16 times in 16

Happy New Year I was sitting in church last night listening to pastor teach from Thessalonians. Somehow I wandered into Romans 16 and noticed the word salute...and how often it was used SALUTE - dictionary * an expression of welcome, goodwill, or respect. * to express warm approval * a gesture of greeting or respect. * to acknowledge with praise or honor * express commendation So...once again I wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 and pray.... Numbers 6 24 The LORD bless you, and keep you: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto youe: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you (HIS) peace.

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the red nosed reindeer ?

CLICK THE PICTURE

Rudolph don't matter neither do Santa, in fact The reindeer don't matter nor do the elves ! Frosty don't matter, neither do the mistletoe or the holly or the chestnuts, in fact the snow don't matter. The christmas tree don't matter... maybe the gifts matter..we will see !!! The holiday don't matter nor do the ...whatever it is that you think is making you happy !!! who is saying all this....what a wuss... a real GRINCH....scrooge...no less !! not so fast, hold up, momentito..... (just a minute) All the above mentioned things seem to have become distractions..... the angels matter.... that's how the shepherds and Mary and Joseph and the wise men knew what was REALLY going on..... ...so what is really going on? ARE WE BEING HOODWINKED ?? big time !!! take health care....why the big fight? WELL, are you going to die or no? here is the scoop on death... first God said if you disobey (SIN) you WILL DIE.... along comes the devil... he says you will not die !!! so to die or not to die... this is the question ! now about the distractions at CHRISTMAS.... JESUS is the only thing that really matters !!!! He said that He has abolished death.... in fact He seemed to be making so much fun of it....telling the people that Lazarus was sleeping....then Getting up out of the Graveyard and laughing... as it were...in the face of his so-called killers. this is what HE said... don't be afraid of the ones who say they kill the body but rather pay very much attention to THE ONE who can really make you die... and cast you into HELL !!!! Brother Roberts went home this past week...and we were quickly told that he died of respiratory complications...so as to continue to validate and perpetuate the MYTHS of so-called modern medical science... as if "they" could have "helped" him stay on this side....the mysticism and fear associated with leaving "this side" is the lie that continues to be told by the one who, steals (kills) and destroys. This is why Christians talk about going home. Jesus said "my kingdom is not of this world" He also said "those who live and believe... SHALL NEVER DIE" because " I give to them eternal life...and they shall... NEVER PERISH" !!! I would like to suggest that many people are frightened "out of this world" and are tricked into "giving up the ghost".... by well-intentioned physicians who work part-time under the diabolic delusion that they have a cure for death. Behind all of this is the original deceiver, the liar from the beginning, the father of lies the same one who is making up all these so-called christmas attractions.... (DISTRACTIONS) you cannot serve JEHOVAH GOD and at the same time follow MAMMON...this is what Jesus said..... ...and HE is the only ONE THAT MATTERS AT ANY TIME....but especially now AT CHRISTMAS.

good intentions !!!

Joy to which world? the sad truth is that many will not know this Joy of Christmas unless you who have found it, SHARE IT.   There is a certain excitement that goes with the season. This is the time of year for many to have FUN... More fun shopping, partying and so on. ++++++++++++++ Christmas was once a moveable feast celebrated at many different times during the year. The choice of December 25, was made by Pope Julius I, in the 4th century A.D., because this coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. The intent was to replace the pagan celebration with the Christian one. ++++++++++++++ God nowhere speaks of making Christmas a part of Christianity, nor does He say to celebrate His Son's birth. He does tell us, though, not to add to His worship anything that is a tradition of the heathen. Such additions hinder rather than enhance our journey to God's Kingdom. - From BIBLETOOLS ++++++++++++++ Changing times and Laws and removing ancient landmarks - not a good idea !   ++++++++++++++ New Living Translation (©2007) - Ephesians 2:2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God...... ...And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.- Daniel 7:25 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.- Proverbs 22:28 +++++++++++++++++++ Christmas pressures mean divorce in January A study has shown that January 8th is the busiest day of the year for divorce lawyers when up to one in five couples will enquire about divorce after the pressures of Christmas  - Reported in the Daily Telegraph +++++++++++++++++++ The price of Christmas spending on mental health Reported in Medical News Today... Here is a summary of the survey's findings: 19 per cent of people felt less able to manage their mental health because of worries about paying off the cost of Christmas 25 per cent were feeling depressed 20 per cent will have problems meeting their rent or mortgage payments this month Over 50 per cent admitted they had spent more than they could afford on Christmas 39 per cent used credit cards to cover the cost of Christmas 33 per cent estimated that it would take them more than six months to pay off their Christmas spending debt and the beast gave him power +++++++++++++++++++++ Research from moneysupermarket.com reveals that almost half of consumers (45 per cent) are worried about funding Christmas 2009. Their fears may be justified as two thirds of the population (66 per cent) will not save enough cash in time to cover their Christmas costs, meaning credit cards, overdrafts, loans and December income will be used to take up the slack. 45 per cent of UK adults are worried about funding Christmas this year 66 per cent will not save enough cash before Christmas to pay for spending 17 per cent are planning to use a credit card to fund the festivities ++++++++++++++++++++++ International Standard Version (©2008) "Constantly be on your guard so that your hearts will not be loaded down with self-indulgence, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, or that day will take you by surprise. ++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 Imitate God, since you are the children he loves. 2 Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an offering and sacrifice, a soothing aroma to God. 3 Don't let sexual sin, perversion of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you. This is not appropriate behavior for God's holy people. 4 It's not right that dirty stories, foolish talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned among you either. Instead, give thanks to God. 5 You know very well that no person who is involved in sexual sin, perversion, or greed (which means worshiping wealth) can have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Don't let anyone deceive you with meaningless words. It is because of sins like these that God's anger comes to those who refuse to obey him. 7 Don't be partners with them. 8 Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. 9 Light produces everything that is good, that has God's approval, and that is true. 10 Determine which things please the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 12 It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret. 13 Light exposes the true character of everything 14 because light makes everything easy to see. That's why it says: "Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 So then, be very careful how you live. Don't live like foolish people but like wise people. 16 Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. 17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants. 18 Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit?your spirit."> 19 by reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts. 20 Always thank God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Place yourselves under each other's authority out of respect for Christ.

