiting.

"He Grew The Tree" (Words & Music by Chuck Lawrence)

2009-05-03T21:39:00.001-04:00

Someone I Want You To Meet....

2009-04-29T20:19:00.010-04:00

I know I've talked alot about her... because she's important to me. She my best friend! Meet my mother. She's so fun to be around, and she's so nice to everyone. Even someone who I may find quite annoying, she is always patient with and cares about them. I truly admire her for this. She's a "mercy" - if you know what I mean (spiritual gifts). She's a "giver". She's a "sacrificer". She's a friend. But most of all, she's my mom. I wouldn't trade her for the world.
When God allowed her to adopt me, she thought she was the one that was blessed.... but I think of it like this: God could have picked any child needing a family that day to give to her... but He hand-picked me, and blessed ME with her and my dad. I'm blessed beyond all measure.

Meet Mom....

This picture is a couple years old.... my hairs about 13" or 14" shorter than that now... But mom looks just a beautiful as ever! ;) And she's mine! I call her my "crazy little Arab", and I call her "Madre", and I call her "Mom"... I call her "Mother".... I call her "Friend".....
She's my hero in so many ways... she's my example for the Proverbs 31 woman... and my prayer is to be as great of a mom one day that she is for me! :)

I Love You, Madre!

You can read my story right here on this blog!

Click this link: "I Grew In Her Tummy"

Welcome To My Life....

2009-04-28T14:19:00.004-04:00

I think from now on I am going to never open my mouth in public again… and if I even GO ANYWHERE in public, I will confine myself to the discrete little chair in the far, dark corner.

Let me give some examples as to why…. Welcome to my life. My everyday life. And I mean “every” day.

Sunday… Two days ago (26-Apr-09)

1. Not really interested in sitting in the church all afternoon between church services, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go shopping. Not a cloud in the sky and the sun shining bright, I decided to open the sun roof. I finished my bargain-hunting fairly quickly. I got in the checkout line, looked out the window, and saw it pouring cats and dogs (well, actually it was more like rain drops and water)…. “Oh no…. did I leave my sunroof open…?” I’ve never been waited on by a slower cashier in all my life. The rain stopped… I was completely checked out… I walked outside. Spotted my car. *grrrr…… angry feet stomping….* “Crap….!!!” (not the classiest word, I know).... My sunroof was cracked open still. My brand new leather interior was soaked. My radio was soaked. My steering wheel was soaked. Needless to say, I was late for choir practice…. And this is only the beginning. Welcome to my life.

Monday… Yesterday (27-Apr-09):

1. Talking to some people, I turned around and *BAMM!* walked right into someone’s head. My head bounced off hers… a room has never been so silent before… a room has never felt so hot before… – even my ears were beet red. My boss looked at me and made facial expressions showing his concern over my overly-heated face. I simply did my “oh… you know… I pulled a ‘Heather’… again…” look, and he knew. His carefree laughter followed quickly, for he could only imagine what I had done this time.

2. Since I drove my car the last two times we went out to lunch, Doug decided he would drive us in his truck this time. A very large truck. High-off-the-ground truck. Hard-to-climb-into-with-a-short-skirt truck. (I’m sure you can guess where this is going…) Getting in was quite a chore… getting out was another story. I was able to just kinda slide out when my hands were empty, but when we got back to work and I was carrying the two bags full of left-overs (office party) --- well, I tried to slide out… but my left foot got stuck in the truck. Janet was kind enough to catch me after she saw me hopping around on my right foot with my left foot still in the truck. What a site that must have been. People (of course) are standing around everywhere watching this catastrophe take place. Laughing. While Janet and I look like we are doing some new, twisted sort of dance…. Enough said.

3. Trying to hook a phone up in a cubicle in our office to see if there was still a working phone line in that location, I quickly tried to get up, and *WHAM!*…. “Ooowww…. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch…. I’m okayyy… the desk is okay.” (Oooww…). Now I had a knot on the back of my head to match the one on the front of my face.

4. Finally, the workday ended, and home-sweet-home was wonderful. Heating up my left-over steak in the microwave… the buzzer was just about to sound (in .7 seconds), when… *BOOM!* my steak blew up in the microwave. “What… in the…… MOM?!....” I pulled my steak (of what was left of it) out of the microwave, only to find that the 19.57 seconds in WAS in the microwave for hadn’t even heated it up… it was still cold. I pick up a small piece, and… *BOOM!* it exploded in my hand…. Bits and shreds of steak covered my left arm. “Are you kidding me…? This is a cruel joke...."

Tuesday… Today (28-Apr-09):

1. All too eager to check and see if the other empty cubicles had working phone lines, I crawled under another desk…. And as if I hadn’t learned already yesterday… there’s a desk over my head…. *WHAM!!*…. “Ooowwww…. Pain and agony…. Mmm….” The knot is now twice its size.

2. Wondering why my co-worker was limping around, I was so engrossed in her story of how she hurt herself and so concerned with her injury… *SLAM!* (I forgot my knee was still inside the storage closet when I slammed it shut). I dropped to the floor clutching my “bad knee” (the right one… as if cracking my knee cap a few years ago wasn’t enough the first time….).

3. Standing over by Casey’s desk, we were having a small conversation when her phone rang. She answered it in a very silly way… half singing, half screeching… “AMS Deployments….!!” I thought it was absolutely hysterical, so I decided to give it a try. I don’t know how I managed to botch it up, but what came out of my mouth was very disturbing…. “PMS Deployme….n..t….s….. oh my word….” Can you imagine….??? I was mortified.

Welcome to my life…. Never a dull moment. Ever. :)

Whatever It Takes, As Long As It Brings HIM Glory

2009-04-27T16:35:00.004-04:00

Last night my preacher preached a message that was so encouraging. He was challenging us to take our faith deeper, trusting that God knows what is best... ALL the time! Nothing surprises Him - and though we might not like everything that is happening in our lives, or what's going on around us, it's HIS choice to make... because HE is God. and God is good. ALL the time, my God is good!

I prayed last night: "Lord, whatever it takes to bring You glory... whatever it takes to bring others to You... whatever it takes to keep me in your will... that's what I'm willing to do. Do whatever it takes, Lord. No matter what I might have to go through. No matter if it takes mistreatment, mockery, embarrassment.... whatever. I'm willing. I'm Yours for You to do with as You deem best."

Sizzlin' Steak.... yummmm-o!

2009-04-25T17:09:00.005-04:00

Earlier my dad and I were talking about diets and weight loss, and I mentioned that one of my newly-discovered favorite foods is a big, thick, juicy steak (with shrimp on tip) with some lemon juice squirted on top.... *mmmmmm.....*

A few hours later Dad came home from his grocery store escapade and asked me how I liked my steak cooked.... :)

There, on the table, were 4 of the biggest freshest steaks I have ever seen in my life!

Again, *mmmmm.....*

Me: "Well done, with nothing red showing.... and cooked in garlic....."

Dad: "Okaaayyy!"

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
(Matthew 7:11)

My dad gives good gifts - sometimes their not the material things of this world that I can hold in my hands - sometimes it's those lessons of life that he shares with me, things like how to budget my money, how to choose my friends, what to be careful about, and how much he loves me.... those are the most priceless things in this world to me. And I cherish them... every one. Because one day I won't have my Dad here on earth with me. But I know where His final destination is, and I'll see him again there one day.

I'm going to enjoy every bite of that big, juicy steak cooked in garlic - with some lemon juice on top!

*yummmmm-o!!* :)

Barak Obama: Angel or Demon?

2009-04-24T13:19:00.005-04:00

With all the talk that's been going around about Obama, and the economy, our society, the war? basically every significant thing that can happen to a nation; one question keeps prodding in my mind.

Why are Christians so reliant on/against our president?

On one hand, I see some clinging to him so tightly, in hopes that he will break the bonds of pain and suffering in their lives and bring them into a financial haven? On the other, I see terror stricken hearts, that are sure this is either the end of the world as we know it, or the beginning of a lifetime of pain and suffering?

Two observations I'd like to reflect on with you all (as I'm sure you're aware of the following facts).

1. Barak Obama isn't God.

He is not some majestic superhuman sent down from heaven to bring us happiness and fulfillment in our lives. He's not going to correct all our problems, not even the financial ones.

To make a very general paraphrase of how I view this area, I just want to say, remember that, in this world, life is simply not easy: you will always have to sacrifice in one area in order to gain in another; and nothing of value is ever gotten without someone, somewhere suffering for it.

In this case, it may very well be the guy living next to you, who is a rich, mean old man who is bitter at the government for taking his money and giving it to lazy do-nothings who sit at home watching TV while he sweats blood and tears. Actually, If he had known the lady living next to him had three young children she tries to take care of by herself after her boyfriend left her for someone less complicated to live with and next week the water is going to be shut off? because she can't pay her bills because she's been too sick to work? He probably would've given her the money anyway. People do things like that in America. I've seen people dish out money for all sorts of causes, from cancer victims to people who just want to go on vacation! They make me look like a greedy old scrooge. Maybe we should run to our neighbor's house instead of the government if we need more money.

Forgive the sarcasm, I think I got a bit carried away.

Actually, maybe we should first run to Jesus. Isn't it God who takes pity on us, and provides us with everything we need. Isn't it He who makes the rain fall and the sun shine and the crops grow and the seasons change? Aren't we blessed because God blesses us? Not because we live in a perfect nation with a perfect government. Didn't Jesus suffer for us so that He could give us everything! Not just to give us life, but to give us life "more abundantly". To be complete and entire, "wanting nothing".

The point is, if we are Christians (no, if we are humans) we should regard God as God and run to Him in time of trouble, recognizing that all things come from God and trust in God, not man, not even our president.

2. Barak Obama isn't Satan.

Whatever happens in our country, God is the one who is writing this chapter in history and is using our president (in part) to do it.

The main reason I wrote this note was because so many Christians I know are so critical of our president. They ridicule, make jokes about him, and sit back on their haunches waiting for him to fail and lead our country to ruins so they can say, "See, I told you he'd mess things up! that's why I didn't vote for him!"

Come on, people, Barak Obama is just a man, and we are being just as abominable defaming, and belittling him as we would be to worship him. Let's not forget who put him in office to begin with: God put him there. Not a bunch of confused, mixed up, emotionally wrecked people. God.

If we could argue that some men are good (though none are), I would venture to say, Our president is a good man. I do believe, that Our president's intentions are good: He wants to fix the economy, help people fulfill their dreams, live in peace and harmony with the nations around us, and please the majority (since he, obviously, can't please everybody). Now, will he be able to do all those things - If he could, is he going about it the right way, the best way? Probably not, but then neither would you if you were president. Would you?

Isn't it amazing how zealous we can be when holding on to our American ideal, and superior forms of government, such that ensure free enterprise, the pursuit of happiness and freedom of expression and the right to defend ourselves? and yet, we quickly forget the higher callings God has placed on us: to love and serve one another, to have peace and humility, to honor, love and pray for those in authority?

Our wonderful form of government, in all its brilliance and beauty, is simply, a man-made endeavor, full of faults and errors and incompetences. It encourages hard work, creativity and industrialism and can tend to reward greed, manipulation and power of the rich?

Socialism, which many fear our president is leading us toward, attempts to pull down the fortresses of the rich and powerful and accommodate the less fortunate... this tends to reward laziness, and incompetence. See, neither are without its faults, but it is easy to see why the first has gotten us where we are today (it has been both good and bad). Either would work, really, if we were all good people, but, unfortunately, we tend to go back and forth, trying different forms of government that end up revealing varying forms of our nature: which is, ultimately, greedy, selfish, and lazy.

My whole point is this: let's stop being so dependant on our president, government, lifestyle... and run to God. Let's stop being so critical of people in authority, when it's usually not items of Godliness that are being compromised but more so, preferences that we have; because we've made some things all too important and monumental in our lives.

