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Keith Green - Oh Lord, You're Beautiful

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Do we deny Christ?

Matthew 26:34, Jesus said unto him, Peter, “Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me three times”; Matthew 26:75, And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, before the cock crow, you shall deny me three times, And he went out, and wept bitterly”

Do we deny Christ?

One of the worst things a Christian may possibly do in their lifetime is to deny Jesus Christ as Saviour before the presence of unbelievers. We usually think that denying Christ is an outright act, like Peter’s denial of knowing Jesus in John 18 v 16 & 17….
but Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this man's [ Jesus’] disciples? He saith, I am not.

but that isn’t the case. It’s so sad and disheartening that many believers today aren’t even aware that they are denying Christ.

Reginald Heber, the English writer of the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy,” pointed out that we can deny the Saviour in more subtle ways. He wrote:
(1) “We deny our Lord whenever we, through love of this present world, forsake the course of duty which Christ has plainly pointed out to us.
(2) We deny our Lord whenever we lend … our praise, or even our silence, to [things] … which we ourselves believe to be sinful.

(3) We deny our Lord whenever we forsake a good man in affliction, and (4) We deny our Lord when we refuse to give help, encouragement, and support to those who, for God’s sake and for the faithful discharge of their duty, are exposed to persecutions and slander.”

Titus 1:16 puts it this way, "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." We who have been born again by the blood of Christ will consciously avoid any open, deliberate, and vocal denial of the Lord.

But loving the world, failing to do as God directs, tolerating sin, and refusing to support our fellow believers are subtle ways we do, in effect, deny the One who has redeemed us from eternal death.

We also deny Him in other ways such as:
(1) Does our lifestyle deny that we are close to Him?

(2) Does our cheque book deny that He is Lord of our life?

(3) Do we deny His hold on our lives, by disobeying Him, tuning Him out?

(4) Do we deny His gifts to us, by neglecting to use them?

(5) When we cheat on our taxes, we deny His lordship over our lives, for it was Christ who told us to give the money we should give our government as citizens (Mark 12:17).

(6) When we buy new clothes or a new car - (and, believe me, there is nothing wrong with these) - but if we do not tithe to our church, we are denying Christ's rule over our wallets.

(7) If we are spending our entire spare time pursuing our hobbies - nothing wrong with these either in balance! - but if we are neglecting to use the gifts God gave us for the purpose of service, we are denying Him lordship of our time.

__________

You can’t turn your back on Christ if you keep your eyes focused on Him, our Redeemer and Saviour.

Mikey

bless you all

Yaddy

Sunday, December 19, 2010

HUMOUR ME.......

Just humour me and go along with this……
Two angels talking and watching…..what…or who are they watching?

God the father….God the Son….. and God the Holy Spirit

God the father is speaking….(The angels are listening)
God says....
“I am going to make a planet…an earth like planet, so I can put beings on it, which will be made in our image!”
God the Son thinks that a fantastic Idea, and so does God, the Holy Spirit.
“But,” God the Father explains…. “These beings, we will call them humans, will be tempted….. and will give in to that temptation” and He looks questioningly at God the Son, Jesus, “They will commit what we will call sin”
“I think to have beings made in our image wonderful we can love them and love them….” Says Jesus.
“But…” says God the Father… “We will need some one to stand in for them…..someone who is totally blameless and sinless….so they can be redeemed as it were….”
The Son Jesus looks at God the Father…..then He looks at God the Holy Spirit….and speaks up…. “I will stand in for them to redeem them…..” He says.
God the father is smiling….so is God the Holy Spirit who says…. “And I will come, when the time is right, and be right along side of you….so we can do the work together…”

The two angels look at each other in horror…….

Their precious Jesus…..the darling of heaven.....going down to earth? What is he planning on doing?

God is speaking again…… “Son….you do understand that you will have to go down and become one of them? You will have to be born like one of these humans…else you cannot take their place when the time comes?”

Jesus smiles…. “yes…I understand…”

(So….when the time comes….the earth has been created and the humans have been made and have become sinners…. The time for Jesus to go down has arrived…. The angels have been told that the only thing they are allowed to do is announce the event to some simple shepherds…when it is time….).


There is silence in heaven…….Jesus is walking down a long corridor….ready to go down to earth….to “become one of them”

The angels hold their breath….this is awful……

One minute Jesus is there…….

the next he is gone…..


(Not long after, by heavenly time….,)

the angels are told to go and proclaim a message to the shepherds…which they are overjoyed to do, as they now know all went according to plan….
A lovely little boy was born to a lowly couple named Joseph and Mary….they named Him Jesus just as the angel Gabriel had told them to do….
We celebrate His birthday soon…please remember why we celebrate!

Blessings
Yaddy

Thursday, December 9, 2010

BIRTHDAY PRESENTS....

When I woke up on "my" birthday Lord......there were presents...just for me!
From my brothers and my sisters and from friends and family!

As if I'd somehow earned it, or....somehow had a say
in coming to this world...and being here....today!

Lord....help me to remember..... that it's only by Your grace,
that I live....and breath....and function
that I can be here....in this place!

Please help me through Your Spirit....live...
as only You would have me do
a life of loving service...my gift of love....to You!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I woke up on Your birthday Lord...
there were presents.....just for me!
from my brothers and my sisters and from friends and family!

But wait...yet another gift,
this one from my Father up above....
He sent His precious Son for me...His precious gift of love!

AS IF I'D SOMEHOW EARNED IT!

Lord....help me to remember, that it's only by Your Grace....
that Jesus came to live with us, that we could look upon His face.
That He took my guilt onto the cross, and died there....in my place!

And help me through Your Spirit live as only You would have me do
a life of praise and honour....my gift of love.....to You!

For....unto ME a child is born....unto ME a Son is given....


HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

written by Tom Reitsma Gosford 1987

Bless you all

Yaddy

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT A CHURCH.......

They had some real problems, but in spite of all those, they still reached 1000's of people for Christ.

It was located in the wrong place.......

and besides this, most other people looked on the members with scorn and ridicule.

They did not even have a building in which to meet!!!!

It was poor and most of the members were also on the verge of poverty!
And.......none of the members were actually "trained" for the job!

The membership was small.....barely 120.

And the treasurer had just run off with the little money they did have!!!
lol...The chief leader of this church had a way of putting his foot in his mouth, he was constantly making people mad!

And, as in any church, there were those who "thought" differently to most, and wanted the others to change their thinking....several were leaving, because.....well.... just because......they were being persecuted!

The ONE thing this church had going for it was the power of Holy Spirit.

It was the church in Jerusalem described in the book of Acts.
Yet....with all it's problems....this church baptized 3000 people after it's first revival service!
God is good.....
Bless you.....
Yaddy

Monday, November 8, 2010

Watch and Pray.....

Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”
__________

No one on this earth is temptation proof.  Even mature believers in Christ have weaknesses in their spiritual armour that make them vulnerable to satan’s attack.

Temptation is an urge to do something we know is wrong and certainly troubles each one of us, saved or unsaved.  It may well be some sin, or something we tend to excuse like impatience, pride, programs we shouldn’t watch or places we shouldn’t be in. 

Maybe it’s gossip, or a short temper. 

I’m quite sure you will be able to add your own temptation to the above list.  I would venture to say, that nearly every day we must choose between doing what pleases the Lord and what appeals to our old nature and our own selfish desires.

We have all seen while driving, load limit signs on highways, and especially on bridges.

