Today - I am Letting Go!

Today - I am letting go - I am giving up control - I'm letting Jesus take the wheel.. I've been driving too long - and I'm tired.... With me behind the wheel there have been too many detours.. too many dead ends... I realized today (again) that I cannot do it all.... I try to be everything to everyone and I am exhausted... I've put my Father, my husband, and my kids on the back burner... The most important things in my life have been upstaged by my mad desires.. My mad and crazy business... my mad and crazy need to be in control... Not trusting God to take care of me....

With me in the drivers seat - I have driven off the road... I have gotten lost... I have ended up in places that I should never have ventured to.... So picture me stepping out of the car... walking around to the passenger's door getting in... not putting on a seat belt - with Jesus driving - there is no need - He alone protects me...

The Lord will keep you from harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore... Psalm 121:7-8

Are You Ready?

When I was a little girl, my sisters would tell me about the Rapture - I remember saying that I wanted God to wait.... I wanted to get married and have kids first... My daughters have both come to me at different times and told me that they hoped God would wait because they wanted to get married and have kids too... The cycles we go through... Today, I would welcome the Rapture - I would welcome the pure and complete love - comfort - joy - peace..

I don't know if the Rapture will happen in my life... For the past 2000 years or so - every generation believed it would happen.. There are signs... there are many signs that the time is drawing near. The Bible states that He will come as a thief in the night... although we do not know the date nor the time, Paul does tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5 - that we are not in the darkness - when they say peace and safety - then comes sudden destruction... Basically saying - it won't be a surprise when it does come to pass.

Will the Rapture precede the tribulation? I don't know for sure - I believe it will - I pray that it will.. There are many verses in the Bible that talk about how God will save us from wrath - "Pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

I saw this video and it really made me think - is this the way it's going to be?.. What do you think? And are you ready?

The Facts About The Crucifixion

Warning: Details of the crucifixion may be too graphic for some

As followers of Christ - we know that God sent his only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).. We know - that Jesus Christ was the lamb of God (John 1:29).... We know that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).. But do we think about His sacrifice for us...? Do we ever think about the cross? The real actual pain... fear - that Jesus bore for us.... Do you think about the time that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was betrayed....? Do you think about how He prayed to God - asking God if there was a chance to take this cup away...? Do you think about how he prayed so hard that His sweat became like great drops of blood? (Luke 22:44)

Last Sunday - a friend of mine read a passage out of a book she was reading.... It was the story of the crucifixion... What was a crucifixion - where did it come from... What did it mean? The details were hard to hear.... Many of us listening had tears in our eyes... One woman covered her ears...

Where did the practice of crucifixion come from? The first known practice was by the Persians.

What is the practice of crucifixion? Torture and execution by fixation to a cross.

Who perfected this torture? The Romans - they were very efficient and skillful.

Most common form? Was the Tau cross shaped like a "T" There is archeological evidence that supports that this is the type of cross that Jesus was crucified on.

Before the prisoner carries his 110 lb cross to his execution - he is scourged. The definition is: inflicting severe punishment.. severe pain...

What happened when Pilate condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion?

Scourging happens when the prisoner (Jesus) is stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post about His head. A short whip that has several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each strap. This very heavy whip is brought down full force again and again across the shoulders.... the legs... the back... At first the straps bruise... then the skin breaks apart and then the whips hit muscle - causing massive blood loss...

When Jesus was untied the soldiers continued to mock Him - calling Him the king of the Jews... They threw a robe over his bleeding shoulders and made a crown of thorns and pressed it into His scalp - when they tired to this game - they ripped off the robe causing the wounds to open more and His pain to increase...

After the torture... suffering from blood loss and dehydration - Jesus was to carry His cross. He could not do it and Simon of Cyrene was ordered to carry it for Jesus...

Once He arrived at the execution spot - the guards quickly threw Jesus backward with His shoulders against the wood. Large, heavy, square, wrought-iron nails were hammered into His wrists into the wood - each wrist was nailed to the cross - they were careful not to pull the arms to tightly - they had to allow for some movement... The left foot is now pressed against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven though the arch of each - leaving the knees a little flexed... Jesus is now crucified.

