I have a confession to make. I have been guilty of covetousness, deceit, murder, lying, disobedience, backbiting, and I may as well confess--all the Ten Commandments. You may say; what a terrible person I must be to be guilty of all those sins. And you would be right. And certainly, condemnation would be in order. But before you begin pointing fingers at me, all I ask is that you simply go to your bathroom mirror and look at the reflection you see there. Because you too are quite possibly guilty of those same offenses. Now, I don"t look so bad, do I?
Why do I know all this? The Bible states it. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That means you and I. It also says that like sheep we have all gone astray and laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. You may ask how we could get into such a predicament. The truth is, we were born into it. We suffer from the results of the original sin of Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden when they ate that forbidden apple.
God forbid them to eat of the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. But Satan convinced them that God was placing an undue restriction upon them. So they ate.
So we find ourselves in a seemingly hopeless dilemma. The penalty for our guilt is Death in Hell for an eternity. We can't save ourselves. What can we do? The Bible says to Repent and seek the Lord. If we repent and confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the Dead, we (you ) will be saved. (paraphrased) (Romans 10: 9-10).God will send the Holy Spirit to live in your heart and you can begin to serve Him in spirit and truth. The scriptures say "Today is the day of Salvation".
His free gift is waiting for you to receive it. Don't disappoint Him. He will remove your guilt. I am no longer guilty. Are you?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
IS THE END TIME NEAR?
He is going to select all believers, the dead first, and take them with him into Heaven to enjoy the home for which he has prepared for us since his ascension some 2000 years ago. He said I go to prepare a place for you and I will return to receive you unto myself, that you may be there also. (paraphrased).
Now I believe THAT with all my heart, because it is in God's Word, the Bible. And I believe the Bible to be inerrant. But, the question which seems to appear with regard to the time is, when will these events happen?
In response to his disciples questioning about the destruction of the temple, his reply was that no one knows but the Father.
Well. if Jesus himself said that no one knows but the Father, then why can't some of the modern day prophets get it straight. How can they prophecy that the world will end in just a few months? I believe that God speaks to people all the time. Not necessarily in a loud voice, but with a little small voice inside, or by some word preached, or spoken by a friend, or after reading a religious text. But declaring that God gave us a date for the End is, in my mind, completely contrary to his Word.
Some have jumped on the band wagon following the recent events in Japan. Armageddon they cry. This is the end. Well, the end is coming, you can be sure of that. But, let's let God be in charge of all future events instead of all that arm twisting. It will all happen in His time, when He is ready.
In response to his disciples questioning about the destruction of the temple, his reply was that no one knows but the Father.
Well. if Jesus himself said that no one knows but the Father, then why can't some of the modern day prophets get it straight. How can they prophecy that the world will end in just a few months? I believe that God speaks to people all the time. Not necessarily in a loud voice, but with a little small voice inside, or by some word preached, or spoken by a friend, or after reading a religious text. But declaring that God gave us a date for the End is, in my mind, completely contrary to his Word.
Some have jumped on the band wagon following the recent events in Japan. Armageddon they cry. This is the end. Well, the end is coming, you can be sure of that. But, let's let God be in charge of all future events instead of all that arm twisting. It will all happen in His time, when He is ready.
Monday, March 7, 2011
MIRACLE WATER
We have a friend who obtained a small farm located at the foot of a long hill. Actually the hill was the highest point in our county. Near the top was a natural bubbling spring. Yes, water was literally bubbling up from the ground and running down the hill. A previous owner had taken advantage of this water source and had made some alterations.
He had dug a box like opening, possibly a 3 ft. cube and had covered it with a wooden panel to prevent wildlife and vermin from entering or falling into the cavity. He also had buried a galvanized pipe in the corner, which ran all the way down hill (around 500-750 ft) into a cistern which was near the house. He had also installed a sand filter and a stop valve in the pipeline to control the flow of water. So he had a nearly perfect, cost effective supply of water. One problem existed, the water was very hard.
