During my senior year of high school, we students were approached by military recruiters that promised us we would never see war action and that if we joined the National Guard we would stay near home. I felt this was a lie and did not trust the army or any other military branch. Movies about the Viet Nam war were poplar, like Rambo and the Chuck Norris flicks, but this was not the reason I did not join.
I was a very small and puny kid in senior high and barely passed Physical Education. I had not long before gave myself over to the Lord and quit doing drugs, so following Jesus was my only thought at the time.
Not long after high school while a lot of my class mates choose to look ahead and serve our country, I stayed and serve the Lord on the streets of Dothan as a lay minister, on the streets, concert lines, jails, group homes and detention centers. I had joined a very exclusive army. As I grew older and moving further away from the prime age for enlistment, became aware that I might have missed an opportunity. Veterans were getting honor for their service. The first question asked in the unemployment office was, “are you a veteran?” I felt ashamed when I had to say no and I was a little mad because I felt a little discriminated against. I could not see how vets were honored and those serving the Lord over-seas and at home were forgotten. Then the Lord showed me that the soldiers were ministers as well and just as they trust their leaders to take care of them for their service, so the Lord’s soldiers were to trust Him for their care after the battles. And that the Lord used the world’s soldiers to secure freedom for us to spread the truth through-out the world. So I honor the military today for their service not only to our country but to the Lord.
Thank you,
Dad, Uncle Duke, Frank & Curtis (my brothers), and all those I have meet through the years.
11/11/2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, October 07, 2011
Fruit of the Family Tree
“All fruit on the family tree is profitable, either to pick and enjoy or compost” by J.D. Duke
Duke humorously illustrates a good point about genealogy. Back during my school days I found history very boring and virtually painful. The teachers could not make it interesting enough for me. I knew of Washington and Lincoln because they were on our money and I was constantly reminded of them. But all the others were faceless personalities who meant nothing in my world. Years later I found out different in a most different way of teaching. I found that researching my family tree enhanced my interest, study, and understanding of history.
Doing family research helped me learn how to research history and other areas of interest. My interest was stimulated when a lady writing a book on our family paid a visit to my Mother. My Mother, Father and oldest brother quickly became interested in our family’s history. And they in turn passed the interest of genealogy to me. Learning to research census records was first and easy to do at our local library. Later I learned the different websites on the internet to help with my research. Also visiting grave yards became a regular family outing. The information gained was valuable. I then felt that anyone could learn to do a family tree and most of all the skill of researching could be learned and used in many aspects of life including research at work, school, and blogging.
Understanding where my family fits into the timeline of history gave me a new outlook on history. A good example is that I learned in my research of an ancestor with five sons who served in the Civil War. I discovered history that the books did not teach. I learned that Port Hudson was the last fort to fall on the Mississippi, not Vicksburg. My ancestors were there with one being killed during the longest siege of the Civil War. Now the soldiers of the Civil War had faces that looked a lot like mine. Also, I learned that before the American Revolution there was a group called the “Regulators” in North Carolina that revolted against the local British government. They lost the fight, but it set the stage for the real battle of Independence. The colonial soldiers now had a face, and they looked like my ancestors because they were there at the river where it all happened. These facts would have been of great interest to me in my school years, and I might not have sleep in my history class.
Research of my family tree helped me to explain history to those younger, like my children. To invoke the imagination of my children towards history I can now use all the information that was gleaned through the years in my family. For example, one member of my family was a scout for the Southern army. One day he was captured and suspected of being a spy by the Confederate army and was going to be shot. The officer in command interviewed Him and invited him to supper. After finding him innocent of being a spy, the officer let him go. Later after the war was over the ancestor saw the officer in Jacksonville Florida and made him a pair of boots. The officer later wrote the man a thank-you note of which I have seen a copy of. The note was signed by Robert E. Lee, which thrilled me since Gen. Lee was well remembered for being a letter writer. This is one of the pieces of family history I love sharing with my children so that when issues of history are taught, they will have a face to put to the fact.
History was once hard for me to study. But when I personalized history by the facts in my family tree, it became the fruit of life. I can see the effects of our family history in the big picture of our country and world. I have mentioned some positive facts of my family history, but there were negatives (known as skeletons) found also. In the harvest of the fruit of the family tree we can collect one basket of good and one of bad. But we must remember that all of it is the product of the tree and to be learned from.