If you have taken an elevator to get to an upper floor, maybe in a department store, the elevator has a load limit, just as the highways and bridges. 
Those individuals (engineers) who designed these structures knew that too much strain or weight, could and would, cause severe damage or even complete collapse. 

You could also make the argument that the same limits apply to us as individuals!

As human beings, we also have limits of our own, but those limits vary from person to person.  As believers in Christ, our Lord knows our limitations and will never allow any difficulties to enter our lives that exceed our strength and ability to endure.  This is especially true when we are enticed by a temptation to sin.
1 Corinthians 10:13 puts it this way, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.”
_____________________________~

Tim my next door neighbour told me about a dog he had when he was a boy.  His father would occasionally test the dog’s obedience.  He would place a tempting piece of meat on the floor and give the command, No! 

The dog, which must have had a strong urge to go for the meat, was placed in a most difficult situation, to obey or disobey, his master’s command.  Tim said, “The dog never looked at the meat.”  He seemed to feel that if he did, the temptation to disobey would be too great.

So, he looked steadily at my father’s face.  Tim then made this spiritual application:  There is a lesson for us all.  Always look up to the Master’s face.

Yes, that is good advice.  God, of course, will not tempt us to do wrong (James 1:13).  We do encounter many temptations, though, and if we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus we will be able to overcome them.  When we are confronted by enticements that could easily overwhelm, us, we need to look to Christ and follow His direction.  Seeing Him and hearing Him as He is revealed in the Scriptures will give you the discernment to know what is right, and the desire and strength to obey Him.
 Mikey

bless you

Yaddy

Friday, October 29, 2010

Most of us are still dumb creatures looking to the future for fulfillment. We think some future event or some change in our circumstance will bring us peace and joy.

We say, “Just wait; my day is coming. Somehow, someday, somewhere…I don’t know what it is that’s out there for me, but it’s coming.”
We are like children waiting for Christmas and counting the days.
David once wrote during a mournful, introspective season in his life that he felt time was going too fast. He had accomplished so little, he thought.
Everything at the time seemed to be in vain. “Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches and knows not who shall gather them. And now Lord, what wait I for?” (Psalm 39:6-7). David was depressed, down. His present situation appeared so useless. And out of a perplexed heart he cried out, “Lord, what am I waiting for?”


Recently I was walking alone in the hills of Pennsylvania and God spoke to my heart on this same question, “David, what is it you’re waiting for? Why isn’t this the best day of your life? Why can’t you now be full and joyous? There is nothing out there that you don’t already have in Jesus.”

I ask you, What are you waiting for? “Oh, for Mr. Right,” you may answer—that godly person you think is going to rescue you from all loneliness and fill your soul with unspeakable joy. Some are bored with their mates and waiting for them to go to glory because they’re looking for romance to come into their lives and drive away their emptiness.
No!
There is nothing out there that will change or save you from who and what you are already. If you think someone else is going to solve your loneliness problem, you’re badly mistaken.
You must find deliverance, peace, hope and joy now!
Jesus is the only one who can fill the void. Wake up and live!
David Wilkerson
blessings,
Yaddy



Monday, October 11, 2010

THE PILOT LIGHT!

Hebrews 5:12, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat”
__________

The man from the gas company wasn’t very happy with my neighbour.  It seems that my neighbour had called to report a gas smell and a malfunctioning stove.  It was early evening, and the repairman from the gas company had to drive a considerable distance in order to reach my neighbour’s house.  After the repairman looked inside the stove, he wasn’t very pleasant and cheery at all when he stood up, looked my neighbour very coldly, and said, “All you had to do was light the pilot light.”  Even after the repairman fired up the oven, his words left the neighbour feeling quite cold.

He was upset because he had to show my neighbour something so simple.
  If you have read the book of Hebrews … that sounds similar to what the author was talking about in chapters 5 and 6.  He was concerned for the Jewish converts he was writing to, because they hadn’t advanced in their knowledge. He even had to review the basics they should have known (5:12).  They had been Christians long enough that they should have been teaching others.  Yet, the author couldn’t tell them what he wanted to tell them because they couldn’t get it.  He couldn’t give them solid food; because they were still on a milk diet.


While writing this post my thoughts were of the time I lived in Washington, DC … looking at the map of the Washington, DC area, I knew I could do it.
The boarding house I was staying in was centrally located off Thomas Circle in downtown DC. I wanted to see the Capital Building which was approximately twelve blocks from the boarding house.  A nice walk on a sunny Saturday morning would be good for me.  I could have taken a cab or bus, but if I really wanted to see the DC area, I knew walking was the way to go and so I did. 
Hearing the sounds, smelling the smells of the various pastry shops, studying the people, watching the traffic and visiting the shops along the way, I really felt like a part of Washington, DC.  Although, it took some time and effort, it was well worth both. You might be asking what this has to do with the above story.  Well, as we travel this journey we call the Christian life, we face a similar choice.  We can take the easy route, depending on others to give us all our instructions, short-cutting our way past a good prayer-life, or speed-reading a passage of Scripture and calling it “devotions.”  Or we can make the effort and take the time to get into the Word and closer to God. Why not take a long walk with God today, tomorrow and the next day? As you map out your course, choose to “seek Him with your whole heart”, study His Word, and obey what He says, because such a walk through His precious Word will be a most delightful experience!

Closing thoughts:

For the believer in Christ, you started out with faith in Him, after recognizing your sinfulness and a need for a Saviour, when you asked God to forgive your sins. 
You were a baby in Christ; however, you don’t stop there! No one, who has put their faith in Christ can afford to let spiritual growth and maturity start and stop with only one act of spiritual surrender.  Your salvation must be followed by spiritual growth wherein you are weaned off the “milk of the Word” and start enjoying the “meat of the Word”. My friend, keep your heart and mind open to the Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, be receptive and obedient to it, and above all as the Scriptures tell us, "…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. I’m afraid there are too many who should be on the front lines in their spiritual growth but are still in basic training. I will close with these questions:

(1) Could the repairman be talking about you? 

(2) Are you stuck in elementary school in your knowledge of God because you haven’t learned what you ought to know?

(3) Are your waiting for someone to “light the pilot,” when you should know how to get the fire going yourself?
Mikey