this is not a fairy tale

HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS sharing stories of GOOD WILL with all your friends. Paul Levy, the guy who runs Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was standing in Sherman Auditorium the other day, before some of the very people to whom he might soon be sending pink slips. In the days before the meeting, Levy had been walking around the hospital, noticing little things. He stood at the nurses' stations, watching the transporters, the people who push the patients around in wheelchairs. He saw them talk to the patients, put them at ease, make them laugh. He saw that the people who push the wheelchairs were practicing medicine. He noticed the same when he poked his head into the rooms and watched as the people who deliver the food chatted up the patients and their families. He watched the people who polish the corridors, who strip the sheets, who empty the trash cans, and he realized that a lot of them are immigrants, many of them had second jobs, most of them were just scraping by. And so Paul Levy had all this bouncing around his brain the other day when he stood in Sherman Auditorium. He looked out into a sea of people and recognized faces: technicians, secretaries, administrators, therapists, nurses, the people who are the heart and soul of any hospital. People who knew that Beth Israel had hired about a quarter of its 8,000 staff over the last six years and that the chances that they could all keep their jobs and benefits in an economy in freefall ranged between slim and none. "I want to run an idea by you that I think is important, and I'd like to get your reaction to it," Levy began. "I'd like to do what we can to protect the lower-wage earners - the transporters, the housekeepers, the food service people. A lot of these people work really hard, and I don't want to put an additional burden on them. "Now, if we protect these workers, it means the rest of us will have to make a bigger sacrifice," he continued. "It means that others will have to give up more of their salary or benefits." He had barely gotten the words out of his mouth when Sherman Auditorium erupted in applause. Thunderous, heartfelt, sustained applause. Paul Levy stood there and felt the sheer power of it all rush over him, like a wave. His eyes welled and his throat tightened so much that he didn't think he could go on. When the applause subsided, he did go on, telling the workers at Beth Israel, the people who make a hospital go, that he wanted their ideas. READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Beth Israel workers agree to go without to save jobs - The Boston Globe

Beth Israel workers agree to go without to save jobs - The Boston Globe

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returned

SHORT STORY......a troubled young man who, on his 18th birthday, leaves home.... discovers his girlfriend, has moved on with her life and is now dating an older college guy. Desperate for love and unable to cope, his troubled past catches up with him ...... Spiraling out of control and on a very dangerous path.....17 But when he came to his senses, he said, What numbers of my father's servants have bread enough, and more, while I am near to death here through need of food! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have done wrong, against heaven and in your eyes: 19 I am no longer good enough to be named your son: make me like one of your servants. 20 And he got up and went to his father.

