Monday, December 31, 2007

Blessings for the New Year ....

New Year Blessings
from my Home to yours!

Psalm 148

Praise to the LORD from Creation
1 Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.

Praise the LORD!
*********************************


In The Bleak Mid-Winter Carol

1906 by Gustav Holst

1. In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

2. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

3. Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

4. Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother1
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

5. What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

Be in the Word and under the Word in 2008

Blessings ... Pam <><

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Some lovin' from the oven ...


Gram's Raisin Drop Cookies
Recipe found here

Blessings!

Pam <><

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Oh, the weather outside is frightful ...



The Ice Cometh ...

Sleet and freezing rain ...
it can really be a pain,
but yet in its own right
can be such a pretty sight.
Brilliant and shattering,
fragments that are staggering,
His Glory is found in the twinkling of light,
as it shines from the Heaven's
bouncing off the ice.
What did the Shepherd's see that night?
What Glory did they behold?
Evening falls at twilight eve
what Glory do you see?

Blessings!

Pam

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Bible Book Challenge .... Update


Can you find the sixteen (16) books of the Bible in this paragraph?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. Well, see how you can compete. Relax, now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes, but it took him three weeks to find the sixteenth one.

Here are the answers --

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. Well, see how you can compete. Relax, now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes, but it took him three weeks to find the sixteenth one.

Hope you enjoyed this! Do you have one to share?

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Christmas Letters ...


Christmas Letters ...

O see the Christmas Letters
we are sending off today,

Each one is tied with ribbon,
just to make it look more gay.
And here's a bit of holly
we have safely tucked inside,

To bear a loving message
of the Happy Christmas tide.


Chorus --
Just a little Christmas letters

bearing words of cheer.

Just a little bit of sunshine

In His Name so dear.


They hold some kindly wishes
with
our words of hope and cheer.
And little Bible verses all about the Child so dear.

To many homes and loved ones

to carry rays of sunshine
and our glad goodwills to show.


O see the Christmas letters
we will send
them with a prayer.
In His dear Name,
Who tells us
all our wonderful joys to share.

Now speed upon your mission

do not tarry by the way.

And take those loving kisses
as
our gifts for Christmas Day!

To Him Be The Glory! Amen!

Pam

Another selection from my Gram's Composition Book ...

Christmas Welcome ...


Christmas Welcome ...
from my home to yours ...


When the summer time is past,
and the Harvest house at last,
and the wood is standing bare and brown and sere.

When the forest is sharp at night
and the days are short and bright,
comes the gladdest, merriest time of all the year!

Let the tempest rage without,
let its last be wild and stout,
what care we our hearts are stout and strong.

Within tis warm and light,
and the kindness shining bright,
and the voices of our friends are in our song!

Chorus:
Shout boys
Shout a hearty welcome
Greet Old Christmas with a roar!
He has met us with good cheer
For this many a marry year.
And we hope he'll meet us all for many more.

Taken from my Gram's Composition Book.
She makes note that it is to be sung to the tune - Tramp, Tramp, Tramp.

To Him Be The Glory! Amen!

Pam


Thursday, November 22, 2007

from Our Home to Yours! ....

Thanksgiving ...
So many years have passed away
Since Pilgrims on Thanksgiving Day
At Plymouth met with fervent prayer
Their gratitude and food to share.
This is our land-the plains and hills,
The valleys where the sunshine spills
An amber light on beans and corn
Each time a golden day is born.
Today we think of pioneers
Who braved all dangers, met all fears,
Who planted in fertile loam,
Who tamed frontiers to make a home.
For forest-store, for waterways,
For cotton fields, for mountain ore,
For mighty spires we sing our praise.
For scholars with intelligence
Who attained wisdom of the sage,
Who left their heritage to us
And flag of freedom to this age.
We thank Thee, God, for rain and sun,
For peace at frosty winter's edge,
For harvests and for vintage bells,
For faith and joy in work well done.
The flag we love now flies above;
May faith and virtue keep us strong
As we together sing this song:
"God Bless Thanksgiving Day!"

An 1840's Thanksgiving prayer by Stella Craft Tremble

Thursday, November 15, 2007

It's a good thing ....


