A MESSAGE FROM GOD

WORD OF WISDOM
MESSENGER ~ (Hebrews mal'ak, Gr. angelos), an angel, a messenger who runs on foot, the bearer of despatches (Job 1:14; 1 Samuel 11:7; 2 Chronicles 36:22); swift of foot (2 Kings 9:18).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictioary



Source: ChristArt.com

Genesis 16: 1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. 6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. 16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

No we are not reading the story line for The Young and The Restless or The Days of Our Life. The Bible is filled with scandals, mysteries, and murders, even incest. Remember that the next time someone tells you the Bible is boring.

Now we will look at Hagar’s message. She is alone in the wilderness, and the angel found her there. For Hagar to have ran away the treatment must have been harsh. What does the angel tell her, “return and submit.” Okay let me read that again did I miss something. The angel asked her where did you come from and where will you go. Hagar told him where she had come from, and apparently did not know where she would go, as she did not answer that part of the question. The angel tells her to “return and submit.” I believe he would have got my attention with that. We have no idea what relationship this Egyptian woman had with the Lord. But, couldn’t he have comforted her a little. Okay we will overlook that and go to what he tells her next. “ I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.” Now we have some good news, couldn’t he have started off with this before telling her to go back and submit. Then look what this angel tells her next. “ he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” Okay and you want me to go back.

What does Hagar do “she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” I like the AMP as it explains it clearly. “ she called the name of the Lord Who spoke to her, You are a God of seeing, for she said, Have I [not] even here [in the wilderness] looked upon Him Who sees me [and lived]? Or have I here also seen [the future purposes or designs of] Him Who sees me?”

What we hear from God is not always what we might want to hear but it is what we need to hear. I feel sure that when she saw the angel that she had a peace come about her, that she knew she was in the present of a messenger from God.

A dear friend has been praying for a long time for something. Recently he received a word from the Lord that he would receive what he needed, not all that he wanted. The Lord answers our prayers. Sometimes He will give us what we want, but usually He will give us what we need. This is why we should ask what His desire is for us. Hagar was obedient to the word given her, so should we be obedient to the word given us. The messenger might not say it the way we want to hear it, but they will tell us what we need to hear. It is up to us to receive or reject the messenger.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

Sorry I'm late getting this inspiring message on site this morning. Computer problems. Thank You Jesus for letting it all work out. LJG

FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS

[ANOTHER NAME]




Source: ChristArt.com

WORD OF WISDOM
PUBLICANS ~ One who farmed the taxes (e.g., Zacchaeus, Luke 19:2) to be levied from a town or district, and thus undertook to pay to the supreme government a certain amount. In order to collect the taxes, the publicans employed subordinates (5:27; 15:1; 18:10), who, for their own ends, were often guilty of extortion and peculation. In New Testament times these taxes were paid to the Romans, and hence were regarded by the Jews as a very heavy burden, and hence also the collectors of taxes, who were frequently Jews, were hated, and were usually spoken of in very opprobrious terms. Jesus was accused of being a "friend of publicans and sinners" (Luke 7:34).

GENTLE WHISPER

WORD OF WISDOM
QUIET ~ peaceful

Source: King James Bible

KJV 1 Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

AMP And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice.

One of the names of our Lord is Gentle Whisper. It would surprise me if someone who knows the Lord and has a relationship with Him said they had never heard the still small voice of the Lord.

The gentle whisper of the Lord can happen in many ways. It might be the whisper of a touch, it can be the whisper of air flowing over us, and it can be the softest voice that speaks to us. What makes the whisper stand out, and lets us know it is different, is the way we feel the whisper. How do I put into words the touch of the Lords hand on my shoulder? How do I explain the sound of the gentle whisper that says I love you my child?

It is almost like describing the love we feel as we pray and loose all touch with the world and enter into a place where we seem to cease to exist and there is only God. His gentle whisper is like the touch of an eyelash on our face. It is like the caress of a feather, so light, but yet a touch. A touch that we know that we know is from our Father.

Today we ask God to give you a gentle whisper. Enjoy it and rest in the gentleness of the whisper.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

Years ago my sister gave me a book and today I want to share some of it with you. I hope it stirs your heart as it did mind.

Where love is, there God is.

To love is virtually to know; to know is not virtually to love.

We may give without loving, but we cannot love without giving.

Work is love made visible.

To love life through labor is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret.

Restraint without love is barbarity. Love without restraint commits suicide.

Love cannot be wasted. It makes no difference where it is bestowed, it always brings in big returns.

The only greatness is unselfish love.

Love is not soft like water, it is hard like a rock, on which the waves of hatred beat in vain.

It is better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all.

The coin of God’s realm is love.

Love sees through a telescope, not a microscope.

If you had to do it over again, would you fall in love with yourself again?

It is in loving, not in being loved, the heart is blessed; It is in giving, not in seeking gifts, we find our quest; whatever be your longing or your need, that give; So shall your soul be fed and you indeed shall live.

Today may the love of God surround you.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

How Should I Die

By Norman Wagoner
(Source: ChristArt.com)

Yes I was born a healthy babe,
And raised up normal too.
I had no thought of death in mind,
As to a boy I grew.

My mind does not real well recall,
The day I finally knew.
That folks don't just keep livin' on,
When way too old they grew.

I do suspect that timing was,
Way somewhere back in time.
As I watched my toy soldiers die,
In front of enemy lines.

I learned the game, as most boys do,
To play the game of "war".
It mattered not the weapon used;
A gun, a knife, a sword.

The object was to crawl in stealth,
And hide and wait some time.
To let your enemy come past,
Then attack them from behind.

The battle part was very short,
A stab, a gouge, a shot.
The one who lost the battle,
Was to "die" upon the spot.

We'd grab our chests and stumble down,
Throw guns and arms in air.
We'd make a face and then a sound,
And "die" with icy stares.

But thinking back on those grand days,
I just do not recall.
That my mind ever thought on how,
To really die at all.

I don't know how it is for girls,
Which seems so odd to me.
You'd think I'd picked up something,
After all these years with three.

But for myself, the thoughts are grand.
To die with dignity!
I think it is my ego, and
The pride of life in me.

I think it is the dream of men,
At least that we die well.
And not to cry out, scratch and scream,
As though bound straight for hell.

I think the dream is facing death,
With calm and cool control.
And staring death straight in the eye,
Like masters of our souls.

But I think this is just a dream,
And not reality.
For I will not be in control,
When death's wave comes for me.

What then is it that I should do?
What steps are there to follow?
So when death's finger points at me,
My last breath won't be hollow.

It won't be wealth that I posses,
And not my 'Franklin Planner'.
It's not my pet, my car, my house,
My kindness or good manners.

It won't be found in friend or foe,
Or loving family.
It's only in the hand of CHRIST,
That reaches out for me.

He is the Way, the Only Way,
That leads from here to there.
Allowing us to part this earth,
With peace, with love, with care.

So when time comes to end my life,
In silence, peace or pain.
I'll focus on my Savior's face,
And my reward to gain.

And as ol' death comes near for me,
His arms of ice and cold.
I want to shake his hand, then say,
'Goodbye, I've got to go.'

And turn and take my Savior's hand,
That's waiting there for me.
With no more pain, to die is gain,
With Christ, eternally!

IN THE NEWS

WORD OF WISDOM
CATHOLIC ~ Catholic epistles: The epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude; so called because they are addressed to Christians in general, and not to any church or person in particular.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary



Source: Christart.com

I am sorry but after looking at the news today I felt a need to comment on what is happening in the world today.

I got home from work and turned on the computer, my link to the outside world. I am met with "Exhumed Saint Put in Display", "Padre Pio is Not Only A Corpse".