736 Words
Notes: This was an essay I did in my ENG101 class at Wallace. 9/8/2011
I corrected most of the mistakes except I had a problem with Par Trans.
I got a 95 with the remark: “Excellent Essay” written on it by the teacher.
Hoped you enjoyed it
Wayne
Duke humorously illustrates a good point about genealogy. Back during my school days I found history very boring and virtually painful. The teachers could not make it interesting enough for me. I knew of Washington and Lincoln because they were on our money and I was constantly reminded of them. But all the others were faceless personalities who meant nothing in my world. Years later I found out different in a most different way of teaching. I found that researching my family tree enhanced my interest, study, and understanding of history.
Doing family research helped me learn how to research history and other areas of interest. My interest was stimulated when a lady writing a book on our family paid a visit to my Mother. My Mother, Father and oldest brother quickly became interested in our family’s history. And they in turn passed the interest of genealogy to me. Learning to research census records was first and easy to do at our local library. Later I learned the different websites on the internet to help with my research. Also visiting grave yards became a regular family outing. The information gained was valuable. I then felt that anyone could learn to do a family tree and most of all the skill of researching could be learned and used in many aspects of life including research at work, school, and blogging.
Understanding where my family fits into the timeline of history gave me a new outlook on history. A good example is that I learned in my research of an ancestor with five sons who served in the Civil War. I discovered history that the books did not teach. I learned that Port Hudson was the last fort to fall on the Mississippi, not Vicksburg. My ancestors were there with one being killed during the longest siege of the Civil War. Now the soldiers of the Civil War had faces that looked a lot like mine. Also, I learned that before the American Revolution there was a group called the “Regulators” in North Carolina that revolted against the local British government. They lost the fight, but it set the stage for the real battle of Independence. The colonial soldiers now had a face, and they looked like my ancestors because they were there at the river where it all happened. These facts would have been of great interest to me in my school years, and I might not have sleep in my history class.
Research of my family tree helped me to explain history to those younger, like my children. To invoke the imagination of my children towards history I can now use all the information that was gleaned through the years in my family. For example, one member of my family was a scout for the Southern army. One day he was captured and suspected of being a spy by the Confederate army and was going to be shot. The officer in command interviewed Him and invited him to supper. After finding him innocent of being a spy, the officer let him go. Later after the war was over the ancestor saw the officer in Jacksonville Florida and made him a pair of boots. The officer later wrote the man a thank-you note of which I have seen a copy of. The note was signed by Robert E. Lee, which thrilled me since Gen. Lee was well remembered for being a letter writer. This is one of the pieces of family history I love sharing with my children so that when issues of history are taught, they will have a face to put to the fact.
History was once hard for me to study. But when I personalized history by the facts in my family tree, it became the fruit of life. I can see the effects of our family history in the big picture of our country and world. I have mentioned some positive facts of my family history, but there were negatives (known as skeletons) found also. In the harvest of the fruit of the family tree we can collect one basket of good and one of bad. But we must remember that all of it is the product of the tree and to be learned from.
736 Words
Notes: This was an essay I did in my ENG101 class at Wallace. 9/8/2011
I corrected most of the mistakes except I had a problem with Par Trans.
I got a 95 with the remark: “Excellent Essay” written on it by the teacher.
Hoped you enjoyed it
Wayne
Thursday, September 08, 2011
9/11 Rememebered
(This is an altered repost)
This week we wish to remember those who had their lives took away in the bombing of the world trade center in New York. They did not give their lives. They did not die by accident. Their lives were stolen. By those who see it as their religious duty to take what is not their's to take. I wish to incourage our leaders to stay firm in there resolve. Do not lay down our security trusting others will play fair. History has proven otherwise. The enimy thinks our nation is of Satan because of the evil we allow to happen in public view
We are in a war of worldviews.
It is a war between belief systems.
And more than anything else, it is a spiritual war. Which our politions are unable to fight......... Well let me not preach.
Where were you on that day. I was working for a sign company in Dothan Al. I was headed for a meeting when my boss came in and told us what was on TV and that the meeting was canceled. We went up to the room were someone had set up a TV and watched in shock.
