Heaven and how to get there

 

Mirrored tranquillity as mist settles over the upper lake at Glendalough

Lake Glendlough Co Wicklow (Ireland where else)

Gentle Reader,

Well Marti was feeling better and we started our  continuing Bible study I am teaching us through the Bible. We are at The books of Thessalonians .

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,  (teaching for what true)for reproof,  (convicting for what is false) for correction, ( for what is wrong) for instruction in righteousness,(for what is right) 2 Timothy 3:16.

As you look at the New Testament you will find that after the Gospels (which complete the Old Testament you have the Book of Acts (History )  Then the book of Romans (which is our Doctrinal  and instructions book teaching about Justification and the cross) and its two commentaries Corinthians (Reproof-Practical failure not seeing the standing as having died and risen with Christ) and Galations (a Book of Correction- Doctrinal failure as to the teaching of Romans not leaven in the teaching)

We have moved past the Book of Ephesians our 2nd Doctrinal and instruction book which teaches the Mystery  of God (always hidden, never before revealed. Individual Jews and Gentiles gathered out and made "one new man" in Christ "the body of Christ" Seated in heaven with Christ.

Of course than we have 2 Commentaries  Philippians (which is a book of "reproof" Practical failure to exhibit the teaching of Ephesians in showing the "mind of Christ" and Colossians a book of "Correction" Doctrinal failure The failure of not seeing their completeness and perfection in Christ.  But you knew all of that didn't you Gentle Reader?

 So as I was saying Thessalonians we just finished which is about heaven another book of doctrine (teaching ) and instruction  No reproof, no correction all praise and thanksgiving  A typical church

Where is heaven "Where Christ is there is heaven" Look around you Gentle Reader, Christ is in me and now you know why I talk about Grace so much. All Christians carry about the Spirit of the Living Christ with them and we are all connected on a level that only  God can maintain. Too deep for you? Well gentle reader I haven't even scratch the surface What is heaven like? look at the picture and magnify that 10 to the ten millionth times  ten million times.  Ireland for me is just a taste of what heaven is like.

 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." (I Corinthians 2:9)

For me Gentle Reader, Ireland is what heaven will be like! How about you? Where is your heaven?

 Remember,   Gentle Reader, that God has prepared a place for you!

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (Book of John Chapter 14)

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is Victory.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving
silence, that is victory.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility -- and endure it as Jesus endured, that is  victory.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any regiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is victory.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, that is victory.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, or question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is victory.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is victory.

 I believe in You Gentle reader, you are a victor and so am I (we are just not there yet).

Dennis  Your ticket has been paid for (oh no, don't thank me I just here to deliver it to you)

And now a word....

Gentle Reader,
Some words from a Brother in Christ om prayer.

I Prayed for My Preaching
By Joe McKeever
I had been preaching for more than two decades, and I should have been at the top of my game. The church I served ran up to 1,500 on Sunday mornings, and the live telecast of our services covered a fair portion of several states. Most of my colleagues thought I had it made, and if invitations to speak in other churches were any sign, they thought I could preach.

But I didn't.

My confidence was taking a beating as some of the leaders let me know repeatedly that my pulpit work was not up to their standards. Previous pastors carried the reputation of pulpit masters, something I never claimed for myself. To make matters worse, we had numerous vacancies on staff and my sermon preparation was suffering due to a heavy load of pastoral ministry. But you do what you have to do. Most days, my goal was to keep my head above water. Every day without drowning became a good day.

That's when I got serious about praying for my preaching.

Each night I walked a four-mile route through my neighborhood and talked to the Father. My petitions dealt with the usual stuff-family needs, people I was concerned about, and the church. Gradually, one prayer began to recur in my nightly pleadings.

"Lord," I prayed, "make me a preacher."

Asking this felt so right I never paused to analyze it. I prayed it again and again, over and over, for weeks.

Now, I was in my fifth pastorate. I owned a couple of seminary degrees. I had read the classics on preaching and attended my share of sermon workshops. I was a veteran. But here I was in my mid-40s, crying out to Heaven for help: "Lord, make me a preacher."

I knew if my preaching improved, if the congregation felt better about the sermons, everything else would benefit. I knew that the sermon is a pastor's most important contribution to the spiritual lives of his members. To do well there would ease the pressure in other areas. So, I prayed.

Then one night, God answered.

Four specific requests

Without warning, in the quietness of a dark night on the city streets, God spoke within me: "What exactly do you mean by that?"

The question hit with such force that I laughed aloud and said, "What a great question. Wonder what I do mean?"

For the rest of my walk, I pondered God's probing of my too-general prayer. I knew I was not asking for public acclaim or to be on anyone's list of great preachers. I just wanted to be effective, to do well what God had called me to do.

Later that night, at home, I listed four specific requests and began to direct them toward the Father.

a.. I never want to stand up to preach again without a good grasp of the Scripture. I'm tired of not being clear about the text in front of me.
b.. I want the message from God to have a firm grasp on me, to grip my heart. I want to preach with genuine passion.
c.. I want a good rapport with the congregation. I'm tired of that "glazed-over" look on the people's faces. I want to make contact with them, to communicate effectively.
d.. I want to see lives changed. If the point of preaching is for the Word of God to make a difference in people, then it must be in order to ask the Father to give me success in doing it.

I learned something about my prayer life. For years, my prayers had been tainted by the curse of generality. It had been "bless this" and "help that" and "strengthen him" and "encourage her."

One day I noticed in Luke 18 this interchange between the Lord and blind Bartimaeus, whose plaintive cries of "Jesus, have mercy on me" had reached the ears of the Lord. Over and over, the beggar of Jericho called into the air for mercy, over the shushing and objections of locals who were embarrassed by his carryings-on.