"Today, we venerate his body, opening a particularly intense period of pilgrimage," Saraiva Martins said. "This body is here, but Padre Pio is not only a corpse. Looking at his remains we remember all the good that he has made."

"For decades, though, many in the Vatican were uneasy about his popularity and scorned him, doubting that his wounds were real and that mystical virtues attributed to him were authentic. He was barred for years from saying Mass in public, even as his following grew immensely."

Okay I will leave out any comments, but that was just the beginning. Next I read "Televangelist to appear on Divorce-Court", what is going on? This one I have to check out, afterwards I wish I hadn’t.

Yes it is true Juanita Bynum is going to be on Divorce Court in a 2 part episode. I will leave the comments alone.

Next I think I am reading something that sounds to be good, okay maybe I am a wishful thinker. The 437 children taken from the Texas compound will be placed in homes that will try not to give them culture shock. The officials will try not to contaminate the children life's, and they know there will be problems. At this point I am thinking they had reason to pull the children from where they were and they are doing their best to provide them with places to stay that will cause as little upheaval as possible under the circumstances, after all they have already been through.. Then I read "or other things that will hinder their success" and "We’re not trying to change them." My comments are long and there is not enough space for them all. I will just say they have already been changed.

Obama, yeah I had to go there, well really not there but close to him, or at least what was, is no longer there. Are you confused? I am sure by now most every one has heard and saw some of the reports about his Pastor. Heck I know a few Pastors who if taken out of context wouldn’t sound so great either. But anyway now he is the EX-pastor, not only that but he is stepping down from his church. Why? That is all I have to say about that.

Now I will go to LJG’s home state and the place I grew up in and stayed for 22 years. The wonderful State of Florida. They are trying to pass a bill that will allow [don’t you like that word] a license tag to be made that shows a cross, a stained-glass window, and the words "I BELIEVE". You have to remember we live in the USA, the home of the free. The man responsible for the bill said you can have your college or football team, this is the chance for others to put a tag on their cars with something they believe in. He also said that if someone wanted to put "I Don’t Believe" on a tag he would probably oppose it. The problem is they know up front it will almost certainly face a court challenge. But wait a minute it is part of a package deal, but nothing is said about what the rest of the package is. One person said they did not want this because they did not want to see the Star of David or the Torah, none of that stuff is appropriate to them. [This person is a Roman Catholic] You have to admit that someone will ask for the KKK to get special tags, but the State of Florida already has "Choose Life" tags, which did result in a court battle and the plates were ruled legal. My say on this, go outside and look at the passing cars. Only about 1 in 4 cars does not have a tag promoting something. And if not a tag then a bumper sticker. I once had a car with BAD in three inch letters on the front windshield, hey whatever rocks your boat.

What is the point of all this, there is nothing this world can do or say that surprises me anymore. The Lord though, well He is always giving me little as well as big surprises. The things He does in our life always in the end make sense and line up to be right. There is not a day in my life that I do not get shocked by what the Lord is doing. He does shock me, from the bird that sits in the dead tree outside my window, to the IM’s I have been having with LJG’s son while writing this.

What a Mighty God we serve. Night is drawing near, and it is time to rest. Tomorrow God is going to shock me with something good, it will be completely unexpected but it will be from Him and it will be good.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

WHY DO WE HAVE WISDOM TEETH

WORD OF WISDOM
TOOTH ~ One of the particulars regarding which retaliatory punishment was to be inflicted (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21). "Gnashing of teeth" =rage, despair (Matthew 8:12; Acts 7:54); "cleanness of teeth" =famine (Amos 4:6); "children's teeth set on edge" =children suffering for the sins of their fathers (Ezek. 18:2.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


I know that wisdom is something to be desired, and getting wisdom can be painful in experience, but what is this with wisdom teeth? I cannot think of a single person at the right age that has not had trouble with their wisdom teeth. All of mine had to be removed by the dentist, it hurt, got infected, a real painful experience.


Okay I have not lost my mind so bare with me here. God made us in His image, so He must have teeth. He would not have given us more teeth then we needed, so there must be a reason for wisdom teeth. And what is with the name wisdom teeth where did that come from? So my question to ponder is why do we have them?

I can rightfully understand having two eyes, two hands and two feet, and ten fingers and ten toes. I know that God does not make mistakes. I can even understand why our baby teeth have to come in and then fall out a few years later.

My thing is not knowing anyone who did not have problems with them and then there are four. I was blessed that all four came in at the same time. I say blessed because the pain was all at once, unlike some people I know who got them one or two at a time.

I guess you could say this is one of those questions that I would love to ask Jesus when I see Him in heaven. Of course I will probably forget it when that does happen. Maybe after we have all been there a while, one day I will see Him and say Lord I have a question for You. He of course in my mind will tell me to come sit beside Him. He will look at me with the kind of love that is so bright it warms all the inside of you. Then He will tell me go ahead and ask my child. Now that will make me feel good, at my age being a child to someone, but anyway I will ask, "Father, why did You give us wisdom teeth?" And he will give me the right answer. I know He will.

I could seek Him now about it, and I do believe if I did He would give me the answer now. I though want to wait until we can sit and talk to ask for the answer. It is not that important and He really is busy, so I don’t want to bother him with it now.

I think this is the only question that I have that is important to me that I will not take the time to seek Him about now. Other then this question everything else is, well things that I need to know now. All my questions get answered, even if it is not the answer I think it should be, or the answer I want.

Is there a question that you have for Him that can wait? Am I the only one who thinks like this?

I am glad I know that He is there for me at all times, and my questions are never dumb to Him. I also know that He is never to busy for me or any questions that I do have for Him. I think of it like having a private cell phone with His private number. No one else has the number I have and He is sitting there waiting for my calls. The calls are pre-paid, and there is never a bill, it is a life long contract, paid in full.

God Bless,
rECj/ljg

My answer is: to get us used to pain and make us tough, LOL. LJG

NAMES OF GOD continued

WORD OF WISDOM
JEHOVAH ~ It is worthy of notice that this name is never used in the LXX., the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Apocrypha, or in the New Testament. It is found, however, on the "Moabite stone" (q.v.), and consequently it must have been in the days of Mesba so commonly pronounced by the Hebrews as to be familiar to their heathen neighbours.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Another page in the Names of God. We will start with the Name of Jehovah-Jireh.

Jehovah-Jireh the Lord will provide. The word comes from the Latin meaning literally to see ahead. It also means to take precautionary measures; make preparation to meet a need; to supply something for sustenance or support; to make something available; to have as a condition. Look carefully at the following scriptures. It does not say the Lord will provide, it says “In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.”

Genesis 22:10-20 (King James Version) 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Jehovah-Nissi the Lord our Banner.
Song of Solomon 2:4 (King James Version) 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Psalm 60:4 (King James Version) 4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

The banners and ensigns of the Roman army had idolatrous images upon them, and hence they are called the "abomination of desolation" (q.v.). The principal Roman standard, however, was an eagle. (See Matt. 24:28; Luke 17:37, where the Jewish nation is compared to a dead body, which the eagles gather together to devour.)

God's setting up or giving a banner (Ps. 20:5; 60:4; Cant. 2:4) imports his presence and protection and aid extended to his people.