The rumble of the buildings rocked even our world. Later as the nation sank into financal limbo, our company when bankrupt and sold out. The economics of our business had changed. People did not need signs like they thought they did. Some businesses went under leaving us with a yard full of unpaid-for signage that we could not sell. I was laid of soon after.
I can not compare this to those who lost there lives that day or those who lost love ones. But by the grace of God our Lord Jesus. Today is brighter that that day. When people can sit and complain about there government and not be arrested that's a brighter day. It's to bad that we as a people don't want others to have that same freedom. Talk all you want about the war and our president, but remember 9/11.
This week we wish to remember those who had their lives took away in the bombing of the world trade center in New York. They did not give their lives. They did not die by accident. Their lives were stolen. By those who see it as their religious duty to take what is not their's to take. I wish to incourage our leaders to stay firm in there resolve. Do not lay down our security trusting others will play fair. History has proven otherwise. The enimy thinks our nation is of Satan because of the evil we allow to happen in public view
We are in a war of worldviews.
It is a war between belief systems.
And more than anything else, it is a spiritual war. Which our politions are unable to fight......... Well let me not preach.
Where were you on that day. I was working for a sign company in Dothan Al. I was headed for a meeting when my boss came in and told us what was on TV and that the meeting was canceled. We went up to the room were someone had set up a TV and watched in shock.
The rumble of the buildings rocked even our world. Later as the nation sank into financal limbo, our company when bankrupt and sold out. The economics of our business had changed. People did not need signs like they thought they did. Some businesses went under leaving us with a yard full of unpaid-for signage that we could not sell. I was laid of soon after.
I can not compare this to those who lost there lives that day or those who lost love ones. But by the grace of God our Lord Jesus. Today is brighter that that day. When people can sit and complain about there government and not be arrested that's a brighter day. It's to bad that we as a people don't want others to have that same freedom. Talk all you want about the war and our president, but remember 9/11.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
How to cope in the unpleasant workplace By Marie Grossett
It's Monday morning the alarm goes off; it's that time again to get up to go to work. You slowly wake up, sluggishly get out of the bed unenthusiastic about going to a job that you dislike, but those bills need to be paid and the family needs looking after.
If you love your job then that's great you'll be excited about getting up in the morning. But if you were like me getting up to a job you're not passionate about, and where the management aren't friendly this can be an unpleasant situation. I know I've been there.
I use to work in customer services at my local council. To me every day getting up was a chore. Don't get me wrong I was grateful to God that he gave me a job, but in all honesty I didn't like it. It wasn't my passion to hear people complaining and having self pity, it wasn't my passion to work for people who didn't even give me the time of day only speaking to me if they needed something done. So how did I cope?
Ephesians 6:5 'Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.'
Every morning before I'd go to work I would have to read that scripture. I had to remind myself that I needed to do the job I was given to the best of my ability, I'm there as a servant of the Lord to be a light in the darkness. All I had to do was just be obedient, get on with my work and be polite to everybody even if they were not polite to me.
Once I started doing that, I stopped moaning about the fact I had to get up to 'go to this place,' as I use to say and just got on with it, I began to feel much happier going to work.
Sometimes as Christians we forget it's not about us it's about God. He put us in our workplace for a reason, maybe were suppose to meet somebody for a particular season, maybe we need to witness to a particular person, whatever it is you are there for God's purpose not your own.
If you really want to leave your job and find something better pray that God would give you something else, but in the meantime do the job you're in wholeheartedly. Remember you are there for Christ and to be an ambassador for him. I know its hard finding the motivation to do something that you're not passionate about, but you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.
Next time you get up to go to work rather than moan say 'Lord thank you for this job, give me the strength and the enthusiasm to do this job to the best of my ability. Lead me to someone that I could encourage or witness to today as Lord I'm in this place for a time and a season, for your purpose, it's all about you Lord and not about me for I am a mere servant called to do your work,'
Remember there are some people out there wishing they had a job. Let's not take for granted what we have, as God sees how we handle the small things first before he gives us the bigger things.
May God bless you this day and thank you for reading the article.
Marie Grossett aka Vanessa Grossett is a published Author of the book 'Don't Look Back', Published by Tate Publishing & Enterprises. She is also the Director of Keeping It Real Magazine the magazine.
http://www.womenscommunity.co.uk
CHRISTIAN WRITER
MAKE YOUR OWN WEBSITE
http://vgrossett.wordpress.com
If you love your job then that's great you'll be excited about getting up in the morning. But if you were like me getting up to a job you're not passionate about, and where the management aren't friendly this can be an unpleasant situation. I know I've been there.