As the body sags and more weight is on the nails the wrists are in pain - then to try to get away from the pain of the wrists.. the full weight is brought on his feet and more painful agony... As the arms get more tired - great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles - the cramps make it almost impossible to push Himself up - hanging in this manner causes the pectoral muscles to paralyze and the inter-costal muscles are unable to act - making it difficult to exhale air from the lungs.... Hours of unbelieving pain - cramping, partial asphyxiation, the heart being compressed and causing the heart to stop beating... Most die from either heart failure or loss of oxygen... Jesus is believed to have died from heart failure...

The common practice of crucifixion was to break the bones of the legs to prevent the victim from pushing himself up to help him breath... They did not have to do this to Jesus he was dead.. and to make doubly sure He was dead - a soldier drove a sword through His side and immediately blood and water came out....

I challenge you to look up to Him and thank Him this coming Good Friday - April 2nd... Thank Him for loving us... thank Him for his suffering so that we can be forgiven. The wages of sin is death..... and He died so that We could Live......

Not All Roads Lead To God..

For most of my life - I have said I was a Christian.... That does not mean to say that I have lived my life as a Christian... I also am not saying that because I live my life as a Christian now makes me better than I was before... because it does not.. It just makes me more knowledgeable... more closer to Him... Because I believed in Jesus... Because I believed He died on the cross for my sins.... Because I have asked Him for forgiveness... and Because I had invited Him into my heart when I was a young girl - He has never left me... I had just forgotten He was there....

One statement that drives me completely insane is this - "All roads lead to God"..... That is not true.. But the saying "Good intentions - lead to Hell" is more true..... The One and Only way to God is through His Son, Jesus Christ... I know in today's society that is not politically correct... Today's society wants to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy and tell them what they want to hear... But the truth will remain the same no matter how society wants to paint it a different color... There is only one way.... Only one road.... Jesus said, in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."How is it that Jesus can make such a huge statement? The answer is simple - He is God.

I used to be a fan of Oprah - I thought she had an incredible heart... incredible soul... I believe she probably still does but in the same statement I believe she is lost... I have shared this video when I first started blogging a while back and I would like to share it again today..

Thinking About Mary

Breath of Heaven - The Story of Mary....

During this time of year I often wonder what Mary was feeling during her pregnancy... Her fears... her worries... Think about it.... Here is a young girl - betrothed to a young man named Joseph - they were not married yet - he finds that she is pregnant..... the small village they lived in saw that she was pregnant. Think of the whispers... the judgment... Think about how she must have felt - knowing that she was carrying the Son of God - the wonder... the awe... it is so difficult to grasp...

The Little Jar On My Desk

On my desk - next to my computer screen is a jar with a red lid... In this jar - is my daily reminder that I want to be pleasing aroma to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The rock like items in this jar came from thousands of miles away. In an area that Jesus came from.... If I open the lid of this jar - a spicy and very distinct scent is released... Can you guess what it is?





They come from the Boswellia tree.... They are tapped from the tree by scraping the bark and allowing the exuded resins to bleed out and harden.. These hardened resins are called tears.

The lost city of Ubar, sometimes identified with Irem in what is now the town of Shisr in Oman, is believed to have been a center for these fine smelling "tears"



Have you figured it out yet? They were used to make Kohl (eyeliner), they are edible and they have been used for medicinal purposes (treating arthritis) burning this resin keeps mosquitoes away, and they are used for perfume and oils...

About 2000 years ago - they were a gift to a baby boy - Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh... The Tears my friends is Frankincense...

Satan's Three Thoughts.

Satan's Three Thoughts He Helps Put Into The Minds Of Non-Believers

1. Is there a God?
2. There might be something to this God thing but it really doesn't matter to me.
3. I have ALL the time in the world - I don't need to make a decision anytime soon...

Last Friday night in a high school not too far from me a young seventeen (17) year old football player died on the field.... No one knows the cause - he was running and all of a sudden dropped dead to the ground...

Last Sunday - a young girl was crying because of this young man.... He was her friend.... She said that he was asking questions a few weeks ago about Jesus..... this young girl felt so very guilty because she did not have time to answer his questions.... She is afraid that he never had his questions answered....

Last Sunday night - a young man was joyful through his tears because of this young football player... He was his friend.... Last Wednesday night at a youth ministry get together this football player came.... He accepted Christ as His Savior... The young man said that the football player was on fire to know Jesus.... almost desperate in fact..... Now he knows why.... Jesus wanted him home.....