Jehovah-Shalom meaning the Lord is peace.
Judges 6: 23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. 24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

GOD BESTOWS UPON THOSE WHO » Obey him (Leviticus 26:6)
GOD BESTOWS UPON THOSE WHO » Please him (Psalms 16:7)
GOD BESTOWS UPON THOSE WHO » Endure his chastisements (Job 5:17,23,24)
RESULTS FROM » Heavenly wisdom (James 3:17)
RESULTS FROM » The government of Christ (Isaiah 2:4)
RESULTS FROM » Praying for rulers (1 Timothy 2:2)
RESULTS FROM » Seeking the peace of those with whom we dwell (Jeremiah 29:7)
SAINTS SHOULD » Love (Zechariah 8:19)
SAINTS SHOULD » Seek (Psalms 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11)
SAINTS SHOULD » Follow (2 Timothy 2:22)
SAINTS SHOULD » Follow the things which make for (Romans 14:19)
SAINTS SHOULD » Cultivate (Psalms 120:7)
SAINTS SHOULD » Speak (Esther 10:3)
SAINTS SHOULD » Live in (2 Corinthians 13:11)
SAINTS SHOULD » Have, with each other (Mark 9:50; 1 Thessalonians 5:13)
SAINTS SHOULD » Endeavour to have will all men (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14]

God Bless,
rECj/LJg

WE WANT A KING

WORD OF WISDOM
KING ~ This title is applied to God (1 Timothy 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Timothy 6:15, 16; Matthew 27:11). The people of God are also called "kings" (Dan. 7:22, 27; Matthew 19:28; Revelation 1:6, etc.). Death is called the "king of terrors" (Job 18:14).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

1 SAMUEL 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

The people wanted a king, and God gave them what they wanted. First though He told Samuel to let them know the consequences of having a king. Samuel tells them they will be conscripted, forced to do labor, they will be taxed, and will lose personal liberty. Nothing Samuel says changes their minds; God says, “Appoint them a king.”

As I read this I thought how blessed we are that we can vote for our elected officials. Then again, how many pray before voting? Well, maybe some do pray, but how many really seek the Lord, before going to the polls.

If we take the time to look at the people running for office and how they line up with the Word of God, it pretty much leaves us at a point where we have to ask God, because nobody running seems fit for the job.

How blessed we are that we have a King, the One and Only King. We have chosen Him, but He first choose us. We have a King that shares his throne with us. Everything that He has is for us, because He has adopted us into His family. He has set down a list of rules, and if we break one, we have only to go to Him with forgiveness and He washes it away. He provides all we need and many things that we desire.

We have a King! It doesn’t matter how bad things look here on earth, we can hold on to the promises that he has given us, and we can live forever with Him. What more could we ask for? We have The King.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

WORD OF WISDOM
PRAYER ~ No rules are anywhere in Scripture laid down for the manner of prayer or the attitude to be assumed by the suppliant. There is mention made of kneeling in prayer (1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Psalm 95:6; Isaiah 45:23; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; Ephesians 3:14, etc.); of bowing and falling prostrate (Genesis 24:26, 52; Exodus 4:31; 12:27; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35, etc.); of spreading out the hands (1 Kings 8:22, 38, 54; Psalm 28:2; 63:4; 88:9; 1 Timothy 2:8, etc.); and of standing (1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 8:14, 55; 2 Chronicles 20:9; Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11, 13).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


I wake up in the morning and I pray
During the day I pray
Before meals I pray
Before bed I pray
In times of trouble
I pray harder

Is this true about you also? There have been times when it would cross my mind “if only I could have that effect whenever I pray.” When there is a problem that we know only God can answer and we need it now, we do pray different. We pray as though our very life depended on it, and the thing is our life depends on it everyday we open our eyes.

I am not proud of my prayer life. I do not and cannot spend enough time praying. But let the phone ring, or someone tell me someone has a need and that is it, I am ready willing and able. In times of trouble we do pray harder.

In Psalms we read many prayers and the ones in trouble are stronger. I have tried to get that much energy into day-to-day prayer and it just doesn’t happen. It is different when you know that right now there is a request that needs to go before God and it is urgent.

There are also areas in my life where I am stronger in my prayer life, then other areas. My faith is stronger in some areas then in others. Of course my faith is stronger now then it once was, and as I grow so does my faith, which in turn affects my prayer life.

When there is trouble though sometimes raises up inside that says NOW, there is a need. Sometime the prayer is short and then again I have been known to not answer the phone or door, and pray until I have peace.

Anyway I look at it I do believe that we pray stronger and harder when there is trouble.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

THE POTTERS TOOLS
April 20,2008
PASSOVER

Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Jeremiah 18:6
O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Below is a picture of the basic tools of a potter. This is a starter kit. The more experienced potter will have a larger collection of tools with which to work their clay. [Take a few minutes to imagine the different tools working on your soul, shaping you.]

I'LL ADD THE PICTURE AS SOON AS I FIGURE OUT HOW TO COPY IT OFF THE WORD DOCUMENT. LJG

This 27-piece set includes the standard tools that a potter uses for hand building and wheel throwing. This set includes the following traditional and contemporary tools:
3 wooden ribs that vary in size from 5" to 11"
3 paint brushes
2 straw brushes
Wood spade/knife and spoon
Paddle
Throwing stick with sponge tip
Wood hammer and various other related tools

Pottery is made by forming clay into a shape, heating them to a very high temperature to make the changes permanent, and to increase the strength of the object.

There are three major types of pottery: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Earthenware is fired at lower temperatures and will crack or chip easier then other types. Stoneware is of heavier clay fired at a higher temperature that gives it a harder finish and greater strength. Porcelain is the purest and also the most delicate type of pottery, while it is fired at a lower temperature it is formed with fine white clay, which is mixed carefully with feldspar and flint.

Before clay is even shaped it is mixed in an effort to give it a consistent texture and to remove air. The moisture content is also adjusted at this time. These things need to be done before the clay can be shaped. Once the clay is shaped there are a number of stages in the drying process, some processes do not require drying before firing.

We are the clay that God is shaping into who He would have us be. The same as the potter works the clay so does God work with us. If you have ever watched someone work clay it is not easy. To begin with the clay is moistened so it will be easier to work, then a piece of wire is used to cut through the clay to get out the air that is inside the clay. This cutting to get the air out takes time, but if all the air is not removed, the clay will burst when it is fired.

The person working the clay cannot force the clay; it has to be slowly shaped. This takes time, in fact many potters will cover their work with a damp cloth and come back to finish their work later. Some pieces takes days and weeks to perfect.

God is careful when he is working us on the wheel, just as the clay must be worked carefully. We must yield to the shape He is molding us into.

That all said my question is do you want to be earthenware, stoneware or the best of the best porcelain? God desires that we all be as porcelain. It does not matter what our size, or job, or vision He desires that we be the best that we can be. He is shaping us for a reason, He has a plan and it includes us.

We need to yield to the Potters hands and allow ourselves to be shaped into all that He would have us to be. Just look at the tools of this trade, growing into whom we should be is not always easy, but the finished product is worth it. I don’t know how to explain it to a man, but a woman who has had a child will understand, after the pain of giving birth is the joy of seeing our child. The pain is forgotten usually in the joy of holding what was formed inside us. How must God feel when He sees one of His creations taking shape into what He intends for us to be.

Our prayer for you and us today:

Heavenly Father, let each of us yield to the Potters hands, shape us and mold us into whom You would have us to be. We surrender our life’s to You. If there is any thing holding us back from completely yielding to you then Lord reveal it to us, we ask that you do a work in us, so that we can yield totally, completely to your will. Lord let our desire be to live for You, to do your will in this earth while we are here. Amen So Be it.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Think on this for a minute or two: if Adam hadn't been so easily swayed by the woman (as the men have always been and still are) and eaten of the forbidden fruit that would have meant the woman would have been thrown out of the Garden and not him. Do you reckon he would have chosen to go on out with her? Or would he have asked, as Moses did, for God to forgive her and let her stay with him. What would have happened to the woman? Would God have made another woman for Adam? If not how would the rest of the people that came into existence thru them have gotten here? It just shows that God had it all under control and knew what He was doing. Yep, I know these questions aren't important or God would have put them in His Word. These are questions that came to me after doing last Saturday's editorial. Sorry, Betty and Michelle, I haven't forgotten ya'll.