I use to work in customer services at my local council. To me every day getting up was a chore. Don't get me wrong I was grateful to God that he gave me a job, but in all honesty I didn't like it. It wasn't my passion to hear people complaining and having self pity, it wasn't my passion to work for people who didn't even give me the time of day only speaking to me if they needed something done. So how did I cope?
Ephesians 6:5 'Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.'
Every morning before I'd go to work I would have to read that scripture. I had to remind myself that I needed to do the job I was given to the best of my ability, I'm there as a servant of the Lord to be a light in the darkness. All I had to do was just be obedient, get on with my work and be polite to everybody even if they were not polite to me.
Once I started doing that, I stopped moaning about the fact I had to get up to 'go to this place,' as I use to say and just got on with it, I began to feel much happier going to work.
Sometimes as Christians we forget it's not about us it's about God. He put us in our workplace for a reason, maybe were suppose to meet somebody for a particular season, maybe we need to witness to a particular person, whatever it is you are there for God's purpose not your own.
If you really want to leave your job and find something better pray that God would give you something else, but in the meantime do the job you're in wholeheartedly. Remember you are there for Christ and to be an ambassador for him. I know its hard finding the motivation to do something that you're not passionate about, but you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.
Next time you get up to go to work rather than moan say 'Lord thank you for this job, give me the strength and the enthusiasm to do this job to the best of my ability. Lead me to someone that I could encourage or witness to today as Lord I'm in this place for a time and a season, for your purpose, it's all about you Lord and not about me for I am a mere servant called to do your work,'
Remember there are some people out there wishing they had a job. Let's not take for granted what we have, as God sees how we handle the small things first before he gives us the bigger things.
May God bless you this day and thank you for reading the article.
Marie Grossett aka Vanessa Grossett is a published Author of the book 'Don't Look Back', Published by Tate Publishing & Enterprises. She is also the Director of Keeping It Real Magazine the magazine.
http://www.womenscommunity.co.uk
CHRISTIAN WRITER
MAKE YOUR OWN WEBSITE
http://vgrossett.wordpress.com
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Little Girl and the Atheist On the Plane
An atheist was seated next to a little girl on an airplane and he turned to her
and said, "Do you want to talk?
Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."
The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total
stranger, "What would you want to talk about?"
" Oh, I don't know," said the atheist. "How about why there is no God, or no
Heaven or Hell, or no life after death?" as he smiled smugly. "
OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question
first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff -grass. Yet a deer
excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse
produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?"
The atheist, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about
it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."
To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss why
there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death, when you don't
know crap?" And then she went back to reading her book.
and said, "Do you want to talk?
Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."
The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total
stranger, "What would you want to talk about?"
" Oh, I don't know," said the atheist. "How about why there is no God, or no
Heaven or Hell, or no life after death?" as he smiled smugly. "
OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question
first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff -grass. Yet a deer
excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse
produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?"
The atheist, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about
it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."
To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss why
there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death, when you don't
know crap?" And then she went back to reading her book.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Jesus Story: Back to Cana
Joh 4:43-54
After Jesus and His disciples spent two days in Samaria they went to Cana of
Galilee.
After Jesus and His disciples spent two days in Samaria they went to Cana of
Galilee.
I assume they passed through Nazareth because of the comment made that Jesus
testified that a prophet had no honor in His home town. We read in the other
gospels the trouble He had when He was there last. Luke_4:24.
The people of Galilee received Him gladly. They had gone down to the feast in
Jerusalem and heard about all the things He had done. I imagine them laughing
with each other asking, " Did you see the look on the temple leaders' faces when
He over turned their tables?", and spoke of the miracles.
When a noblemen from Capernaum heard that He had arrived from Judea, he went to
Him to ask for the healing of his dying son.