I highly recommend this book on the five dilemmas of Calvinism. Craig is as stout as they come. His brother is the Pastor of my church. Craig and I graduated together from the same small town high school. My only wish is that I knew what he is teaching a lot sooner than I learned to put a name to what I now know as Calvinism. Written in an easy to understand hand. Most importantly to me - the proceeds from this book goes directly back into ministry not Craig's pocket. Not something you find much of today. Consider it as a gift for yourself and buy one for a gift this Holiday season.

To listen to his RC Sproul interview click here. After clicking the link go to the AUDIO link and scroll down to "Interview: the 5 Dilemas"

The Five Dilemmas of Calvinism Craig R. Brown (Author)

Written in a winsome and engaging style, Brown's work is an excellent primer on Calvinism and some of the critiques that have been leveled against it. As such, the book provides both apologetic help for Calvinists and answers for Arminians with honest questions.
"Craig Brown battles misunderstandings that have dogged Calvinism for long years. In so doing, he provides apologetic help for Calvinists stymied by the misinformed questions of their Arminian friends. And, of course, he kindles light for those who have never considered alternatives to the Arminian system."
--From the foreword by R.C. Sproul

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Shocked beyond belief ...

cash advance

My posts must be such a misrepresentation of the English language

that only a college person could understand them in that they are

confusingly written .... not well written.

I'm depressed ...

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Guarding the Depost ... our priceless treasure ...

challies.com

"God has given us the gospel in trust. He has deposited it to our account and expects that we will guard this priceless, precious treasure. God has entrusted to us something of infinite worth and unsurpassed beauty. He has not left us to our own devices, but he has provided for us the Holy Spirit, that with his help we may be faithful in guarding the gospel of Jesus Christ. Spiritual discernment allows us to keep the gospel central and allows us to see and guard against error. Spiritual discernment is absolutely crucial to the one who would understand and heed the gospel. Nothing less than the gospel is at stake."

I would ask that whomever you are to please take the time to go to the above link and read Tim Challies excerpt from his book "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment" It has taken my breathe away in that it challenges me to "guard the deposit of the priceless treasure, Jesus Christ, whom my Father in Heaven has chosen for me to receive. As I set here pondering how much I sometimes take for granted "the Deposit" tears well up in my eyes.

Sometimes you read posts and they touch you, sometimes they make you chuckle, sometimes they make you hungry, sometimes they make you angry and sometimes they cut you to the quick. Scripture, the Word of God, does the same thing through the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who are His. This post is one such read ... read it and ponder over it and ask yourself the question "Am I guarding the Deposit?"

I would highly recommend Tim's book as a must have .... after reading this posting I can only imagine what is written within the rest of the pages from the pen and the heart of one who is a man after God's own heart.

thank you Tim ... you have cut me to the quick for my own good. Forgive me Father ...

Have a Blessed Day in the Lord!
Pam <><

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Song's In The Night - This Lord's Day ...

"God, my Maker, who giveth songs in the night."

-- Job 35:10

“Any man can sing in the day. When the cup is full, man draws inspiration from it. When wealth rolls in abundance around him, any man can praise the God who gives a plenteous harvest or sends home a loaded argosy. It is easy enough for an Aeolian harp to whisper music when the winds blow-the difficulty is for music to swell forth when no wind is stirring. It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but he is skilful who sings when there is not a ray of light to read by-who sings from his heart. No man can make a song in the night of himself; he may attempt it, but he will find that a song in the night must be divinely inspired. Let all things go well, I can weave songs, fashioning them wherever I go out of the flowers that grow upon my path; but put me in a desert, where no green thing grows, and wherewith shall I frame a hymn of praise to God? How shall a mortal man make a crown for the Lord where no jewels are? Let but this voice be clear, and this body full of health, and I can sing God's praise: silence my tongue, lay me upon the bed of languishing, and how shall I then chant God's high praises, unless he himself give me the song? No, it is not in man's power to sing when all is adverse, unless an altar-coal shall touch his lip. It was a divine song, which Habakkuk sang, when in the night he said, "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Then, since our Maker gives songs in the night, let us wait upon him for the music. O thou chief musician, let us not remain songless because affliction is upon us, but tune thou our lips to the melody of thanksgiving.” ~~ CH Spurgeon


Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us

Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us,

Over the world’s tempestuous sea;

Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,

For we have no help but thee;

Yet possessing every blessing,

If our God our Father be.