Let me tell you what else happened on that day. I was looking up some scripture and low and behold Ezekiel 28:13 popped up. Well I let it go but even after I finished that articlele I just could not get Ezekiel 28:13 our of my mind. So off I go to read that chapter.

Yes I know this chapter is referring to the king of Tyre, but look at verse 13, Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created., ya'll that is telling us what was in the Garden of Eden!!! That is so exciting to me I just had to share this with each of you.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary we learn, "(1) in Eden - In the midst of all delights. The workmanship - Now the prophet notes their joys, musick, and songs, both to loud, and to softer musick, as the lute, and tabret in the day of their kings coronation, and all this on instruments of most exquisite make, and of their own artists work; in this they exceeded as in the other. Created - King: in the day of thy coronation. (2) sardius: or, ruby beryl: or, chrysolite emerald: or, chrysoprase. (3) in Eden-The king of Tyre is represented in his former high state (contrasted with his subsequent downfall), under images drawn from the primeval man in Eden, the type of humanity in its most Godlike form, garden of God-the model of ideal loveliness (Eze 31:8, 9; 36:35). In the person of the king of Tyre a new trial was made of humanity with the greatest earthly advantages. But as in the case of Adam, the good gifts of God were only turned into ministers to pride and self, every precious stone-so in Eden (Ge 2:12), "gold, bdellium, and the onyx stone." So the king of Tyre was arrayed in jewel-bespangled robes after the fashion of Oriental monarchs. The nine precious stones here mentioned answer to nine of the twelve (representing the twelve tribes) in the high priest's breastplate (Ex 39:10-13; Re 21:14, 19-21). Of the four rows of three in each, the third is omitted in the Hebrew, but is supplied in the Septuagint. In this, too, there is an ulterior reference to Antichrist, who is blasphemously to arrogate the office of our divine High Priest (Zec 6:13), tabrets-tambourines, pipes-literally, "holes" in musical pipes or flutes. (4) created-that is, in the day of thine accession to the throne. Tambourines and all the marks of joy were ready prepared for thee ("in thee," that is, "with and for thee"). Thou hadst not, like others, to work thy way to the throne through arduous struggles. No sooner created than, like Adam, thou wast surrounded with the gratifications of Eden. Fairbairn, for "pipes," translates,"females" (having reference to Ge 1:27), that is, musician-women. Maurer explains the Hebrew not as to music, but as to the setting and mounting of the gems previously mentioned."

Ethbaal, or Ithobal, was the prince or king of Tyre; and being lifted up with excessive pride, he claimed Divine honors. Pride is the sin of our fallen nature. Nor can any wisdom, except that which the Lord gives, lead to happiness in this world or in that which is to come. The haughty prince of Tyre thought he was able to protect his people by his own power, and considered himself as equal to the inhabitants of heaven. If it were possible to dwell in the garden of Eden, or even to enter heaven, no solid happiness could be enjoyed without a humble, holy, and spiritual mind. Especially all spiritual pride is of the devil. Those who indulge in sin must expect to perish.

Have I ever read this scripture before? I don't know but if I have it never hit me with its meaning until today.

Praise God, Thank You Jesus what a wonderful blessing I received on this day, 4/5/08. I don't think I can explain how happy I am and how my heart is filled with joy.

Jesus was in the Garden of Eden with His Father, He was in a Garden when the soldiers came to get Him so He could be put to death and He is waiting on us in a Garden.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING TODAY?

John 3: 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

John and two of his disciples are walking when John says "Behold the Lamb of God", the disciples start following Jesus. What do you seek?

These two said they wanted to know where He lived. Jesus says come and see. What do you seek?

The disciples spent the day with Jesus. What do you seek?

Today what do you seek from the Lord. Are you following Him? Do you know where He lives? Have you spent any time with Him today?

What are you seeking from the Lord? Help with your finances; a healing or salavation for a family member or friend; an answer to a question from the Bible?

To walk in fellowship with Christ
And sense His love so deep and true
Brings to the soul its highest joy
As nothing in this world can do. D. De Haan

I think we have all heard the expression: I have so many questions for Jesus. I doubt we will remember them when we do see Him. What do you seek from Him today?

Jesus longs for our fellowship even more then we long for His!

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

PURE OR NOT PURE

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

There is probably an allusion here to the distinctions made in respect to meats and drinks among the Jews. Some articles of food were regarded as "clean," or allowed to be eaten; and some as "unclean," or forbidden. Paul says, that those distinctions ceased under the Christian dispensation, and that to those who had a conscience not easily troubled by nice and delicate questions about ceremonial observances, all kinds of food might be regarded as lawful and proper.

He shows in few words, that purity consists not in any external worship, and that which is according to the old Law (as indifference of meats, and washings, and other such things which are abolished) but in the mind and conscience. And whoever teaches otherwise, does not know what true Godliness really is, and also is not to be heeded. If our minds and consciences are unclean, what cleanness is there in us before regeneration?

It is not food that makes one impure. To the pure all things are pure. When one is unbelieving and defiled, no food can make him pure. All kinds of meat; the Mosaic distinction between clean and unclean meats being now taken away. The apostle joins defiled and unbelieving, to intimate that nothing can be clean without a true faith: for both the understanding and conscience, those leading powers of the soul, are polluted, so is the man and all he does.

All things-external, "are pure" in themselves; the distinction of pure and impure is not in the things, but in the disposition of him who uses them; in opposition to "the commandments of men" (Tit 1:14), which forbade certain things as if impure. "To the pure" inwardly, that is, those purified in heart by faith (Ac 15:9; Ro 14:20; 1Ti 4:3), all outward things are pure; all are open to, their use. Sin alone touches and defiles the soul (Mt 23:26; Lu 11:41).

Their moral consciousness of the conformity or discrepancy between their motives and acts on the one hand, and God's law on the other. A conscience and a mind defiled are represented as the source of the errors opposed in the Pastoral Epistles (1Ti 1:19; 3:9; 6:5).

Though there may be national differences of character, yet the heart of man in every age and place is deceitful and desperately wicked. To those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; they abuse, and turn things lawful and good into sin. Many profess to know God, yet in their lives deny and reject him. See the miserable state of hypocrites, such as have a form of godliness, but are without the power; yet let us not be so ready to fix this problem on others, as careful that it does not apply to ourselves.

If a man habitually maintains a good conscience in the sight of God, it will be accepted of him whether he do or do not abstain from certain kinds of food. This passage, therefore, should not be interpreted as proving that all things are right and lawful for a Christian, or that whatever he may choose to do will be regarded as pure, but as primarily referring to distinctions in food, and meaning that there was no sanctity in eating one kind of food, and no sin in another, but that the mind was equally pure whatever was eaten.

The principle of the declaration is, that a pure mind—a truly pious mind will not regard the distinctions of food and drink; of festivals, rites, ceremonies, and days, as necessary to be observed in order to promote its purity. The conscience is not to be burdened and enslaved by these things, but is to be controlled only by the moral laws which God has ordained. But there may be a somewhat higher application of the words— that every command of God; every event that occurs in Divine Providence, tends to promote the holiness of one who is of pure heart. He can see a sanctifying tendency in everything, and can derive from all that is commanded, and all that occurs, the means of making the heart more holy. While a depraved mind will turn every such thing to a pernicious use, and make it the means of augmenting its malignity and corruption, to the pure mind it will be the means of increasing its confidence in God, and of making itself more holy. To such a mind everything may become a means of grace.

But even their mind and conscience is defiled, it is not a mere external defilement—a thing which they so much dread—but a much worse kind of pollution, that which extends to the soul and the conscience. Everything which they do tends to corrupt the inner man more and more, and to make them really more polluted and abominable in the sight of God. The wicked, while they remain unrepent, are constantly becoming worse and worse. They make everything the means of increasing their depravity, and even those things which seem to pertain only to outward observances, are made the occasion of the deeper corruption of the heart.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

NOT ONLY MY GOD

You're...Not only my God...You're....
My friend,
My companion,
Through good times and bad,
My friend,
My buddy,
Through happy and sad,
Beside me you stand,
Beside me you walk,
You're there to listen,
You're there to talk,
With happiness,
With smiles,
With pain and tears,
I know you'll be there, throughout the years!