Jesus accused him of not believing unless he saw the miracle. Many people brag
so much on the blessings they get from the Lord because of their giving that I
wonder if they would serve Him if He withheld all the blessings from them. I
know the Bible promises blessings to the children of God, but we must allow the
Lord to work His will in our lives. We must be willing to take the bad if it is
His will to work in us that way. A child of God moves his Father's heart when he
serves Him when the times are bad and does not desert the Him. When the Lord
feed the multitude and they wanted to crown Him king there on the spot, Jesus
fled because He refused to be followed just because He supplied needs and He
will not be forced. Let's not force the Lord to bless with scripture. Claim His
promises, but I say again, "allow Him to work His will in our lives".
John_6:15 He wants our total trust. That's what He wanted from the nobleman.
Jesus sent him away telling him his son us healed. It was around 20 miles from
Cana to Capernaum. Jesus did not make a fancy prayer. He just spoke and the boy
was healed over 20 miles away. Power was given when the man "believed His word".
Why can'nt we just believe without seeing and trust the Lord? To just believe
His word blesses the Lord. Let us bless Him. Instead of always wanting to be
blessed.
We have seen in the scriptures Christ first meet with a Religous leader in
Jerusalem, then meet with a half-breed adulterous in Samaria, now he meets the
need of a nobleman from Capernaum. He is truly the Lord of all.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Jesus Story: The Wedding in Cana
In the book of John chapter two we have the only account of a wedding feast attended by Jesus and His disciples. This means nothing except that John was lead to record it and the others were not. It is a wonderful picture of Christ's character to see that the first recorded event that He took the disciples to was a celebration. A wedding.
There have been many assumptions about this story by well meaning ministers and Hollywood. I would like to first address a couple of these and keep in mind that this story is about Jesus and all of the other characters in the story are extras and not meant to be scrutinized. It was not written to present doctrine. When we stray from Jesus and focus too much on others and events, we risk the danger of taking our eyes off Jesus and sinking into the deepest of error.
For example, Mary is shown in movies as being a relative of the couple. No where does it say this, although Mary seems to be overly concerned about the wine running out and making the family look bad. Either she was a relative, a busy body or just a compassionate person noticing that the "MC" was not doing his job by tending to the wine. Many have tried to prove that Mary is not so important because Jesus called her "Woman" and not Mother. Mary did give some very good advice, " What ever He says to you, do it." But again these passages are not about Mary, although "Blessed is she among all Women". This story is about Jesus.
Another example is how many use the fact of the MC calling the wine Jesus made as "good" to show that Jesus made unfermented wine and we as Christians should not drink it also. But these verses are not about the wine. Whether the unfermented wine was drank last so the people would not get drunk all through the ceremony or the fermented wine was served first. Who knows and really, "Who cares?" This story is about Jesus.
Some have tried to use numerology to set some kind of mystic meaning to the number of pots used and how much they held. But in truth all it shows is that a lot of water was used. This story is about Jesus and not a bunch of pots.
Now to the point, when I read this story about Jesus I saw the finger of God all over it. A story no earthly man could have conceived. You see the story, which is a fact, is also a prophecy as to the way Christ's ministry on earth will end. As it states, " in three days." We remember the stories of Jonah and Lazarus and how these stories point to the Resurrection of Jesus. This event is the same. It points to Jesus rising again on the third day to complete the task giving Him, as in the deliverance of Jonah from the great fish and Lazarus from the grave. We see in this picture that the pots used in the obedience of the law, were used to produce wine by Jesus. We know that wine is symbolic of His blood being shed
for our transgressions. Out of the pots that were set aside, consecrated and used only for the purification ritual, came grace. Showing that law became grace and that's when the party got into full swing. The celebration really started then. Only the Lord could have set this up to show us He had a plan from the beginning. NO man could have done this. The Bible truly is a remarkable book and inspired by God.
There have been many assumptions about this story by well meaning ministers and Hollywood. I would like to first address a couple of these and keep in mind that this story is about Jesus and all of the other characters in the story are extras and not meant to be scrutinized. It was not written to present doctrine. When we stray from Jesus and focus too much on others and events, we risk the danger of taking our eyes off Jesus and sinking into the deepest of error.
For example, Mary is shown in movies as being a relative of the couple. No where does it say this, although Mary seems to be overly concerned about the wine running out and making the family look bad. Either she was a relative, a busy body or just a compassionate person noticing that the "MC" was not doing his job by tending to the wine. Many have tried to prove that Mary is not so important because Jesus called her "Woman" and not Mother. Mary did give some very good advice, " What ever He says to you, do it." But again these passages are not about Mary, although "Blessed is she among all Women". This story is about Jesus.