"Bring him to me," Jesus said. When Bartimaeus stood before Him, our Lord asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

We moderns are tempted to rebuke the Lord for His callousness at this point. "Lord," we would say, "anyone can see what he needs. He's been begging for mercy. He needs his sight." But the question was whether Bartimaeus knew this. He could just as easily have asked for money, for a better begging site, for assistance, for a training program for the blind, or for a hundred other things.

The Lord simply asked the man to be specific in his prayer: "What do you want?"

"Lord," he said, "I want to receive my sight."

"Then, do," said the Savior. And he did.

From that point on, I prayed these four requests in my nightly walks: a good grasp of Scripture, its firm grasp on me, good rapport with my listeners, and changed lives.

Soon I was without a pulpit and without a church.

Good news from exit interviews

The conflict in the church I was serving intensified to the point that we brought in a mediator. He interviewed church leaders, watched videos of my preaching, and polled the congregation, then filed his report. "Joe is not a pulpit giant," he said, "but he is a pretty fair preacher." I was encouraged by that. Then he recommended I leave the church.

I agreed. I took a one-year leave of absence, and I waited by the phone.

A few invitations for revivals and conferences came in during the year; however, none but the tiniest churches would consider me as a potential pastor. My confidence in my preaching was at an all-time low.

Not by coincidence, the church that called me as pastor a year later was also at an all-time low. It had suffered a disastrous split. Half its 1,000 members had left, and the remainder was burdened with a great load of debt. Our first five years together were not easy. Gradually, however, we began to see the Lord was up to something special. One day I looked around and realized that we had become a healthy church again, one that is a pure joy to serve.

That's when the other surprise appeared, one just for me.

After attending a Saddleback conference on purpose-driven churches, we began sending response cards to church visitors. These notes trickled back into the church office, telling what our guests had noticed first, liked best, and appreciated least about their visit to our church. To my utter amazement, many were impressed by the preaching.

I still recall standing at my secretary's desk reading two cards that had arrived in the morning mail. Both expressed thanks for my sermons. "I am totally surprised," I mumbled.

She looked up from her work. "Pastor, everyone loves your preaching."

"I guess I didn't know it," I replied.

To be honest, I'm still not quite convinced. But I've decided that's all right. The object of my prayers was never that people would like my preaching. It wasn't even that I would like it. It was a prayer for effectiveness in doing what God called me to do.

Good music, it is said, is music that is written better than it can be played. Perhaps that's how it is with the gospel of Christ. The message is far superior to any human expression of it. A gracious Father takes the efforts of his frail servants and uses them to change lives.

Next year marks my 40th anniversary in ministry, and I still feel inadequate about my preaching. Not only is that all right, I think it's the appropriate way to feel about a calling so far above the capacity of any of us mortals-to proclaim the riches of Christ in human tongue.

It forces me to pray for my preaching.

Where?

WHERE HAVE YOU PUT ME?


You have taken me out of your homes.
You have taken me away from your children.
You have taken me out of your hearts.
You have taken me out of your schools.
You have taken me out of your games.
You have taken me out of your churches.
You have taken me out of your government.

WHERE HAVE YOU PUT ME?

You do not worship me as you used to.
You do not thank about me as you used to.
You do not pray as a family anymore.
Do you even believe I exist?
Do you not know how much I love you?

WHERE HAVE YOU PUT ME?

Why have you taken me out of your homes?
Why have you taken me out of your schools?
Why have you taken me out of your churches?
Why have you denied your children of me?
You have put me aside for other gods.

WHERE HAVE YOU PUT ME?

You once said "IN GOD WE TRUST"?
WHO DO YOU TRUST NOW?
Your country was founded on Me!
BUT WHERE HAVE YOU PUT ME!

Written Oct. 29, 2003 as given by our one and only God. Written for Him by Barbara J. Williams
God and Jesus said in the Bible that all this would come about. What will it take for you to finally believe that He is sending His son very soon? Do not take God out of your life for with out Him you are nothing. Always know where you have put God. And that should be first and foremost in your heart and in your life.God should never have to ask us "WHERE HAVE YOU PUT ME?"

May God keep you in His loving arms and I pray Jesus walks beside you as you walk the path way God has placed you on today. And I pray the Holy Ghost fill you with the Wisdom and the Knowledge to complete all God has placed on your plate each day.
Barb's Christian Home

When God Sends People

...They Make Excuses:

Abraham was too old.
Moses stuttered.
Miriam was a gossip.
Jacob was a liar.
Gideon doubted.
Elijah was burned out.
First David's armor didn't fit, then he had an affair, and had
someone killed.
Solomon was too rich.
Isaiah had unclean lips.
Jeremiah was too young.
Jonah didn't like the job.
Amos's only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Naomi was a widow.
Peter was afraid of death.
Thomas was from Missouri (the "show-me" state)
Paul was a murderer.
Mark was rejected by Paul.
Timothy had ulcers.
Lazarus was dead.
Martha was a worry-wart.

...or so they claimed, before God's Spirit empowered them to rise to the occasion and become some of the greatest heroes of our faith.

Going to Church tomorrow?

 

Gentle Reader,

Have you gotten the mystery solved yet? No? Well it's not as simple as it my seem and yet I remember a much simple time when simple folks went to church on a Sunday and then had dinner on the grounds believed in God and the devil and oh yes Squirrels . Which  leds me into the next clue. Read carefully and thoughtfully as the document I hold is one you want and will treasure for the rest of your life....and who knows may save your life one day.... It's worth it!