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle...

God's Blessing to each of you,
LJG/rECj

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

A rose by any other name is still a rose, but calling a flower a rose does not a rose make.

As we look at the Names of God we can see who He is. Knowing Whom God is, and not just that there is a God is a big difference. Looking at His Names we see what He wants us to see, as He is the One that has given us those Names to call Him. Those Names ascribed to Him in the Bible are additional revelations of the who and what of God that we may know and relate to.

Psalm 138: 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

I will magnify His Word above ALL His Names. God’s Names does tell much about His person, but it is God’s Word that reveals God and His Name.

The list of Names starts in Genesis and ends in Revelation. In fact the only book in the Bible that does not use the Name of God is Esther.

Jehovah—Yahweh…a reference to the Lordship of God, salvation

Jehovah-Maccaddeshem…The Lord thy sanctifier

Jehovah-Rohi…The Lord my Shepherd

Jehovah-Shammah…The Lord is present

Jehovah-Rapha…The Lord our healer

Jehovah-Tsidkenu…The Lord our righteousness

I could stop right there, most of us are familiar with these Names. Let’s take a look at some of the meaning of the Words that God has chosen as His Names.

He is our salvation; The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Salvation being saved from something, such as suffering or the punishment of sin - also called deliverance; being saved for something, such as an afterlife or participating in the Reign of God - also called redemption.

He is our Sanctifier. One who sanctifies, or makes holy; specifically, the Holy Spirit.

He is our Shepherd. First we will look at a shepherd in the fields. A shepherd is one who takes care of sheep, usually in flocks in the fields. The duty of shepherds was to keep their flock intact and protect it from wolves and other predators. Jesus is called Good Shepherd. Many Biblical heroes were shepherds, among them the Old Testament prophet Amos, who was a shepherd in the rugged area around Tekoa, as well as the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, the twelve tribes, the prophet Moses, and King David. In the New Testament angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds. The Great Shepherd encompasses many ideas, including God's care for his people, His discipline to correct the wandering sheep, as well as the tendency of humans to put themselves into danger's way and their inability to guide and take care of themselves apart from the direct power and leading of God.

Who is Present. Yes, He is present, right here right now in our life’s, doing and being all the other names that he has given us.

The Lord our Healer. A healer is someone who intends to aid recovery from ill health. The word healer is derived from the old English hælan”make whole, sound and well.” Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

These are two of my all time favorite scriptures. It does not say we will be healed, it does not say next month we will be healed, it says by His stripes we were healed. Now to me that means that when He paid for my sins He also took care of healing for my body. So if I ask the Lord into my life He comes, and with Him comes healing. It is finished.

He is our Righteousness, the judicial act of God, by which He pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set-aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; and so the person justified is declared to be entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law (Romans 5:1-10). It proceeds on the imputing or crediting to the believer by God himself of the perfect righteousness, active and passive, of his Representative and Surety, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-9). Justification is not the forgiveness of a man without righteousness, but a declaration that he possesses a righteousness which perfectly and for ever satisfies the law, namely, Christ's righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:6-8). The sole condition on which this righteousness is imputed or credited to the believer is faith in or on the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is called a "condition," not because it possesses any merit, but only because it is the instrument, the only instrument by which the soul appropriates or apprehends Christ and his righteousness (Romans 1:17; 3:25, 26; 4:20, 22; Philippians 3:8-11; Galatians 2:16). The act of faith which thus secures our justification secures also at the same time our sanctification (q.v.); and thus the doctrine of justification by faith does not lead to licentiousness (Romans 6:2-7

Thanks to Easton’s Dictionary for the definition of Righteousness. We will continue to look at more of His Names in the future.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

MY TESTIMONY

The first part of my testimony came about 29 years ago. I had given birth to my fifth child, had a pap smear before leaving the hospital, was told to go first thing and see my Ob Gyn. Why of course was my first question. I was told there was a problem. Well, my answer to that was, "no there isn't." I did go see the Ob Gyn and was told that I had cancer. Was I shocked? No not really. In my heart I knew that was a lie. You see, as I told the Lord on the drive home from the Ob Gyn, I have my 4 older babies and now have my new baby so there is no way You would let me have something like this.

Now here comes the good part. I was working and had to wait for two years before my insurance would go into effect. I didn't see a problem with that but everyone else did. The doctor even told me I wouldn't make it two years. My answer, "see you in two years." I did see him in two years and he told me I would go into the hospital on Sunday so I could be ready for the operation in two days. I informed him that there was no way I could go into the hospital on Sunday. I had to get my children's clothes washed, food in the house and everything ready for them to be ok while I was away. So I went into the hospital on Feb 25, 1979 and on March 1 I went into the operating room. The last thing I remember saying was, "thank You Jesus." The next thing I remember saying, "Praise God and where are my babies?" As you know way back then they didn't allow babies or children in the hospital rooms. But I had to let my babies know I was alright and make sure they were ok. They told me to behave myself and they would try to make a way for me to see them. So I did and they did.

That evening the doctor came and let me know that they had taken out my gall bladder, appendix, and did a partial hysterectomy. They left my ovaries. Which meant a second operation two more years down the road. I still have my ovaries and that was 29 years ago. The doctor kept looking at me and finally he said don't you want to know what we found? "No, there was nothing there just like I have been telling you for all these years." I did have 3 tumors as big as grapefruits but there was nothing else. Well, of course not. God had taken the cancer and replaced them with the tumors. I had to laugh and say to the doctor, "see I told you so." On April 1, 1979 I left the hospital and went home to be with my babies. The problems I had was with the gall bladder removal. I couldn't even go back to work til Dec of 1979. The greatest part of it all..GOD took care of us and we never wanted for anything. We were back together and so very happy. We were one happy family again.

Then about three years ago, I was at the doctors office with my breathing problems. He noticed this large lump on the left side of neck right under the ear and he had a fit. I told him I have had this thing for a good 10 years or so. He just wouldn't leave it alone. He insisted that I go have a lung cat scan, which I did. When he got the results from that scan he really had a fit with me. He saw spots in my lungs. So finally after a year I decided to go to his specialists that he had picked out. I told him there was nothing there in the lungs or the lump on neck. Would he believe me? Nope he didn't. After all he was the doctor. Well, it never registered on him that I had told him so many times that I knew the GREAT PHYSICIAN. For some reason those words just plain went over his head. So, off I go to the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. He kept trying to tell me that I had the big C on my neck and I kept telling him NO I don't. So to please my babies, who by now were 40, 39, 38, 36 and 29 years old, I went thru the biopsies. Nothing was found in all three of the biopsies that I took. Finally the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor said we are going in and remove a portion and send it off cause I just know you have...I told him again there is nothing there. But I did as they wanted. This was done on a Thursday cause I had my grandson on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and then had to go to his office on Monday.

People let me tell you when he walked into the room he had such a strange look on his face I just had to laugh. He told me that he had made them run the test three times cause I was supposed to have the Big C. But like I had been telling him I DID not have it. He just couldn't understand it. I ask him if he knew the Lord, who is the GREAT PHYSICIAN? He said yes he did. "Then why did you try so hard to claim such a thing on me when there was no way He was going to let me have cancer when He had already healed me of it one time." All he could do was hang his head.