Another example is how many use the fact of the MC calling the wine Jesus made as "good" to show that Jesus made unfermented wine and we as Christians should not drink it also. But these verses are not about the wine. Whether the unfermented wine was drank last so the people would not get drunk all through the ceremony or the fermented wine was served first. Who knows and really, "Who cares?" This story is about Jesus.
Some have tried to use numerology to set some kind of mystic meaning to the number of pots used and how much they held. But in truth all it shows is that a lot of water was used. This story is about Jesus and not a bunch of pots.
Now to the point, when I read this story about Jesus I saw the finger of God all over it. A story no earthly man could have conceived. You see the story, which is a fact, is also a prophecy as to the way Christ's ministry on earth will end. As it states, " in three days." We remember the stories of Jonah and Lazarus and how these stories point to the Resurrection of Jesus. This event is the same. It points to Jesus rising again on the third day to complete the task giving Him, as in the deliverance of Jonah from the great fish and Lazarus from the grave. We see in this picture that the pots used in the obedience of the law, were used to produce wine by Jesus. We know that wine is symbolic of His blood being shed
for our transgressions. Out of the pots that were set aside, consecrated and used only for the purification ritual, came grace. Showing that law became grace and that's when the party got into full swing. The celebration really started then. Only the Lord could have set this up to show us He had a plan from the beginning. NO man could have done this. The Bible truly is a remarkable book and inspired by God.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Seeking the Kingdom
Our Pastor, Bro. Robert, has been teaching us on prayer. The other day he
mentioned Luke 12:32 and the three aspects of God seen in this one verse.
"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you
the kingdom."
1st God is a Shephard. Jesus the Good Shepard always cares for the sheep. See
the 23rd Psalms
2nd God is a Father. A real father always wants to bless His children.
3rd God is a King. Jesus is the King of Kings. And it is His pleasure to give it
to us. Not to give us control of it, but to set it up for us to live in.
mentioned Luke 12:32 and the three aspects of God seen in this one verse.
"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you
the kingdom."
1st God is a Shephard. Jesus the Good Shepard always cares for the sheep. See
the 23rd Psalms
2nd God is a Father. A real father always wants to bless His children.
3rd God is a King. Jesus is the King of Kings. And it is His pleasure to give it
to us. Not to give us control of it, but to set it up for us to live in.
In full control of His reign.
These are three really good marks of the Lord. Those who say He is venageful and
hatful just don't know Him like I do.And in knowing this I have no problem
seeking the Kingdom First (Luke 12:31)
These are three really good marks of the Lord. Those who say He is venageful and
hatful just don't know Him like I do.And in knowing this I have no problem
seeking the Kingdom First (Luke 12:31)
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Just Read: Rescue by John Bevere & Mark Olsen
My wife, Stephanna, just read a book and gave it to me about three days ago with
the challenge to get it read by Sunday. I started it that day and finished it in
two days.
The book was, "Rescue" by John Bevere and Mark Olsen. I do not believe I have
ever read any of John or Marks books before. I am familiar with Mark's
"Hadassah: One Night With The King". This book was written in 2006 and published by Bethany House.
I found it to be a very good work of fiction with a lot of Biblical truth and
teaching, mixed in with a little suspense. I believe Steph wanted me to read it
before Sunday because it dealt a lot with Church, the Gospel, marriage, divorce
and just plain relationships without being sentimental worldview dribble. A good
look at how what looks like a great church on the outside can be deceiving. But
we want beat that dead horse.
I really recommend that everyone from Pastor down get a hold of this book and
read it. Caution through, it might mess up some of your theology.
the challenge to get it read by Sunday. I started it that day and finished it in
two days.
The book was, "Rescue" by John Bevere and Mark Olsen. I do not believe I have
ever read any of John or Marks books before. I am familiar with Mark's
"Hadassah: One Night With The King". This book was written in 2006 and published by Bethany House.
I found it to be a very good work of fiction with a lot of Biblical truth and
teaching, mixed in with a little suspense. I believe Steph wanted me to read it
before Sunday because it dealt a lot with Church, the Gospel, marriage, divorce
and just plain relationships without being sentimental worldview dribble. A good
look at how what looks like a great church on the outside can be deceiving. But
we want beat that dead horse.