(written by my friend Rachel Banura, 23-Apr-09)

"A Strange Way To Save The World" - Jason Crabb

2009-04-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

This is where it all began. The author and finisher of my Faith was concieved by a simple, little virgin girl. Facing possbile rejection of her people, she carried out Almighty God's will for her life - "and she brought forth her first born son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Why there? In a stable filled with hay? It's such a strange way to save the world - but it was HIS way. Thank God for the Manger - thank God for the Cross. Thank God for His Son, My Savior. Oh, and Happy Easter... because THIS is where it all began.
Listen to the words of this song. . . .

"Through The Fire" - The Crabb Family

2009-04-23T20:45:00.000-04:00

"I'd Rather Have Jesus/Oh, How I Love Jesus" - The Crabb Family

2009-04-23T20:05:00.004-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqFsFY0M8WI

For some reason it won't let me post the music video to this song - but I Promise You, You will NOT Be Sorry if you click that link right now and see the true heart of the Crabb Family. Wow.

"I'd Rather Have Jesus" than anything this world affords today becuase - "Oh! How I Love Jesus!"

God's been so good to me. God's been so good to me. God's be SO good to me.

Gaither Vocal Band: "It Is Finished"

2009-04-23T19:07:00.004-04:00

I encourage you to watch BOTH videos - they are the same song, the same singers - two different occasions - both amazing - and both will touch your heart in a different way.

Please, don't focus on the singers - focus on the words... They are powerful! If this song doesn't touch your heart, then I don't know what will. God's grace is sufficient - it is enough. And It Is Finished!

click here to view more videos by the Gaither Vocal Band:
http://www.blogger.com/www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGuaJM_JmyI

It Is Finished!

2009-04-22T17:43:00.006-04:00

There's a line that is drawn thru the ages—
On that line stands an old rugged cross—
On that cross a battle is raging
To gain a man’s soul or its’ loss....
On one side march the forces of evil:
All the demons all the devils of hell—
On the other the angels of glory,
And they meet on Golgotha's hill
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict—
And the sun refuses to shine—
For there hangs God's son in the balance—
And then thru the darkness He cries:

It is finished, the battle is over!
It is finished; there'll be no more war!
It is finished; the end of the conflict—
It is finished and Jesus is Lord!

Yet in my heart the battle was still raging—
Not all prisoners of war had come home.
These were battlefields of my own making—
I didn't know that the war had been won....
Oh! But then, I heard the King of the Ages
Had fought all the battles for me—
And that victory was mine for the claiming—
And now praise his name I am free!

It is finished, the battle is over!
It is finished; there'll be no more war!
It is finished; the end of the conflict—
It is finished and Jesus is Lord!
It is finished and Jesus is Lord!

IT IS FINISHED!!

Corrie Ten Boom - Light In The Darkness

2009-04-21T14:54:00.006-04:00

Without a doubt, anyone who has heard the word "Holocaust" knows that it refers to one of the darkest times in history. The stories that you hear are generally depressing and filled with only suffering and sheer hatred. But this is the story of two women who were able to share light in one of the darkest concentration camps. In this place were Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Betsie.

Holocaust - A Ray Of Hope
"We must go everywhere, and tell everyone... There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still." Elizabeth Ten Boom ("Betsie") stared into her sister, Corrie's eyes with the pure love that she was.

Ravensbruck was one of the worst concentration camps in Germany. Fleas and lice were so thick that upon entering the bunkroom, one became swarmed in them. The stench of burning flesh from those that were murdered without warning was a constant stare into the face of death. The food was one half pound of bread and one half liter of soup per day. The work was so hard that the women had swollen legs and were losing circulation in no time.

To make matters worse, the women fought one another for everything. They cursed, pushed, and shoved each other. Even if someone was simply stepped on or bumped. Rarely donated clothes and blankets caused horrible uproars. The few nurses who had access to items such as soap, vitamins, and underwear charged prices such as a week's bread ration for undergarments, 25 gilders for soap, and two days' bread for any pills.

So Was There A Ray Of Hope In This Awful Place?
"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."
Betsie had been frail from birth and was so weak that she was staggering from the weight of a small pail filled with rocks. The guard laughed at her and imitated Betsie's walk. Some of the prisoners laughed as well. Her sister, Corrie, was astounded. Betsie, too, was laughing! "That is me all right," She said. "But you better let me keep going - any more and I will stop all together." The guard was enraged and began mercilessly whipping Betsie. She cried out repeatedly in pain, but her eyes were filled with compassion.

Corrie and Betsie had smuggled a Bible into the camp and traded it back and forth during the day. If the guards found one or caught anyone having meetings, they were to be executed. At first, the women held these meetings very timidly. But as the weeks wore on and no guards came into the bunkroom, they grew bolder. Corrie marveled at this.

Why was it that no guard came in?

Betsie excitedly told Corrie, "I found out for sure, Corrie. I overheard two guards. The guards will not step foot in the bunkroom because of the FLEAS! Thank God for the fleas!" she exclaimed. The women added that to their prayers daily.

The difficult prices for basic things, commodities that few consider of value, remained the same. But the ray of hope was changing something else. Instead of shoving, clawing, pushing, kicking, or cursing each other, the women were responding with "Sorry! That's okay! No harm done! Excuse me please!" What a change this ray of hope brought in by two women had made.

But How Had Such Gentle Souls Found Themselves Here?
Corrie and Betsie lived with their father, Casper, in Harlem Holland. Casper was a watchmaker and a man of great wisdom. His heart was kind. He was an abundant giver to all in need and well respected in all of Harlem. It was he who went in line and got a star, although he was not Jewish. A Jew in line became angry with him. He replied simply: "If we would all wear them, no one would know the difference between Gentile and Jew."

The Ten Boom house had seven rooms. The roof was right outside Corrie's bedroom window. This was where the "secret room" used to save the lives of hundreds of Jews was hidden. Casper, Corrie, and Betsie took in even the high risk occupants, such as babies and the elderly with breathing problems. They turned no one away.

It was critical to have constant drills, because they never knew when a raid would come. Bedding had to be turned over. No warm spots were to be felt. Others in the house must not be suspected. All waste baskets had to remain empty and trash had to be burned. Food plates must be taken with the people into the secret room, and no food was to be spilled. Can you imagine all this done in under two minutes?

Casper, Betsie and Corrie were arrested and drilled with the same questions over and over again. Corrie was especially drilled by a young, intelligent Lieutenant. He tried to get to her by offering comforts, sitting her in a cozy chair next to a warm fire. Corrie was also very ill at the time, so you better believe that fire felt very good in contrast to her stone cold, lonely cell. The Lieutenant continued to probe, "Tell me about your OTHER work."

"Oh, you mean my work with retarded children?" she would respond. "How we taught them about God in our Bible class."

"Where is your secret room? Where are the Jews?"

"We have no secret room." Corrie was steadfast. No matter how hard and cleverly the guard tried, not one of them ever revealed that there were people in hiding.

Papa - What Is It Like To Die?
Casper Ten Boom was so feeble that he was almost not able to climb into the carriage that took them to the prison. Seeing this, the guard who arrested them said: "Ten Boom, give me your word you will behave yourself, and you can die in your bed, old man, where you belong."

Casper met his cold gaze with an unblinking look. "If I stay behind, I will open my door to anyone who knocks for help."

Shortly after, the family was split apart. "God be with you Papa," the girls called out as he was being dragged away from them, and they from him. "And with you, my daughters." This was the last time they ever saw him.

Casper died, taking ill only ten days after being imprisoned. He was denied medical treatment, and his body was thrown into a pauper's grave.

When given the news of her father's death, Corrie pictured in her mind one of the times where her father's faith and wisdom gave her great peace. Her mother had taken her sister, Nollie, and her with her to comfort a friend who had just lost an infant to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Corrie was really struck by the cold, lifeless body that was clearly in sight. You see, in that culture death was a fact they didn't try to hide.

When he was tucking her into bed that night, Corrie asked: "Papa, what is it like to die?"

Papa Ten Boom did not look away from her, but held his gaze into her eyes. "When we go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?"

Corrie considered this well before answering. "Just before we get on the train."

Still holding his steady gaze, he said to her: "When the time comes, your Heavenly Father will give you all the strength you need."

Free Before The New Year
Corrie sometimes was very tempted to hate all the cruel men around her, particularly the guard who made life extra hard for them. Betsy constantly told her, "No hate, Corrie. Don't look at it. You know you can only give it to Jesus."

The horrible conditions were weakening Betsie's already feeble body. But the weaker she became physically, the stronger her faith became. It did not take long for her to be excused from work, only waiting for her temperature to reach the required admission level - 104 degrees - And then she must wait for a bed to become available.

Betsie began to talk about a plan. "There has to be a plan, Corrie. We must go everywhere and tell everyone. They will believe us, because we were here. There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still."

Betsie saw a vision and described it to Corrie. In it was a concentration camp - not the one where they were, but another - becoming a place of refuge for all who had endured as they had, that they might be free. She also described an elaborate house, much bigger than the one she and Corrie grew up in, that would be used for the same purpose. And she saw in the vision that both of them would be free before the New Year.

Betsie died in the hospital before the New Year.

Corrie was released very shortly after, also before the New Year. She found out that just one week after her release, all the women her age were taken to the gas chambers.

Corrie commented later: "When they called out 'Prisoner 66730, Ten Boom Cornelia,' I did a double-take. I hadn't been called by my name in so long."

Can You Believe It?
Corrie later learned that her release came through a "clerical error." She was not supposed to get released at all.

Corrie went into over 60 countries and fulfilled both of Betsie's visions. She told her story to anyone who would listen.

This light that they brought with them is Jesus.

His love gave Corrie what it took to forgive that nasty guard who harassed Betsie and her while they were naked in that freezing shower. The same man who beat Betsie mercilessly. She was able to forgive that man only because of Him.

(article taken from http://www.squidoo.com/corrie-ten-boom)

Mom, Don't Scare Me Like That!!

2009-04-18T20:48:00.006-04:00

Today was my "pamper and relax" day with my Best Friend Sarah. She's awesome - and we make quite the hilarious team. :)

We went out to lunch at Red Robin, then to Lily Nails to get Spa Pedicures *ahhh!* :), and then we went to the movies and saw "I Love You, Man" -- (honestly, I thought it was a dumb movie - and a perfect waste of $5.00). blah.

While Sarah and I were at the movies my dad called - but since my phone was on silent (so as NOT to disturb the other 5 people that were in the auditorium with us.... yes 5) I missed his call.
He didn't leave a voicemail.
I called him back as Sarah and I were walking back to my new car.

Me: "Hey dad! you called?"

Dad: "Yes... are you home, or are you two still out-and-about?"

Me: "We're still out, but we're actually heading home... what's going on?"

Dad: "Mom went to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and had a fainting spell so I took her to Urgent Care....."

Me: "WHAT?! What do you mean? Is she okay...?"

Dad: "She's going to be fine... yes, she's okay."

People, you don't understand.... my mom is my bestest friend in the world. If anything were to happen to her, I think I would just about lose all drive to live. I can't imagine life without her. I don't want to imagine life without her.

When mom and dad got home she went to bed. I followed her in her bedroom.

Me: "Mom... you scared me...." *kissed her on the cheek*

Mom: "Hey! It scared me too!" (spunky as ever.... my little Arab! ;)

Me: "You're not allowed to ever do that again... ever..."

Mom: (in her cute, little baby voice) "Otay... I not...." :)

Me: "Good.... or I'll be forced to poke you in the nose..."

Mom: (eyes opened real wide, funny facial expression) "Oooooo....."

Ah! She's adorable... in every way. I'm so blessed! :) I don't deserve such an amazing mother! Thank you, Jesus.

Please pray for my mother. The doctor thinks her pain medication for her hip is too strong, and that it might've caused a minor over-dose to her small body (she's 4'11'').
She's home now... sleeping. As spunky as ever. But we all know how quickly things can change - in the blink of an eye - for life is but a vapor: here today, gone tomorrow.

I love my mother more than anything else in this world.

She Is My Best Friend.