Bless you...
Yaddy

Monday, October 4, 2010

Most of us know that the shortest sentence in the Bible  is, Jesus wept.
Here’s a brief overview of the scene, in which those words are uttered. Jesus knows that his friend Lazarus, is ill. Jesus waits in another town, deliberately knowing that his tarrying will result in the death of Lazarus. He explains this to his disciples who are wondering why Jesus doesn’t go to Lazarus, why he is stalling. There is also a warning, by some of the disciples, that if Jesus goes to Lazarus he will be killed by the religious rulers who are seeking his death. After three days Jesus sets out to see Lazarus and as he does he makes it very clear to his disciples that Lazarus is dead. His disciples, at this point, must be wondering what is going on!
When he arrives Lazarus’ sisters, Martha and Mary show him where Lazarus is buried and admit that if Jesus had been there Lazarus would have been alive, even now. They have faith in Jesus. They believe, and know, by seeing Him do other miracles, that if Jesus had been there, their brother would not have died.
Here’s where the story gets so pregnant with meaning that it is of huge cosmic proportions! Jesus comes to the tomb and He weeps. I believe that His weeping is not only for Lazarus, but for the state of man ever since man’s rightful place was usurped by the evil one, Satan. Jesus knows that death was never supposed to be part of the plan, but because sin entered the human race, at the garden, it set in motion a series of events that resulted in death, disease, and the total depravity of the human race.
Jesus, as a man, feels the sting of death, as it is his friend Lazarus that is lying dead in the tomb. As God, he knows that the cross is waiting for him and it is by the ordeal, which he will suffer on it, that in the end will set all mankind free, and eventually will restore us to our original state. Things have gotten horribly out of hand and He knows that this is why He is here, to become our ransom….
Jesus weeps, because of how far man has fallen. He knows that this world is under the control of the evil one, Satan. He even tells us this, by calling Satan, the Prince of this world. I believe that He weeps for all mankind from Adam until the end of the age, when He will come again, and history as we know it shall cease, and the rightful King will rule.
He knows of the horrors that will come as the evil one will continue to rob, kill, and destroy, as he roams about as a roaring lion. He sees the millions of people who will die in wars, of disease, of hunger, from slavery, from concentration camps. He sees it all and He weeps.
Death claims us all at some point. No matter how we try to cheat it, it eventually is our fate. Yet, we know that when He comes again, He will put away death, it will be no more. Mankind will be restored, we will be in our original state as was intended from the beginning.
Some will ask, where is the promise of His coming? Some people think that it’s all a fairy tale. To the spirit-filled man or woman, the second coming is our blessed hope. We are told that; the dead in Christ shall rise first and then those of us who are alive will rise and meet the Lord in the air! It is why we are told that all of creation groans! At some point, and I believe it may be sooner than we think, the King will return, and we will rise to meet Him! We will be set free at last. Free from our sin nature. Free from death. Free at last….
L.A.Marzulli
http://www.lamarzulli.net/

Bless you....
Yaddy

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Job 4:4, “Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees”


Words of encouragement and not discouragement can be “life words” touching the lives of so many people in ways we often will never know. Individuals sometimes come into our personal world for a brief moment and leave us forever changed. Maybe you know of someone who had an impact on your life by what they said. 
 
We have more power to create or destroy than we can imagine, just by what we say. We can either leave individuals better or worse off than when we met them. A look, a word or two, or even a gesture may have such a tremendous impact on people who come into our lives. Have you ever said or maybe heard someone else say nothing but bad things about an individual? Take for example the story concerning a young boy who had been quite naughty. During family devotions, the father prayed for his son and mentioned a number of bad things the boy had done. Soon afterward, the mother heard the 6-year-old sobbing in his bedroom. When she asked what was wrong, the boy cried out, “Daddy always tells God the bad things about me. He never tells Him the good things I do!”

What happened to that young child underscores a shortcoming that is very common to many of us today including believers in Christ. Instead of recognizing the good in people, we tend to notice only their faults. We should carefully examine our speech habits for careless words, and then resolve to build up those individuals we meet. Remember, people need encouragers more than they need critics. Ephesians 4:29 tell us, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification.” The apostle Paul said that when we edify or encourage others through our speech, we impact grace, or spiritual benefits, to their lives. He was a great introducer who spoke highly of his colleagues in the faith and ministry. His letters are dotted with the names of men and women to whom and for whom he was deeply grateful. When the apostle Paul closed his letter to the Romans, he publicly commended those who had helped and encouraged him in the work of the gospel. He not only greeted them by name, but he also expressed his gratitude for what they had done. What an example for all of us to follow!
__________

The story has been told of an eccentric old man who carried an oilcan with him everywhere he went. If he passed through a squeaky door or a stiff gate, he applied oil to the hinges. His practice of lubricating made life easier for those who followed after him. Nearly every day we encounter people whose lives creak and grate harshly with problems. In such situations, we face two choices, either to aggravate their problems with a spirit of criticism or to lubricate their lives in the Spirit of Christ. 
 
Some people we meet carry unbearable burdens and long for the oil of a sympathetic word. Others are defeated and feel like giving up. However, just one drop of encouragement could restore their hope. Still others are mean and sin-hardened. Such people can become pliable toward the saving grace of Christ through regular applications of the oil of kindness. When we receive Christ as our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us and equips us to bless others. If we’re prepared to pour out God’s oil of helpfulness every day and everywhere, beginning at home, we’ll minister Christ’s beauty and the oil of joy to many hurting people. So, perhaps the old man with the oil can wasn’t so eccentric after all.
_____________________________________________________

Closing thoughts:

As we think about our relationship with Christ and the people God has placed in our lives; some for brief moments and others for a longer time, we would do well to consider the importance of our words and what kind of influence we will have on them. In a world dominated so much by discouragement, let’s resolve to master the art of building others up by what we say to and about them, rather than tearing them down. So, if you have received some unexpected encouragement today, or maybe last week, thank God for it. Moreover, when the Holy Spirit leads you to encourage someone go ahead and do it.

The power in words can build up or tear down,
Create a big smile or produce a sad frown;
So in all your contacts with people each day,
Be sure to encourage in all that you say – Fitzhugh
__________

A spark of encouragement can rekindle warmth in the heart and the human spirit can gain new hope from an encouraging word.                                                     Mikey
Bless you 

Yaddy

Monday, August 30, 2010

Birthdays......

September is a busy month for me....lots of birthdays in this month, and that started me thinking....a whole new year to look forward to.
And I was kinda thinking about "happiness"....What is "happiness?"

We convince ourselves that..."Life will be better" once we are married.....and have a family.....

Then we get frustrated.....because our children are "not old enough"  and that "all will be O.K." once they are older.

Then we are frustrated because they are teenagers, and we have to deal with them at that level.

"Surely..." we think....."We will be happier when they grow out of their teens..."

We tell ourselves....our lives will be better......when we have a nice home.......

when we get that car........ when we can take that nice long holiday.........when we retire.....

The truth is........there is no better time to be happy than right now!

for....if not right now......then when?????

Our life will always be full of challenges and really....it is better to admit that right now....and be happy.....
in spite of it all!

For a long time....it seemed.....that life was about to start.....real life.......but....

there was always "something else" first.
An ordeal to get through......
some urgent work that needed finishing.....
some time to be shared with some one who needed it......
a car to be repaired.......a bill to be paid......a job to go to.....then......

LIFE WOULD START......

I finally came to the understanding that those things were life....

And that "point of view" helped me to see that there isn't a road "to" happiness....

HAPPINESS is the road!

So.....enjoy every moment......stop waiting for school to end......

or for a return to school even......

or to lose 10 pound....or to gain some.....or for work to begin......

or to get married.....or for Friday night.....or Monday morning......or that car.....or

your mortgage to be paid.....or the first of the month....or Spring......or summer .....or for.....

whatever......to decide to be happy!

HAPPINESS is a voyage....not a destination.

There is no better time to be happy and content that right now, so live and enjoy the moment.

Author unknown

Bless you, Yaddy

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Turning the other cheek!!!

Q: What does it mean..."To turn the other cheek...." as we read in Mathew ch 5 v 39?
A:  Jesus' complete statement is: "If some one strikes you on the right cheek,turn to him the other also"

Of course, any "striking" is a painful blow, but the striking in this instance is meant as a gross insult, why?

well, if a right handed person strikes some ones right cheek, presumably, it is a slap with the back of the hand.

A fist striking you would be on the left cheek....so this teaching by Jesus is not about self defence, but about an attack on your dignity.

In the Eastern culture, slapping some one is considered an insult of the highest order.

But Jesus says here that His disciples should be happy to endure those insults.