I really recommend that everyone from Pastor down get a hold of this book and
read it. Caution through, it might mess up some of your theology.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
What Color Is Your Blood?
"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;" 1 Cor. 11:23 NKJV
Since I have been ministering the Communion part of our worship service on Sundays, I have noticed that the night discussed is always referred as, “the night He (Jesus) was betrayed”. Not the night of the Lord’s Supper or Communion Night. This speaks to me. Many times before that night the Lord warned His disciples and they did not heed.
Matt. 17:22 & Luke 9:44, Matt. 20:18 & Mark 10:33, Matt. 26:2
In Luke 9:44 He told them, “to let these words sink down into your ears”, and they did not hear.
You may ask, ”What does this mean to us?”. To me it means that not only did Jesus know far ahead of His betrayal, In Luke 21:16 He told us to expect it also.
Now, what I shared in Church is this: How we react when we have been betrayed is a good measurement of our spirituality. It shows us and others just how much we are like Christ. Or not.
Years ago in high school, BC, I carried a large knife in my back pocket. One day in class a good friend of mine pulled the knife out of my back pocket and cut me in the back (about one inch). It bleed as if he had stabbed me. Being my friend and knowing he did not mean to harm me, I made up a good lie to tell the teacher that patched me up. He either has naive and believed me or just did not want to deal with it.
Anyway, it was easy to forgive a friend. It is hard to forgive a person you thought was a friend but stabs you in the back. I bleed red. My scar healed a long time ago. When we are betrayed, what is in us comes out. We show our true colors.
Do we bleed spiritually like Jesus bleeds. With forgiveness.
In Luke 17:4 it reads,” And if he trespasses against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turns again to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him. “
That’s a lot of stab wounds. But we have a Lord that heals. If we bleed like Him.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Just Read: Torches of Joy by John Dekker
If you loved the books "Eternity In Their Hearts" and "Peace Child" by Don Richardson, you will read without putting down, "Torches of Joy" by John Dekker. Although the story took place in the 1960's and the book was written in the 1980's it is still up-to-date.I just found, read, and devoured the book.
It tells the story of missionaries John and Helen Dekker’s ministry to the stone-age tribe of the Danis in the jungles of Irian Jaya. It chronicles the start and growth of the Church in Irian Jaya. It could be viewed as a volume of the book of Acts continued.
The troubling aspect of the book for me is that if a stone-age tribe that does not even have a written language can grow in Christ in such a short time, what is wrong with us? By the end of the third year, there more than 100 Danis had been baptized, Churches were being established, with elders, and the first Pastor ordained. By the fifth year the first Danis had responded to help evangelize another tribe. By the eighth year, the Church sent out missionaries that were graduates of its own three year Bible School. And the growth moves on.
This is an inspiring true story that every Christian should read and learn by.
The ministry of John and Helen Dekker was the results of different mission organizations that must be mentioned. The Prairie Bible College in Alberta, Canada, the Regions Beyond Missionary Union, Wycliffe Bible Translator’s Summer Institute of Linguistics, and Missionary Aviation Fellowship.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Memorial Day Post
Just wanted to remember some family on memorial day. Since MD started with our country remembering those who died during the Civil War, I would like to acknowledge two that gave their lives. I do not know if they had family to caring on so I'll do this to remember them.
Joel Brooks went off to war with five of his sons. He and my 2nd great grandfather returned to leave the line that I am from. But two Samuel's brothers did not.
Balaam Brooks of the 1st Al. Perote Guards was captured at Is. 10, survived Camp Randell and was killed at the siege of Port Hudson. Port Hudson was the last Confederate stronghold to fall on the Mississippi River and not Vicksburg. The Confederates got to the point they had to boil their shoe leather to eat in order to survive. Only after they got the news that Vicksburg fell did they surrender.He was killed before the end. As fare as I can tell his father Joel who's service was up went to Port Hudson to be with his boys and stayed for the siege. He is listed at the park that is there now but not listed in the official Alabama records.
Lucius D. Brooks of the 60th Al. was killed by a snipper at Petersburg, Va. The report says minnie ball which makes me think he was shot by a confederate, but let's stick with the official record.