Last Saturday afternoon I was at Office Depot - as I was standing in line - I heard the people in front of me talking to the cashier.... The cashier was a young man in his early 20's - he was saying something about something changing his outlook on death... I have no idea what it was he was talking about.... The lady in front of me asked him if he knew Jesus.. The cashier said "I've heard of him but that's about it" Then the woman asked do you believe in Jesus - that he exists and died on the cross for our sins.... The cashier said, "I really don't believe in anything"... The lady said that you need to know Jesus and know that he loves you.... Jesus loves you so much.... I literally saw the cashier's eyes glaze over.... I think this reaction happens more often than not... the disinterest... The lady and her husband left.. I was up next - I looked at this young cashier - I said "You know - the lady is right - you don't have all the time in the world..." This poor cashier's eyes just bugged out in surprise... I later shared this story with a friend of mine.... I told how his eyes glazed over.... She said that you and the lady planted the seeds and the rest is up to God....

There are many people who I care about that are living their lives.. Living without believing.... Living without knowing.... Living in perfect ignorance.... Thinking they have plenty of time... Thinking that all this "God Stuff" does not pertain to them.... We need to let it be know - that Satan is the Master of Deception and they do matter.... they may not have plenty of time... . Think of the young seventeen (17) year old boy... you would think that he would have had a lot of time........

Jesus - the Archangel Michael?

I am sure I have talked about my friend Diane in a blog or two... Diane has been coming to my home for about 15 years.. She is a very nice woman and has offered on several occasions in the past to have a Bible study here at my home... About 14 years ago - I took her up on her Bible study... and that one study helped me to be interested in my Bible again.... I don't think that Diane's motive was to get me to read my King James Bible but to listen to her interpretation of her bible - the bible that has been translated to sound much like my Bible but the meaning in hers is much different..... Her version is the Jehovah's Witness version.... her belief is that the elders in her church translated the bible more accurately than us Christians...

Did you know that Jesus is A SON OF GOD... NOT THE SON OF GOD?.. at least that is what the Jehovah Witnesses want us to believe..... They also believe that 144,000 witnesses are going to Heaven and the rest of the devote witnesses look forward to surviving "Armageddon and live in a endless life on paradise earth. The witnesses who are left on Earth do not feel they are worthy enough to be with God... I personally am looking forward to the day that I can talk one of one - face to face with Jesus.. I know because I am forgiven that Jesus loves me so much that He wants me up there with Him... one day after my purpose here on earth is complete....

In the mid -1960's, The Watchtower (the Jehovah witness publication) predicted that Armageddon would occur in 1975 and that it would be the end of the current world... Of course when this did not pass - the Watchtower denied that they taught this... predicted this.. ( I have personally seen the Watchtower literature from that time and yes they did predict Armageddon - many many many times..)The Watchtower blamed overenthusiastic members...

Over the years the Watchtower and Jehovah's Witness leaders, founders, and/or elders have made some doozie predictions... The founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Charles Taze Russell did not like the various Christian doctrines when he was a teenager - he especially did not like the idea of Hell so he decided that a) there is no Hell, and 2)that the Armageddon will happen in 1914 along with Christ's thousand year rule on earth... When 1914 came and went with nothing happening.. he changed it to 1915. again of course this prediction did not come to pass - he died in 1916.. Along came other leaders of the Jehovah's Witness and each leader had their own little spin... their own predictions... The End of the World is soon... What I find funny and sad is that the Watchtower put a spin on the failed prophecies.. The Watchtower claims that Jesus came invisibly in 1914.... or they say that 1914 was the beginning of the end of the world... As the years went by The Watchtower changed the meaning of their translations... and decided to avoid embarrassment by stating that the Armageddon is postponed indefinitely...

In addition to the Watchtower's crazy predictions their basic teachings are so far out there that I would laugh if it were not true that many people are mislead... it is very sad... The basic premise of our Christian belief is denied by Jehovah's Witnesses - they teach that Jesus was Jehovah God's first created being... They do not believe that Jesus is God... the Holy Spirit is God... that the trinity is real.... They believe that Jesus was the incarnation of Michael the archangel.. according to them they said that Christ resumed the name Michael when He ascended to Heaven after His resurrection.... No where in the Bible does it say this!!!! The Bible clearly teaches us that Christ is the SON is eternal, creator, and God....