Were It Not For Grace

2009-04-17T15:35:00.006-04:00

This song has become my “life song” – and I can truly attest to the truth behind every word. Don’t ever let yourself wander so far away as to forget how good God has been to you. My God is good – ALL the time He is good.
Let this bless your heart. I love you all – but more importantly, God loves you SO much. How much do YOU love Jesus?

“Were It Not For Grace”

Verse 1:
Time measured out my days – life carried me along—
In my heart I yearned to follow God,
But knew I’d never be so strong.
I looked around the world and surely Heaven cannot be gained.
People working to attain,
But human effort is all in vain.

Chorus:
Were it not for grace I can tell you where I’d be:
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere

With my salvation up to me.
I know how that would go – the battles I would face—
Forever running, but losing the race...
Were it not for grace.

Verse 2:
So here is all my praise – expressed with all my heart!
Offered to the Lord Who took my place
And ran the race I could not start.
And though He knew in full just how much His love would cost
He still walked that final mile to Calvary’s cross
So I would not be lost.

Chorus:
Were it not for grace I can tell you where I’d be:
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere

With my salvation up to me.
I know how that would go – the battles I would face—
Forever running, but losing the race...
Were it not for grace—
Forever running, but losing the race...
Were it not for grace.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

On the lighter side, if you need a good laugh check out this post from fellow blogger Puffs Pocket.... here I am, sitting in an office full of men at 3:15 reading this post – C.R.A.C.K.I.N.G. up OUT LOUD…. I just couldn’t help myself. I admit, I do so many stupid things and embarrass myself more times that I can count, but this takes the cake! Read it for yourself at: http://puffspocket.blogspot.com/2009/04/friday-funnies_17.html. I guarantee you will laugh.... and if you don’t, take some happy pills and get over yourself. :) I mean that all in Christian love, of course..... ;)

IT'S A.... Girl??

2009-04-16T08:48:00.005-04:00

Well, with the passing of one life comes the beginning of a new life.....
Here "she" is:

(click image for enlargement)

"She's" beautiful. Or.... maybe it's a "he".... who really knows?
That's where YOUR job comes in!!
I'm not sure what to name it.... SOOOO.... let the contest begin!!

I want to see which of you can come up with the best name for my new "baby". Just post it as a comment to this post, and the decision will be made once all the votes have been cast!

Ready? Set?
3........... 2......... 1........
GO!!!!!!!

Subject: Scream!

2009-04-14T20:01:00.008-04:00

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O_o

I hardly know what to write.....

It's been SO crazy lately - running here and there, looking for a new car, finding what I think I want, deciding not to get it, continued looking, found another, nope that's not it, kept looking, found one I liked, searched some more, went back to car "C", decided to get it, started the paperwork, did 99% of the rest of the paperwork, and back tomorrow morning to finish the paperwork and drive away in my new 20--....... oh wait, I can't tell you yet! You must wait until I can post pictures - THEN I'll tell you what kind of car I bought! :P haha!

But I do love it. My homework has suffered greatly though this week with all the insane running around I've been doing. And work has been extremely busy too, so it's not like I could sit at my desk at work and work on my homework... no, no.

Hopefully the week will start to slow down a little now.... well, perhaps after tomorrow.
Schedule for 15-Apr-09:

6:30 - 8:10 ---- wake up, get ready for long busy day

8:15 - 8:30 ---- finalize paperwork at dealership and drive away in my new car!! ;)

9:00 - 1:30 ---- ACCT 1080 class

2:00 - 6:00 ---- work, work, work....

6:00 - 6:50 ---- drive to church (yes, it takes that long to get there. honest.)

7:00 - 8:30 ---- church.

8:40 - 9:15 ---- practice music with singers and song directors

9:20 - 10:10 ---- drive home (in my new car!!) from church

10:20 - 10:50 ---- shower, get ready for bed

11:10 - 5:30 ---- slee....zZzZzZzZzZz

Get up and do it all over again the next day!! Sweet life! :)

I Do Not Believe In Miracles

2009-04-12T16:31:00.009-04:00

Today is Easter -- one of the Christian's most happiest days of the year. Why? Because it is the memorial, the "anniversary" (if you will) of the rising of our Savior from the dead!

This morning was our "Sunrise Service" where we have a huge breakfast at the church and a small devotional (during the Sunday School hour) and then the Morning Service to follow. It was amazing!

The Morning Service wa after that.... and wow! It was such an honor unto the Lord!
I was asked to play the piano while the offering was being taken, so I played the "Resurrection Medley" arranged by Mark Hayse (one of my favorite composers). It consisted of "Up From The Grave He Arose", "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today", and "Rise Again". I believe it was a blessing!
Our choir performed the Easter cantata this morning entitled: "Jesus Christ is Lord!" What a blessing! Being up in the choir was an honor and being able to be used of God to witness and give a testimony in the way of songs is so great.
My preacher have a short message after that - a Salvation message - because there were alot of visitors in the audiance. When the invitation was given, our song leader picked the hymn "Only Trust Him", and I played the piano for it.
Though there were many lost people in the church this morning, one man got assurance of His salvation! Oh, how the angels rejoiced! I believe God is at work in many hearts though, with the Holy Spirit as the "after-preacher" continuing to ring strong in the minds of lost men and women convicting them of their sin and making them aware of their need for a Savior.

My parents and I decided to stop at a couple car lots on the way home as we continue the search for a replacement for Barney. I found a few cars that might be "options" - so I'm going to go back up there after work tomorrow and test drive a few vehicles.

When we finally reached home, my parents and I grabbed some lunch and headed towards the TV - anxiously anticipating some relaxation! :)
Ben Hur was on TV... yay! What a touching movie - I simply love it.

One line that really caught my interest was when Judah told Baltazar that he didn't believe in miracles....

Judah: I don't believe in miracles.

Baltazar: You don't believe in miracles? Judah, your whole life is a miracle...

Judah: (silence)
He got the point. because, as Judah himself stated later in the movie: "who lives more than one year in the gallies...?"

At the end when Judah comes home from watching the crucifixion of Jesus, he states these words to Esther:

Judah: He said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do....

Esther: Even then?

Judah: And I felt his voice take the sword out of my hand....

What beautiful words! His whole life was a miracle (and so is yours, btw). Then his mother and his sister who were once lepers walked through the doorway and he saw them standing there clean. Yet another miracle was given to Judah!

I believe in miracles. My whole life is a miracle. And though I may have bad days from time to time, every moment is a precious gift.
Honestly, I should be dead right now - I've been given second, third, fourth, fifth, six chances and more! But God is great in mercy and grace!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Happy Easter! :)

Some Days I Feel Like This Myself....

2009-04-11T19:29:00.003-04:00

Ever have those days when you just wish you could put a bag on your head and call it a day?
I do.

Cat In A Sack @ Yahoo! Video

A Piece of Me Died Today.... :(

2009-04-10T14:34:00.010-04:00

He's been a part of my life for 2 years now.... we were so close. We went everywhere together. I loved him, despite all of his faults and problems. I knew the day was going to come, but I hadn't expected it to be so soon.... :(
Barney died.
Born in 1995, my Barney did well for his life. He was given to me by a very nice previous owner - my aunt, to be exact. He was dependable... for awhile. And then, in September of 2007, He had a heart attack. What kept him running failed. Through a long waiting period, $3000, and several operations later, Barney was back to his normal self (almost). Actually, things were never quite the same after that... but I liked to pretend they were.
He never complained.... though sometimes he made funny noises... and it seemed like he was always thirsty.
That fateful day came though.... yesterday.
I could tell something wasn't right - He was moving slower than normal, and his activities seemed very labored. He even smelt kinda funny.
My dad took him to the doctor this morning, and I anxiously awaited the phone call.

**Ringgggggg! Ringggggggg!!**

Me: "Hello?"

Dr.: "Hello. Is this Heather?"

Me: "Yes it is.... any news?"

Dr.: "Well.... yeah, but not good news...."

Me: "Oh no.... alright.... well.... let's hear it....."

Dr.: "It has a bad transmission, bad muffler, bad convertor, and bad struts...."

Me: "oh... wow.... how much?"

Dr.: "A minimum of $2000 to fix everything."

Me: "Heck NO!!"

Needless to say, I am not going to pay to have Barney fixed.... again. Why waste the money? I could put what it would cost to fix him towards a new-er car. But I did have a little bit of an emotional-breakdown when I got off the phone with the "Doctor".
I am going to miss old Barney.... he was a big part of my life. When he died, I can honestly say a little piece of me died as well.
Now the hunt for a new car begins.... where am I going to start?
I guess I will learn a little more about what it truly means to trust in the Lord for ALL my needs.

Pray for me.

(click image for enlargement)

Perhaps NOW, you can understand why we called him "Barney".
He wasn't much... but he was mine. And I loved him.... most days anyways. ;)

Okay.... this dramatic post is going to end now.

Happy Saturday! :)

The Things We Learn In Maturity

2009-04-10T08:55:00.006-04:00

.

Someone posted this in response to my friend’s Facebook© status yesterday. I thought it was pretty good.
Read on. . . . . . .

"The things we learn in maturity aren't simple things such as acquiring information and skills.
We learn not to engage in self destructive behavior.
We learn not to burn up energy in anxiety.
We discover how to manage our tensions.
We learn that self-pity and resentment are among the most toxic of drugs.
We find that the world loves talent but pays off on character.
We come to understand that most people are not for us nor against us; they are simply thinking about themselves.
We learn that no matter how hard we try to please, some people in this world are not going to love us – a lesson that is at first worrisome and then really quite relaxing."
~anonymous

"I Was The Nail"

2009-04-09T13:57:00.002-04:00

(Click image for enlargement)

Drawing Nigh

2009-04-09T10:31:00.005-04:00

James 4: 8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Draw me close to You.
Never let me go.
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I'm Your friend.

You are my desire.
No one else will do.
'Cause nothing else could take Your place,
To feel the warmth of Your embrace—
Help me find the way.
Bring me back to You.

You're all I want.
You're all I've ever needed.
You're all I want.
Help me know You are near.

I’m brought nigh by the blood of the Lamb. And I will never leave. For as Peter said long ago: Where else would I go? There’s no one else....
John 6:67, 68 – “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

I’m so thankful for the Blood.

Ooooo, Girl.... You Be Stylin'...!!

2009-04-07T22:53:00.012-04:00

So.... Here it is.... what I referred to in an earlier post as "the plunge". And literally, that's what it was.

I began to chicken out as Stacy (my stylist) and I began to discuss what I was "planning" to do.... But the thought of actually cutting my hair... I'm pretty sure... was starting to kill me.

That's when Stacy grabbed me, told me how much I'd love the cut, threw me in the chair, put my hair in a low pony tail..... anddddd..... CHOP!

Me: *GASP!*
>
>
>
(((silence)))
>
>
>
Me (again): "I guess it's a bit late to turn back now....." :)

(Click picture for enlargement)

She's right, I L.O.V.E. it!
.....and there's lots of blonde, too... which I also love! ♥

I had 13" of my hair cut off.... *I weep....*
But, on the upside, I am donating it to Locks of Love! I am excited to be helping out someone who's in need!

Actually, I am planning on making a trip back to the salon (no, not to get extensions put in ;P) because I want it cut just a little shorter. It's at the length right now that when it touches my collar it starts to flip out the wrong way - despite how much hairspray I use...! ;D

City of Refuge

2009-04-07T09:22:00.004-04:00

If this doesn’t bless you, I don’t know what will. . . . !

Numbers 35:6, 11-15, 25-28, 32
[6] And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
[11] Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
[12] And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
[13] And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
[14] Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
[15] These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
[25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
[26] But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
[27] And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
[28] Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
[32] And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

Isn’t this a beautiful portion of Scripture? One might think: “But they’re guilty.... they deserve to be punished…. So what’s up with this “refuge” thing.... it’s like a free “out” from facing the music.”
I have three words for you: We’re. All. Guilty.