Saviour, breathe forgiveness over us,

All our weakness Thou dost know;

Thou didst tread this earth before us,

Thou didst feel its keenest woe;

Lone and dreary, faint and weary,

Through the desert thou didst go.

Spirit of our God descended;

Fill our hearts with heavenly joy;

Love with every passion blending;

Pleasure that can never cloy;

Thus provided, pardoned, guided,

Nothing can our peace destroy,

By James Edmeston -- 1791-1867


Father to Thy holy keeping

Humbly we ourselves resign;

Saviour who has kept our sleeping,

Make our workdays real as thine.

Blessed Spirit, living in us,

Chase the darkness of our night.

Till the perfect Day before us,

Breaks in everlasting Light.

By Henry Edward Bickersteth -- 1825-1906


Have a Blessed Day in the Lord!

Pam <><


Saturday, October 20, 2007

from Gram's Composition book ...


Sweet Summer's Gone Away ....

There's a purple tint on the woodland leaves,
And the winds are up all the day.
There's a rustling heard in the yellow sheaves,
And it seems to sadly say

CHORUS --
Sweet Summer
Sweet Summer
Sweet Summer's gone away.
Sweet Summer
Sweet Summer
Sweet Summer's gone away!

In the wrinkled brook no roses peep,
And the bees no longer stay.
And the butterflies have gone to sleep
and the locust trills all day.

On the browning fields the spider spins,
Where the lambs no longer play.
And the cricket now his chirps begins
And the quail is whistling gay.

There are loving arms for baby dear.
Though the skies are chill and gray.
And a cozy home nest all the year
And sweet kisses every day.

taken from Gram's composition book
dated October 1926


O Lord My God, You Are Very Great

Psalm104:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man's heart.

16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has her home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; [1]
the sun knows its time for setting.
20 You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
21 The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
22 When the sun rises, they steal away
and lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes out to his work
and to his labor until the evening.

24 O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. [2]

27 These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your Spirit, [3] they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!

Have a Blessed Day in the Lord …

Pam <><




Sunday, September 30, 2007

This Lord's Day ...

"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" Gen. 18:25 ESV

Whate'er My God Ordains is Right
Original Trinity Hymnal, #94

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
Holy his will abideth;
I will be still whate'er he doth;
And follow where he guideth:
He is my God: though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to him I leave it all.

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me:
I take, content, what he hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait his day.

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking:
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet am I not forsaken;
My Father's care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to him I leave it all.

Have a blessed day in the Lord! …

Pam

Sunday, September 9, 2007

This Lord's Day ...



"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phil. 1:21 NKJV

"7) For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8) For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9) For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living." -- Rom. 14:7-9 NKJV

Christ, Of All My Hopes ...
Trinity Hymnal # 518

Christ, of all my hopes the ground,
Christ, the spring of all my joy,
Still in thee may I be found,
Still for thee my pow'rs employ.

Let thy love my heart inflame;
Keep thy fear before my sight;
Be thy praise my highest aim;
Be thy smile my chief delight.

Fountain of o'erflowing grace,
Freely from thy fullness give;
Till I close my earthly race,
May I prove it "Christ to live."

Firmly trusting in thy blood,
Nothing shall my heart confound;
Safely I shall pass the flood,
Safely reach Immanuel's ground.

Thus, O thus, an entrance give
To the land of cloudless sky;
Having known it "Christ to live,"
Let me know it "gain to die."

As you ponder this ask yourself -- "What is my bent?"

Have a blessed day in the Lord!


Pam

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Seasonal Delights ... a new mag


Kelli from "There is no place like home" has started a new magazine. "Seasonal Delights" has made it's autumn debut. They are offering the magazine for free during the month of September. Sign up now and you will receive a free year's subscription. Kelli has a very nice blog I am sure you will all enjoy. Pop on over and subscribe ... you'll be glad you did!