Well, when I was a kid I'd take a trip every summer down the Mississippi
To visit my granny in her antebellum world
I'd run barefooted all day long climbin' trees free as a song
And one day I happened to catch myself a squirrel
Well, I stuffed him down in an old shoe box, punched a couple of holes in the top
And when Sunday came I snuck him into Church
I was sittin' way back in the very last pew showin' him to my good buddy Hugh
When that squirrel got loose and went totally berserk
Well, what happened next is hard to tell
Some thought it was heaven others thought it was hell
But the fact that something was among us was plain to see
As the choir sang "I Surrender All" the squirrel ran up Harv Newlan's coveralls
Harv leaped to his feet and said, "Somethin's got a hold on me", Yeow!

Chorus

The day the squirrel went berserk
In the First Self-Righteous Church
In the sleepy little town of Pascagoula
It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival
They were jumpin' pews and shoutin' Hallelujah!

Well, Harv hit the aisles dancin' and screamin'
Some thought he had religion others thought he had a demon
And Harv thought he had a weed eater loose in his Fruit-Of-The-Looms
He fell to his knees to plead and beg and the squirrel ran out of his britches leg
Unobserved to the other side of the room
All the way down to the amen pew where sat Sister Bertha better-than-you
Who'd been watchin' all the commotion with sadistic glee
But you should've seen the look in her eyes
When that squirrel jumped her garters and crossed her thighs
She jumped to her feet and said "Lord have mercy on me"
As the squirrel made laps inside her dress
She began to cry and then to confess to sins that would make a sailor blush with shame
She told of gossip and church dissension but the thing that got the most attention
Was when she talked about her love life and then she started naming names

Chorus

The day the squirrel went berserk
In the First Self-Righteous Church
In that sleepy little town of Pascagoula
It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival
They were jumpin' pews and shoutin' Hallelujah!

Well seven deacons and the pastor got saved,
Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised and fifty volunteered
For missions in the Congo on the spot
Even without an invitation there were at least five hundred rededications
And we all got baptized whether we needed it or not
Now you've heard the bible story I guess
How he parted the waters for Moses to pass
Oh the miracles God has wrought in this old world
But the one I'll remember 'til my dyin' day
Is how he put that Church back on the narrow way
With a half crazed Mississippi squirrel

Chorus

The day the squirrel went berserk
In the First Self-Righteous Church
In the sleepy little town of Pascagoula
It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival
They was jumpin' pews and shoutin' Hallelujah!

To get you started for tomorrow her is a clue for the next clue "What number are you"?

 

Ex Danger Man star Patrick McGoohan was the British spy who resigned abruptly from his job, only to be kidnapped and transported by persons unknown to 'The Village', where everyone was known by number -and names were never used. It was the task of Number Two (a different actor each week), to discover why McGoohan (Number Six), resigned in the first place, and whilst Number Six remained persistently tight lipped for his reasons -so his interrogators would remain silent when asked the question "Who is Number One?"

 Put these together and your well on your way!

Dennis

Bike Ride With God

When I first met Christ
It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
But it was a tandem bike,
And I noticed that Christ
Was in the back helping me pedal.

I don't know just when it was that
He suggested we change places,
But life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way,
It was rather boring, but predictable...
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
Up mountains, and through rocky places,
At breakneck speeds,
It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal"

I worried and was anxious and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
And I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
And entered into the adventure.
And when I'say, "I'm scared, "
He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed.
Gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
They're extra baggage, too much weight."

So I did, I gave them to the people we met,
And I found that in giving I received,
And still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, In control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
But He knows bike secrets,
Knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
Knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
Knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
And pedal in the strangest places,
And I'm beginning to enjoy the view
And the cool breeze on my face
With my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,
He just smiles and says...
"Pedal."

Nothing!

Nothing
can stop the Plan of God!

If you learn nothing else today, remember this phrase, "Nothing can stop the plan of God." From our view, His plan is not always apparent.

I want you to learn that, "NOTHING can stop the plan of God." Some will disagree with that. Some will hedge. However, it remains a spiritual fact that nothing can stop the plan of God from coming to fruition.

Let's start with the Children of Israel.

For years the Children of Israel were subject to Egypt in the Egyptian slavery period. However, the Egyptian phase was always God's plan. God had told Abraham that the enslavement would take place.

From that we know that time cannot stop God's plan. It is part of the Plan.

Time-wise...God's plan is more accurate than the best watch you can buy.

You may not know that from time to time the Bureau of Standards adds one second to the WWV Universal standard Time, because the best clock we can build is no match for the universe.

Time cannot stop the plan of God, because

Nothing can stop the plan of God.

The children of Israel went into captivity, and when God wanted them out, Pharaoh tried to stop it. But the most powerful man of that day couldn?t do it.

No human being can stop the plan of God, because

Nothing can stop the plan of God.

Moses finally secured the Israelites release. He took them straight to the edge of the Red Sea.

There was no planning in Moses? plan, but God had a plan!

Did Moses ever think about how he was going to get all those people across?

No boats, no bridges, not even a very good plan.

As a matter of fact, it really did not matter. The sea parted and they walked across on dry land.

That brings us to the next point.

Natural barriers cannot stop the plan of God, because

Nothing can stop the plan of God.

As the Israelites were standing there on the edge of the Red Sea, Pharaoh's army came to take them back into captivity. It didn?t work.

The strength of Pharaoh's army could not stop God's plan, because

Nothing can stop the plan of God.

Next, the Israelites reached the Promised Land, and somebody had the brilliant idea to scope out the territory.

They sent in twelve spies. Ten of them came back and said, "We are in deep trouble! That place is a natural recruiting ground for the NBA They are REALLY TALL. The shortest one of them could play Power Forward for the Celtics."

However, two of the spies came back and said, "It's okay boys. We can take it."

Did you know that God plus nobody is a majority? God had two votes to spare on that one.