There are so many other crazy beliefs that it would take more than this blog can handle... This is a subject that is close to my heart... I love my friend Diane.. I pray that her eyes are opened to the truth before it's too late.. We need to pray for this cult... yes it is a cult... Many of the followers have no idea what the truth is.... it is up to us to help them... whether by prayer, testimony, or maybe a Bible study... who knows.. It's up to God to change them... but He has told us to plant the seeds... are planting?

"I and the Father are one." 31The Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" 33The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God," (John 10:30-33)

Differences In Religion Are Not So Different

When I was a little girl - I was baptized in the Catholic Church... My father was raised Catholic and mom later converted. Then - my parents decided to try the Baptist Church.. - my aunt went there and so we did.. I do not remember much about that - it only lasted for a short time. I do know that my dad did not like it.. He liked his beer and this Baptist Church was against drinking. Many a time a deacon would show up at our home and my dad would scare them away... or offer them a beer.. thinking about it, I have to laugh... My dear dad, bless his soul was an ornery cuss....

When I was in junior high and high school - my parents had stopped going to church.. I would go to different youth groups with friends and my sister, Debbie. Debbie was nine years older than me and already out of the house. She had become a Christian in high school and would take me along to her studies on occasion.. I also had a neighbor that went to a Baptist church and I loved hanging out with the high school group....

When I started college - I joined a sorority and many of the girls were Catholic. So on Saturday nights (before we went out partying) we went to Mass - no way would Sunday work with the hangovers... What I loved about Mass was it was always the same.... The same prayers... the same.. order... and the church was always so pretty.. I would walk into a Catholic church and I felt like I was walking on Holy ground.. There was a message that the priest taught one night - and to this day I still remember over twenty -three years later.. It was about forgiveness. He told a story about a woman who's daughter was murdered... and after the trial and after some time.. This mother visited her daughter's killer and forgave him.. forgave him completely... I remember thinking to myself that I want to be that kind of person - someone that can forgive completely - no matter the circumstances....

I slowly stopped going to church for a while.... After I was married - Dusty and I started attending a Baptist church... I immediately developed relationships with several of the people in the congregation.. I felt like I was home... I love studying the Bible... I love to worship.... I love having a real and satisfying relationship with Jesus..

The point of this story is this - Whatever church I attended - I knew God was with me. I knew He was pleased.. I was being wrapped in His word and in His grace.. I truly do not believe that God cares what church you attend... He just wants a relationship with us... He wants to be the center of our lives... He wants us to feel and know His love up close...

Yes, there are differences in religions. But if you believe Jesus is THE ONE AND ONLY SON OF GOD AND THAT HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS.... we're pretty much on the same page. If you believe BY GRACE ALONE WE ARE SAVED - AND IT IS NOT EARNED... we are on the same page... We need to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.. and we will be forgiven...

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”

There must be tolerance between religions because you might be surprised on how close we really are and surprisingly many of us are completely on the same page.... God is Good... God is Good - All the Time...

Thoughts on Rapture... on Iraq..

I received this email from my friend D'Nese today and I thought I would share it with you. But first - I wanted to give my opinion....as you know.. I have many of those...

I am a Christian that believes in the rapture. I believe that Christ will one day call up His Church out of the world.. it will happen without warning... without notice..
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Paul said, "Behold, I show you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will be changed (metamorphosis, a change of body) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." You won't even realize it's happened until it's all over. Suddenly, you're in the presence of the Lord with ALL the church.
I don't know if it will happen in my life time.... Many believe it will.. But then again - after Jesus went back to Heaven - his disciples believed it was going to happen then too. He will come as a thief in the night.. That is not to say that there are not signs.. there are many... and many are happening today.. right now...

VERY INTERESTING-

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel
10. Amos cried out in Iraq
11 Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq
13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery Furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the 'writing on the wall' in Iraq
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq
17. The wise men were from Iraq
18. Peter preached in Iraq

19. The 'Empire of Man' described in Revelation is called Babylon --which was a city in Iraq

And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible.

But do you know which nation is second?

It is Iraq !

However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible.

The names used in the Bible are Babylon , Land of Shinar , and Mesopotamia .... The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris And Euphrates Rivers ...