Christians are allowed to defend themselves and their families, and to use God ordained authority to keep evil from harming them, or others see Ex 22 v 2: and Acts 21 v 1:  How ever, what is forbidden is the taking of revenge......bitterness and retaliation.....
these are absolutely forbidden by Jesus and His apostles.
I'm sure many people have wondered just how far the famous "turn the other cheek" instructions from Jesus Christ should go in every day Christian living.

Does it mean that we should allow ourselves to be door mats? Or that we should be there for every thief or attacker that may come along? It is very important to realize the context in which Jesus was speaking.In essence He was telling those gathered around Him, as well as us today, that we as Christians are not to respond to religious persecutors, as though they were common criminals. He actually went on to say, in Mathew 5...."Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...etc...but..
He did not say...."You cannot defend yourself" He even said....in Luke "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace...." None of this "turn the other cheek" for robbers and thieves.
So.....why is it O.K. to defend ourselves  and yet....why turn the other cheek to those who are unfriendly towards us?
Because we read in Timothy "We must be gentle to all men....apt to teach, and be patient..."

A thief knows exactly what he is doing, sneaking into your place taking things that are not his, plain and simple...

On the other hand....some one who attacks you because of your Christianity. does not know what he is doing!
Their time for understanding God's truths and accepting it has not yet come, so right now.....we have the advantage over that person.
Would you want to harm a good friend?
That is what your persecutor my one day turn out to be, and that friendship will last for ever, through a glorious eternity.....far longer than the few years of a troublesome human lifetime.
"Turn the other cheek"  is an important rule for Christians because, as Jesus said, when they were killing Him....
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.....Luke 23 v 43"
and they parted His raiment and cast lots.
Bless you....

Yaddy

Saturday, July 3, 2010

REALLY???? ( tongue in cheek of course)

Some Commission or other, in Europe... has made the announcement that English will be the official language
of the E.U. instead of the German language.

The British government did agree, how ever that there was room for improvement to the English language.
 So they have accepted a 5 year "phase in plan" that would become known as "Euro-English"

In the first year the "S" will be replaced with a soft "C" and sertainly this will make sivil servants jump for joy!

The hard "C" will be dropped in favour of "K" this should klear up konfusion and key boards kan have one lesser letter. 

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "PH" will be replaced with

"F" as this will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the third year... publik akseptanse  of the new spelling kan be ekspekted to reach the stage where more

komplikated changes are possible.

Government will enkourage the removal of double letters, which have always been a deterent to akurate
speling.

Also, .al wil agre that the horible mes of the silent "E" in the language is disgrasful, and should be removed.

By the fourth yer, people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing  "TH" with "Z" and "W" with "V"

During ze fifz yer, ze unesasary "O" can be dropd from vords containing "OU" and after ziz  fifz yer

ve vil hav a rel sensble riten styl.

Zer wil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi to understand ech oza.

Ze drem of a United urop vil finali kum tru!

Und, efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in forst plas!
Author unknown.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AINT 


He was just a little boy, wandering home from Sunday school....taking his time.
 He scuffed his shoes into the grass. He even found a caterpillar....and a fluffy milk weed pod.....
and blew the whole lot away into the wind.....

An old neighbour was watching him.....zig zagging along the path and called out to him.

He asked the young man where he'd been and what he'd learned.

"I've been to Bible school" said the young boy, and picked up a wriggle worm, then said, "I learned a lot about God..."  "Hummmm, a very fine way for a young boy like you to spend your day" said the neighbour, "But I'll tell you what, If you tell me where God is, I'll give you a brand new dime..."

Quick as a flash the boy replied..."I'll give you a dollar mister....if you tell me where God Aint"

bless you...

Yaddy.

Friday, June 18, 2010

The miracle of the fly!

It was a sweltering hot day, and I decided I would go and cool off a little in our back yard pool..

I was kind of leaning up against the side of the pool and looking around, the sun was glistening on the water, in the ripples I was making with my hand, and though how beautiful it was, what, with the colours and all...it made me think of how good God is and how good he is at creating things...

I also closed my eyes now and then, and was fascinated with the colours I could still see, through my closed eye lids..

When I opened my eyes again.......the first thing I saw....was a fly!

It was floating....fluttering and struggling....floundering....trying to "fly" away!

I looked at it and thought, "You've had it fly....." then looked at something else.

Who cares about a fly, anyway.

A while later I looked back, and the dumb thing was still struggling, trying to fly...it was making lots of little ripples, trying to get a foot hold on something that wasn't there.
But it was too far away from the side, for a fly, and there was absolutely no hope for the stupid thing ever!

Maybe....if the fly could see what I could see, and give up and drown.....he'd be done with it!

I kept watching the silly thing.....and I suddenly began to identify with it!
( I know....silly thought, but I did)

I mean.....wasn't I just like that fly? Well, in a manner of speaking!

I get myself in these dumb situations...then I even do dumber things......

What if........what if God was watching ME in some detached sort of way, waiting for me to "just give up and drown?"

(Can you believe...I suddenly wanted that fly not to drown?)

I wanted it to live......I really did!

So.....I put my hand out, and let it slowly, all wet and dripping, climb up on my finger.

There it sat......on my hand.....weak....very weak......but still "hanging in there"

Yay for the fly!

I waded to the steps of the pool and placed the tiny thing on the pebble deck, so it could dry out!

It only sat there for a few seconds, stretching and drying it's wings, and then.....it took off......it was gone!

I SUDDENLY THOUGHT ABOUT JESUS!

In my heart, I know that I know.........that God cares for me a lot more than I cared for that fly.

The fantastic Heart of God feels my needs and He is already cupping His mighty hands underneath me, to save me from whatever I need saving from.

There is just one major difference.......

The fly will never ever know, what happened there, just then, in the pool.

All "it" knew was, that something terrible had happened...... and then something happened.......
and the terrible was over!


Now I know this is silly, but humor me......all I knew was that...as I stood there, in the water, I realized that the only way I could have let the fly know what had happened was, if I had become a fly myself, and communicated it to him.

Oh...how I love Jesus,...... for that is exactly what HE did!

HE BECAME MAN!

But it cost Him his live....the other "flies" killed him for his trouble...... He knew ahead of time this would happen, but he came anyway!

"Alright" you can say, "That wasn't a miracle, any one could have rescued a fly..." and you are so right, spot on, absolutely correct.....but......

you are looking at this miracle from the wrong side.......

How about...... looking at it from the fly's side?

Wouldn't you call it a miracle from the fly's point of view?


musings from Pat Boone.
Bless you.....

Yaddy

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Also in the small things......

A friend of mine told me....

"I did not become a Christian until a teenager.

And, one day I was rummaging through an old attic cupboard, where I discovered this old well worn guitar.
It looked like it had gone through a fire or some other catastrophe and was pretty well almost gone, but I thought I might be able to learn to play on it, even though I had no idea how to use it, but  I figured I could sort of teach myself.
Then  I became a Christian, and my life had to make a few changes.....I went to university and had to learn to budget.

I rented a room from a lovely elderly lady, especially picked by my parents, and she would watch over me and continue to "groom" me to become a God loving adult.

I received a cheque once a month, and the first thing that came out of that was my tithe, then I paid Mrs Jones her monthly rent for the room. She decided that, seeing I was not there all day every day, I could use her butter and milk, as that would not be all that much...and so I went shopping with the left over out of my cheque.
I would buy each month....a good serving of fish......a large serving of vegetables...and a very very large bag of flour.
So once a month, I had a fantastic meal of fish and lots of vegetables, and for the rest of the month I made pancakes from the flour.