Finally, I went thru the same thing with the lung doctor. All the while proclaiming I didn't have anything wrong with me. God was in charge and He wasn't going to let any thing be wrong with me. Let me tell you, if any one ever wants you to go thru a lung puncture, think long and hard about it. It hurts and I do mean HURTS. They will tell you that all you are going to feel is a "slight pinch." Their idea and my idea of a "slight pinch" isn't the same thing. My lungs are fine.

Anyway, after all the tests and people I had the great pleasure of meeting and on my last trip home from getting the report that my lungs were fine, it just came to me that the reason for all this was so I could witness to people. My oldest son and I were on the very top of the bridge when that thought hit me. I don't know who the person was that God wanted to talk to about Him but I did as He wanted. I was so happy that I was able to tell others about Him. It made it all worth while.

Yes, I still keep my grandson, who is six years old now and for a 65 year old lady, I am in the very best of health. You see, I know most of the Promises God made to us. There are mine and I take them. I not only hold Him close in my heart the Promises He made are there too. Sickness and the enemy just plain don't know who they are messing with when they try to take US on. They can go on down the road and give it to someone who wants it and will hold on to it.

So, if you have a few extra minutes sit down and look up the Promises put them in your heart and mind and you too will be able to run the race and be in good health as well. Its up to you. God has already given them but it is up to each one of the reach out and take them. Its your choice. I think ya'll know what choice I have made.

One last thought just came to me, where does it say Jesus, the disciples or the prophets where ever sick?

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

Christian Computer Art www.CC-Art.com

WORD OF WISDOM
SANCTIFICATION ~ Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it (1) secures union to Christ (Galatians 2:20), and (2) brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience "to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come."

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

The only thing I would say as I realized the car was going to hit us was ‘oh my God’ and then the crash. I felt myself thrown forward and then tossed back. Our car was pushed back and it did a three quarter turn before coming to rest maybe 2 feet from another car. I saw the car before my daughter, who was driving, it was in a blind spot. She grabbed me and that is what stopped me from going thru instead of only into the windshield. When I arrived home from the hospital, I made two phone calls. I called the two people who always seem to know when to pray for me NOW. My sister for the first time in her life did not know that I had been in danger. LJG in her sleep was being told to pray NOW.

Earlier this week I called LJG to tell her what to post on the sites the next day. We only spoke briefly as she said ‘my body is trying to tell me I am sick’, she does not remember the phone call. When I got off the phone I prayed for LJG, reminding the Lord that we had things to do for Him, she did not have time to be sick and it was not in His plan. The next day is when I was in the wreck.

Some people would ask why, none of us have asked that question. My daughter has said that she knows as we do that all things work to the good of the Lord. She tells me also that she has learned many valuable lessons from this wreck. It was to be the first day for a new job for my daughter, now she says she has to pray and seek God more as to what she is to do. LJG and I tell each other we must be making the devil mad, we have a blessing coming.

As I lay in the ambulance I remembered being rushed I had not prayed before leaving the house. I told the ambulance driver excuse me I need to talk to someone, and right there repented and asked forgiveness and prayed.

Within less then an hour I walked out of the hospital, in fact I started walking home, as I was only blocks from my home. A friend was on the way to pick me up and drove me the rest of the way. I am bruised and sore, but other then that I am okay.

LJG is doing great, whatever she had left and is gone. She refused to be sick in anyway.

I have heard this many times and am sure you have to ‘why do good things happen to good people?’ The devil cares about us Believers in the Truth about Jesus. Yes he cares enough to attack us in anyway he can get his foot in the door, to destroy us, steal from us, and kill us. That is the only way he cares. The Bible tells us that, it also tells us the devil is a liar.

Greater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world. Why is not as important to me as what I can learn from the ‘bad’ things that do happen to me. Bad things do happen to good people, bad things do happen to Believers. It is in what we do about the action that counts. Our reaction to the attacks of the world speaks volumes about us as Believers.

I pray that LJG will share the testimony of the illness that has tried to attack her body. It is a testimony of the healing power of Jesus. She has looked cancer in the face and is a survivor because of the grace and power of God. Her boldness in standing up for what she knew for a fact did belong to her is what has saw her through a valley and unto a mountain top.

LJG and I know that the articles did not get posted as we had planned, but there was a new post each day. No body knew that there were problems on this end, we say this only to let you know that no matter what happens we will do all within our power to continue to do what God has laid on our hearts.

Some of you have told us that this site is important to you and we are pleased by that. This site is even more important to us, it is a source of outreach that we could never have any other way. It feeds us and gives us a purpose, one of many that God has laid on our hearts. The only thing that will stop us is when the Lord tells us stop.

Our prayer for you today: Heavenly Father today bless these Your children, guide us to do Your will. Develop the gifts that you have given each of us and let us use those gifts to the fullest. Help us Lord to react to the actions in our life’s with Your love and strength. Lord open the eyes of those who are not aware of their gifts and the fullness of those gifts. Bless each one who reads this.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

I will be happy to share my testimony and it will be ready for ya'll tomorrow. Remember this, "what you claim is what you get." So if you don't want it don't talk it. You won't get nothing you don't want to have. LJG

SATURDAY EDITORIAL

Source: Christain Art.com



WORD OF WISDOM
DEATH ~ Death is the effect of sin (Hebrews 2:14), and not a "debt of nature." It is but once (9:27), universal (Genesis 3:19), necessary (Luke 2:28-30). Jesus has by his own death taken away its sting for all his followers (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

There is a spiritual death in trespasses and sins, i.e., the death of the soul under the power of sin (Romans 8:6; Ephesians 2:1, 3; Colossians 2:13).

THE DEATH OF CHRIST is the procuring cause incidentally of all the blessings men enjoy on earth. But specially it is the procuring cause of the actual salvation of all his people, together with all the means that lead thereto. It does not make their salvation merely possible, but certain (Matthew 18:11; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 2:16; Romans 8:32-35).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Since Barbara, Betty and Michelle have joined us they have shared some wonderful thoughts with us. So, it has been laid on our hearts to do some articles on them. The first one will be will be from Barbara cause she was the first to share with us.

AXE HEAD
Comment from: bhbner2him
"Excellent! I have personally gone back and forth as to whether I believe the tree actually "did" something. I do believe that God created this world with everything we'd ever need. A cure for every ailment. A way to stay whole, healthy and vigorous. But I believe also that when the door was shut on the Garden, that a door was shut on that knowledge. Death was let loose in the world I believe, because a Holy God could no longer walk upon as He did with Adam. - Barbara"

The tree was in the CENTER of the Garden, Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. That, to me, means that Jesus should always be in the center of our lifes. The Tree (Jesus) standing tall, sturdy, never bending, always available to provide rest, shade and yes, even healing. Always giving us His truth for life.

Speaking of healing, yes it is all there for us, but we have to remember that not every believer understands that their healing is there just plain waiting for them to reach out a grab it. How many times have you heard them say, "my healing is on the way?" Why are they waiting for it? Don't they understand that the healing was given them the day Jesus died on the cross? Why not take what is theirs? As for me, being that Jesus has already given the healing to all, I am going to take it, I am not going to wait on it. If others want to wait they need to have their faith increased. Maybe even study a whole lot more to get the understanding they need. All the knowledge we need are written on the pages of the Bible.

The door being closed to the Garden represents the Gates of Heaven. They are closed and will stay closed until we find the key, which is accepting Jesus into our lifes. Once we do all that is required of us by God we will be allowed back into the Garden to walk with God as He intended in the first place. Oh a moment please for some shouting. Now don't that just plain make you feel so good? It does me.

Death was let loose in this world because Adam and Eve did what they were told not to do. They ate of the tree. They choose not to listen to or perhaps thought they could do what they wanted to and not be punished. In other words they had little to no faith in the words of God just as we do today. What are we told not to do or eat. Do we do it anyway? Are we punished? Yes we are but and this is very important, we have the right to be forgiven and allowed into the Garden of Life.