As some already know, hard water calcifies or builds up residue on the objects it comes in contact with. Even the cooking utensils used gave indication of this. The inside of this pipe began to develop buildup of hard material which acts much like plaque in arteries. It gradually filled the pipe until it was no longer able to supply water. The owners reaction to this was to dig out the old pipe and replace it with black vinyl pipe of a larger size. As far as I know, to this day the vinyl pipe has not reacted as the metal did.
Later, the new owner constructed another cistern of poured concrete. It was a box-like affair which also contained a more elaborate filtration system. It took some time before the concrete taste finally disappeared. The old cistern walls had started caving in and bricks falling to the bottom. After the new cistern became usable , he completely filled the old one.
How this spring can provide clear cold water on a hot summer day, I cannot comprehend. But it does.
It isn't one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but it seems to me to be a miraculous gift of God.
He had dug a box like opening, possibly a 3 ft. cube and had covered it with a wooden panel to prevent wildlife and vermin from entering or falling into the cavity. He also had buried a galvanized pipe in the corner, which ran all the way down hill (around 500-750 ft) into a cistern which was near the house. He had also installed a sand filter and a stop valve in the pipeline to control the flow of water. So he had a nearly perfect, cost effective supply of water. One problem existed, the water was very hard.
As some already know, hard water calcifies or builds up residue on the objects it comes in contact with. Even the cooking utensils used gave indication of this. The inside of this pipe began to develop buildup of hard material which acts much like plaque in arteries. It gradually filled the pipe until it was no longer able to supply water. The owners reaction to this was to dig out the old pipe and replace it with black vinyl pipe of a larger size. As far as I know, to this day the vinyl pipe has not reacted as the metal did.
Later, the new owner constructed another cistern of poured concrete. It was a box-like affair which also contained a more elaborate filtration system. It took some time before the concrete taste finally disappeared. The old cistern walls had started caving in and bricks falling to the bottom. After the new cistern became usable , he completely filled the old one.
How this spring can provide clear cold water on a hot summer day, I cannot comprehend. But it does.
It isn't one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but it seems to me to be a miraculous gift of God.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
FIVE MINUTES OF GLORY
Remember that first haircut. When I was just a little tyke my Dad would set me up on several catalogs in a straight back chair. He had the usual do-it-yourself utensils available at that time, namely barber scissors, a comb and hand operated clippers. I remember he sharpened the scissor on a rock. The clippers were operated by applying pressure to the handles and then the spring would return the cutter back to its original position. He would begin by running the clippers up my temples and back side and then complete with trimming with the scissors and finishing with a good combing. I usually dreaded this because he usually pinched my flesh as he compressed the clippers.
My first trip to a regular barber was an eventful trip. Since I was still small, he placed a helper seat up in the barber chair, so I would set up to his eye level. He had electric clippers which buzzed closely to my ears and were a little fearful at first. The barber shop had a long row of seats along one side facing three barber chairs, behind which was a solid wall of mirrors. I've witnesses much crying by kids who couldn't adjust to this atmosphere. They didn't have appointments back then. It was first come first served. Many times all the waiting seats were filled. It was here that numerous fish and hunting tales were exchanged. Many I believe were of a dubious nature, that lacked any authenticity. Nevertheless, it made the time go faster.
Around this area it is difficult to find a barbershop. They have gone the way of the Model T. If you can find one it is a single barber working part time to supplement his other income. I started going to my wife's beautician several years ago. Its okay if you don't mind a lot of woman talk. She does work quickly and you don't get a lot of fish stories. She cuts a lot of men's hair in her shop mainly because they can get appointments and get in and out without much delay.
My beautician teases me a lot because of my baldness. Its one of those quickie jobs, because there is little to cut. Just one or two trips up the temple and back and we are done. Thats okay, but I counter that it is a little annoying that I pay for a full haircut, but only get a snow job. I hardly have time to warm the seat for the next customer. One advantage, I don't have to go too often. Well, its cold outside, so have a warm hair day.