Then it happened.......one of the guitar strings snapped......ohhhh!
As I walked back to my room, from uni, I thought I'd ask God to see what He could do.

My prayer went something like this...."Dear God, my guitar string broke, do you think you could find a way around, for you to give me $5 so I can buy a new one?  But on second thought, maybe You'd better forget this, as there are so many needy people who have so much bigger problems, don't worry about my guitar string as I can learn to live without it...sorry I even brought it up...."

By that time I had arrived back at my lodgings and Mrs Jones was there waiting for me

She remarked "Weren't you here last weekend?".
I replied, "No...I went home to visit my mum and dad..."
"Oh.." she said, "But you paid rent for your room?"
"Yes..."  I said, that is because I wanted you to keep it for me so it stands to reason that I would pay for it even if I am not here!"
"Oh no dear..." said Mrs Jones...."You did not use any of the electricity, nor water, you don't have to pay for what you don't use...here is $5 dollars back..I'm sure you can use it?"

All I could do was say.....THANK YOU GOD...for caring about the small things too!"
(Musings from Vivian)
Bless you...
Yaddy

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

How to "witness to others"

I often hear people say to me..."Sure, it's easy for you, you just start to talk and somehow people open up to you and virtually tell you their life story, but they don't do that with me.....how do "I" witness to somebody?"

So, Have you ever read how the apostle Paul witnessed to King Agrippa? Imagine your self in Paul's shoes, but speak to "your neighbour/friend/stranger...who ever you think, for that moment, you would like to witness to.

If we go and read, then see, how Paul did it, we can follow suit....

In Acts chapter 26 we will give it a start.

Here, Paul has "earned" the right to be heard when the king allows him to speak.
Now, this idea of "earning" your right to speak, does not mean that you are allowed to speak because of your position in life, or because your opinion is so fantastic, no.....rather, you have earned the "right"

What I mean is this.....for example.....If I am having a conversation with some one, and they actually bring up their belief system, or meaningful life changing events, and I politely sit and listen to them, by virtue of the fact that I did that, sit and listen, that then gives me the same" right to be heard" too...I gave them that right, they then are obliged to give me the same right...a kind of "right of reply" as they say in the courts.

To deny me this right would be very ignorant and rude, seeing I listened with attention and respect to what they had to say.

Back to Paul......
 he, after he had earned the right to be heard, complimented the king by saying what the king was good at, people love compliments.

But Paul then shares with king Agrippa where, he, Paul comes from.

This was all part of his own personal history, people like to hear a bit of your background, and even though the witnessing by Paul did not change the kings mind, it does help us to see what we can use from our own history and use it as part of our own testimony.
So......1) Earning the right to be heard..
          2) a brief history of where you came from, and
          3) your conversion experience ( how you came to Christ and where you are now in Christ)


Bless you

Yaddy

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Dancing with God?

When I meditated on the word "GUIDANCE" I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I also remember reading somewhere that "doing God's will" is a lot like dancing.
When a couple dances only one can lead.....when both try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't "flow" with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky!
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead.....both begin to "flow" with the rhythm of the music.

One gives gently cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back, or by pressing lightly in one direction or the other.

It's as if the two have become one, moving together, beautifully!

The dance takes surrender, willingness and attentiveness from one person, and gentle guidance from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word..... "GUIDANCE"

When I saw the "G" I thought of GOD....

Followed by "U" and "I" 

God...."U" and "I" dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance for my life.

Once again, I became willing....to let GOD lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be with you, today and every day!

May you abide in God as He abides in you!

Dance together with God, and let Him lead you and guide you through every season of your life.

Bless you....

Yaddy

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

THE SAFEST PLACE IS.....





The Safest Place  
How to stay safe in the World  today  

1.. Avoid riding in cars.....
Because they are responsible for
20% of all fatal accidents. 






2. Do not stay home because
17% of all accidents occur in the home.
 

  

3. Avoid walking on streets or foot paths,
Because 14% of all accidents
Occur to pedestrians.








4.. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water
Because 16% of all accidents involve
These forms of transportation.










5. Of the remaining 33%,
32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals.
So, .. Above all else,
Avoid hospitals.




But,
...... You will be pleased to learn that only .001%
Of all deaths occur in worship services
in church,
And these are usually related to previous physical disorders.
Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be
at
any given point in time is at church!


....
And....Bible study is safe too.
The percentage of deaths
During Bible study is even
less.

So,
Attend church,
And read your Bible
IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!










GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Yaddy




Wednesday, May 12, 2010

HIS NAME IS "WONDERFUL....COUNSELOR"

Was there a "murderous anonymous" or a "Persecutors anonymous" that helped the Apostle Paul along the path of recovery from his wicked past?

Was he part of a "small group" of "former haters of Christ...." who found comfort and support, in weekly confessing to one another, that they were still struggling with impulses to oppose Christ's church?

How else could Paul declare in triumph, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ lives in me!" (Gal 2 v 20)

If such a question seems absurd, what does that say of today's recovery programs?

It is a fact that neither Paul, nor his fellow apostles, nor anyone else in the early church, nor for that matter, any of the millions of followers, who loved Christ so much, and were so on fire for the truth as it is in Christ, (Eph 4 v 21) none of them followed any recovery plan at all...yet....were faithful unto death. ( Hebr11)

The early church was made up of former...( shock...horror)
fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, need I go on? (see 1Cor,6 v 9-11)


Paul reminds the Corinthians...."And such were some of you...but ye are washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of God"


Isn't it surprising that such wicked people, without the help of any recovery plan, were completely delivered from deeply ingrained evil habits, to live victoriously for Christ?


OF COURSE NOT!


This total change of life style is what Jesus promises to all who will believe Him and will obey Him.


This is the normal Christian life that missionaries, for centuries have seen live out, by converted natives, in the darkest and most pagan areas all over the world.


Even, still, today, lots of people are being delivered instantly from the powers that held them bound.


It all begins by confessing one's guilt before a Holy God.
Then, believing that Jesus Christ, His Son, died and paid the full penalty, that God's justice demands,for sin!


THERE IS NOT A WORD ABOUT ANY SPECIAL PROGRAM TO KEEP THEM RECOVERING FROM THEIR SORDID PAST.

But, society has fallen into the hands of leaders, who have lost "confidence" in Jesus Christ.....His word.....and the Holy Spirit.

This has brought out all kinds of "recovery" programs which they now recommend people take part in!


The trouble with these "counseling programs" is that they do not include "Christ and His word" to save and sanctify them.


The apostle Paul clearly states..."Put off the old man...which is corrupt and deceitful, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind....and put on the new man..." and...."Do not let the sun go down on your anger, let all bitterness and wrath and anger, be put away from you, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, walk in love as Christ has loved us" ( Eph 4) 


There is not a word about any programs to help us in the above, so why are they needed today?


Bless you....
Yaddy

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Never underestimate the power of a Mother!


A lot has been said about the influence of mums throughout history - everything from,
"The hand the rocks the cradle, rules the world,"  to, "The single most powerful word in any language is, 'mother'". But I think my all-time favorite is, "If Mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Ha! 
 
Truer words were never spoken!! The problem is, we just don't seem to hear such messages anymore.

From the moment our precious little ones are placed in our arms at birth, today's society seems to want to relegate mums to the back bench. From a government education system that makes mums feel as if only the "professionals" can teach our own children, to the modern feminist message that the act of "mothering'" is quite beneath us, we are made to believe that there's nothing really special about our role after all. 
 
We're often treated as just baby making machines whose only "mothering" function is the physical act of creating a child.