The name Iraq means country with deep roots.
Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

No other nation, except Israel , has more history and prophecy associated

With it than Iraq
And also, This is something to think about:

Since America is
typically represented by an eagle.

Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages ...
The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)
Koran ( 9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle.. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;

And there was peace.
(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!

Soften That Hardened Heart.....

The only way to get to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.. The only way to get to Jesus Christ is to admit we are sinners, ask for forgiveness, and ask Him into our heart... It's free!!! It can not be earned.. The price has already been paid through His blood on the cross...
What really frustrates me is that society can dance around these straight and simple facts... Society implies if you are a good person then you'll go to Heaven... I'm thinking that there are a lot of "good" people in Hell right now... for the simple reason that they did not accept Christ..
Good works does not pave your way to Heaven.... following the ten commandments does not get you to Heaven... Many people in society are tricked into believing that only the bad evil people go to Hell.... that is so not true... I get fearful for many loved ones I know.. who are great people in my opinion...But refuse to see the truth.. refuse to listen to the truth.... are convinced that their way of living is okay... Many people say they "believe in God or a higher power" but do they really? Do they really know God? Jesus?
When I first became a follower of Christ - I was on fire... I wanted everyone to have what I had... I had a hard time believing that people were not ready to jump on board to Jesus... and while I mature in my walk - I have learned that many hearts are hardened..
In a society where having children outside of marriage is perfectly acceptable and if you are against gay marriage then you are a hater, and worshiping money is the normal way of life...I can see why many hearts are hardened.

Excerpt from "The Loving Heart
The hardened heart is a stubborn attitude that leads a person to reject God's will. It is an act of defiance, but seldom one of ignorance. We know the message, but we reject part or all of it. We may, for instance, believe that God's laws are primarily designed to promote a harsh, sanctimonious view of others. This is what many New Ager's think -- that traditional Christians are too judgmental. So they pick the part of God's message they like -- love, for instance -- and apply that as the essence of the law, while rejecting the rest of it. They are dead wrong, of course. Forbearance and humbleness is the way of Christ, not self-righteousness. But their hardened hearts will not accept this truth. They believe what their hardened hearts want to believe.
When God's ethical standards seem too high, people can suffer hardened hearts. When He allows personal tragedy to strike, hearts may harden against Him. When He leads us on paths where we do not want to go, that may harden hearts. Total submission to His will softens hearts, and God's people must always have a soft heart toward their Creator. A soft heart is also an open heart, open to His will and open to His plan for our lives.

Today and everyday I pray - for people to soften their hearts... Get up close and personal to their Savior... He loves us so much and wants us to open our hearts to Him....

Crazy Love For God..

Matthew 22:37-40 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

I started reading a book today called Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan. I was asked to read it before my retreat this weekend. Right away even before I hit chapter one, the preface got to me... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind.... and Love your neighbor as yourself... That to me was just a kick in the pants... really. As Christians we know what we are suppose to do... but do we act on it? Do I act on it? The answer if I am going to be truthful here would be no.... I don't love my neighbor as I love myself... heck - I don't know many of my neighbors - I don't know many of my friends...

The funny thing is I want to love my neighbors as I love myself but how do I do it? How do I follow Jesus' example of unconditional love? I think the first step is to stop being a Sunday only Christian..... I need to be a 7 day 24 hour kind of Christian.... At church, I feel closer to God because I am there to worship Him.... when I walk out the door and get into the car - I am no longer worshiping - I've become mom and wife again with all the duties and obligations that it entails... Finding time to love my neighbor much less think about my neighbor almost becomes impossible.... almost...

When my pastor talks about living the "Uncommon Life" - I think - yes, that is what I am going to do.... Worldly stuff so long... I am here to serve God and only Him.... and for the most part, I believe that I am a good Christian woman but...................... I could do so much more to glorify Him.... so much more...

I am beginning to believe that serving God and living the uncommon life of a Christian is not something that comes naturally to me. I really don't believe it comes naturally for anyone... We are human.... with human and worldly desires... That does not mean that I don't love God with ALL my heart... I know I do... it just means that we (I) have to put actions to words and thoughts. It means I need to put "me" on the back burner and follow God... Take up that cross...