We all know what the 10 Commandments are: Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, etc and etc.
But the Bible also says that if you “hate” someone, you’ve committed murder in your heart. If you lust after someone and think sexual or perverted thoughts about someone, you’ve committed adultery (or fornication, if you’re not married).
I am so glad that I have a “City of Refuge” I can run to: the cross.

The other beautiful part of this story is (as the Bible says in verses 28 and 32): “And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.” Meaning, the guilty one is safe from judgment until the death of the high priest. A High Priest was the one who would make the sacrifices to appease the wrath of God towards sin until finally…. One day…. Jesus was born of a virgin... lived a perfect life (fully man, yet fully God – Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:9)... fulfilled all the prophecies... died on the cross for your sins and mine becoming that perfect sacrifice that would forever settle the sin-debt if we by faith accept His as our Savior... and victoriously arose from the dead 3 days later conquering death and the grave! Jesus is my Great High Priest, and He’s ever interceding for us on the right hand of the Father! Oh, and by the way, my High Priest will never die... I'm safe forever!

The Bible says:
Romans 8:34
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
I Timothy 2:5
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

One day I ran to the City of Refuge—
Though guilty I was,
I found shelter in the blood He shed for me!
I was condemned, but God – He showed mercy!
And on Calvary God built City of Refuge for me!

Thank you, Jesus!

More Bible verses about the “refuge”:
Deuteronomy 33:27
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them."

II Samuel 22:3
"The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence."

Psalm 9:9
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

Psalm 46:1, 7
[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 62:7, 8
[7] In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
[8] Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalm 57:1
"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."

Psalm 91:2, 9
[2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
[9] Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Psalm 94:22
"But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge."

Hebrews 6:18
"That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:"

Package Deal....?

2009-04-06T19:54:00.008-04:00

The conversation I had with a friend at lunch today. . . . .

Friend: So you were adopted, right?

Me: I sure was!

Friend: Have you ever met your "real" parents"?

Me: I've met my biological mother, but not my biological father.... I don't know if I'll ever try to find him or not....

Friend: And your brother was adopted too, right?

Me: Yes, he was too.

Friend: So... were you two like.... a package deal?

:)
Happy Monday. . . . !

(I Grew In Her Tummy)

Taking the Plunge!!

2009-04-06T13:57:00.008-04:00

I have been thinking about cutting my hair..... extremely short.... for a while now.....
AND....
I have an appointment tomorrow at the salon I have gone to ever since I was a little girl: Classic Design Hair Studio.

My hair stylist is Stacy, and I love how she can always do exactly what I want done to my hair... She is wonderful!

I have decided to finally chop my hair off.... again, extremely short.... compared to what it is now. My hair is probably about 6 inches or so from touching my butt (when I stand up straight). By the time my appointment is over with tomorrow my hair won't even be touching my shoulders!

I went onto the Mary Kay's website and played around with the "virtual makeover" that is featured there and was able to get a picture of the basic gist of what I will look like when it's all "said and done". Please give me your opinions.... but be gentle! haha! I have a feeling a may cry when I look into the mirror for the first time with short hair! :'( <-----You think I'm kidding?! ;)

Currently my hair is a dark, dark brown color (practically my natural color - maybe slightly darker). But, depending on the cost, I may get blonde highlights to go along with my new dramatic look. I like my hair to be darker in the winter (sort of a "warmer" look) and lighter in the summer (a bright, "crisp" look, if you will).

Hopefully everything will work out and I will love it! ♥
BUT.... If worse comes to worse I suppose I can always get extensions put in! ;)
kidding.... just kidding....! ;P

A Bobble-Head + Some Tears = Revival

2009-04-04T17:28:00.007-04:00

As I was driving this afternoon to my friend's wedding shower I was listening to The Crabb Family sing "Nothing But The Blood of Jesus" - singing along with them with everything that was in me! Anyone watching me probably thought I was in great amounts of pain, but I was rather enjoying myself! ;)

The traffic light was red.

There was a lady behind me driving a silver-ish-tan PT Cruiser and she was playing her "air violen" to whatever music she was listening to. Occasionally she would tap her steering wheel as if she was playing the drums. I though it was just so cute!

The light turned green. I began to drive.

Still driving behind me, I noticed she began to use sign language and (thanks to the deaf ministry of my church) I could recognize a few of the words she was signing. She was singing about Jesus!

The next light turned red.

I recognized the words "God", "Free", "Saved", "Blood", "Savior", and a few others. I was never more thankful for red lights in all my life! As I strained to better see the little revival that was going on in the vehicle behind me, I saw a bobble-head Jesus on her dashboard!

The light turned green. I began to drive again.

I continued to watch the lady sign while she sang her praises to the Lord. What a blessing! I was so encouraged.

The next light turned red.

The lady had stopped signing. She began to wipe tears away from her eyes. I almost started to cry. I was touched by this lady's obvious love for her Savior! She was not ashamed to be public about it! I was so thankful to see that there are still people in the world that are bold about their faith.

She turned right at the next corner while I continued on the road I was presently on. I could no longer see her revive herself in the Lord -- BUT I continued with my own mini-revival in my car.

"Oh! Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow!
No other fount I know! NOTHING but the blood of Jesus!"

A Violation?

2009-04-03T20:41:00.007-04:00

"The mention of intelligent design in public schools violates the Establishment Clause in the Bill of Rights."

This is enough to make me sick to my stomach. I literally shook my head and had to chuckle at how far mankind has seemed to progress in their stupidity and willful ignorance. Are we really this desperate to believe a lie? The above statement was found at http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/exhibits/scopes/index.htm. If you need a few laughs, or maybe a renewed burden to openly share the truth of your faith in Jesus, I suggest you click that link and read a little bit.

I know most of my posts lately have had alot to do with Science, but I'm currently in the middle of this Environmental Science class and that's where my main focus is right now (see my post entitled: When I Don't Even Care.... for more details). At first I wasn't really enjoying this class at all.... BUT now that I've actually opened my mind and have decided to make the best of it - I have had SO MANY opportunities to share my faith! It's really so exciting! :)

God knows what He's doing! I'm so glad I know my Creator and have a personal relationship with Him! I hope you can say the same thing for yourself.

God Spoke, and BANG It Happened!

2009-04-02T09:49:00.005-04:00

A co-worker always poses this question (as sort of a light-hearted, yet still serious question): "If time wasn't created by God untill the forth day, then how long was a day prior to 'Day 4'?!"

How Long Is A Day?

There is a theory that says each of God's days in Genesis were actually millions of years for us. Is this true? Maybe we need to ask what does the word "day" mean in Genesis?

The Hebrew word "yom" is translated as day in Genesis. Just as our word "day" can have different meanings based on its context, so can the word "yom". For example, in the Old Testament "yom" is translated to mean a 24 hour day 1109 times. It means a long, long period of time--such as an age--about nine times.

However, every time the word "yom" is used with the term evening or morning in the Bible, it means a regular 24 hour day.
Every time the word "yom" is used with a number, such as "40 yom" (40 days), it means a regular 24 hour day.

What we now see is that in Genesis chapter one God is going out of His way to emphasize that each day is a normal 24 hour day. For example in verse five He says:
"And there was evening and there was morning, one day."

Verse 8: "And there was evening and there was morning, a second day."

Verse 13: "There was evening and there was morning, a third day."

For each day of creation the pattern is the same: evening, morning, number, day. Just part of that pattern, for example using the words "evening" and "day" together, tell us it was a 24 hour day. But God tells us in three ways -- evening, morning, number -- that the word day means... an ordinary 24 hour day.

God is making it very clear: He created everything in six ordinary days.

-------------------------------------------------------

Day 1: On the first day God created the Earth, which at the time would have been a giant ball of water, and He divided light from darkness. The supernatural light would not be talked about in science textbooks.

Day 2: On day two God separated the water from the air. In most textbooks, the origins of oxygen would not predate land.

Day 3: On the third day God created the land and plants.

Day 4: On the fourth day God created the stars and the sun. The Earth predating the sun and stars by three days is considered a heresy among secular scientists.

Day 5: On day five fish and birds were created. The birds coming before land animals contradict macro-evolutionary models.

Day 6: On the sixth day of creation, land animals and man were created. At this time there was no death on the Earth, and God proclaimed it was good. The six days of creation contradicts the Darwinian model, which claims death predates man.

Day 7: God "rested".

On the sixth day of creation, land animals and man were created. At this time there was no death on the Earth, and God proclaimed it was good. The six days of creation contradicts the Darwinian model, which claims death predates man.

The Hebrews used the word, “day” to mean time period. Proof: Genesis 2:4. In the day (singular) God created the Heavens and the Earth. “Morning” meant “beginning” and evening meant ending. Same word for both. And land and Earth were both the same word. The Black Sea Flood (Noah’s Flood) covered the entire land.

Moses used words poetically as do modern scientists. There really was no Big Bang. Sound does not travel in the vacuum of space. There was only a completely silent, sudden expansion of matter. There would however have been a sudden flash of light. “And God said let there be light and there was light.” It is perfectly ok to call it a Big Bang (God spoke and BANG! It happened!). But realize you are using poetry.

Did God create the Sun, stars and Moon after the plants? Of course not. It says He created the LIGHTS IN THE SKY after the plants. Either/or the Earth’s atmosphere was too thick to let Sun and star light reach it, and/or the Sun and stars had not condensed enough for fusion to make light, just heat. Both Jupiter and Saturn give off their own heat, but not light. They are almost proto-stars but a little too small to get lit up.
Amazingly it IS possible God made plants before light hit the Earth. Scientists (being poetic like Moses) have discovered a “Rose Garden” at the bottom of the sea! It is an entirely different kind of eco-system where the plants and animals get their energy from volcanic heat vents, not sunlight. No photosynthesis goes on. It is too dark down there. Earth’s first eco-systems may very well have been like those.

But did God make man before the plants (Gen 2:7) or after the plants as in the 1st chapter of Gen? Don’t worry. Moses was no fool. He could see the conflict. The whole point of both chapters and the contradiction is, the only important thing is, GOD DID IT! So do not worry about modern scientists coming up with still more creation theories, or filling in the details on the old ones. God is not harmed by that, and neither should be your faith.

The 2nd chapter contains much deep symbolic truth. The best commentary I ever saw on it was not by a believer but by Carl Sagan in his book, “Dragons of Eden.” It is a shame this man never found God, for as he said, “I do not want to believe God exists. I want to KNOW God exists.” If he had studied the strong, weak and modified weak anthropic principles, he would have known God exists. If he had taken a leap of faith and asked Christ into his operating system to save and debug it, he would have KNOWN from the gentle and loving Presence within him, that Christ is that God.

Are You Brave Enough to Try an Experiment?

Creation vs. Evolution (Part 1)

2009-04-02T09:28:00.001-04:00

Creation vs. Evolution - A Question of Origins
The creation vs. evolution debate is a question of origins. How did we get here? Were we created or did we evolve randomly? Are we the product of purposeful intelligence or are we merely the end result of countless cosmic accidents? Does it even matter?

Creation vs. Evolution - Reason vs. Religion
The popular media often portrays the creation vs. evolution debate as science vs. religion, with creation being religious and evolution being scientific. Unfortunately, if you don't agree with this label, you too are labeled. Regardless of whether you're a creationist or an evolutionist, if you disagree with the stereotype, you're condemned and "exposed" as a religious fanatic who is secretly trying to pass religion off as science or, even worse, trying to disprove science in order to redeem a ridiculous, unscientific, religious worldview. The fact is neither model of origins has been established beyond a reasonable doubt (otherwise, the theory of evolution wouldn't be called the "theory" of evolution). Whether we like to admit it or not, those of us who subscribe to the theory of evolution do so by faith. And while the recognition of design in biology may have theological implications, it is not based upon religious premise - it's based upon empirical observation and logic.