Now you may be thinking, "Ah ha...gotcha they did not go in." I could say that concede ten men slowed them down. But, that's not what happened and in a few moments you will understand.

Those ten men who brought back a bad report were the first to die in the wilderness. You have a Bible, look it up.

Bringing back a bad report is not in your best interest. Besides, the fact remains that the Israelites did eventually enter the Promised Land.

That indicates that man's fears cannot stop the plan of God, because

Nothing can stop the plan of God.

Many people teach that the Israelites 40 years of wandering was wasted time....Not so! The Israelites had to be at a certain place at a certain time. the 40 years was just a built-in time correction.

NASA uses them all the time on missile launches. You will soon understand.

So, they wandered around for 40 years.

It must have really been boring....except for the cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night...hearing the voice of God...seeing the tablets of stone with the Law written on them...the manna...and birds flying in...not to mention Balaam's attempt at coursing them.

There was one really big drawback---no new clothes for 40 years.

Then, Moses died and Joshua took over. Again we see the water part. This time the Jordan River.

Again natural barriers cannot stop God's plan, because

Nothing can stop the plan of God.

So, they went across, and the first thing they ran into was a walled city, Jericho.

Keep in mind that they may not have seen a walled city in quite a while.

How would you tear that wall down? Would you walk around it? I wouldn't, but then I have never had to tear a wall down.

They probably thought Joshua was one french fry shy of a happy meal.

That brings us to the next step.

Man-made barriers cannot stop God's plan, because

Nothing can stop the plan of God.

The Israelites rushed in and killed every man, woman, dog, cow, cat and butterfly in that city. EXCEPT for ONE family in ONE home.

One woman had helped them, so they did not harm her, or her family. Turn to Matthew 1:5. "And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab;....."

I feel it happened this way.

God the Father looked down on all His creation and asked Jesus, "Who do you want in your family tree, Son?

Jesus replied, "I think Rachab should be one."

The Father said, "Good choice."

It is quite possible that Rachab had not even been born when the Children of Israel started on the wanderings.

Now we get to the heart of this matter.

When God decided to make Rachab part of Jesus' family, He did not send a soldier to retrieve her that from sinful society. He did send a platoon of soldiers...or even a company.

When He decided to get Rachab's freedom He did not send an Army to get her.

WHAT???? NO! He did not send an army.

When God, in His power and love, decided it was time to establish Rachab as part of HIS CHOSEN.... HE SENT AN ENTIRE NATION to free

ONE WOMAN! And, when it was time to free you, GOD sent His SON

IN PERSON!

Denis

Lost??? Call Home!!!

 

Gentle Reader,

 This is too good not to share I try to travel lite

 
A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two
survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on
opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, there was a woman who swam to his side of the land.
On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of
the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"
"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything."

"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer,  which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."

"Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"

"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

This is too good not to share...

My prayer for you today is that all your prayers are answered. Be blessed.

"What you do for others is more important than what you do for yourself"

This was shared with me by a friend, I hope you will share with your  friends!

 Denis (your Irish travel agent and personal trainer)

He died not in vain

 

.....He did not die in vain!

"He has shown thee o man what is good and what the Lord requires of you

to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"

entle Reader,

 They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, so I give you a million reasons to stand up and speak out!

 One died ...

 so that one could live...

Dennis

Abortion

The Facts Speak for Themselves

Oct.16,1916 Margaret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood. It was not parenthood but murder that was coldheartedly planned. She wrote to eliminate “inferior races like the Orientals, Jews and blacks.”

“the most merciful thing a large family does to one of its infant members is kill it. (Women and the new race)

Birth control was “to create a race of thoroughbreds (Birth Control review 1921)

Margaret Sanger called these people human weeds. Margaret died and alcoholic and drug addict (Passport Magazine July 1988), how sad a death, but even more sad was what she influenced by her life.

Planned parenthood in 1952 called it family planning and did not call it an abortion because it kills the life of the baby when it has begun.

Do women really know what an abortion is? A simple question, but you can rarely find a correct answer to it.

One Physician states that women are rarely informed of the possible consequences of their abortion. “The public is misled into believing that legal abortion is a trivial incident, even a lunch hour procedure. There has been almost a conspiracy of silence in declaring its risks. This is medically indefensible when patients suffer as a result. (LAW ABORTION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF ITS RISKS, Stallworthy pp.1245-1249)

Robert D. Crist, M.D (who had 3 women die shortly after he did their abortions). He is said to be “one of the most skilled and competent and committed physicians performing abortions.” (Patty Brous, president of Planned Parenthood of Mid-Missouri and Eastern Kansas, The Kansas City Star, Apr. 27, 1997)

If he is one of the most skilled than what does this mean of those who are much less competent. How many die under their less skillful hands?

The abortion process is presented and explained by those who support abortion as being safe. But it is a serious operation, no different than going under the surgeons knife. The National Institute of Health says the death rate is at 30 per 100,000 . But there are risks, infection can be a result of abortion and can be 1 in 4 (from mild all the way through fatal).

1 in 24 (4.1%) have experienced immediate medical complications. (These have included severe bleeding, infection, perforation of the uterus, and part of the baby being retained.) (Canadian Journal of Public Health 1982; 73:396-400) . A doctor in an emergency situation will first try to save both the baby and the mother not kill the baby. Women who've had a previous abortion have a 200% increased risk of miscarriage after two or more abortions. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1980; 243:2495-9)

1st trimester miscarriages when later trying to have the child you want increases 85%. Tubal pregnancies increase 400-800%. Labor problems increase 47%. Delivery problems increase 83%. Premature birth the #1 cause of infant mortality and mental retardation increases 300-500%.