THIS is the testimony of so many of us... !!!

no easy way

Merry Christmas to all.... BUT... can we really say that as a people we could be a little bit less self-absorbed. ....ok so that may be a curious way of putting it...but you know....it's a touchy subject.... stressing about gifts for Christmas? giving and receiving and shopping traveling and troubling ourselves to live up to expectations...we put on ourselves...and others....WHY? I guess we are creatures of habit and don't forget TRADITION.... what does he think this fiddler on the roof who fiddles every night and fiddles every noon why does he choose so curious a place to play his fiddlers tune An unexpected breeze could blow him to the ground yet after every storm I see he's still around if you haven't seen it you should watch the movie "Fiddler on the roof". So anyhow what I am really trying to say is maybe we should think more about giving stuff away to people who are really in need...or give our time to serve somewhere. So many people object to involvement in church because they think that church is just another thing to do to make demands on an already crammed schedule. ...but what if church was a way to give to help someone else...it just seems to me that so much time and effort is spent these days in pursuit of SELF - INTEREST. RIGHTS ENTITLEMENTS Proverbs 19:17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed. Matthew 10:42 "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40 By Kristin Ladd WomenEntrepreneur.com For social entrepreneur Pamela Hawley, the "season of giving" is about nine months too short. Hawley has been a philanthropist since she was 12, when she got her first startling look at poverty and hunger during a family trip to Mexico. Since then, she has been a volunteer around the world--from soup kitchens and crisis hotlines in the United States to poor neighborhoods in Guatemala. Now she has turned her lifelong passion for giving into a virtual business, UniversalGiving. http://www.cptv2.org/powerofgiving/node/4 Private Family Foundations In recent years, several private foundations have gained prominence in the media, and raised public awareness of their causes. Foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates, are often created with one philanthropic goal in mind. However, as the grantors often realize, establishing your own foundation can often make smart money sense, as well.Plus, your last name does not have to be Rockefeller or Getty to start your own. http://www.savewealth.com/planning/estate/foundations/ Hunger Needs a Voice® was birthed by Jordan Roberts, the daughter of Richard and Lindsay Roberts and granddaughter of Oral Roberts. The idea came to Jordan while she was on a missionary trip with Oral Roberts Ministries in Niger, Africa, in January 2007. http://www.hungerneedsavoice.com/about/facts.html From the very beginning, every penny Paul earned from the sale of Newman's Own products was donated to thousands of charities around the world - a sum totaling over $280 million as of August 2009 and growing. http://learningtogive.org/papers/paper117.html http://www.newmansown.com/genQA.aspx#q2a

Family Values?

Luke 8:20 Someone told Jesus, " Your mother and your brothers are standing outside. They want to see you." 21 He answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear and do what God's word says." ++++++++++++++++++++++ Dysfunction is becoming far too common a word in family circles....so say some. I don't think it is so new nowadays or rare in history. Here is a story of a guy who had a girl friend along with his wife...or so it would seem by today's standards....so the two women know about each other and the jealousy rages on for months on end taking all kinds of emotional toll on 'the family'. To complicate things the girl friend is now pregnant. READ THE REST OF IT HERE 1 Samuel 2:3 "Do not boast or let arrogance come out of your mouth because the LORD is a God of knowledge, and he weighs our actions.

I water it ...

.....So that no one will damage it - Isaiah 27:3   Planting a seed in the mind is good and that is what we do when we share encouraging words....   John 15:3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.   but please REMEMBER .... Just as it is the everyday returning to water your house plant or your vegatable garden so it is that I must not forget to keep giving the encouraging word.   King James Bible That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,   GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995) he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep. King James Bible He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.   1 Samuel 2:9 "He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. Psalm 41:2 The LORD will protect him and keep him alive, And he shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. Psalm 66:9 Who keeps us in life And does not allow our feet to slip. Psalm 127:1 A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. Isaiah 27:3 "I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it every moment. So that no one will damage it, I guard it night and day.

making burdens light

MEMORY LANE - from sunday school Shining for Jesus everywhere I go, Shining for Jesus in this world of woe; Shining for Jesus, more like Him I grow; Shining all the time for Jesus. Shining all the time, shining all the time; Shining for Jesus, beams of love divine; Glorifying Him every day and hour; Shining all the time for Jesus. Shining for Jesus when the way is bright; Shining for Jesus in the darkest night; Shining for Jesus, making burdens light; Shining all the time for Jesus Shining all the time, shining all the time; Shining for Jesus, beams of love divine; Glorifying Him every day and hour; Shining all the time for Jesus. Shining for Jesus while he gives me grace, Shining for Jesus as I run the race; Shining for Jesus, till I see His face; Shining all the time for Jesus. ============= They were young and in love, but they both came from broken homes and they didn't know how to "do marriage." Money, success, drugs, and alcohol were Matt's idols. The day came when Laurie knew Matt's addictions were a danger to her and their children. She had to throw him out. In a lonely hotel room, Matt considered whether the gun in his hand or the pile of drugs in front of him would be the best way to end his life. He chose the gun ... but it misfired! Matt saw the misfire as a sign from God. He checked himself into rehab, and when he'd been sober for one year, he and Laurie attended a Weekend to Remember® marriage conference. Because of the investment of friends like you, they are now plugged into Christ, and their family is experiencing healing. You helped save their marriage and bless their children with a new, and Christ-honoring, home. You probably know other couples like Matt and Laurie--desperate for God's touch. You can help them! ======================= Oral went home today, .... may God continue to multiply his seed. Evangelist Oral Roberts dies in Calif. at age 91 (AP) AP - Oral Roberts, who helped pioneer TV evangelism in the 1950s and used the power of the new medium — and his message of God's healing power — to build a multimillion-dollar ministry and a university that bears his name, died Tuesday. He was 91 . VISIT THE MEMORIAL - click here

We have been warned !