Creation vs. Evolution - Why Does It Matter?
Why do we even squabble over creation vs. evolution? Does it really matter what we believe about where we came from? Absolutely. Our views on morality, justice, purpose, self-worth, humanity, obligation, and destination are all closely tied to our views on human origins. For example, without affirming or denying the veracity of evolution theory, let's take a moment to consider what the theory of evolution teaches about human origins and what impact this teaching has had upon human behavioral patterns.

Evolution teaches that as species evolve they eventually reach ideal population levels. As species advance, superior species eliminate inferior species -- "survival of the fittest." Weak and inferior members of a species should be eliminated for the preservation of superior bloodlines and for the conservation of essential resources. "Nature" doesn't desire "the mating of weaker with stronger individuals, even less does she desire the blending of a higher with a lower race, since if she did, her whole work of higher breeding, over perhaps hundreds of thousands of years, might be ruined with one blow." "Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death, the most exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the production of the higher animals, directly follows." And as humans are merely a species of animal, we have no intrinsic value and are therefore by no means exempt from "the war of nature." Thus, we have Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) asking the rhetorical question, "should I not also have the right to eliminate millions of an inferior race that multiplies like vermin?" Hitler, of course, is remembered for murdering more than 6,000,000 individual human beings, all of whom he deemed to be inferior members of the species. Was Hitler wrong? Did he misinterpret and misrepresent the theory he claimed to cherish so much? Apparently not. Renowned British evolutionary anthropologist and anatomist Sir Arthur Keith (1866-1955), who was knighted in 1921, came to Hitler's defense, "Hitler is an uncompromising evolutionist, and we must seek for an evolutionary explanation if we are to understand his actions" Keith reassured us, "The German Führer, as I have consistently maintained, is an evolutionist; he has consciously sought to make the practice of Germany conform to the theory of evolution." Joseph Stalin (1879-1953), another ardent evolutionist, surpassed even Hitler in zeal, murdering at least ten times as many "inferiors" (estimates range from 60,000,000 to 100,000,000 people). Was Stalin wrong? What about Pol Pot? Well, not if you subscribe to the evolutionary worldview. In fact, to the philosophically consistent, uncompromised evolutionist, Hitler and Stalin ought to be considered role models.

And so we see how a worldview can impact human behavior. Here, we see murder, a most disapproved human behavior, not only condoned, but encouraged. So, does it matter what we believe about where we came from? Absolutely. However, even more important than what we believe to be true is what actually is true. Someone might not believe in gravity, for example. Nevertheless, if that person were to step off a tall building, that person would splat on the ground below, regardless of what they believed. And so, once again, we have the question: are we the product of purposeful intelligence or are we merely the end result of countless cosmic accidents? Don't rely on hearsay. Investigate the evidences for yourself.

Explore More Now!

Creation vs. Evolution (Part 2)

2009-04-02T09:23:00.004-04:00

Creation vs. Evolution - A Question of Origins
The creation vs. evolution debate is a question of origins. How did we get here? Were we created or did we evolve randomly? Are we the product of purposeful intelligence or are we merely the end result of countless cosmic accidents? What does the evidence say?

Creation vs. Evolution - What Are We Looking For?
Without hard evidence, the creation vs. evolution debate wouldn't amount to much more than a philosophical grudge match. Everyone has their own opinion. The question is what is the basis for that opinion? You see, people can believe whatever they want, but that doesn't make them right. It's the hard evidence that separates the proverbial wheat from the chaff. Keep in mind that "evidence" is not the same as "proof". Evidence is helpful in forming conclusions, while proof concludes the matter altogether. If we had proof, the theory of evolution wouldn't be called a theory. So what constitutes evidence? What are we looking for?

Creation denotes the existence of a divine Creator who has exercised His creative abilities, creating this world and the life-forms we see. Life is the product of intelligent contrivance. Thus, apparent design in biology would constitute evidence for a Designer. It is a self-evident and universally recognized truth: concept and design require an intelligent designer. So, while recognizing design in biology is not based upon religious premise (but upon empirical observation and logic), it certainly has theological implications. Do we find apparent design in biology? Yes. In fact, apparent design pervades the biologic realm. When we apply the general principles of detecting design to living creatures, we find it reasonable to infer the existence of a Creator.

Evolution stresses the naturalistic (random, undirected) descent of all living creatures from a common ancestor who originally evolved from inorganic matter. Life is the product of random chance. What we need here is a plausible mechanism, feasibility, and a history of functionality. British naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882) gave the evolutionary worldview scientific credence by supplying the much needed mechanism - "natural selection". That was 150 years ago. Today, we know that mechanism to be deficient, even in light of genetic mutation. With the tremendous advances we've made in molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics over the past fifty years we've been exposed to a whole new dimension in living systems that was previously unknown. Evolutionary biologists are now looking for a new mechanism, one that can overcome genetic constraints and other chemical-oriented barriers that have been identified in recent years. Until this mechanism is found, the theory of evolution (a theory which has enjoyed prominence in biological circles for over 100 years) simply lacks feasibility, and thus, credibility.

Creation vs. Evolution - Reason vs. Religion
The popular media often portrays the creation vs. evolution debate as science vs. religion, with creation being religious and evolution being scientific. In an ironic twist, it's the creationists who have a solid empirical basis for their theory, while the evolutionists are left clinging to their convictions by faith.

Is it reasonable to acknowledge a Creator? When challenged by skeptics to prove the existence of a Creator scientifically, Dr. Wernher von Braun, the "Father of the American Rocket and Space Program," replied, "Must we really light a candle to see the Sun? …The electron is materially inconceivable, and yet it is so perfectly known through its effects that we use it to illuminate our cities, guide our airliners through the night skies and take the most accurate measurements. What strange rationale makes some physicists accept the inconceivable electron as real, while refusing to accept the reality of a Designer on the ground that they cannot conceive of Him? …The inconceivability of some ultimate issue (which always will lie outside scientific resolution) should not be allowed to rule out any theory that explains the interrelationship of observed data and is useful for prediction." To simply dismiss the concept of a Creator as being unscientific is to "violate the very objectivity of science itself." While we may not be able to comprehend knowledge of a Creator, we certainly can apprehend it.

Investigate More Now!

How Blessed Are you?

2009-04-01T14:30:00.007-04:00

How wise are you? Are you a fool? How blessed are you? Are you a doubter?
Read on.....

John 20:
[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
[25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
[26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
[27] Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
[28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
[30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
[31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

I do not understand how someone can read and study the Bible and still stick to their idea that Jesus Christ is not God. It is SO completely obvious in the Scriptures – Jesus is God! Praise Him for it!

Thomas – he who walked with Jesus, followed Jesus, saw the miracles Jesus performed, the storms Jesus calmed, the bodies Jesus healed, the lives Jesus mended, and was even called by Jesus – doubted, and finally believed when Jesus bid him: “reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side.”

Don’t be a “Doubting Thomas”. And if you still are having a hard time believing, read this – straight from the heart of Almighty God to the inspired penman:

Colossians 1:
[10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
[11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
[12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
[17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
[19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
[20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
[21] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
[22] In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
[23] If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Still doubting? I pray not, but if you are I can only feel great pity for you.
Can the human mind comprehend eternity? Can the human mind understand speaking all creation into existence? Can the human mind begin to fathom the complicated human body? No. we take it all by faith (belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved). We also have to take the diety of Jesus Christ by faith. He IS God. God is one being, yet has three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)! We must take Him at His Word, Believing Who He says He really is!

One more thought for you as I close.........

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

“For he that cometh to God must believe that He is!”

And remember: “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Is He your Lord AND your God?

How blessed are you?

When Jesus Comes To Supper

2009-04-01T00:01:00.003-04:00

As I was reading my online KJV Bible this morning at work – while I sipped on my Grandé chocolaty, espresso mocha :) – I was reminded of something Daniel Brown said in the message he preached on Sunday night. It was a GREAT message too.... He preached on “What Happens When Jesus Comes To Supper”. As you can probably guess, it was a message on the last supper. I cannot stress how great this message was. The portion of Scripture that was referenced was Matthew 26:19-30.

Daniel said that the first thing that happens when Jesus comes to supper is that a Sinner is rebuked.

[19] And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
[20] Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
[21] And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
[22] And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
[23] And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
[24] The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
[25] Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

You cannot sit in the presence of Almighty God and still sit in your sin. Sin cannot enter into the presence of God because He is too holy (and by the way, Jesus IS God). Judas was the betrayer of Jesus, and Jesus told Him that it would have been better if he had just not been born. Let that be a lesson to you: Jesus doesn’t think too highly of betrayers (backstabbers). In fact, He said in the book of Revelations (which was written by the disciple John – who was present at this Last Supper) that He wants for us to either be hot or cold. If you’re only lukewarm (a fence-straddler) He will spit you out of His mouth (and no, this does not mean that you will lose your Salvation). Coming off of that rabbit trail, if you notice when Jesus stated that there was a betrayer among them, ALL the disciples began to whisper amongst themselves and ask “Is it I?” Obviously, each disciple was reminded of some sort of sin that was present in their life, or why would they be asking if they were the ones that would betray their Master?
Think about it….

The second thing that happens when Jesus comes to supper is that the Savior is revealed.

[26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
[27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
[28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
[29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

His blood was shed for the remission of sins! MY sins. YOUR sins. The Drunkard’s sins. The drug-addicts sins. Those of the guilty, the wretched, the torn, the proud, the needy, the hungry, the homeless, the weary, the desperate, the sad, the strong, the rich, and the weak. He died for the sins of EVERYONE! (and on another side-note, there is no such things as the “elect” – the belief that God picks and chooses who He wants and is going to save – Go read John 3:16, AND THEN try to argue the “elects” viewpoint. It can’t be done – Praise God!)

Remember, in the book of Luke, chapter 24, after Jesus had risen from the dead --- He was walking with a few travelers as they journeyed to Emmaus. The travelers didn’t recognize Jesus, and thought He was just any other man. Jesus had a little fun with the situation. He played ignorant at first to the things they were discussing, but later….. LATER, He revealed who He really was! Here’s the entire passage of Scripture containing the account of this story:

[13] And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
[14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
[15] And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
[16] But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
[17] And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
[18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass therein these days?
[19] And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
[20] And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
[21] But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
[22] Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
[23] And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
[24] And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
[25] Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
[26] Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
[27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
[28] And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
[29] But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
[30] And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
[31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
[32] And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
[33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
[34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
[35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
[36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

There’s a reason why a bolded verses 30 – 32.... Notice, Jesus revealed Himself while they sat down to eat. And their eyes were opened: “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?”
Oh, that our hearts would burn within us when we read the Word of God! First though, there must be a surrendering of the spirit and will. And that is often so hard to do. If you really look back in your life, how many times did you desperately long for God to meet with you, to speak to you, to show Himself real to you when there wasn’t a problem in your life or some heartbreaking situation you were facing? If you’re anything like me, you’d realize the sad answer: not many. We’re too comfortable. We’ve become too complacent.

The third thing that happens when Jesus comes to supper is that a Song is resounded!

[30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

It says that THEY sang a hymn. How beautiful is it that Jesus sang along with His disciples! Jesus knew that within just a few short hours He would be arrested, mocked, scorned, beaten, humiliated, denied, rejected, heartbroken, and hung upon a cross.... for the ones He was singing with! How precious the thought! I wonder what song they sang. Perhaps one of the Psalms King David had written long ago (“Psalm” means “Song”). Maybe even Psalms 23.

It’s a beautiful story. Beautiful. Words cannot do it justice.

For a more detailed account of this story, read your Bible.
-or- see my post entitled: I Love You, I Love You Not

Sprint Palm Tréo Pro

2009-03-31T15:54:00.009-04:00

I bought a new phone last night, because - alas! my phone passed away! :'(

ANDDDDD..... I terminated my contract with Verizon. I was going to switch to AT&T and get the iPhone because my brother has that phone and he absolutely loved it! BUTTTT.... After spending about 35 minutes there, the AT&T guy ran a "credit check" and found out that I would have to pay a $500.00 deposit in addition to paying $210.0o0 as the out-the-door price for the iPhone. Basically, I would have to pay them over $700.00 to even start a contract with them. Call it what you want, but I call it highway robbery. I was waiting for them to start charging me for the air I was breathing while standing in their store!!! I explained to them that I did not have bad credit because I don't even have a credit card - I don't want a credit card! And IF I DID have bad credit, I would lose my job since I work for the government. Also, why couldn't they call up Verizon Wireless? I have never been late on a payment for the entire time I was a customer of Verizon!