And this is if you have only 1 abortion! A study of 20,000 who had legal abortions to 20,000 who had no abortions showed that those who wanted the baby lost the baby twice as often when they had had an abortion. In fact, the infertility rate from 20-24 year olds has risen from 3.6% to almost 11% over the last number of years. The National Center for Health Statistics says there are 2 reasons. #1- sexually transmitted diseases. #2 - injury inflicted during an abortion.

46% of women who undergo an abortion have already had at least one previous abortion, at least 15% of the women have had 2 or more .

Breast cancer risk increased 140% following a abortion.( British Journal of Cancer 1981; 43:72-6 ) Placenta previa is a condition producing extremely severe, life-threatening bleeding in future pregnancies. Risk increased 600% following an abortion. (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1981; 141:769-72 ) Increased bleeding during subsequent pregnancies. (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1983; 146:136-40 )

It is a fact that 10%-30% of women who had abortions experience long term psychiatric problems. In a 5 year study , 25% of women who had abortions sought out psychiatric care…another study found the percentage even higher at 40%.( from the pamphlet-making an informed decision about your pregnancy). Relationships suffer as well, after 5-7 months 2 of 11 women continued with the same boyfriend they became pregnant with. This is a permanent decision that affects ones live afterward, there are psychological as well as physical consequences.

A Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota studied the long-ranged affects of Abortion on women. 10 years afterward she found that 81% of those women still had a pre-occupation over that aborted child. 10 years later 73% had flash-backs of their abortion experience. 10 years later 69% still remember after the abortion the feeling that what they had done was insane! 10 years later 54% still had nightmares. 10 years later 35% said that sometime during that time, they perceived a visitation from that child! And 10 years later 96% regarded it as murder. What this shows is that when women mature they have a different view of their former actions. Which can mean someone is influencing them when they are young and naive.

If a mother takes cocaine and kills her fetus or someone kills the fetus in the wound from the outside it is called murder. But when an abortion takes place the protective laws are ignored and it not called murder. Why? There needs to be a consistency on this.

What about a child we know may be born deformed, or cannot move or think well. The amount of one's qualities or capacity do not establish a person. Is the quality of life so important to us that we are willing to execute someone who falls short of our standard? Statistically only 1% of women aborting say they have been informed that their unborn baby has a defect (deformity.)

If we open the door to a births of a perfect child only, then where do we draw a line? The handicapped? Retarded? You will never meet a more loving human being than a child with downs-syndrome. History has proven that we always push the line further as we allow a lax in moral absolutes. How handicapped or retarded does someone have to be deemed unfit to live?

Neither inability or insanity do not invalidate someone's status as a person. If we are going to abort children who are deformed and not perfect in body or mind, can we do the same to adults? Obviously all children lack the aptitude of an adult, but we regard a child no less as a person than we do their parents. If an accident occurs or when they are too old and not functioning as before do we remove them from life? What is actually the difference? If we say that the definition of a human is based on their brain waves or ability to function 100%, than if one suffers in an accident and is not up to par should we deem them as no longer human. Where is the line drawn, who will decide that? We need to have a future perspective instead of a now one, to determine how all this will affect our lives and society.

The Polls



The Facts Speak for Themselves

Oct.16,1916 Margaret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood. It was not parenthood but murder that was coldheartedly planned. She wrote to eliminate “inferior races like the Orientals, Jews and blacks.”

“the most merciful thing a large family does to one of its infant members is kill it. (Women and the new race)

Birth control was “to create a race of thoroughbreds (Birth Control review 1921)

Margaret Sanger called these people human weeds. Margaret died and alcoholic and drug addict (Passport Magazine July 1988), how sad a death, but even more sad was what she influenced by her life.

Planned parenthood in 1952 called it family planning and did not call it an abortion because it kills the life of the baby when it has begun.

Do women really know what an abortion is? A simple question, but you can rarely find a correct answer to it.

One Physician states that women are rarely informed of the possible consequences of their abortion. “The public is misled into believing that legal abortion is a trivial incident, even a lunch hour procedure. There has been almost a conspiracy of silence in declaring its risks. This is medically indefensible when patients suffer as a result. (LAW ABORTION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF ITS RISKS, Stallworthy pp.1245-1249)

Robert D. Crist, M.D (who had 3 women die shortly after he did their abortions). He is said to be “one of the most skilled and competent and committed physicians performing abortions.” (Patty Brous, president of Planned Parenthood of Mid-Missouri and Eastern Kansas, The Kansas City Star, Apr. 27, 1997)

If he is one of the most skilled than what does this mean of those who are much less competent. How many die under their less skillful hands?

The abortion process is presented and explained by those who support abortion as being safe. But it is a serious operation, no different than going under the surgeons knife. The National Institute of Health says the death rate is at 30 per 100,000 . But there are risks, infection can be a result of abortion and can be 1 in 4 (from mild all the way through fatal).

1 in 24 (4.1%) have experienced immediate medical complications. (These have included severe bleeding, infection, perforation of the uterus, and part of the baby being retained.) (Canadian Journal of Public Health 1982; 73:396-400) . A doctor in an emergency situation will first try to save both the baby and the mother not kill the baby. Women who've had a previous abortion have a 200% increased risk of miscarriage after two or more abortions. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1980; 243:2495-9)

1st trimester miscarriages when later trying to have the child you want increases 85%. Tubal pregnancies increase 400-800%. Labor problems increase 47%. Delivery problems increase 83%. Premature birth the #1 cause of infant mortality and mental retardation increases 300-500%.

And this is if you have only 1 abortion! A study of 20,000 who had legal abortions to 20,000 who had no abortions showed that those who wanted the baby lost the baby twice as often when they had had an abortion. In fact, the infertility rate from 20-24 year olds has risen from 3.6% to almost 11% over the last number of years. The National Center for Health Statistics says there are 2 reasons. #1- sexually transmitted diseases. #2 - injury inflicted during an abortion.