Pam

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Challies Great September Give-Away ....

Tim Challies has teamed up with Monergism Books and will be giving away three prizes in the Great September Giveaway:
* First prize: All six available volumes of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.
* Second prize: Any three volumes of the Reformed Expository Commentary series (to be selected by the winner).
* Third Prize: Any one volume of the Reformed Expository Commentary series (to be selected by the winner).

sept Giveaway

Click on the above link for more information. I've nothing but great things about these books.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Women's Bible Study ....

What suggestions do you have
for Women's Bible Studies?


What have you done in the past that really impacted
your Christian walk and why?

Do you favor a workbook with once a day bible study
or glean your own from a book that
has no questions?
Ex: JC Ryle - Holiness verses Elizabeth George's
"A Woman's Walk With God" book and study guide.

Do you ever do a video style bible study with the teacher
and then you have discussions afterwards?

Do you create your own weekly questions from
Scripture as you do a topical, verse by verse
or Book study?

Do you do a once a week or once a monthly study?

Do you do one-on-one or a group of women?

Do you have the study at Church or in a home?

What has not worked for you?



Friday, August 24, 2007

New Perspective ...dog verses human ...

In the United States, the life of a dog is worth more than the life of a human being! The nation has been riveted and closely following the story of NFL superstar quarterback Michael Vick. It has come to light over the past 6 years that Vick financed and was an active participant in running a dog fighting enterprise. Fighting dogs is illegal in all 50 states.

Additionally, hundreds of thousands of dollars were illegally gambled on these dog fights, and what has enraged most people, was the inhumane treatment of these animals including killing them in numerous brutal ways.

Vick has not only been linked to financing this dog fighting operation, but gambling on the fights and personally killing several of the dogs who didn't perform well.

Today, I want to bring a whole new perspective to the Michael Vick story that you won't hear on the news or read about in the papers. In the United States in the year 2007, it is illegal to kill a dog but legal to kill a baby! Let me say that one more time since I want this FACT to really sink in. In the United States in the year 2007, it is illegal to kill a dog, but legal to kill a baby! WOW! Does that put the whole Vick story in a different light and show just how spiritually bankrupt we are as a nation?

Want more? Michael Vick is going to be going to prison for anywhere from 1-5 years for killing dogs, yet every single day all over this nation, "doctors" are slaughtering 4,000 babies and going home to their families at the end of the day.

Michael Vick has been kicked out of the NFL and will be going to Federal prison for killing dogs, but the "doctors" who are paid very well to kill over 4,000 babies EVERY SINGLE DAY in this nation are free!

Another aspect of the Vick case that I have watched closely is the across-the-board outrage by people regarding what he did to these dogs. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who even tries to support, let alone, condone what Vick did. It has virtually been a universal response of condemnation for what he did to these dogs. What baffles me is where is that same universal condemnation over the fact we kill 4,000 babies in this nation every day? How can the masses get so riled up over the inhumane treatment and killing of a handful of dogs, yet sit back in silence as every

24 hours another 4,000 babies are slaughtered?

Here is an interesting side note that can't go unnoticed. PETA, the ultra liberal People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have been front and center in calling for Vick's hide and have exploited the Vick story to raise millions of dollars for their cause. The hypocrisy is that the vast percentage of people who follow and support PETA also support a woman's right to kill her baby. So you have this animal rights advocacy group who takes every opportunity to bully and intimidate people who have anything to do with animals, all the way from how cows and chickens are slaughtered to the way animals are killed by fast food restaurants to the killing of animals to make fur coats, leading the charge against Vick for fighting and killing dogs, yet this same group supports the killing of babies!

The real story of the sad and sickening Michael Vick dog fighting/killing tragedy is that in this nation we clearly put more value on the life of an animal than we do a human. It is clear that the life of a dog is more important to society than the life of a baby. This is the only conclusion you can draw since it is illegal to kill dogs but not babies, and someone like Vick who is found guilty of killing dogs is going to prison while the "doctors" who kill babies live in freedom. Society has determined that the life of a dog is more important than the life of a baby.