Needless to say, I did NOT go with AT&T. Quite upset, I drove away and headed for home. I had to do something though.... I needed a new (working) phone. My crazy, heavy schedule demands that I have a means by which people can contact me. I practically live out of my car.

Anyways, I began to drive home when I saw a Sprint store on my left. I decided to pull in, and try my luck there. When the Sprint guy asked what he could do for me, I told him that before we go any further, he might as well run a credit check on me now to avoid possibly wasting time. When he told me I came up approved and that I wouldn't have to pay any type of a deposit, I got so excited! He even worked some magic and waived the activation fee for me!

I started to look at the Instinct (Sprint's version of the iPhone)... BUT THEN I was gloriously directed over to the Palm Treo Pro.... the brand new version of the phone I had. In fact, it just came out about 2 weeks ago. It was love at first sight. I walked away that night with a beautiful black Palm Treo Pro. Fully loaded with the Windows Operating System, Microsoft Office, Text Messaging, Instant Messengers, web browser, games, ring tones, alarms, calendars, etc and etc!

Now if only all my pictures had transferred over like the guy said had happened.... I can't find them anywhere - they disappeared. And my contacts folder won't open. I will be making a tiny visit back there soon to get that figured out.

Isn't it pertyyyyy!?!

Desperate.

2009-03-29T22:38:00.002-04:00

It occurred to me last night as I was thinking about someone.... Desperation will will make one of two things happen in your life: it will either cause you to surrender, or it will destroy you. You cannot have it both ways though.

I'm ashamed to admit, I've been desperate for many things in my life.... Attention, money, an understanding shoulder to cry on, love, rest, sinful pleasures, a new car, a listening ear, friends, and some things that necessarily aren't bad. But these are all things that should be second place - on the back burner, if you will - not in the forefront of my mind.

In the book of Lamentations, which really means the "Book of Weeping" (lament = weep; cry; be sorrowful), the prophet penned these words (ch. 3:21-25):
21. This is recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him

I want to be desperate. but not for the things of this world. not for the things that this life has to offer. not for the tangible things with are corruptible. No. I want to be desperate for my God. I want to seek after Him with all my heart, mind, and soul. I want to know the depth of both the riches and glory of Jesus Christ.

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:" (Psalm 42:1, 2a)

What are you desperate for?
Or rather... WHO are you desperate for?

Hmmmm.... Think about it.

When I Don't Even Care....

2009-03-28T21:15:00.004-04:00

I am sitting here in my basement, cold though it may be, trying to concentrate on ENVS 1050 homework (for those who don't know what that is it's Environmental Science).
Honestly, I have never cared about such matters as water-pollution, global warming, and other such nonsense ideas.

I am not a tree-hugger, global warming is a hoax, the animals can fend for themselves and don't need "rights" - how about the rights of humans? More babies pay the price of having no rights thanks to abortion, and people are worried about animal rights? please....
And the polar bears in Alaska are doing just fine.

The earth is not millions of years old.... try approximately 6000 years old at best.
I just don't understand what all the hype is about.... God doesn't need our help preserving the world. He created it all, hung the worlds in space, and has sustained His living creations since the beginning of time (which He also created, I might add).

People need to get off their environmental pedistols and actually fight for something that matters.... like the rights of the unborn, marriage = 1 man + 1 woman, lower taxes, a non-socialistic government (because we're headed that way, you know) - oh, and here's one for you.... How about the cause of Christ?! That one's sufferered more than any of the above mentioned. In fact, I think it's safe to say that most Christians (or those who so claim themselves to be) have completely fallen off the wagon when it comes to this.

Anyways, my whole point here is.... I find it very hard to write an 8-page report per week about how we should "save" the environment when, honestly, I could care less.

And God forbid that I should stand up for the truth and tell the professor that I don't believe any of this hog-wash. I believe God.

oh, and one more thought for you.... I don't believe that I came from monkeys. There wasn't nothing, and then all of a sudden *BANG* the world appeared and a blob of matter started floating around untill one day it landed on earth and began to evolve into different creatures and monsters and then eventually monkeys came along.... and *viola* there were humans. NO.
Get a grip of the truth. We're too complicated of beings to just have "happened". There is a Higher Power who created us.

"In the beginning GOD created the Heavens and the earth...." (Genesis 1:1)
By the way, GOD created the "beginning" as well.

Thank you, Jesus.

Addict.

2009-03-27T11:00:00.002-04:00

What can I say.....

I can't help myself....

I'm addicted.

....and I want some... NOW!!

The Secret Life Is Not So Secret

2009-03-27T08:31:00.022-04:00

A TV series came out sometime last year called “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”. It’s about a 15-year-old girl named Amy who goes to band camp, and comes back pregnant. She was the “good girl” in her family, yet one bad choice led to a whole slew of changes – and, in all reality, it turned several lives upside down. Yet there was that could undo what had already been done.

As Amy begins this new journey of pregnancy, questions of whether she would keep the baby or not, whether she would change schools or not, who she would date, who her friends were, and whether or not her parents would support any of her decisions filled her life.

A dramatic story takes off as any normal teenagers life would.... well, almost normal. This particular teenager was now caring and looking out for two people: herself and her baby.

The cast is comprised of several people – the main characters being (left to right) Adrian, Ricky, Amy, Ben, Grace, Jack, Ashley (Amy’s sister - not pictured), and Tom (Grace’s brother - not pictured). Amy has always been the “good girl” in her family, yet was pregnant with Ricky’s baby. Ashley was more of the rebel child, yet she was very caring and sweet on the inside. Ben is Amy’s ever-so-protective and loving boyfriend who sticks up for and stays with her through everything. Grace is the preacher’s naïve daughter who believes in everyone, never talks bad about people, and always has a positive attitude. Jack is Grace’s boyfriend who wants to take his relationship with Grace farther than she is willing to go. Adrian is the high school flirt that has practically no parental authority at home, gets whatever she wants, and is physically involved with Ricky. Sounds like one big mess, right?!

It was a ‘secret’ when Amy first found out she was pregnant... no one knew except for her... she wanted to keep it a secret. She was afraid of what people would think of her. She was scared or how her friends would view her. She didn’t want to be looked at as the “bad girl”. But a baby is something that you really can’t keep secret, no matter how much you want to. She could not deny it forever. So she told her sister... and then she told her two best friends... and then she told her boyfriend, Ben... eventually she told her parents... and then the baby’s father... and then it wasn’t long until the whole school new. “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.” (Luke 8:17)

The Bible says in Psalm 44:21, “Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Amy could hide it from everyone (for a short time), but she could not hide it from God. Psalm 90:8 says: “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.”

No doubt, Amy wished she had never been in the situation that got her into this mess in the first place. However, determined to make the best of it, she kept living her life the best she could. None of us above falling – and she just happened to make the wrong choice... and a big one at that.

Searching for answers to the situation she found herself, she and Ben decided that they would get married. Sounds like a good solution, right? While they and their friends were at the little chapel, the parents got wind of the plot, and rushed to put an end to the whole idea. Needless to say, there was no wedding that night. It’s not that their parents were opposed to them getting married in the future, but certainly not at the age of 15!

Time went by, drama continued to run rampant, and Amy’s protruding belly grew with every day that passed. Nine months later the day came. Amy went into labor. Hours passed. Eleven of her closest friends, her parents and sister, and Ben’s father waited anxiously at the hospital for the baby to arrive. But finally, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. I think the biggest struggle of the whole pregnancy was trying to pick a name for her son. Amy decided that since Ashley talked her into keeping the baby, it would only be right if Ashley named the baby. Ashley reluctantly tried to think of some names, and randomly through the name “John” out in the air. Amy liked it. Ashley labeled it as a clean, simple name since his life was “bound to be complicated enough as it was.”

The series ended as the baby’s father (Ricky) came to visit his napping son at Amy’s house. Amy was taking a nap, too. He gently lifted the baby out of his crib and just stared at him for a few seconds. He kissed his son on the forehead and whispered “I love you” I his ear.

And that was the end of the series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally, I have only watched about 5 or 6 of the episodes of the entire series -- but what I have had the chance to watch, I have thoroughly enjoyed. The creator of "The Secret Like of the American Teacher" was also the creator of "7th Heaven" (one of my favorites).

Perhaps the show was created to be sort of a "birth control" for teenagers. Perhaps it was created to show teens that there are always consequences for wrong actions. I don't know what the reason for the show was, but I know it helped me to better understand what teenagers go through and face on a daily basis of their lives.

I thought it was a very well-written series, the acting was great, and I definately recommend you watch it if you haven't yet.

But remember, "things done in secret will be shouted from the rooftops" (so to speak) - meaning, no matter what you do eventually people will know because you cannot keep it hid for forever. And there is one person that you cannot hide it from at all: God.

What's your secret?

When In Doubt....

2009-03-23T15:12:00.012-04:00

A friend of mine had grown up in a Christian home all her life – a Pastor’s home, a godly home – yet for years she struggled with her salvation. She doubted if she had ever been truly saved. True, she had made a childhood profession, but she questioned if she truly understood or meant it back then.

Melissa got assurance of her salvation on March 10, 2009 – and Heaven rejoiced! On March 11, 2009 she announced it during the mid-week service at our church – and the Church rejoiced! On March 15, 2009 she made it public as she was baptized: buried in His likeness, raised to walk in newness of life – and I began doubting.

I wondered if the TWO professions of faith I had made were enough. Had I truly meant it? ANDDDD if Melissa grew up in a Pastor’s home and was always so involved in the different ministries at the churches she had attended – and she STILL wasn’t sure if she was saved… maybe I wasn't either! The doubts began 5 minutes after Melissa got the assurance for her salvation – the minutes I received the announcing text message: “I got saved! No, I’m not kidding! Truly, I just handled it once and for all!” My first reaction was a shocked one, then it turned to extremely happy for her, then it turned to fright. And it stayed as a frightful reaction until March 15.

Melissa made her profession of Christ a public one as she was baptized by our preacher after the evening service. The water heater had broke, so the baptismal was freezing, yet Melissa said she was still willing to go through with it if the preacher was willing. Coming back out of the water, Melissa let out a loud *GASP* -–- apparently the water was colder than she expected it to be! ;)

I quickly left church that night. Doubts filled my mind, and I wanted to be alone so I could think.
I was flying in my car, making it home in record timing – about 35 minutes. Honestly, it’s probably not wise to be driving between 15 and 20 mph over the speed limit, steering with your knee, and texting people all at the same time when you’re doubting your salvation. But then again, I’ve always done stupid things....

When I got home that night, I went straight to my room, got ready for bed, and whipped out my Bible. I needed some answers, and I had every intention of having a long talk with God that night.

I randomly opened my Bible up to the New Testament gospel of Mark 5:24 – 36....

[24] And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
[25] And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
[26] And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
[27] When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
[28] For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
[29] And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
[30] And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
[31] And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
[32] And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
[33] But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
[34] And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
[35] While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
[36] As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

The first thing that caught my eye was when Jesus asked who had touched him. Then verse 33 says: “But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.”

That was exactly what I was doing. I was afraid of being unsaved, so I had outpoured my heart to the Lord. I kept telling him ‘I’m sorry’ over and over again.

The next verse then caught my eye: “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” My "plague" was fear, worry, doubt - so that was a little more comforting.... but I still wasn’t convinced. I was still afraid. What if I was only trying to make myself believe I was bound for Heaven? What if I really wasn’t though – what if my eternal destination was still Hell??