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

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Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

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Proverbs 21:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

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Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

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Jeremiah 6:19 "Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, The fruit of their plans, Because they have not listened to My words, And as for My law, they have rejected it also.

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James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.

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Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

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Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

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Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.

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Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life.

to be continued

yes sir...we saw THE 5 DREAMGIRLS in PA last week this time...WOW !!! what a time....I was burned out..but my mental recorder was going full bore on sunday eve...the fellowship was awesome....thanks to Auntie Lyds.....where there is NO VISION...people perish !!!.....we finally all came together at about 8:30pm saturday night....thanks to Ronnie boy and his wandering ways...that's a whole 'nother story...anyhow...here are the DREAMGIRLS.

Other special Guests included Cousin Lennie and his beautiful 'last girl'..did I say beautiful...yes the beautiful and gracious (Queen) Elizabeth Martin....

whose birthday was also 11/29 as Sister Grace in whose honor the surprise party was being held.

better ?

the Christian religion hasn't been proven to make
people any better morally than any other religion.

DISCUSSION

Thanksgiving 2009

while he wrestled

Obama's two top health nominees follow their faith WASHINGTON — When President Obama named his choices for his administration's two top medical posts, he chose people of private faith and public acclaim whose positions may put them out of step with fellow believers.   ********************** the modern mind would rather think in terms of trans fats or cholesterol or carcinogens or any of a huge number disease causing factors.   but these were much simpler times and I believe mens minds may have been closer to the truth.   So whatever it is that is bothering us, causing the many trips to the doctor or the obsessions at the gym or the beauty parlor or the the anxious questions to the pharmacist.....   while we are thinking about this or that remedy to whatever it is that ails us....let remember that it was "while he was wrestling with God" that Jacob developed his "bone problems". 　 When the angel saw that he could not win against Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that it was dislocated as they wrestled. Genesis 32:25 see also Psalm 32:3, Job 30:17,  Lamentations 3:4, Habakkuk 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 12:7     this is not to say that one should not seek out the advice of "modern medicine" but just to remind us that "IT IS HE THAT HATH MADE US AND NOT WE OURSELVES"   there is a big tendency nowadays to leave God out of the equation... ...it is the FOOL that says (in his heart) "there is no GOD !!!   COULD GOD BE TRYING TO GET OUR ATTENTION? there may be a closer connection than we think between our Physical well being and our beleif in GOD !!! CLICK IT

Grace

We are here because of Grace

I once heard a friend of mine say that more than a democracy
this country is a meritocracy, that is everything you get is on merit.
To say it another way, "WE GET WHAT WE DESERVE"

Many people go a step further, they live lives based
on liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
They say I have a right to this or that thing, and they
will go to any length to secure their so-called rights.

There is no doubt that some people may deserve
this or that compensation or be entitled to 'a better life'
or in fact may not deserve what they are claiming, but
what about gifts?...yes what about things we receive
that have nothing to do with merit or rights.

Do you deserve a better birthday gift?
or better wedding present?...or in a few days
on christmas....will you say on christmas
morning as you look under the tree
I deserve all these gifts?

We are here because of Grace!
Our dad uncle sonny as some of us knew him
always seemed to me to be pointing people
to look beyond themselves.

I do not know for sure
but I suspect that on that
november day many years ago
as he and my mom looked at their
new born, their first born...they may
have both been thinking....
we do not deserve this beautiful blessing.
....Grace is mostly a bible word that means
unmerted or undeserved.

I was not there but I believe our parents
may have been thinking these things
because I later learned from my dad
that "the Grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men teaching them that
denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should
live soberly and righteously IN THIS PRESENT WORLD."

...that is a direct quote of a passage from the bible book
of Titus...our dad was a deep thinker and a prolific writer
but much of his writings remain unpublished in the traditional sense....
it is true however that our lives bear some kind of testimony
to the things that he believed and taught....he did print a piece
that may still be in circulation somewhere entitled "TAKE STOCK"

the article was in the form of a gospel tract and it was about
Grace.....God's Grace....so as I said today we are here because
of Grace....we all know who is this Grace....
but do we all know what is that Grace?....
the Grace of God?

HERE IS HOW ONE SONG WRITER PUT IT.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

“Where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20
AMEN

(remarks on the occasion of the celebration of the birthdate of Grace 11/29/09)