This is so critical since now it is easy to understand why we are in the spiritual abyss we find ourselves in. The Absolute Truth of the Bible has been replaced by "every man doing what is right in their own eyes." You see, it is no longer God our Creator who determines Truth, each person is deciding that for themselves. That is why people now accept homosexual relationships that God clearly calls a sin, redefining what God said marriage and the family were to be, all of the false gods of the world, and every other form of rebellion to God and His Word that you can name. When men determine what truth is, that is how you end up with the mass outrage over the death of a few dogs, yet no response at all to the daily slaughter of 4,000 babies!

The nation has turned to the false gods of the world, the man-made idols, and has chosen to live in complete rebellion to God and the Truth of His Word. Most of Christendom has retreated behind the four walls of the church into the "Christian trough" where they have virtually no impact on the world at large. We have relegated ourselves to what amounts to a modern day leper colony. Christians have become the 21st century lepers. We are treated like outcasts. Despite having the power of Almighty God, we have chosen to hide in our Christian subculture while the world we live in is sinning its way into obliteration with souls dying and going to hell on conveyor belts!

Nothing more exemplifies this than the Vick case. Let me clearly state that I believe those who treat animals in an inhumane way should be punished.

Dog fighting is a barbaric sport that should be against the law. Those who kill dogs for sport should be prosecuted. I don't feel sorry for Michael Vick at all and whatever he gets he deserves. However, the point I want you to understand today is that as heinous and horrible as Vick's actions were, the disconnect comes when heinous and horrible acts on a human being are not only legal, but supported by millions of people. Many of the same people who have gone ballistic about what Vick did to a few dogs, go equally ballistic if you talk about outlawing the killing of babies.

If you ever needed a reminder regarding the depth of spiritual decay in this country, the Michael Vick case is that reminder. The reality is that in this country, the life of a dog is more precious than the life of a baby! God have mercy on us all.

I received this in an email an felt it important to share. Written by: Mr. Bill Keller


Thursday, August 23, 2007

Why Read? ...


Over at Tim Challies blog (challies.com) again
you will find an excellent article --
"Books Don't Change People - Sentences Do.
Here is the link ...
http://www.challies.com/archives/articles/yesterday-bob-kauflin-wrote-about.php


Oh Dear ... recent poll shows that
1 in 4 Americans Read No Books in 2006 ...


Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Screwtape Proposes an Episcopal Toast essay link ...

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6527

An essay of satire with some acid tongue and truth thrown in?
You decide.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Reading the Classics Together .... updated ...


Girls! I want to invite you to a Book Reading!

Tim from challies .com
is starting a "Reading Classics Together" on August 30th.
The book he chose is JC Ryle's "Holiness" but he is suggesting
we purchase JI Packer's "Faithfulness and Holiness"
from Westminster for only $11.69. Read the

"Introduction" in preparation for discussion on
August 30th. Go to the above link at
Challies for more info where Tim explains
why he chose this version over the
original plus much more info.

Guys are welcome, too, of course but
since only about 3 people read this blog
and they are women (Kim of Hiraeth; Ellen the
Happy Wonderer
and Jen of JoyThru Christ)
I couldn't resist this pic
- it's hilarious!
Here is the four of us having Bible Study -
Kim is teaching, she's the one with her finger
in the air! LOL ...
Kim of Hiraeth you might know the
info behind this pic --
a relative who sent it to
me in an email said it is of
Irish origin in that the women
of the church used to wear these hats
for some reason or other ...
do you know if this is true and why?

Oh, anyhow .... come along and join
me in this "Reading The Classic's Together"

UPDATE: First off - I really am surprised of the folks that have
commented thus far. More readers than I thought actually and
quite honestly. Some I thought left, welcome back.
I just am not one to go around commenting on blogs alot.
When I do sometimes it seems I get in trouble,
so I sorta stick to my own here, if you read
and comment great, if you read great,
if you don't agree that's ok, no problems.
I am not one for numbers nor ratings.
Don't care for rantings neither but I've
had my share of those, too.
Secondly -- the pic was not meant to offend,
it was not meant to be derogatory in nature.