I was crying. I kept asking Him to give me a peace if I was already saved. I just wanted to remember. I needed assurance. I needed peace again. I wanted the worry to disappear.
......AND THEN, as if it were glowing with a glorious light, this verse seemed to pop from the page: “Be not afraid, only believe.”

That was all I needed. I felt an instant peace. I was so thankful. I slept so well that night, and I woke up with a smile on my face the next morning – and every morning.

I remember it clearly. I remember sitting in the SilverDome as Steve Pettit preached a booming message on Hell. I was 12 years old, and I was scared out of my mind. I walked the isle that night (or the stairs, rather) and was shown with a Bible how I could know for sure that I would go to Heaven when I die. I remember crying uncontrollable as my sin-debt was washed as white as snow. I remember the heavy burden being lifted. I remember the instant joy I felt. I remember it all as if it was yesterday. I’m so thankful for a Savior who loves and keeps me through everything, no matter what – “there ain’t nothin’ better than Jesus!”
I claim the blood! I rely on Jesus alone - and I trust the truth of His Word!

This song says it all. It's called....

“I Take Him Back”

Verse I:
Now it's been some time since I made up my mind
To make Jesus Lord of my life—
I've withstood the fear and shed many tears,
But patience has stood by my side!
When I hear Satan say “you're really not saved,
You're traveling down the wrong track”—
I recall once again where grace withstood sin:
Down memory's lane I take him back!

Chorus:
I take him back to the time at an old-fashioned meeting
When the presence of God filled the air—
When the saints were singing of grace and glory,
Sweet melodies seasoned with prayer—
When one simple sermon from an old-fashioned preacher
Was life to a poor dying slave—
I walk him down the aisle to a place at the altar
Where grace fell and I know I got saved!

Verse II:
I never knew love 'til it came from above
And took its abode in my heart—
The sun now shines brighter, my burden is lighter
Since Jesus gave me a new start!
My songs have been changed – my life rearranged,
My journey is now a new road—
And when that old accuser tells me I'm a loser
I remind him how he lost my soul!

(Chorus Again)

(Words and music by Gerald Crabb)

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture

2009-03-23T12:44:00.002-04:00

What is the Pre-tribulation Rapture?

The rapture is an event that will take place sometime in the near future. Jesus will come in the air, catch up the Church from the earth, and then return to heaven with the Church. The Apostle Paul gave a clear description of the rapture event in his letters to the Thessalonians and Corinthians.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-53).

The timing of the rapture is not known. From the Word of God and from sound reasoning--something Jesus used quite frequently--I hope to prove the reality of the pre-tribulation rapture.

The word “rapture” comes from Paul's "caught up" remark in verse 17. The words “caught up” are translated from the Greek word harpazo, which means "to carry off," "snatch up," or "grasp hastily." The translation from harpazo to “rapture” involved two steps: first, harpazo became the Latin word raptus; second, raptus became the English word “rapture”.

Scriptural Evidence for the Pre-tribulation Rapture

The Unknown Hour --
When we search the Scriptures and read the passages describing the Lord Jesus' return, we find verses that tell us we won't know the day and hour of that event. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time, while Revelation 12:6 indicates that the Jews will have to wait on the Lord 1,260 days, starting when the Antichrist stands in the Temple of God and declares himself to be God (2 Thess. 2:4). This event will take place at the mid-point of the seven-year tribulation (Dan 9:27). Note that some people only see a three-and-a-half-year tribulation. In a way, they are correct because the first half of the tribulation will be relatively peaceful compared to the second half. Nonetheless, peaceful or not, there still remains a seven-year period called the tribulation. When the Jews flee into the wilderness, they know that all they have to do is wait out those 1,260 days (Mat 24:16). There is no way to apply the phrase "neither the day nor the hour" to this situation. The only way for these two viewpoints to be true is to separate the two distinct events transpiring here: 1) the rapture of the Church, which comes before the tribulation; and 2) the return of Jesus to the earth, which takes place roughly seven years later.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb --
In Luke 12:36, the Word states that when Christ returns, He will be returning from a wedding. In Revelation 19:7-8, we read about the marriage itself. The marriage supper takes place before the marriage. According to Jewish custom, the marriage contract, which often includes a dowry, is drawn up first. The contract parallels the act of faith we use when we trust Jesus to be our Savior. The dowry is His life, which was used to purchase us. When it’s time for the wedding, the groom goes to the bride's house unannounced. She comes out to meet him, and then he takes her to his father's house. This precisely correlates with the events according to the pre-trib scenario. Jesus, the Groom, comes down from heaven and calls up the Church, His Bride. After meeting in the air, He and His Bride return to His Father's house, heaven. The marriage supper itself will take place there, while down here on earth the final events of the tribulation will be playing out. After the marriage supper of Jewish tradition, the bride and groom are presented to the world as man and wife. This corresponds to the time when Jesus returns to earth accompanied by an army "clothed in fine linen, white and clean" (Rev 19:14).

What They Didn't Teach You in History Class --
Many groups try to discredit the pre-tribulation rapture by saying most of the end-time events in the Bible have already taken place. A group of people called “Preterists” claims that the Book of Revelation was mostly fulfilled by 70 AD. If the events described in the Book of Revelation took place in the past, I’m at a loss to explain some of the current situations I see around us: the rebirth of Israel, the reunification of Europe, the number of global wars that have occurred, and the development of nuclear weapons. During history class, I must have slept through the part where the teacher talked about the time when a third of the trees were burned up, 100-pound hailstones fell from the sky, and the sea turned into blood (Rev 8:7-8, 16:21). I think several people would have to question their opposition to the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine if they knew that the evidence provided to them was based on the understanding that most tribulation prophecies have already occurred.

The People of the Millennium --
If Christ were to come back after the tribulation, rapture all the saints, and slay all the ungodly, who would be left to populate the earth during the millennium? Only the pre-tribulation viewpoint can account for this post-tribulation problem. The Church is raptured before the tribulation, a vast number of souls are saved during this seven-year time frame, and those who make it through the tribulation go into the millennium while the unsaved are cast into hell.

The Saint U-Turn --
In the pre-tribulation scenario, after we rise to meet the Lord in the air, we will go to heaven and abide there seven years. At the end of that period, Christ will come down to earth, defeat the Antichrist, and cleanse the temple. In a post-tribulation rapture, we would rise in the air to meet the Lord, then do a 180-degree U-turn and come back down to earth. Revelation 1:7 states that Christ will appear out of the clouds and come down to earth. Zechariah 14:4 says that His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. If He's already headed our way, why would we need to be caught up to meet Him?

"Come Up Hither" --
Many pre-tribulation writers cite Revelation 4:1, which says, "come up hither," as a prophetic reference to the rapture of the Church, leaving Revelation chapters 1 through 3 as a description of the Church Age. After the shout to "come up hither," the Church is not mentioned in Scripture at all. The attention of Scripture switches from the Church to the Jews living in Israel.

Armies in Fine Linen --
When Jesus returns (Rev. 19:18), an army follows Him. The army’s members are riding on white horses, and they are clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. In Revelation 19:8, we are told that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-tribulation rapture without us running into ourselves as we are coming and going.

The Time of Jacob's Trouble --
In several passages, the Bible refers to the tribulation as a time of trouble for the Jews. The phrase "Jacob's trouble" pertains to the descendants of Jacob. Jeremiah 30:7 says that this time of trouble will come just before the Lord returns to save His people. The final week of Daniel's 70th week is yet to take place. An angel told Daniel that, "70 weeks are determined unto thy people" (Dan 9:24). Scripture never mentions that the tribulation is meant to be a time of testing for Christians. However, some “post-tribbers” try to claim that they are the ones being tested during the tribulation. To make this so, they need to spiritualize the 144,000 Jewish believers in Revelation 7:2-8 who receive God's protective seal. Placing the Church dispensation into the same time frame as the seven-year Jewish dispensation, as the “post-tribbers” do, raises one good question: Can two dispensations transpire at the same time? In the past, God has only dealt with one at a time. Having both present during the tribulation would have to be an exception.

"He" That is Taken Out of the Way --
Before the Antichrist can be revealed, Paul said a certain "He" must be taken out of the way. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:7, the "He" that must be removed is widely thought to be the Holy Spirit. It has been promised that the Holy Spirit would never leave the Church, and without the working of the Holy Spirit remaining on earth, no one could be saved during the tribulation. The removal of the Church, which is indwelt by the Holy Ghost, would seem the best explanation for this dilemma. The working of the Holy Spirit could go on during the tribulation, but His influence would be diminished because of the missing Church.

War or Rapture --
(Rev 19:19-21) When Jesus returns at the end of the tribulation, He will be coming for battle. For those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture, it would be strange to meet your Lord and Savior just as He's rushing into battle. The idea that war and rapture could occur together is difficult to imagine, especially since they transpire at the same moment.

The Five Foolish Virgins --
The wedding story that Jesus gave in Matthew 25:2-13, I believe, is a parable of the rapture of the Church. It explains how some will not be ready. Jesus clearly states that a group of people will miss out on an event, and will cry out to God to let them into the place where He resides, heaven. Although some try to put this parable in a post-tribulation context, it doesn't fit very well. The ones left behind in a post-tribulation rapture will not need to seek the Lord because they'll immediately be confronted by Him and His army of angels.

God Hath Not Appointed Us to Wrath --
In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul assures us that God has not appointed His people to wrath. This wrath is plainly God's anger that will be poured out during the tribulation. Pre-tribulation believers interpret this as meaning that Christians will be removed from the earth. Post-tribulation believers tell a different story. They describe this as meaning that God will protect Christians during the tribulation and pour this wrath out on the unbelievers only. This idea runs against the statement made in Revelation 13:7, in which the Antichrist is given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them. A post-tribulation view would make God's promise of protection from wrath into a lie. In years past, it was possible to think of being protected from the guns and swords of that day. Today, when any major war would involve nuclear and chemical weapons, it's impossible to expect that same kind of protection. When Nagasaki, Japan was bombed during World War II, the bomb exploded over a Catholic church. Everyone who was in the center of the explosion died--both Christians and non-Christians. The only way to validly interpret God's promise of protection from wrath is by viewing 1 Thessalonians 5:9 as the bodily removal of the Church from this world.

The Salt of the Earth --
Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13). When the believers are supinely removed, the earth will be plunged into spiritual darkness. When this happens, the Antichrist will then be free to control the world.

God Takes an Inventory --
In Revelation 7:3, an angel descends to earth and seals the servants of God. Two bits of information about this sealing highly disclaim a post-tribulation viewpoint. The first item is the number of people sealed: 144,000. The second one is that all those who are sealed are from the 12 tribes of Israel. For the events in Revelation 7:3-8 to be true in a post-tribulation interpretation, either the Church has turned against God or God has turned against the Church. A “post-tribber” could write a thousand-word commentary about why the Church doesn't need to be sealed. Instead of trying to argue about why the Church is not mentioned or sealed, a pre-tribulation proponent could just say, "We're already in heaven."

Noah and Lot as Examples --
The tribulation period is compared to the times of Noah and Lot by Jesus in Luke 17:28. Most people argue over whether the time frame Jesus was talking about in that passage was pre-tribulation or post-tribulation. In doing so, they miss an important point. The two circumstances that the Noah and Lot situations have in common are the removal of the righteous and the judgment of the unbelievers. From these two accounts, we see that God prefers to remove His own when danger is involved.

Common-Sense Reasons for Believing in the Pre-tribulation Rapture

The World Test --
One way to check the soundness of a doctrine is to see how the world reacts to it. One company put out a questionnaire that was used to screen prospective employees. One of the questions was, "Do you believe in the rapture?" If you answered “yes,” your chances of getting hired would not be good. Some internet sites do not allow the topics of Rapture or Second Coming. They do allow topics such as sex, gays, and drugs. The only time the news media mentions the rapture is when someone sets a date and is proven to be wrong.