The truth is that Mum does set the tone for the home, and we have tremendous influence over the moods, actions and lives of everyone who enters our door.
And that influence is a fact we cannot change - no matter how much the pop culture tries. In fact, in national surveys of teens, when asked who has the greatest influence on them, the majority of teens say, "my parents". This, even though many kids are now consuming up to eight hours of media a day.

The take-away message for mums? You have no choice about whether or not you are an influence - the choice is what type of influence you will be. Your actions and words will either shape your children for good or for bad. And your silence also speaks volumes:  when you are too busy or too tired to take the time to talk to your children, the message that comes through loud and clear is that they are not important. If your child is watching a violent or sexually- laden television program and you say nothing, the silence is taken as "it's o.k. to watch this".

During this season in which we celebrate mums, it's a wonderful opportunity for all of us mums to recommit to nurturing our children to the fullest of our abilities, to deliberately pass on our values to them, and to unequivocally reject any and all messages that weaken our God-given role. And let us vow every day to know the difference between "running a house" and "creating a home" that family members really do look forward to "coming home to."
  A house is a place made of walls, and floors and rooms. It is physical structure of function and utility. It is cement and pipes and wood and wiring.  It is governed by parameters of the physical world - the water comes out here, you can access electricity there; paint peels, wood rots, and weeds eventually take over.

A home, on the other hand, is a place of belonging, acceptance, and comfort. It is a place where family members can make mistakes, be challenged to be their best, and experience the warmth that comes with grace, forgiveness, and redemption. It is where life stories are molded, where verses and chapters are added as the years pass. It is a space for development of the soul, the shaping of the spirit, and the expansion of the mind. A home is a place for reflection and quiet - a respite from the pressures of the world.

Some reading this will respond with sadness that they never had a mum they could rely on. But such deep past hurts can begin to heal when you work to create the home you always craved. Other mums might feel regret or guilt over past mistakes of their own. Please, do not let the past rob you of the joy and potential of today. Vow to put all ugliness and sorrow behind you and do everything in your power to become the mother of your dreams. Each generation offers an amazing opportunity to start over - to build a beautiful, loving home that will bless generations to follow.

It's time to stand up and shout, "I'm the Mamma!" - and to live out that amazing calling every day, humbled on our knees before God for his grace, wisdom and guidance. In so doing, we will discover the positive power and joy of mothering. 
Have a wonderful Mother's day y'all!
Bless you
 
Yaddy

Thursday, April 29, 2010

PENTECOST.....

We are quickly approaching the Biblical feast of Pentecost which by the Jewish calendar falls on Sivan 6 or May 19th of this year.  This is an interesting date for Shavuot or Pentecost as it is otherwise known, is replete with symbolism regarding the gentile bride and her kinsmen redeemer.Just like in the story of Ruth.


“So Boaz, said to Ruth, “My daughter listen to me.  Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here …So, Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and the wheat harvest were finished.” Ruth 2:8,23
In Leviticus 23: 15-21, God commands the Israelites to count 50 days from Passover to Shavuot.  This 50 day count is known as “the counting of the Omer.”  An omer is a biblical measure of grain.  On the second day of Passover, an omer of barley was offered in the temple signaling the start of the harvest and the beginning of the 50 day count to Shavuot.  On the 50th day, the barley harvest ends and the wheat harvest begins, the change in harvest symbolized by the waving of two wheat loaves by the High Priest in the temple before the Lord. The waving of the two leavened loaves, also, representing those who would be harvested;  both Jew and Gentile – which is why the Torah and the Church share the same birthday.
It is well accepted that Ruth, the foreigner represents the largely gentile church redeemed by Jesus, the Lord of the harvest, as represented by Boaz, who functioned as her kinsman redeemer. I find it interesting that Boaz instructs her to stay through out the barley and the wheat harvest.  In Jewish tradition, the counting of the Omer is said to be a time of preparation for receiving the Torah.  The Exodus was looked on as a gift, while the giving of the Torah required some spiritual preparation or readiness. This presents an interesting picture.  Do the fifty days between the First fruits resurrection of Jesus and the receiving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost constitute a period of readiness for the church as well?  I see this indicated in the instructions Jesus gave his disciples before he ascended in to heaven - “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father has promised …” Acts 1:4   I also see this indicated in Revelation 19:7,  “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready.”

Bless you.....

Yaddy

Friday, April 23, 2010

Oh No!!!!!

A lady received a phone call at work to say her daughter, who was at school, was pretty sick, and she should come and get her. SO....
On her way to the school she stopped at a chemist to get a script filled, and to her horror she realized
she had locked her keys in her car! In a panic, she rang the school to tell them what had happened and she was still on her way, but.....

One of the teachers there suggested she might be able to open it with a wire coat hanger, if she had one!

Now where on earth would she find a coat hanger....here? She looked around and you wouldn't believe it but there was an old wire coat hanger protruding out of an old paper bag, just there.....as if some one had purposely left it there for her.....she grabbed it....looked at it.....and said to herself.....

"A fat lot of good this is going to do for me.....I don't even know what I am supposed to do with it...."

She did the only thing she could think of to do.....she bowed her head in prayer, asking GOD for help.

A rusty old car pulled up along side her, driven by a dirty greasy looking man, who had a greasy looking beard to match, and a skull rag on his head....

She thought, "Great, God....this is what you sent to help me?" But she was desperate.....and thankful.

The man got out of his car and asked if he could help?

She said...."Yes please....my daughter is very sick and I must get to her...please....can you use this hanger to unlock my car? I left the keys inside..."

He said...."Sure..." walked over to the car and had it open in seconds....
She hugged the man, and through her tears she said.... "Thank you so much....you are a very nice man..."
He replied..... "Lady....I ain't a nice man....I just got out of prison for car theft....!"

She hugged the man again and cried out loud...."Thank you God....for sending a professional!

Bless you

Yaddy

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

LIVING IN 2010

You know you are living in the 21st century when....
1) You accidentally expect to open your micro wave oven with a pass word or pin number!

2) You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.

3) You pull up in your own drive and use your mobile to see if any one is home!

4) Every commercial on your T.V. has a web site on the bottom of it!

5) You haven't played solitaire with real cards for years!

6) You've sat at the same desk for years, yet worked for 3 different companies!

7) Your boss does not have the ability to do your job!

8) You learn about an accident on your street on the news that night!



ECCLESIASTES CH 4 V 12b....." Three is even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken"

" I am a professional rope maker..." he said, my business is making ropes and I want to tell you, that,

what it says in Ecclesiastes is absolutely true! The strongest rope is a three fold rope!" He then went on to
explain.
"The largest number of strands that can still touch each other, is three. If you take away one, and leave two,
you weaken the rope, but if you add one, and so make it four, you do not add to the strength of the rope, because all the strands do not touch each other. So, if you have a rope of three strands, even if one or two strands are under pressure, and start to fray, as long as the third strand holds, the rope will not break.
DOES THAT SAY SOMETHING FOR OUR RELATIONSHIPS?
As long as God is that third strand, HE will hold it together....Amen

Bless you....

Yaddy

Thursday, April 1, 2010

JUST THINK ABOUT THIS.....

(This is totally awesome when you think about this,
GOD is truly sensational)

Moses and the people of Israel were in the desert, but.....what was he going to do with them?
They had to be fed, and feeding 2-3 million people requires a lot of food!

According to a quarter master in the general army, it is reported that Moses would have to have....
1500 tonnes of food.....EVERY DAY!