ANYHOW --
I did receive my book in the mail and WOW!
I am anxiously awaiting Tim's blog to start rolling!
I am struck by the remark's of Ryle, the
Epigraph reads like something on a blog
today concerned about the Emerging,
Seeker-Sensitive churches but what drew
my eye and my heart is this ...
Page 94) "It is, however, of great importance that the whole subject should be placed on right foundations, and that the movement about it should not be damaged by crude, disproportioned, and one-sided statements. If such statements abound, we must not be surprised. Satan knows well the power of true holiness, and the immense injury which increased attention to it will do to his kingdom. It is his interest, therefore, to promote strife and controversy about this part of God's truth. Just as in time past he has succeded in mystifying and confusing men's minds about justification, so he is labouring in the present day to make men "dark counsel by words without knowledge" about sanctification. May the Lord rebuke him! I cannot however give up the hope that good will be brought out of evil, that discussion will elicit truth, and that variety of opinion will lead us all to search the Scriptures more, to pray more, and to become more diligent in trying to find out what is "the mind of the Spirit."

Ryle has already prayed over these pages
for even future readers. All those years past
he knew those who broke open the pages
of this book would need prayer coverage.
The prowler is at work and once our eyes
begin to feast upon the truths in these
pages war will rage. Pray yourself up
dear friends, the prowler
does not want us to take these
truths to heart. Prayer is fleshed out
all through this book I am seeing.
I am looking forward
to this study more than any I
have in sometime ...
it's just the smack between
the eyes I need ...
"Lord, You always know what's
best for me ... thank You for leading me here."
I think we will all be on our knees ...
join me.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Back to School ...are your children ready?


The New Paradigm shift ... it is at a school near you ...

Let's take a closer look ...