That Old-Time Religion --
It used to be a rule of thumb that when one was visiting a church or listening to a preacher, one could assume the preacher believed in repentance, prayer, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost if he taught the rapture doctrine. It was also true that the churches on fire for God worshipped out of storefronts. Today, many of those storefront churches have moved into marble palaces and have strayed from their principal doctrines.

Birds of a Feather Flock Together --
Whenever I look at all the groups that teach false doctrine and are highly focused on end-time events, I cannot find any that support the rapture theory. Some organizations, the Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, teach a false gospel and are heavily into Bible prophecy. Why, then, don't Jehovah's Witnesses teach a false doctrine that would be right up their alley? Could it be that the demonic forces that influence these groups know something that Christians opposed to the rapture don't know? The list of prophetically minded cults that reject the idea of a rapture goes on and on. Here are some more: the Mormons, the Worldwide Church of God and the Moonies, as well as leaders like Jim Jones and David Koresh.

The Church Would Rebuke the Antichrist --
If the Antichrist came to power with the Church still here, I do not see how he could operate. When Hitler was fighting to take over England, a number of Christians were praying for victory. Hitler made mistake after mistake, and England outperformed its enemy at every stage of the conflict. It is difficult to measure the impact of intercessory prayer in physical warfare. Little is known of how great a role praying saints played in the defeat of Nazi Germany. If the Church were to reside on earth during the tribulation, I am sure she would give the Antichrist fits. In Revelation 11:3, the two witnesses alone give the Antichrist enough headaches. Millions of Christians who know their Bibles well would recognize the man of sin and pray fire down on his head. The post-tribulation view would have to plan on the Church just rolling over and playing dead the whole seven years.

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We should all remember one thing: Knowing the Antichrist's mother's maiden name isn't the primary goal. Knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and having your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life should be your number-one priority. The jailer asked Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" The answer was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30-31).

By Todd Strandberg
(This article was taken from: http://www.raptureready.com/rr-pretribulation-rapture.html)

Once Saved, Always Saved

2009-03-20T14:44:00.006-04:00

Once Saved, Always Saved - The Biblical Evidence:
The Bible teaches “once saved, always saved” -- that we can be saved once and for all only through a repentant, saving faith in Jesus Christ. Once a person has accepted Christ as Savior, they may wonder if it is possible to lose that salvation. What if they commit a sin? What if they commit a lot of sins? What if they do something very, very wrong? Is it possible to be saved, and then lose that salvation? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding “no.” Once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, he/she is forever saved. This fact is referred to as the doctrine of “eternal security,” often summarized as “once saved, always saved.”

There are several reasons why a person can be confident in their “eternal security.” First and foremost is the evidence of Scripture. John 3:15-18 says about Christ: “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

The salvation in Christ is not temporary, it is eternal.

In John 10:28-30, Jesus says: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." The forgiveness of God through Christ is sufficient to cover all of our sins -- past, present, and future. There is nothing a person can do that God cannot forgive. This doctrine is supported by Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 4:30, and Jude 24, among others.

Once Saved, Always Saved – The Logical Evidence:
As with many other scriptural doctrines, the idea of “once saved, always saved” is also supported logically. Eternal security is consistent with everything else the Bible teaches about mankind, and God. Examining the doctrine in relation to the rest of Scripture demonstrates that it is consistent with all other biblically sound teachings. The idea of losing our salvation is not only unscriptural, but it creates monumental problems with other doctrines, including salvation by faith, the sin nature of man, and the purpose of Christ’s sacrifice.

The Bible teaches that man is inherently sinful -- that a sinful nature is a part of all of us (Romans 3:10). This means that even after being saved, every single believer is going to sin from time to time. Thinking that we can live a perfect, sinless life after our salvation is not only unscriptural, but arrogant (James 2:10). If we are not eternally secure, this sinning will cause us to lose our salvation, but how much sin is too much? There is no scriptural “yardstick” given to tell us how many or what kind of sins are enough to void our salvation. Without eternal security, the Bible would describe a situation where Christianity is a perpetual game of Russian Roulette; a life in which condemnation and salvation alternate every time we sin and confess, and we never know if we’re saved or not.

Scriptural passages (Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 64:6) indicate that our attempts at good deeds will never earn us a place in heaven. We cannot make up for our past, present, or future sins by doing good works. A saved believer will, as a natural product of their faith, shun sin and practice good works (James 2:18). If “once saved, always saved” is not true, then by necessity we are saved both by our faith and our works. If we can do sinful things, or not do good things (James 4:17) and lose our security, then our good deeds are a part of our salvation. This is concept is contradictory to Scripture. It also creates an unlivable scenario where we have to try to do enough good to outweigh our sinful natures. The doctrine of “eternal security” goes hand in hand with the doctrine of “saved by faith alone.” To deny eternal security is to endorse a “faith plus works” salvation system.

Jesus Christ made some powerful statements about morality during His earthly ministry. In those three short years, He talked the talk and walked the walk of the toughest moral and ethical system in human history. Most religions focus on the external actions, but Christ took the concept of sin and holiness to a much deeper level. For example, most religions are satisfied to condemn the physical act of adultery, but Christ said “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

Christ set the bar for holiness at a level all Christians are called to aspire to, but none can ever fully live up to, because of our sin nature. Just as the law of Moses was meant, in part, to demonstrate to Israel how impossible it was for mortal man to obtain the moral perfection of God, the standards of Christ also remind us of how shallow our best efforts at goodness really are. Thankfully, God has always provided a way for us to be forgiven for our shortcomings. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross served the same purpose for all mankind that the sacrificial lambs did for specific families before His ministry. Christ was a sinless, blameless substitute for our sins. The Bible clearly tells us what Christ’s moral expectations are for us. If we lost our salvation every time we fell short of those ideals, then none of us would be saved for more than a few minutes at a time. If that were true, what purpose was there in His death?

Also, according to the Bible, if we could lose our salvation, then it would be lost forever, because Christ only died once. Hebrews 6:4-6 is an often misunderstood passage, which strongly supports the doctrine of eternal security in two ways: it implies that Christ’s sacrifice must be sufficient for all sins, and states that if it were possible for a person to lose their salvation, it would be forever lost. According to this passage, if a person could do something that cost them their salvation (which they cannot), then it would be “impossible” for them to be re-redeemed.

Once Saved, Always Saved – The New Creation:
Critics of the “once saved, always saved” doctrine claim that it gives Christians a license to sin. They presume that those who believe in eternal security intend to accept salvation, and then continue to willingly sin. This is inaccurate, because anyone who has been truly saved is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), has the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:8), and now wants to live for Christ. Someone who continues to willingly and blatantly live in sin has not truly accepted Christ (1 John 2:19; 1 John 3:6; James 1:26). While this false belief may be held by some, it is not a part of the teachings of any true Christian church (Romans 3:8).
A person who willingly, humbly, repents of sin and turns towards the cross, trusting Christ as their Savior, will be saved (Acts 16:31; John 6:37; John 14:6). That salvation is once and for all, eternal, and secure. Those who truly trust in Christ are saved once, and saved always.

Learn More!

(This article taken from: http://www.allaboutgod.com/once-saved-always-saved.htm All Scripture passages were changed to reflect the KJV Bible)

Eternal Security of the Children of God

2009-03-20T11:34:00.003-04:00

True children of God are, according to the Scriptures, forever saved and eternally secure because:

1. They are born, again of incorruptible seed which yields the fruit of everlasting life (1 Peter 1:23).

2. They stand before God clothed in the imputed (credited) righteousness of Christ, and not in their own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:19-21).

3. His sheep have been given eternal life-they shall never perish (John 10:28).

4. Their eternal lives are forever hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3).

5. They are already seated in the heavenlies in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6).

6. The penalty for all their sin has been forever settled through the perfect and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 4:23-5:2; 5:6-9).

7. Loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ is certain for the careless Christians, but not loss of salvation (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

8. God faithfully chastens all of His children, even to the point of taking home those who refuse their Heavenly Father's correction (Hebrews 12:6-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 11:28-32).

9. They have already been delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10; 5:8-10).

10. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:23).

11. The Lord knoweth them that are His; false professors will be revealed as such at the White Throne Judgment (2 Timothy 2:19; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 7:21-23).

12. God is the one Who has begun the good work in the believer, and He has promised to perform it until the day of Jesus Christ; they are to "work out," not "work for" their salvation (Philippians 1:6; 2:12,13).

13. They are already living stones in the spiritual building of God of which Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20-22).

14. They are members of the Body of Christ, each with a peculiar function and without each one, the Body would not be complete (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

15. They are kept by the power of God, through faith, not through the efforts or the works of the one who is saved. (1 Peter 1 :5).

16. Their incorruptible, everlasting inheritance is reserved for them by God (1 Peter 1 :1-4).
17. They are God the Father's irrevocable gift to God the Son (John 17:6,7).

18. Backsliding is a sin, but the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1 :7-9)

19. He is able to save them to the uttermost because Christ "ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

20. They are upon trusting Christ made "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).

21. Nothing can separate them from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39).

22. By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:10-14).

23. They cannot be unborn (John 3:6-8).

24. Christ dwelleth in them for ever (2 John 2).

25. No man can pluck the Christian out of His Father's hand, and that necessarily includes the believer himself (John 10:29).

26. All who are justified are finally glorified-none are lost along the way (Romans 8:28-30).

27. In their flesh dwelleth no good thing; they are saved by grace (undeserved favor) and not by their own works (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

28. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance; God will never annul His promise or cast out those who have come unto Him through Christ (Romans 11:29; John 6:37; 17:2).

(this article was taken from: http://www.feasite.org/Tracts/fbcsecr1.htm)

I'm saved to the uttermost! I know that I am!
I've been washed by the blood of the precious Lamb!

~~"I'm so saved, it's pitiful!!" - Pastor Steven G. Brown

Letter to Pastor Jack Schaap: Concerning the KJV Bible

2009-03-19T14:13:00.006-04:00

written on February 9, 2009, and mailed out to First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana shortly after:

Pastor Schaap –

I’m writing to you concerning an issue that – no doubt – you are receiving a lot of questions about. I have read blogs, checked websites, talked to others who are concerned, read “The Church Bus News” (in which the entire issue was dedicated to this topic), and even read the open letter Dr. Jeffrey Fugate wrote to you concerning this issue. The issue is your stand on the KJV Bible. I’ve heard so many different accounts and opinions on this discussion that all I really want to know now is the truth. Do you believe that the KJV Bible is the inspired Word of God, preserved down through the generations? Or are you backing down on what you once stood for and preached on?

If you are relinquishing your stand on this issue, then what will be next? Dress standards, the Virgin birth, Salvation through Christ alone, music standards, or even the truth of Heaven and Hell? There are so many issues that are resting upon the foundation of this one doctrinal issue. Your Father-in-law was one of the greatest advocates for the Independent, Fundamental Baptist movement. If you are truly stepping back on this issue now, Pastor Hyles would cry in shame and pity if he could see where this is beginning to lead the ministry he began – and through your broad influence – the ministries of other men.

It’s not about choice; it’s not about rights; it’s not about opinions – it’s about the truth. This is not a game – we’re in the midst of a raging war. I am in shock at the possibility that you, who once preached against this lie and people who pushed it, have bought into it yourself.

John 1:1 states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” God has preserved His Word for thousands of years; who are we, as His mere creation, to questions His Word now? When what's been preserved by God throughout the years – and has been defended by faithful men and women who have survived imprisonment, burnings, threats, public shame, or have even died – has worked for so long, why do we need to change it? Why do we need to veer off the path? Truth, though trampled, will rise again. God inspired the old prophet Jeremiah to pen these words: "Lo they have rejected the Word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?" (Jeremiah 8:9).

For many years I have looked up to you as a man of God who has stood for the truth despite the constant nagging of the Mega-church movement and those who want to drop the standards. I have respected your strong stand for truth and your love for God – but where you stand on this issue concerns me. I would greatly appreciate it if you would clarify your stance for me on this issue.

Thank you,
Heather Vires

.:*Beautiful Self*:.