46% of women who undergo an abortion have already had at least one previous abortion, at least 15% of the women have had 2 or more .

Breast cancer risk increased 140% following a abortion.( British Journal of Cancer 1981; 43:72-6 ) Placenta previa is a condition producing extremely severe, life-threatening bleeding in future pregnancies. Risk increased 600% following an abortion. (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1981; 141:769-72 ) Increased bleeding during subsequent pregnancies. (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1983; 146:136-40 )

It is a fact that 10%-30% of women who had abortions experience long term psychiatric problems. In a 5 year study , 25% of women who had abortions sought out psychiatric care…another study found the percentage even higher at 40%.( from the pamphlet-making an informed decision about your pregnancy). Relationships suffer as well, after 5-7 months 2 of 11 women continued with the same boyfriend they became pregnant with. This is a permanent decision that affects ones live afterward, there are psychological as well as physical consequences.

A Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota studied the long-ranged affects of Abortion on women. 10 years afterward she found that 81% of those women still had a pre-occupation over that aborted child. 10 years later 73% had flash-backs of their abortion experience. 10 years later 69% still remember after the abortion the feeling that what they had done was insane! 10 years later 54% still had nightmares. 10 years later 35% said that sometime during that time, they perceived a visitation from that child! And 10 years later 96% regarded it as murder. What this shows is that when women mature they have a different view of their former actions. Which can mean someone is influencing them when they are young and naive.

If a mother takes cocaine and kills her fetus or someone kills the fetus in the wound from the outside it is called murder. But when an abortion takes place the protective laws are ignored and it not called murder. Why? There needs to be a consistency on this.

What about a child we know may be born deformed, or cannot move or think well. The amount of one's qualities or capacity do not establish a person. Is the quality of life so important to us that we are willing to execute someone who falls short of our standard? Statistically only 1% of women aborting say they have been informed that their unborn baby has a defect (deformity.)

If we open the door to a births of a perfect child only, then where do we draw a line? The handicapped? Retarded? You will never meet a more loving human being than a child with downs-syndrome. History has proven that we always push the line further as we allow a lax in moral absolutes. How handicapped or retarded does someone have to be deemed unfit to live?

Neither inability or insanity do not invalidate someone's status as a person. If we are going to abort children who are deformed and not perfect in body or mind, can we do the same to adults? Obviously all children lack the aptitude of an adult, but we regard a child no less as a person than we do their parents. If an accident occurs or when they are too old and not functioning as before do we remove them from life? What is actually the difference? If we say that the definition of a human is based on their brain waves or ability to function 100%, than if one suffers in an accident and is not up to par should we deem them as no longer human. Where is the line drawn, who will decide that? We need to have a future perspective instead of a now one, to determine how all this will affect our lives and society.

This is Victory!

Gentle Reader,

What do you carry around? Well I carry a lot around in my Bible. pens for note taking, a list of people I pray for (although since you started reading my blog entries I have transferred all of your names to my CPU [serving over 100,000) And I also find little clippings sermon notes and quote that are meaningful to me. Here's an example of something tattered and torn from constant reading and rereading I thought you might like to get inside my head. (Not that I keep much in there since I got my first computer).

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you
don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is
happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is Victory.


When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving
silence, that is victory.


When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any
annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility -- and endure it as Jesus endured, that is victory.


When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any regiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is victory.


When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your
own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, that is victory.


When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can
honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, or question God, while
your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is victory.


When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than
yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no
rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is victory.
"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," (Philippians 3:10)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let
him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25).

"Lord Jesus, make thyself to me

A living bright Reality

More present to faith's vision keen

Than any earthly object seen;

More dear more intimately nigh

Than e'en the dearest earthly tie"

a prayer for understanding

Father in heaven,

Help me to understand the needs of those who struggle every day to stand against the world's pain

Help me find a way to give hope to those who have turned to drugs or alcohol for survival

Help me teach the children the lessons of life that will shape their future, body, mind and spirit.

Help me feed the poor and elderly too proud to say they have not eaten today.

Help me look inside myself and see that all mankind is one. And grant me the strength to understand that I. . . I can make a difference "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," (Philippians 3:10)

Rev. Dr. Denis O'Callaghan Ph.D., Th. D., D. D.
http://drcallahan.bravejournal.com

Need a refill?

 

 Hey Dennis, refill  on this table!!!!

 Please state you opinions as your bird will be with you shortly

Well Gentle Reader,

It seem that some of you have gotten the impression that I don't like Baptists Not True Not true! Pastor Vanilla is the reason that I am writing to you today. It was in his Baptist church where I gave my heart to the Lord!

 

 Now then as I was saying "get that bird out of your coffee cup, he'll drink it all if you let him."

 

Well the 4th Sunday was "give till it hurts Sunday" Now understand that the Bible teaching on giving is really different than what you might expect. In what we call the Old Testament one finds tithing [that is giving 10% of all you possess to the  Jewish priest for they have no land or income of their own] And many churches have pick up the word tithe  to means help support the work of the church or denomination. But in fact Tithing stopped when as new set of instructions were given in what we call the New Testament. The New instructions were "As God provides to you you do the same" BUT remember sometimes peoples "Buts" are too big? God says, through the Apostle Paul "give as God Gives to you"  But so many Pastors have never found the real secret of Giving which is all together now repeat after me "Gods way today is Grace" But Pastor Bob (Vanilla to his friends) always  was asking for money because in the length of time he was Pastor at this little church he never taught GRACE!