Barbara, you are so right to say a Holy God could no longer walk on this earth with men as He did with Adam and Eve. But He does, by gifts of His Love, His Son, and the Holy Ghost. But the greatest joy of all is the fact that we will once again walk on His earth, with Him, as He intended in the near future.

Thank you Barbara.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

NAMES OF GOD PART TWO

When God reveals His Names to us, He is showing us His character, purposes, and will. The right use of His Name puts us in a right relationship with God Himself. By looking at the many Names of the Lord we can paint pictures of Him and His promises. God’s Names show us authority and power.

In many places the Lord is called the Name. Genesis 12:8 tells us that Abraham called on The Name of the Lord. Exodus 33:19 says the Lord proclaimed His own Name. There are many other such scriptures. The Name is used as a point of focus. WE can also conclude that it refer’s to God’s whole character, embodying the entire person of God.

In the New Testament we see the same with Jesus. John 1:12 Salvation is through His Name. Prayer is to be made in His Name, Matthew 18:20

In both the Old and New Testament the Name spoke of the Holy character of God the Father, and God the Son.

Word tells us in these scriptures:
Revelation 1:8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:11
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Revelation 21:6
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:13
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
We know that there is one and only one God.
Exodus 20:3
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 23:13
And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.
Deuteronomy 5:7
Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

Elohim is the plural form of EL, which means ‘strong one.’ It can be used concerning false gods, but when used of the true God it is the plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. It is used to tell us of God’s sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty. A few compounds of EL are:
El Shaddai, which means ‘God Almighty’ the loving supply and comfort of God, the One who corrects and chastens.
El Elyon telling us He is the ‘Most High God’ the One who is strength, sovereignty and supremacy.
El Olam tell us He is unchangeable and inexhaustible “The Everlasting God”.
YHWH means to exist, to be, it stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption. I looked further at this Name and found out some interesting facts about it. It is the four letter Name represented by the letters Yod-Hei-Vai-Hei. Referred to as the Ineffable name, Unutterable Name or Distinctive name. It is frequently shortened to Yah, Yahu, or Yeho. Some rabbis believed to pronounce YHVH was a reason to be put to death. They used the Name Adonai or simply ‘HA-Shen’, which means The Name. As to the actual pronunciation of the Name YHVH, that has been lost through the ages. The correct pronunciation was passed down for many generations and was eventually lost. Scholars would write the vowels of the name Adonai under the letters to remind people not to read it. From this came the word JeHoVah which stuck, this pronunciation is probably unlikely.

The more we look at His Names, and learn to understand them, the more we know about God and who He desires to be to each of us that know him. He wants to be the Only One for us, the beginning and the end. No other before or after Him. The One who supply's us with love and comfort as this world cannot. He is the only strength that we can rely on that will not fail us. He is totally dependable as He never changes.

We love you and our prayer for each of you today is to be blessed going out and coming in. We pray that each one of you and ourselves will continue to grow and prosper in Him. May His hand be on you in each step you take, guide you as you go to the left or the right. Today may He put in your pathway a person that need and desires to know the truth about our Precious Wonderful Saviour, and that He Himself will put the very words in your mouth that will touch their hearts as it has never been touched before. Go and do with the Grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

WATCH

WORD OF WISDOM
WATCH ~ Hebrews mishmereth, one who watches (Nehemiah 4:22), or a watch-station (7:3; 12:9; Job 7:12).

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Moses adds all these words, to show that we can never be careful enough to keep the law of God and to teach it to those who follow us in our life's cycle.

The power and love of God to Israel are here made the ground and reason of a number of cautions and serious warnings; and although there is much reference to their national covenant, yet all may be applied to those who live under the gospel.

What are laws made for? To be observed and obeyed.

Our obedience as individuals cannot merit salvation; but it is the only evidence that we are partakers of the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ, Considering how many temptations we are surounded with, and what corrupt desires we have in our bosoms, we have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. Those cannot walk aright, who walk carelessly.

Moses charges particularly to take heed of the sin of idolatry. He shows how weak the temptation would be; for these pretended gods, the sun, moon, and stars, were only blessings which the Lord their God had imparted to all nations. It is absurd to worship them; shall we serve those that were made to serve us?

Take heed lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God. We must take heed lest at any time we forget our God. Our duty corresponding to these advantages as a people, is twofold: 1. our own faithful obedience to that law; and 2. our obligation to impress the minds of the young and rising generation with similar sentiments of reverence and respect for God and His Laws.

We must beware with extreme vigilance and diligence lest we should fail through the want of them; for the slothfulness of the flesh must be urged on by such reminders as these words given to us by Moses, and at the same time our weakness must be streghtened, and we must take measures against our unsteadfastness; for nothing is more easy than that all our zeal should suddenly be forgotten, or should gradually grow cold.

God had established the certainty of His law, as far as was necessary, for the grateful and attentive, yet not without reason does He desire the people to remember how great is the carelessness of men. Nor does He command those only to remember who were eye-witnesses, but also to hand down (what they had seen) to their sons and grandsons, that the memory of such remarkable things might be preserved.

Care, caution, and watchfulness, are helps against a bad memory.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

THE NAMES OF GOD

WORD OF WISDOM
WORD ~ (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). This title designates the divine nature of Christ. As the Word, he "was in the beginning" and "became flesh." "The Word was with God " and "was God," and was the Creator of all things.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

It appears that everywhere I look I see people saying that there is one God so what does it matter what we call Him. These people believe that as long as you believe in one supreme being that created earth and heaven, it does not matter what that name is because it is the same being.

So if I call your daughter, Daughter then she is also my daughter! I think not. There is much to be said about the name you call anyone. My boss is my boss, and is not yours unless he hires you.

My God is my God and calling Him Allah, well you are not talking about the same being. My God has many names. Allah is not one of them, no matter how hard you try.

If you wish to know my God, then you can. He will be your God, if you ask Him to be. But if you call Him by a name He has not given us to call Him, then you will not be talking to Him.

Today a person’s name is little more then a label to distinguish one person from another. Most of us have or have had nicknames that say nothing at all about who we really are. I think we have all known of a tiny that is overweight, the list could go on.

God often changed the name of a person. Abram became Abraham, Sari became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel. Names carried special significant. In scripture a person’s name identified them and stood for something specific.

God revealed to people what He wanted them to call Him, rather then allowing them to choose names for Him.

Jews are taught to revere the Name of God. When we read Jewish text we usually see G-d written. Do you know why?

Deuteronomy 12: 1 These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. 2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: 3 And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. 4 Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.

First the Israelis are told to destroy everything including the names of other gods. Now look carefully at verse 4. “We shall not do so unto the Lord your God." After careful study the rabbis decreed that it is forbidden to efface a divine Name written on parchment, unravel the Name embroidered in cloth, or melt down a piece of metal or a seal upon which the Name is engraved or impressed. This comes from the inference that Jews should not destroy or efface any holy thing. Consequently the Jewish people avoid writing any Name or Title of God because of the risk that the written Name can later be defaced, obliterated or accidentally destroyed.

It is only forbidden to erase a divine Name that is written normally. For this reason a common practice is to substitute letters or syllables within the Name. Elokim for Elohim, G-d for God, and L-rd for Lord. This is done to avoid reading, writing or saying the Name of God.

There is also a custom of transposing the letters of numbers, which might otherwise spell out a word that is a divine Name. This is also done with words that have a negative connotation such as evil or demon.

The relationship between a name and a thing is important in Scriptures. Naming and being are linked together to form a unity. The right use of a name denotes a right relationship with the thing named.

Since man was made in the image and likeness of God, we would expect a strong correlation between human language and reality. As God spoke the world into being and all that is in it, we shape our life’s by the means of the words we use.

God is strongly identified with His Names, and over the next few days we will look at some of His Names.