THE OLD PARADIGM
Biblical Truth
Facts
Observation
Logic
Science
Reality
Factual History
Objective Thinking
Individual Responsibility

~~~~~~~
THE NEW PARADIGM
earth-centered myths
experience and feelings
imagination
speculation and feelings
politicized-pseudo science
fantasy
fictional or multi-cultural stories
subjective feelings
group thinking

(Sounds like the Small Group Bible Study guidelines - does it not??? Sorry but this is how I see it folks, right now I'm hearing that old song "Feelings ... nothing more than feelings ..." that is what the small group bible studies are pushing, not the word of God like they used too.) OK, back to the matter at hand ...

Today, the various forms of values training or values clarification effectively erase those old moral values (right or wrong), social values (bad or good), and esthetic values (beautiful or ugly). Taken from
"Teaching of Values," Title III, Grant, Northwood Public Schools, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1968. According to Anita Hoge, this is the federal grant that funded Sidney Simon's development of values clarification techniques.

In their place stands the politically correct notion that children are naturally good and endowed with inner wisdom. Andy LePage, acclaimed author of Transforming Education, elaborates,

"Many, mostly traditionalists, still carry the cynical belief that we are, by nature, evil, irresponsible and untrustworthy. This belief is gradually being countered by a growing number who believe that, instead, and to the contrary, we are naturally inclined toward becoming life-affirming, cooperative, responsible and trustworthy.... Under [the] negative assumption, we logically act to repress and contain ourselves. Under the newer positive assumption, we logically act to liberate and express ourselves; even to fulfill ourselves. ...[It] is precisely... this limited view of ourselves as human that has our world today in such disarray and despair...

"The way out is to be found in re-envisioning ourselves...." taken from Andy LePage, Transforming Education (Oakland, CA: Oakmore House Press, 1987), xii.

The arguments by global-minded educators for stressing "higher order thinking" might sound something like this: Don't bother teaching a lot of useless information. You don't know what facts will be relevant in the 21st Century. Instead, teach children to ponder the universal truths in myths and symbols, to envision their own perfections, to imagine a better world, and to create their own stories of the future. This will help them connect with their inner wisdom - which in turn draws inspiration from the global mind. Then teach them persuasive communication skills and encourage them to share their self-expressions with parents and others in need of enlightenment.

Notice the words used ... ponder, enlightenment, self-expression, inner wisdom, global mind, inspiration, universal truths, myths, symbols ... you gagging yet? What is your child being taught? ** Reads like that so called bible I threw away that someone gave me ... the m`e`s`s`a`g`e b i b l e .... nope, don't like that one either ....

Here are the prophetic words of Raymond Houghton, Professor of Secondary Education and Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs at Rhode Island College--and don't let anyone intimidate your family into believing the lie. Taken from: To Nurture Humaneness: Commitment for the '70's (Washington DC: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, NEA, 1970). Huh? The 70's ... how did we miss this one? ....

"...absolute behavior control is imminent.... The critical point of behavior control, in effect, is sneaking up on mankind without his self-conscious realization that a crisis is at hand. Man will... never self-consciously know that it has happened.



Train your children thru the Biblical Filter world view. If we don't then they will teach them the new paradigm perspectives, Christian beliefs and values will make no sense.


A war is raging for the minds of our children. That's nothing new. Two thousand years ago, God said, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8) Never has this warning been more relevant.


Take time each day to train your children to....
  • Know biblical truth--the only source of genuine wisdom (Proverbs 2:6)

  • Learn the facts needed to defend what they know and believe

  • Recognize the difference between logic and speculation

  • Ground personal plans in reality, not fantasy

  • Base their understanding of the world on observation rather than imagination

  • Trust genuine science based on facts and logic, not social philosophy

  • Learn the lessons found in a factual study of history

  • Base actions in objective thinking, not subjective feelings.

  • Remember their individual responsibility before God and people



And pray, pray, pray ... if you don't pray for your children ... who will?


Contemplative Prayer, Keating, Foster, & Kundalini ...

Keating, Kundalini and Contemplative Prayer

By Brian Flynn

The class began with a meditation exercise that we were to practice everyday when we awoke and again each evening. Elinor instructed us to sit with our feet firmly on the ground and to close our eyes. She then asked us to imagine roots or cords extending from the soles of our feet down into the earth. She said to imagine going deeper and deeper to the light, with the heat and power of the earth below us. Her words flowed from one to another and had an almost hypnotic effect on me:

Once the cords reach a certain point, attach the cords to that power. Bring that energy up those roots, up through the soles of your feet, up your legs, and allow them to attach to the base of your spine to the first Chakra. You are now grounded in earth’s energy.

I finally felt I was heading in the right direction and tapping into a world and an energy that would give guidance and insight. Excerpt from Running Against the Wind.

During my years as a New Age medium, grounding myself was one of the first steps required to prepare my mind before performing psychic readings. It was from this series of meditative steps that I was able to hear from my spirit guides. Who could have guessed that years later I would be warning Christians not to imitate this exact same practice?

After I was saved, many church leaders asked me if I would be willing to share my testimony and to offer an explanation of the New Age practices that I used to perform. At first I felt a little apprehensive because although I was involved in these practices personally, I actually knew very little about their origin. This led me to do extensive research on the movement I had left behind.

After several years of research on this topic, I was fortunate to have the chance to speak to Peter Jones who has authored many books on the occult. When I described the meditation process of what we called in class "running our energy" he explained that it was a form of a Kundalini meditation. I had never heard the word used to describe this practice before.