 

In the churches I pastored I use to tell the folks "If you can't put something in the collection take something out!" Much to the discomfiture of the people who were in charge of the collecting of the offerings. One man told me "Pastor, when you said what you did about 'take something out' I almost had a heart attack"

 

So gentle reader,  I decided right then and there that I would never preach the message of "storehouse" tithing or any of the other methods that people use to get you to give money to their organization 

Why is it that so many people say in words like this "All their interested in is getting money" Or 'That Pastor preaches on money too much,  I'll never go there"? 

 Why is is it that you hear so much about churches asking for money?

Because Gentle they have never learned, (although it is clear in the Bible) that giving requires grace. Grace that God gives first.

Sorry but I just write what God gives me each day.

Anyway I decided that I would never ask for money (will that change?)

 My first church was a Southern Baptist in which they gave me $100 dollars for a month. After that they stopped  giving me anything. I went out and got a job and served without pay for over a year. God provided.
At one prayer meeting one of the deacons prayed this pry "Oh God, You keep him (meaning me) humble and we'll keep him poor!" God answered that prayer.

 

 Time of a refill?

 Oh we're out stop in tomorrow and I have some more for you,

Dennis

 

Reflections from my cup

 

Did I ever tell you?.....

 How I became a "poor Preacher"?

Dear Gentle reader,

 I had the start of a wonderdful story for you and then It was lost! What shall I do????? Well it's to good to waste so I'll rewrite it and you talk among yourselves and I be back help yourself to jelly donuts and coffee!

 Save me one!

I was raised in an "Irish Catholic home" one where you had a choice to become a priest or a doctor. And since as my mother use to say "Your brother was an only child"   I left the "Church" because it really didn't speak to me. Oh, I went through all the steps I was baptized, confirmed and went to Catholic grade school and High school  but I wasn't really "into church" Like most people , perhaps like you Gentle Reader, the only good thing that came out of me in that time of my life was the fact that when they would have incense I would get sick and throw up all over Sisters shoes!

Just like you I was no more interested in going to church than I was in being a priest or for that matter a doctor! I wanted to be a fireman!

 

Time for a break!

When you prepare you sermons on paper, they say that you are just reading off the paper and not hearing from God. But when you DON'T have paper, they say that you were not prepared!

During the last Sunday service that the visiting pastor was to spend at the church he served for some months, his hat was passed around for a goodwill, farewell offering.

When it returned to the pastor, it was empty. The pastor didn’t flinch. He raised the hat to heaven. "I thank you, Lord, that I got my hat back from this congregation

 Back to my story......

So when my wife wanted to go to church we went to a Baptist Church whose  Pastor was how shall I put it? hmmm? Well let me say that I called him 'Pastor Vanilla'. Pastor Vanilla was a preacher who had 4 sermons and you could set your watch by what Sunday it was The first Sunday it was "Bring in new people" the second was on "you should come to church every time the doors were open" The third was "meatless Sunday" {that is if your were to get any meat from the sermon you would have to bring it from home}

 

Oops time got away from me so we have to take up tomorrow  who turn is it to bring the donuts? (I am so hungry for sweets right now) See you tomorrow when we continue the saga of how I became the poor preacher that you know so well.

Dennis

 

The file room

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "People I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Other I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards?

But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only and inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.

But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.

Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self- pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written in His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

The Touch

Gentle Reader,

Don't let this happen to you look where I look see what I see and don't let people pass you by and don't pass them by without a further glance

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin,
but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only
two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Three dollars, once; three
dollars twice; going for three.." But no, from the room, far back, a
gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust
from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, he played a melody
pure and sweet as caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,
said; "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow.
A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two? Two thousand! And who'll make
it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, and going and
gone," said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not
quite understnad what changed its worth." Swift came the reply: "The touch
of a master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin, A
"mess of pottage," a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on. "He is
going" once, and "going twice, He's going and almost gone." But the Master
comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul
and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.

"Black Hole"

 

Steven Hawkings says....

Gentle Reader,

 

What do you know about black Holes?  Many of you know a lot more than you think! I mean you write for others to read and it goes into the Black Hole called the ENTER NET (Sorry I can't resist). I know about Black holes. I write each day and most of you stop in once in a while so that I need to present to you a thought complete in one sitting. Sometimes it's not possible, sooooooo bare with at times.

O foolish Bloggers, who has bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

 

 

Translation: "O foolish Bloggers, who has bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"

 

You started well but where have you gone? Why aren't you standing up for the things you know are right?  If your a Christian Where is your Paul?  (your spiritual leader, Now your pastor doesn't count) the person who led you to Christ! Where is your Timothy? The one your leading into further truth.  What are you doing on the Enter Net? And why?

 

Let me leave you with this Gentle Reader:

A great and wise man once called one of his workmen to him saying, "Go into the far country and build for me a house. The decisions of planning and of actual construction will be yours, but remember, I shall come to accept your work for a very special friend of mine."

And so the workman departed with a light heart for his field of labor. Material of all kinds was plentiful here, but the workman had a mind of his own. "Surely," he thought, "I know my business. I can use a bit of inferior materials here and cheat on my workmanship a little there, and still make the finished work look good. Only I will know that what I have built has weaknesses."

And so, at last the work was completed and the workman reported back to the great and wise man. "Very good," he said. "Now remember that I wanted you to use only the finest materials and craftsmanship in this house because I wanted to make present of it? My friend, you are the one I had you build it for. It is all yours."

How much like man. He comes to earth a stranger. He has his free agency. He may build as he likes. But on the morning of his resurrection he will receive what he has built for an eternal home and habitation.

Gentle Reader,

I love each of you and want only the best for you but you need to help! We are all called to be great Saints don't miss the opptunity!