Do you know that........to bring that much food in every day....2 freight trains each one mile long, would
be needed?


Besides.....you remember.....they were out in the desert.....so they would have to find fire wood.....to
 use in cooking the food?
This would also take 2 more freight trains each a mile long....every day.....but,
they were in this desert for 40 years....moving....traveling......and....oh yes.....they would need water!

If they only had enough water just for drinking and washing a few dishes, it would take 11.000.000

gallons, each day, on a freight train with tankers each a mile long.
MIND BOGGLING....isn't it?
Now we know that once they were in the desert, and God had told them they were to stay there for 40 years,
as punishment for what they had done, have you ever given any thought to the size of the camping area?
With the 2 or 3 million people, they would have needed an area of 750 square miles.
But wait.....that's not all!


They crossed the red sea....GOD parted the waters......


NOW....if they went along the floor of the sea in a narrow path, say double file, two abreast, the line
would be 800 miles long and then it would have taken 35 days and nights to get across.

So.....there had to be a wide space on the floor of the Red sea, at least 3 miles wide, so that they could walk 5000 abreast and so do it in 1 day, or night.

Do you think Moses might have even given a small thought to all that? 
Do you maybe think, he had it all figured out....before they left Egypt?

I THINK NOT!
You see.....Moses trusted God.

God took care of these things  "for him"
Now.....do you think GOD has any problem taking care of your needs?


God bless you as you celebrate the resurrection of His precious Son Jesus.


Yaddy

Saturday, February 27, 2010

RURAL LIVING?

I grew up in a very small rural village. I could not call it a town as it wasn't big enough for that....every body knew every body else and the doors were never locked. As children we knew every child that lived in every house and as such, we would just walk in and if "our friend" was not there, we might actually chat with the lady of the house and then leave again. We played outside all the time, and there was lots of exercise like skipping rope and playing hop scotch and lots of other "you  beaut" games Hide and seek was always good just on dusk, as it made it so much scarier! 
One of my friends parents owned a grocery store and sometimes the owner might even give us a chocolate covered marzipan heart for a birthday or so. Man do I remember those yummy hearts.
I would take a nibble now and then, and would try and make it last as long as possible.
The chocolate would be so smooth in my mouth, and then slide down my throat into my tummy....yum!


I am sure, that the chocolate makers were very careful and precise as to "how" they made their chocolate.


Now suppose, as a consumer I had said, "I don't want all that sugar in that chocolate, it's too sweet, I think you should take it out!"
The word CACAO means "bitter juice"
Without the sugar, you would not be able to eat it, it would be 
very bitter.
Now, suppose I also told the chocolate makers to leave out all the milk solids.
The chocolate heart would lose it's ability to stick together, and also it's creaminess.
Suppose we told the chocolate heart makers we did not want any chocolate around the heart, which by then would not be a chocolate marzipan heart any more. It would be something totally different.
But you know, a child does not read labels nor worry about the ingredients.
As a child, I just accepted the chocolate heart, eyes gleaming in anticipation, and unwrap it to expose it's rich chocolaty goodness, and  start to enjoy every delectable bite......
During the war, soldiers used to give us kids chocolate, apparently they had plenty and us kids did not see it to often.
We as children, did not stop to analyze nor debate the contents of the chocolate hearts, nor the chocolate itself.
We were so very thrilled to have been given some in the first place, all we could do was enjoy it's goodness.
And I see that..... that is how God wants us to come to Him, and read and accept His word.
If....we take out God's grace.....or God's love....
it becomes bitter indeed.
If we leave out anything at all.....it becomes un.....stuck!


I have heard people say,  "Oh, I believe this....but not that....!"


Even some leaders in churches are now saying that you don't have to believe everything that is in the Bible.
If that is so........Who decides what we do, or don't, believe?


And if we take out the "Jesus" of the scripture, who He is.....
fully man.....and fully God......then the "WORD" (John 1 verse 1."In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the Word was God") becomes the words of God and that means it is changed into something totally different.
So, with a child like faith let us come to the Word of God and let Him fill our emptiness with His rich goodness....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've learned that we should be glad God does not give us everything we ask for 
and.....that money does not buy class......
and that under everybody's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved....
I've learned that God did not do it all in one day so what makes me think I can? 
Bless you

Yaddy 

Monday, February 22, 2010

THE FACT IS.......

No one deserves abuse, harassment or even death.......more than a TRUE Christian.

Think about it........EVERY ONE on this earth....is going to suffer hell......for Eternity....what ever that is!

It sounds excruciating to me, to borrow a word that comes from the cross itself!

These people are bearing their own crosses,......
but at a time, when it is too late.....
and at a weight that is too heavy to bear......
for eternity!

On the other hand.....the true Christian.....lying....selfish, coniving wretch that he/she is.....

Gets off "scot free".......with Jesus bearing all that excruciation!
 FOR FREE...... with nothing to do on our part....
For Jesus doing that, we inherit heaven?

We inherit heaven for doing what......lying, stealing, lusting, coveting, selfishness, you name it we do it.

It really isn't fair, and it's not justice either! Not at all.....rather...

IT IS ALL BY GOD'S GRACE.....ALL HIM.....NONE ....US!.
So....should we suffer,get humiliated, get sickness and other things, it is only while we are here on earth, so for a limited time only,  in that time we get the opportunity to worship Him through our stance for Him.
We get to feel a tiny bit of the pain Christ suffered for us, and He did so willingly too!

A lash, given to us, for Jesus, should be like a bouquet of roses for us to lay at His feet.
 Come to think of it......Do we deserve even to do that?
So do we....unlike Jesus.....fight the world system? Or do we spread the love the way He did?

I suppose it's a fair question. The one episode I do remember from Jesus ( relevant to fighting the system)
centered around the desecration of the Temple. The money changers etc..
But....He did not fight with them...... He overthrew the tables.....He used His own authority.
Life under Roman rule was bearable but not democratic.
The Jews were desperate for a Saviour King....but....did Jesus fight Rome?
(He is coming back to fight it in His time, but, when the Jews needed it...did HE?....NO)

And besides that....40 years after He died at Roman hands and others...Jerusalem was destroyed...as prophesied!
So, He didn't really seemed to see the need to do it for their children's children either.

Fact is....everyone in Israel, at that time, was at a crossroad....choose Jesus and choose life....or....
deny Jesus and choose death....
It had nothing to do with living conditions, the economy, tax levels, tolerance or secular academia!

It was a time like all times....like it is today...

There was/is really only one question to answer, because everyone is already well on their way to dying!

The world is and will be against Him as never before. HE told us it would be so!

Yet....His mandate to us is...."GO INTO THE WORLD AND PROCLAIM TO ALL THE WORLD....

AND LO....I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD!"

If we actually do that, we won't have time to fight the system.
Blessings...

Yaddy

Thursday, February 4, 2010

HE ASKED ME, TO....WAIT!

"Father....how much longer must I wait...?"
My mind keeps screaming.... "It's too late...!"

he's been gone so long....and he's changed so much....
It breaks my heart....he's still in Satan's clutch.

I keep struggling for hope...yet....finding it not...
this waiting is rough and my patience is shot!

This pain in my heart...it just won't go away,
and it's all I can do just to get through the day!


But, I'm tied by obedience---with strong cords of love
I'm held tight in this place by my Father above!

What else can I do? I just cannot let go...
need to wait for that blessing, it's coming....I know!

I stand in this cage, the door open wide....
Satan is beckoning, and I'm ready to fly!