I believe that I (we) need to continue to grow in our faith... We need to challenge ourselves and others.. We need to lead my example.... We need to be accountable... We need to love..

Drinking Wine... Is It A Sin?

As a Southern Baptist woman - I often hear that drinking alcohol is bad.... that it leads to bad behavior and nothing good comes out of it. I have talked with friends at church who have shared that they felt very uncomfortable around people drinking... whether the person drinking is sober or not....

I have many friends that are Christians. Many of these friends are an inspiration to me. A few of them are active missionaries..... and they all drink wine and beer... So the Baptist side of me used to think - are they wrong?.... are they sinning?.... should I say something? On reflection - I believe the answer is no it's not wrong... no they are are not sinning... and why would I say anything.....

Why would Jesus' first miracle be to make wine if He had issues with it? He DOES have issues with being drunk and alcoholism but not the enjoyment of drinking wine.. I remember speaking with Nate York, the son of a Southern Baptist minister. Nate was very adamant that the wine Jesus made was just plain grape juice.. Nate told me "In the days of Jesus' ministry - grape juice was considered wine because the people of the time could only handle grape juice and that is why when the Baptist church celebrates communion -we drink little cups of grape juice and dry crackers...." That sounds plausible but the truth is - grapes would not "keep" unless they were turned into wine.

The new and old testament does warn us against drunkenness but also tells us to drink wine.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit..

1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

There are many verses to pull from in the Bible but I believe the ones I did pull say it all. The New Testament clearly teaches that real wine should be used in communion - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - the last supper when Jesus said drink this cup (wine) is the new covenant in My blood, drink it, in remembrance of Me...

Clearly, God does not say that drinking is sinful but like all things... food, sex, friendship, and wine can be misused and abused... Christians should encourage responsible drinking, rather automatically assume or judge a person who is enjoying a glass of wine with their meal as a sinner or an alcoholic ... I do believe strongly that it is sinful to tempt an alcoholic with wine... If I were having a dinner party and a person who I knew had a problem with drinking, I would not serve wine with our meal.... Yes, the person probably would stay away from drinking... but why tempt them? My husband and I disagree very strongly on this subject.. He believes it's okay to serve wine because the alcoholic is an adult and can take care of themselves... we are not his parents. This is one of those times that Dusty and I have to agree to disagree... maybe it's easier for me not to serve wine or alcohol... because I never drink.... hate the taste.... yuck..

What do you think?

Oprah and The Denial....

When Oprah started her talk show she was down to earth.. She showed a genuine interest in all people... She appeared to be frugal... she appeared to be rational.. she appeared to be "every woman"...Appearances can be deceiving. Oprah is deceiving...
As the years have gone by and her wealth has gone up... she has been busy promoting her agenda.. claiming to be very knowledgeable about all things.. claiming to know the secret to happiness.. Just recently she was asked to give the commencement speech at Duke University and in her speech she told these new graduates going out into the real world in this economy...."It's great to have a nice home. It's great to have nice homes! It's great to have a nice home that just escaped the fire in Santa Barbara.. It's great to have a private jet.. Anyone that tells you that having your own private jet isn't great is lying to you.."
It's funny or sad, however you want to look at it... that some people buy into the belief that someone who has money....lots of money....also have knowledge.. credibility... and knows something we don't know..
In the above video she mentioned that she had a problem believing in God (the real God) because in church one day the pastor said that God was a jealous God.... Oprah interpreted to mean that God was jealous of her... okay... give me a break.. In the context of a jealous God - it means that God has a zeal for the truth that He alone is God and he is jealous of any rivals.. ie: worship of idols... worship of money... worship of Satan....
As my first grade teacher used to say.. "her head has gotten too big to go through the doorway.." because of Oprah's adoring fans.. I believe Oprah has convinced herself that she is all seeing and all knowing..... I find that truly sad...and I am no longer a fan..