Romans 9:17 “that my Name might be declared throughout all the earth."

God Bless,
rECj/LJG

A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN

A Teenager's View of Heaven (sent to me by my friend Mary)
Source: http://katrinka3.multiply.com/journal


17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed' em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..." It also was the last.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.


Brian's Essay: The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except 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 endless 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 "Girls 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 the 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." Others 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 had 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 years to fill 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 "TV Shows I have watched", 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 shows but more by the vast 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 an 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 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, seemed 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 they hurt. They 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 worse 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 arms 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 with 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.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil.4:13 " For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?

HOW STRONG ARE WE

WORD OF WISDOM
FAITH ~ The object of saving faith is the whole revealed Word of God. Faith accepts and believes it as the very truth most sure. But the special act of faith which unites to Christ has as its object the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 7:38; Acts 16:31). This is the specific act of faith by which a sinner is justified before God (Romans 3:22, 25; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9; John 3:16-36; Acts 10:43; 16:31). In this act of faith the believer appropriates and rests on Christ alone as Mediator in all his offices.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

"Christ can and will do anything for those that believe in him. To impress this still more, He redoubles upon the believing: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Thus the Lord helps the birth of faith in our struggling soul; and now, though with pain and much travail, it comes to the birth. Very much is promised to our believing. If thou canst believe, it is possible that our hard heart may be softened, our spiritual diseases may be cured; and, weak as we are, we may be able to hold out to the end.

All things can be effected or accomplished by God in favour of him that believes; and if we can believe, this will be done. God will do nothing in our favour without faith. It is right that we should have confidence in him; and if we have confidence, it is easy for Him to help us, and He willingly does it. He will make all things easy for us.

'You ask me,' says He, 'to aid you as far as I can; but you will find in Me an inexhaustible fountain of power, provided that the faith which you bring be sufficiently large.' Here may be learned a useful doctrine, which will apply equally to all of us, that it is not the Lord that prevents His benefits from flowing to us in large abundance, but that it must be attributed to the narrowness of our faith, that it comes to us only in drops, and that frequently we do not feel even a drop, because unbelief shuts up our heart.

Faith is mightiest of the mighty. It is the monarch of the realms of the mind; there is no being superior to its strength, no creature which will not bow to its divine prowess. The want of faith makes a man despicable, it shrivels him up so small that he might live in a nutshell. Give him faith, and he is a leviathan that can dive into the depths of the sea; he is a war horse, that cries, aha! aha! in the battle; he is a giant who takes nations and crumbles them in his hand, who encounters hosts, and at a sword they vanish; he binds up sheaves of sceptres, and gathers up all the crowns at his own. There is nothing like faith, sirs. Faith makes you almost as omnipotent as God, by the borrowed might of its divinity. Give us faith and we can do all things.

Dare we believe? Are we willing to put our all in the hands of Christ? To put all our spiritual concerns with Him, and all our temporal concerns for him? Can we find in our heart to do this? If so, it is not impossible but that, though we had been a great sinner, we may be reconciled; though we are very mean and unworthy, we may get to heaven." Charles Spurgeon

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SUNDAY EDITORIAL

WORD OF WISDOM
Tree of the knowledge of good and evil ~ Stood in the midst of the garden of Eden, beside the tree of life (Genesis 2, 3). Adam and Eve were forbidden to take of the fruit which grew upon it. But they disobeyed the divine injunction, and so sin and death by sin entered our world and became the heritage of Adam's posterity.
Thank you to each and everyone that is leaving comments. It not only lets us know that people are reading, but opens up doors for new articles.

"Excellent! I have personally gone back and forth as to whether I believe the tree actually "did" something. I do believe that God created this world with everything we'd ever need. A cure for every ailment. A way to stay whole, healthy and vigorous. But I believe also that when the door was shut on the Garden, that a door was shut on that knowledge. Death was let loose in the world I believe, because a Holy God could no longer walk upon as He did with Adam. - Barbara" Comment left at Axe Head article.

Thank you Barbara. Adam and Eve had everything they needed and that did not include illness. Life then was as God intends it to be. Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They did not loose that knowledge when they were put out of the Garden of Eden. What they did not eat of was the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life would have let them live forever. Without sin we would not have needed the Tree of Life. The door to eternal life had the door shut to it. Because of the death of Jesus now that door is open to us again. Without the evil coming into the world we would not have had that door shut. God and evil which is sin cannot reside in the same place. Because the knowledge came out with them into the world it is still here.

Everything that is in the world today is because of knowledge, it can be used for good or evil. I wonder if when designing the first car if any thought went into how many deaths will this cause through auto accidents. How many life’s will be destroyed? You can look at each invention in this world today and ask the same question. My personal favorite is why did anyone develop the bra? Depending on who you are, you might or might not need a bra. It was invented though for the purpose of uplifting. True fact but I am being funny.

God did not stop walking the earth as He did with Adam. He walked and talked with many great men of God. The greatest we can think of is Moses. There is of course Noah, Elijah and others and still today there are many of us that He does walk and talk with. As He did for Adam and Eve He can and will for us. The door was shut to those that do not desire for it to be open. It is also shut to those that do not know it can be opened for them. He tells us in His Word to knock and the door shall be opened. Which leads us to how do we open the door? Many of us are in churches that do not teach us how to get on a higher level with the Lord.

We can desire something but not know how to get it. We look for instructors to teach us and find none. We turn to the Bible, the true Word of God but lack a deep understanding of now to put all the puzzles pieces together.

LJG and I both have had and still face times when we have to seek and search. Questions come up that we do not understand, or can find reason for. Right now LJG faces something in her life that has been there for a number of years. She has no answers that would make sense to anyone including herself, but because of her relationship with Christ she looks it straight in the face and speaks what she knows God has said and continues going forward.

Myself right now at this moment I am faced with something that only a miracle can answer, and I believe that miracle is going to take place. This morning when doubt tried to raise it’s ugly head, I spoke God’s own words to it. Though I do not feel anything, or see anything at this moment, I know that God cannot lie to me. Nor can He lie to any of us.

Yes Barbara a door was shut, and one day it will be completely open, for all. Jesus paid for that door to be open to us completely now, today, right here and now. The keys belong to Him and He shares all the good things the Father has given Him, with us.

There are many things I do not understand. Take a look at rain and I can’t help but wonder how many years it took scientists to come up with this. "Rain plays a role in the hydrologic cycle in which moisture from the oceans evaporates, condenses into drops, precipitates (falls) from the sky, and eventually returns to the ocean via rivers and streams to repeat the cycle again. The water vapor from plant respiration also contributes to the moisture in the atmosphere.A major scientific explanation of how rain forms and falls is called the Bergeron process. More recent research points to the influence of Cloud condensation nuclei released as the result of biological processes."

Myself I like rain a lot and LJG calls it God’s music. Personally I really don’t care how it happens, I just enjoy it when it does. I even like thunder storms, to me lightening is beautiful, of course I don’t go out in it, that is dangerous.

My point being we will never on this earth understand how and why of eveything that happens, but we have the comfort of the Holy Ghost because of that tree. Then there is also this question? Didn’t God know what Adam and Eve where going to do? Yes, He did. He had a plan all alone, and that was that He Himself would come to earth as a Human and show us all that it could be done.

Think on that a bit, He became flesh to show us it could be done, and even then knowing that it could be done, He gave us a way out [forgiveness] when we couldn’t. Now I don’t know about you , but that is certainly a reason to shout and say "Hallelujah". Which if you didn’t know means "Praise the Lord".

God Bless each one of you today as you go out and about in this world enjoying the knowledge that all good came from our God. Ask questions of anything that concerns you, and keep asking until you have an answer, which might just be the peace of God and nothing more. It will though be an answer.

rECj/LJG