 

Dennis

Priceless Privileges

Isn't it strange that princes and kings,
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
And common folk like you and me,
Are Builders for eternity?

To each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass and a book of rules,
And each must fashion ere life is flown,
A stumbling block or a stepping stone.

 

 

Please pray...

 

In beginning God created....

My Study Bible it's called the Companion Bible

Gentle Reader,

 

My wife Marti's, cousin Colleen from Indiana sufferers from kidney failure awaiting transplant has suffered a massive infection needing emergency surgery. In her weakened condition she needs prayer warriors to uplift her during this time. She will not be able to attend her only daughters wedding in two weeks as she will be in the hospital. Pray that she is able to find a donor and that she will recover in order to attend her daughters wedding. 

 Please pray for this single Mother that God will raise her up!

Thank you,

Dennis

Post it notes

Small Facts About God


To A Beautiful Person:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He listens.

He can live anywhere in the universe, but He chose ... your heart.

Face it friend, He is crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

~ Author Unknown ~

GRACE

Notes for Grace class

Grace:
(Favor/Unmerited Mercy) The Grace of GOD can only be accessed through Faith! Grace cannot be earned or purchased!

The only action necessary on Man's part to access Grace is Faith, and Faith is nothing more than belief. The original sin in the Garden of Eden was about belief! (Eve believed Satan and Adam believed Eve instead of GOD.) Believe GOD and accept GOD's gift! Abraham believed GOD and GOD considered it as Righteousness! (Genesis 15:6)

When Abraham sinned by believing Sarah after GOD had promised an heir through Sarah (thereby committing the same sin as Adam in the Garden of Eden) GOD required Abraham to sacrifice his only son (Isaac). However, GOD provided a substitute Lamb for sacrifice (the precursor of The Lamb of GOD in the person of Jesus Christ for the salvation of all mankind) to take the place of Isaac. (Gen 22)

The perfection of Jesus is by Grace which was bestowed on Jesus by GOD before Jesus was ever born. It is impossible for you, me, or anyone else to receive Grace; we can only access it through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ and thereby enter into the only "House" ever authorized by GOD! (2nd Samuel 7, 2nd Chronicles 17)

Jesus was obviously raised in the tradition of Temple Judaism and as such, recognized the Temple as "My Fathers House". (Matt 21:13, Mark 11:17) However, GOD never called for or unconditionally accepted, any Religion! Nor did GOD ever call for or authorize any Church, Parish, Synagogue, or Temple! Biblically, the only construction GOD ever authorized (and gave detailed instructions for) was a Tabernacle that was meant to be a place of sacrifice in conjunction with the Mosaic Covenant.

Additionally, we also have the authority of Jesus regarding his perfection in his own words. "Why do you call me good? There is none good but the Father." (Matthew 19:17), (Mark 10:18), (Luke 18:19)

(If anyone could, or have had at any time, received Grace, then GOD, being a Non-Respecter of Persons, would have had to bestow Grace on everyone, starting with Adam and Eve! If that were true, there would have been no reason for Jesus to exist, much less to have died on the cross!)

Questions I ask...

Gentle Reader,

I recently read that if you have 50 people read your blog on a daily basis ( Now I have more than 1500 )that you have more that a  Harvard professor has in class So blog well my friend someone is reading your work. (maybe grading it too).

 

I think I'm safe although I have a few stop by from time to time. Not many read closely enough for me to be worried about becoming famous (except to my dogs, Paddy, Chi Chi and Cuddles . While Marti is still sick and we think she will get better this week has be bad for her. So I spend more time thinking about the good old days. But like my father use to say "They don't build car they way the use too...And they never did!"

 

I find that as I continue to research my book What didn't I tell you about that? Well pull up a cup of coffee and here we go.

 

As you know I have been in the Ministry for quite a few years and left to come home (where my mother and Step-father lived in (Indiana) to help my mother take care of my Step-father who had Alzheimer's Disease until his death. I had served a wonderful little Church called Grace Bible Fellowship. Where I completed my Doctoral Dissertation [long written study of a subject]  called "Biblical Faith and Contemporary culture" for my Th.D. in Theology. I thought I was done until I gave up my Church. 

But then ( see how things changes and still remain the same)  

 

 I found that no church wanted someone like me (I know that now, I didn't then).

 

I had spoken at Bible conferences and been brought to England (while I was still pastoring) for 2 weeks at a time teaching and preaching verse by verse on the subject "He may be your Father, but He's not your Dad" or "Knowing God" !

 

 So putting my education to work I began to study for a Ph.D. in Biblical Philology (The study of Biblical Linguistics).

 I kept looking for a place to preach but with sickness running through our family it was impossible to find a church that wanted me. "Life is made up of sobs and sniffles with sniffles predominating." 

 

 So now then with the Ph.D. out of the way I now have 6 Doctorates (two of which will qualify me as a paradox! (Pun inserted here) and I'm still learning. Not funny? read on.

Back to my book which I call for now "Which Church"? I wanted to called it "Sacred Cows make better hamburger" But that title was already taken.

 What is the book about you ask?  The basic theme is simple " Can you know if Christ instituted the Church why do we have so many churches?  I mean denominations. The two basic groups fall into Catholic and Protestant and from there it breaks down altogether into groups that have what I call hobby horses "We do this but we don't believe that!"

 We have those who have mega churches and those who meet in homes. There are those who teach what I call the prosperity Gospel (I'll have two more Big Macs please) and those who claim some secret revelation that none else has (or perhaps wants). 

 

So Gentle Reader, Which Church? 

 

Let me ask you a question Which Church is the One That God heads?

 Enough for now, it time to get ready for the day.

Think about my question and get back with me would you please?

 

Till next time   

Denis