Jesus And The Criminals On The Cross

The word crucifixion is just a word...to some people... It was to me.. not anymore.. When I think of the crucifixion, I think of the pain and humiliation that Jesus suffered.. Crucifixion, a practice probably adopted from Persia, was consider by the Romans to be the cruelest form of execution. This punishment was reserved for the worst criminals; Roman citizens were not crucified. The victims usually died after two or three days of agonizing suffering enduring thirst, exhaustion, and exposure. The victim's arms were nailed to a beam, which was hoisted up and fixed to a post, to which the feet of the victim would be nailed. The body weight was supported by a peg on which the victim sat....I think 'The Passion of the Christ' helps to give an idea what is was like. I just don't know.. I cannot imagine how awful it was for Jesus.. Many of the people He was sacrificing Himself for mocked him and turned their backs on Him...The pain and the sadness...is just overwhelming..
After Jesus was sentenced to death..after he was beaten beyond what most men cannot endure, He was to carry His cross to Calvary... Because He was too weak and the pain so great, a man named Simon was ordered by a Roman guard to carry it. Simon must have been or later became a Christian; it is unlikely that he would be referred to by name if he were a stranger to the Christian community.
What is must have been like for Jesus to watch the soldiers cast lots of His clothing, listening to the people passing by Him and shouting abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. "So! You can destroy the Temple and build it in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!" In His pain, he prayed to His Father and asked God to forgive these people.. Luke 23:24. It is hard to imagine anyone giving others grace when they are experiencing that kind of pain and rejection..
Jesus was being crucified with two criminals. One of the criminals hung there and yelled out insults to Him, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!".. The other criminal spoke to the criminal and said, "Don't you fear God?" he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
That is just an example of Jesus' grace and love he has for us. Whether we are a Pastor or Priest of a church or the worst of criminals... His love is always and forever.

He Has Risen!!! He Has Risen Indeed!!!!

My Friend Diane

For the past thirteen years Diane has been coming by my home to share the Word of Jehovah... We greet each other with a hug and a "How are you? It's so good to see you." Diane comes by at least once sometimes twice a month. She passes out her Watch Tower pamphlets and tries desperately to share scriptures from her Bible. She's trying to spread the word of Jehovah so that she can earn her way into Jehovah God's grace. She doesn't believe that grace is free...that it's already been paid for when Jesus died on that tree... Poor Diane she has arthritis in her feet and hands and her daily walks have taken their toll on her body...she's 81.
I love Diane and her devotion to spreading God's word... I just wish she was spreading the Right Word... In all her studies and all her lectures, she still does not believe that Jesus is THE SON of God...she believes he's A son.. She doesn't believe that she'll go to Heaven.. she believes that only 42,000 people go to Heaven and the rest stay down here in a perfect world Jehovah creates after the Resurrection..
I have shared my beliefs with Diane over the years and we have decided to respect each others beliefs.. Diane will continue to pass out her Watch Tower pamphlets and I will continue to take them with a hug and "How are you? It's so good to see you."
I pray that the seeds planted by me and many others will grow in Diane and that she will realize that God's grace is free because he loves her and me.....

I Love You....You Love Me...

I love you ...You love me...We're a happy family with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you...Won't you say you love me too..... The purple dinosaur Barney got it right with those lyrics. Can't you just hear him singing in your head now? I know I do. I remember many a morning with my kids watching Barney so that I could get a little work done..... He was the great morning babysitter....I could throw a load of wash in, spruce up the kitchen, and if I was lucky maybe even talk to a friend on the phone for a few minutes...
In the Bible, love is spoken of over and over again. Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.....John 15:13 This is the love that God has for us. He sent his Son to earth to die on the cross for our sins. Before I became a parent myself, I didn't get the greatness of that act... Now think of this.
We love our kids don't we? We would lay down our lives for them. We nurture them, cuddle with them, take care of them. I look at my daughters and I cannot imagine loving anyone more that I love them.
A couple of years ago, a MRI showed a growth on my youngest daughters brain. I had never felt such fear in my life. The thought of losing my baby was so overwhelming to me.... I remember calling my church and asking them to send out a prayer request for her. I also remember getting on my knees and praying to God to please please please let my baby be okay... The next day the doctor's office called and said that everything looked normal and she was okay... To say I was in shock would be an understatement. My baby was healed....I have no doubt... I was the lucky one...
God sent his son to die for me. To die for you... To die for people that turned their backs on him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his ONLY begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God sacrificed His Son.... I don't think I could sacrifice my kids for someone I loved much less someone that may never know me....
That my friends is Agape love....Unconditional love... The love that Jesus taught about. The love that He has for us and wants us to have for others..... God has very high standards for us...But that's okay.. In His word and in His love all things are possible.......