The Sanskrit word Kundalini means the curled one, and is also called Kundalini awakening or the awakening of the serpent. Practitioners describe it as a curled channel in the tailbone area. It can rise through the chakras (psychic centers situated along the spine from the tailbone to the top of the head), creating physical symptoms ranging from sensations of heat and tremors to involuntary laughing or crying, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, rigidity or limpness, and animal-like movements and sounds.

I considered myself fortunate to have never experienced the symptoms that are described above. However, I never knew the reason why until recently. My publisher, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, received a letter from a woman who before becoming a Christian was practicing Kundalini. After reading my book, she offered an interesting insight as to why I did not experience any of the negative manifestations of the Kundalini awakening:

First and most startling, when Brian and his wife went to the spiritual coach, to learn to channel, they did a type of grounding exercise which they called "running their energy." This running of the energy is what saved them from possibly having a neurological crisis. In other words, although the purpose of the class was nefarious, the technique was good! The technique was to keep them "grounded" while they were flying off into the empyrean (the highest heaven) to contact spirits, for their protection. Apparently it worked to this extent: although they became subject to spirit guides, they did not become sick.

People who practice kundalini in America often become sick. Because they are not grounded, for one thing, or if they are grounded, they push the exercise beyond where grounding can physically protect them. When I had my kundalini awakening, I was not grounded and was not taught what it was at all. So I became very sick.

I am not sure if my teacher knew that the grounding portion of the multiple steps to running our energy was to prevent the Kundalini effect or not. When I asked my teacher what were the origins of this practice she often danced around the question. She either did not know or refused to share that information. In either case, does it not seem odd that a spiritual practice whose purpose is to either bring harmony in one’s life or to feel closer to God would have a negative physical manifestation?

On a pro-contemplative spirituality web site, I came across the descriptions of those who had experienced the same effect while practicing contemplative prayer. Here is one example:

"I have been practicing Centering Prayer for 2 ½ years…. I began experiencing Kundalini-like symptoms three months after beginning the practice. They were quite intense at first. They have continued in various forms since then. Lately, I only experience them at the very beginning of prayer. I am not aware of any other moral manifestations. Father [Thomas] Keating advised me personally to ignore them if I could, and if they were too bothersome to “balance the energy” with physical exercise or a yoga practice."—Gary

Thomas Keating

Is the practice of kundalini and contemplative prayer the same? Father Thomas Keating, who has inspired many evangelical contemplatives like Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, and Brennan Manning, wrote the foreword to Philip St. Romain's book, Kundalini Energy and Christian Spirituality. In the forward, Keating acknowledges that kundalini is the same as Christian contemplation. He states:

Since this energy [kundalini] is also at work today in numerous persons who are devoting themselves to contemplative prayer, this book is an important contribution to the renewal of the Christian contemplative tradition. It will be a great consolation to those who have experienced physical symptoms arising from the awakening of kundalini in the course of their spiritual journey ... Most spiritual disciplines world-wide insist on some kind of serious discipline before techniques of awakening kundalini are communicated. In Christian tradition ... the regular practice of the stages of Christian prayer ... contemplation are the essential disciplines...

Keating explains that the reason spiritual directors are needed is to help guide the Christian contemplative is because of the powerful and dangerous nature of kundalini. He says that these "spiritual directors" may need to consult with "Eastern teachers in order to get a fuller understanding."

The disciples of Jesus Christ did not call upon Eastern teachers to guide them when praying to our Lord. Nor is there any warning in the Bible cautioning us about negative physical manifestations when engaging in simple Christian prayer. For years, I have been telling my Christian brothers and sisters that contemplative prayer is an Eastern form of meditation. Finally, I have a contemplative who admits it to be so. And now that I know about Keating’s declaration that kundalini is the same as contemplative, Richard Foster’s statement makes more sense. In Foster’s book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, he states:

I also want to give a word of precaution. In the silent contemplation of God we are entering deeply into the spiritual realm, and there is such a thing as a supernatural guidance that is not divine guidance. While the Bible does not give us a lot of information on the nature of the spiritual world, we do know … there are various orders of spiritual beings, and some of them are definitely not in cooperation with God and his way! … But for now I want to encourage you to learn and practice prayers of protection.… “All dark and evil spirits must now leave.

I believe Foster made these comments because he was well aware that contemplative prayer could be dangerous because it is no different than kundalini. And yet in Celebration of Discipline (p. 13, 1978) he says “We should all without shame enroll in the school of contemplative prayer."

The unfortunate outcome is that both Thomas Keating and Richard Foster continue to endorse contemplative prayer and encourage others to engage in this un-biblical practice when they know good and well it can have detrimental effects.

How much more evidence do the leaders in our churches require before they repent of promoting this practice When Rick Warren stated in his first book, Purpose Driven Church that Foster’s spiritual formation was a wakeup call to the church, he gave the green light to millions to practice something that could potentially have long or permanent lasting damage on practitioners.

I pray fervently that my fellow Christians will return to the word of God for comfort and knowledge and that they will come to understand the true means of grace that our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us. Please pray with me that this will come to pass.

FOLKS --- IT IS IN A CHURCH NEAR YOU !!! . . .