My first trip to a regular barber was an eventful trip. Since I was still small, he placed a helper seat up in the barber chair, so I would set up to his eye level. He had electric clippers which buzzed closely to my ears and were a little fearful at first. The barber shop had a long row of seats along one side facing three barber chairs, behind which was a solid wall of mirrors. I've witnesses much crying by kids who couldn't adjust to this atmosphere. They didn't have appointments back then. It was first come first served. Many times all the waiting seats were filled. It was here that numerous fish and hunting tales were exchanged. Many I believe were of a dubious nature, that lacked any authenticity. Nevertheless, it made the time go faster.
Around this area it is difficult to find a barbershop. They have gone the way of the Model T. If you can find one it is a single barber working part time to supplement his other income. I started going to my wife's beautician several years ago. Its okay if you don't mind a lot of woman talk. She does work quickly and you don't get a lot of fish stories. She cuts a lot of men's hair in her shop mainly because they can get appointments and get in and out without much delay.
My beautician teases me a lot because of my baldness. Its one of those quickie jobs, because there is little to cut. Just one or two trips up the temple and back and we are done. Thats okay, but I counter that it is a little annoying that I pay for a full haircut, but only get a snow job. I hardly have time to warm the seat for the next customer. One advantage, I don't have to go too often. Well, its cold outside, so have a warm hair day.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New Years Resolutions
This is the season when people are making lots of New Years Resolutions. And by now I would venture to say that many have already been broken or forgotten. They are easy to make but hard to adhere to. I also believe from what I've heard or read that many are made regarding the loss of weight or dieting. Also, at this time of the year there is more emphasis on exercising and purchase and use of many kinds of exercise equipment than at any other time of the year.
There is nothing wrong with making resolutions or setting goals. They give you something to shoot for, even if you may fail. Your original intention is good. In fact, I would suggest that goal setting is important for all factors of our life. To some degree, we do it everyday. We plan to do certain things each day, some we accomplish, some we don't. But we plan to do so. So in an effort to plan we are actually making resolutions.
Personally, in the past, I have made a thing of making New Years Resolutions. Some, I have kept, like saving a little money each payday, reading my Bible everyday, keeping my quiet time, serving my Lord. I try not to go overboard in my selection , but to adhere to those I believe I can keep the whole year. As for the last year, I have been successful in each category.
I have though, had to make some changes in my activities. I have given up my Sunday School class. The last Sunday in October was my last class session. It had become increasingly difficult for me to interchange in the class discussion because of my hearing and my constantly asking for members to repeat their statements. I did so reluctantly because I really enjoyed the class. I was encouraged by the members, many of whom were older than I to continue. After much prayer, I concluded that after 20 years, it was time for me to step down and let someone of lesser years take my place. It was becoming more difficult to prepare, be present every week, and physically perform. I was surprised when a lady of 93 stepped up to the challenge and accepted the class. I will continue to serve my Lord in other capacities.
I hope you are successful with your resolutions.
There is nothing wrong with making resolutions or setting goals. They give you something to shoot for, even if you may fail. Your original intention is good. In fact, I would suggest that goal setting is important for all factors of our life. To some degree, we do it everyday. We plan to do certain things each day, some we accomplish, some we don't. But we plan to do so. So in an effort to plan we are actually making resolutions.
Personally, in the past, I have made a thing of making New Years Resolutions. Some, I have kept, like saving a little money each payday, reading my Bible everyday, keeping my quiet time, serving my Lord. I try not to go overboard in my selection , but to adhere to those I believe I can keep the whole year. As for the last year, I have been successful in each category.
I have though, had to make some changes in my activities. I have given up my Sunday School class. The last Sunday in October was my last class session. It had become increasingly difficult for me to interchange in the class discussion because of my hearing and my constantly asking for members to repeat their statements. I did so reluctantly because I really enjoyed the class. I was encouraged by the members, many of whom were older than I to continue. After much prayer, I concluded that after 20 years, it was time for me to step down and let someone of lesser years take my place. It was becoming more difficult to prepare, be present every week, and physically perform. I was surprised when a lady of 93 stepped up to the challenge and accepted the class. I will continue to serve my Lord in other capacities.
I hope you are successful with your resolutions.
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