But, I hear a soft whisper.... "I want you to stay....
you know that I love you, I know the best way!"

How can I refuse Him? His love runs so deep!
He paid for my spirit, the price was not cheap!

He knows how I'm feeling....the loneliness and pain
temptation, rejection, He's also sustained.

He asks me to wait....I've told Him I will....
Now....think like the clay....be yielded and still!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They walked in tandem, each of the 93 students,filing into the already filled to capacity
auditorium.
With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.

Dads swallowed hard....behind broad smiles, and mums freely brushed away tears.

This class would not pray during commencements----not by choice--- but because a recent court order ruling prohibited it.

The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling.

They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance, and no one asked for blessings on the graduates nor their families.

The speeches were nice, but they were routine.....
until the final speech received a standing ovation!


One solitary student walked proudly up to the microphone.
He stood still and silent for just a moment.......then it happened.....

all the other 92 students.....every single one of them......all together.....suddenly sneezed.....

The student on stage at the microphone simply looked at the audience and said.....

"GOD BLESS YOU.....EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU....." and walked off the stage!

The audience exploded into applause!
The students had found a unique way to invoke God's blessings on their future with or without the courts approval!

Bless you...

Yaddy

Monday, January 25, 2010

THEE'S AND THOU'S

Interesting reading!

People say... "It's to hard to read all the old English words in the older Bibles with all the "Thee's and Thou's" but.....

Here are some interesting findings...

Words that begin with a "t" ( thou...thee...they and thine" ) are singular and mean only one person.

Words that begin with a "Y" ( Ye...You...Yours...) are plural and mean more than one person.

e.g. John chapter 3 verse 7...: "Marvel not that I say unto thee....ye must be born again...."

We notice that Jesus Christ is talking to only one man....Nicodemus.....so He uses "thee" as he is talking to only one person.....but then he follows with.... "Ye must be born again..." Why the change from "THEE" to "YE"?

It means that, even though Jesus is talking to only one man.....Nicodemus......He is addressing all the people "YE" for all need to be born again....not just Nicodemus!

Our Bible does not need help from modern day critics...God wrote the book and every "thee" and "thou" has been placed there to assure the reader, that the book they are reading is flawless
and can be fully trusted.....isn't God Wonderful?

bless you...

Yaddy

Friday, January 15, 2010

RECALL NOTICE!

The maker of all "human beings" is recalling all units manufactured, 'regardless
of make or year....' due to the serious defect in the primary and central components of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the prototype units, code named 'Adam and Eve.'

Resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect had been technically termed... SUB SEQUENTIAL INTERNAL NON MORALITY,
or more commonly known as "SIN" as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms are.....

* A loss of direction

* Foul vocal emissions

* Amnesia of origin

* Lack of peace and joy

* Selfish or violent behaviour

* Depression or confusion in the mental component

* Fearfulness

* Idolatry

* Rebellion

The manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing
factory authorized repair and service....free of charge, to correct this SIN defect.

The repair technician, JESUS...has most generously offered to bear the entire burden
of the staggering cost of these repairs.
THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL FEE...required!

The toll free number to call for repair in all areas is P.R.A.Y.E.R.

Once connected, please up load your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure!
next.....
download ATONEMENT from the repair technician JESUS into the "heart component"

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is..... JESUS will replace it with:

* Love...

* peace...

*Joy....

* patience...

*Goodness...

* Faithfulness....

* Gentleness....

* self control....

Please see the operating manual THE HOLY BIBLE for further details on the use of
these fixes...
As an added upgrade, the manufacturer has made available to all repaired units,
a facility, enabling direct monitoring and assistance, from a resident technician The Holy Spirit.

Repaired units need only make him welcome and He will take up permanent residence on the
premises.

WARNING!!!!

Continuing to operate the human unit without correction, voids the manufacturers warranty!

It exposes the unit to dangers and problems to numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded!

For FREE emergency services call on JESUS

Thank you for your attention....

PLEASE assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice!

Bless you.....

Yaddy

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Why do we expect non believing people/children to behave right?

If we, as Christians, expect our children to "act right"
and we say... "don't lie...don't steal...don't kill"

Why should we expect this... "don't lie...don't steal....don't kill" from those children, who have not had a christian up bringing,.

Won’t this simply put in them a hypocritical patterns of life?

Here are at least some reasons why Christian parents should expect their small children, to behave in ways that fits in with what God asks from us.

I say “small children” because as a child gets older, there are certain things according to God's will that should be done, and others that should not.

It seems to me, for example, while parents should require drug-free, respectful decency from a 15-year-old, it would not do much good, to ask an unbelieving and indifferent 15-year-old to read his Bible every day.

But it would be wise to expect that from a 6-year-old, while we help him to enjoy it and see the benefit in it.

So the following points are reasons why we should expect smaller children to behave as young Christian children, according what God's word says for them to behave.

for example:

A respectful and well mannered 5-year-old unbeliever, is better, than 15 year old, defiant, disrespectful, ill-mannered, unbelieving bully.

Which means the family, the friendships, the church, and every body in general will be thankful for parents that restrain the miss behaved children and each them, instead courtesy and kindness and respect, early on in their young lives.

2) Expecting obedience from children while they are still young, shows them in a gentle but firm way,the meaning of sin in relation to God, and their need for Christs love.

There does comes a point where the “law” dawns on the child. At certain age, he realizes that God (not just his parents) requires a certain way of life from him and that he does not like some of it, and that he cannot do all of it.( and this age is at different stages for different children)

It is at this time, the good news of Christ’s dying for our sins becomes all important.

Will the child settle into thinking "I have to work for my salvation?"

Or will he hear and believe that God’s acceptance and forgiveness and love are free gifts—and receive this God, in Christ, as the treasure of his life?

At this stage the child will have a hard time grasping the meaning of the cross if parents have not asked him to do certain things, or not do them, because Jesus does not like him to do these things!

Christ lived and died, to provide for us the righteousness we need (but cannot perform) and to endure for us the punishment we deserve (but cannot endure).

If, as parents, we do not give a certain amount of discipline because of what our children did wrong or perhaps did not do at all..., then the dying of Christ on the cross for our sins, will be difficult for our children to understand...

3) The signs of good manners (“please,” “thank you,” and good eye contact) are habits that, God willing, are filled later with grace and become more helpful ways of blessing others and expressing a humble heart.

When our children are born they are born with empty minds and it is up to us, as parents what is put in those minds.

As parents we do not have the luxury of not teaching them anything at all.

If we do not insist on them being obedient we get the opposite...defiance!


If we do not teach them good manners, we get the opposite....rudeness!

If we do not show them that they need to daily read their Bibles, we get the opposite...no learning at all!

But most of all, while we do try and discipline our children, as God is long suffering with us and loving with us, so we must be with our children;

* Let there be lots of encouragements for anything they do.

* We must forgive them often.

* We must show lots and lots of interest in what they do and praise any effort they have made.

* We must be good role models in showing our love for our Christ.

* We should never be embarrassed to apologize to them for any mistakes we have made.

* We must forgive often...

* We will pray for them without ceasing.

* We must saturate them with the word of God from the moment they are in the womb (the uterus is not sound proof)

* We must forgive often ( did I mention that?).

* Let them see us sing in glorifying and worshiping Jesus.

* We must teach them relentlessly the meaning of the gospel in the hope that God will open their eyes and make them alive. It happens through the gospel (1 Peter 1:22-25).

-- J.P.