Both of these I would like to remember. There are more details of their service but I let it go.
My father served in the navy was not in any war. And I take it MD is for those who died in war time.
To those who served , RIP
(All Direct bloodline to me exept 4 of Joel's sons)
Joel Brooks 1st. Al. Co.G
John Brooks s/o Joel 34th Al. Co. A & 60th Co. A
Lucious D. Brooks s/o Joel 60th Al. Co. B (Killed)
Andrew J. Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.C (Missing)
Balaam Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.C & B (Killed)
Samuel Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.G
John E. Cook 1st. Al. Co.G
Edward Y. Martin 60th Al. Co. C
Elish W. Blankenship 33rd & 60th Al.
A. Matthew Grantham 1st Al. Co. I (Died POW)
J. Andrew Grantham 18th & 39th Al. (Died POW)
William R. Albrittion Provost Guard (Killed)
Jasper E. Barnes 3rd Reg. Hillard's Leg. 59th Al
Dempsy Cook 4th Reg. Ga. St. Trps Co. G
Joel Brooks went off to war with five of his sons. He and my 2nd great grandfather returned to leave the line that I am from. But two Samuel's brothers did not.
Balaam Brooks of the 1st Al. Perote Guards was captured at Is. 10, survived Camp Randell and was killed at the siege of Port Hudson. Port Hudson was the last Confederate stronghold to fall on the Mississippi River and not Vicksburg. The Confederates got to the point they had to boil their shoe leather to eat in order to survive. Only after they got the news that Vicksburg fell did they surrender.He was killed before the end. As fare as I can tell his father Joel who's service was up went to Port Hudson to be with his boys and stayed for the siege. He is listed at the park that is there now but not listed in the official Alabama records.
Lucius D. Brooks of the 60th Al. was killed by a snipper at Petersburg, Va. The report says minnie ball which makes me think he was shot by a confederate, but let's stick with the official record.
Both of these I would like to remember. There are more details of their service but I let it go.
My father served in the navy was not in any war. And I take it MD is for those who died in war time.
To those who served , RIP
(All Direct bloodline to me exept 4 of Joel's sons)
Joel Brooks 1st. Al. Co.G
John Brooks s/o Joel 34th Al. Co. A & 60th Co. A
Lucious D. Brooks s/o Joel 60th Al. Co. B (Killed)
Andrew J. Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.C (Missing)
Balaam Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.C & B (Killed)
Samuel Brooks s/o Joel 1st. Al. Co.G
John E. Cook 1st. Al. Co.G
Edward Y. Martin 60th Al. Co. C
Elish W. Blankenship 33rd & 60th Al.
A. Matthew Grantham 1st Al. Co. I (Died POW)
J. Andrew Grantham 18th & 39th Al. (Died POW)
William R. Albrittion Provost Guard (Killed)
Jasper E. Barnes 3rd Reg. Hillard's Leg. 59th Al
Dempsy Cook 4th Reg. Ga. St. Trps Co. G
Thursday, March 10, 2011
No Nudist In The Kingdom; The Conclusion: The Putting On
In parts 1-7 we looked at items in 1 Peter 2:1-3, Colossians 3:8-9 Eph. 4:31-32 and that we are to “put off” or better translated as “take off” as in taking off a coat and laying it aside. And we discussed how the Lord always gives us something better to put on when He has us take something off. Therefore not leaving us Spiritually naked.
Now we come to the conclusion, “The Putting On”.
In Ephesians 6:13-18 (NAS) we read:
"Therefore take up the full Armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore,
having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
I’ve heard a lot of versions of this passage and in a sense all of them are true. Here is my take on the armor of God.
The girdle of Truth. Take off all the falseness and lies and put on truth. Just tell the truth. Be truthful. Not to the point of hurting others but don’t be a liar. No matter what else you do, being caught in a lie can undo all of it.
1. Breastplate of Righteousness. Take off all evil and be clothed in righteousness. Not our own but Christ’s. The Word says our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Not good for anything. Stand before God in Christ. In Right Standing with the Father.
2. Shod with the Gospel of Peace. Take off all strife. And put on Peace. The Gospel in a whole is Peace. Peace with God, Peace with self and peace with others. Being always in strife can crush your testimony. Who always wants to be in turmoil?
3. Helmet of Salvation. The helmet protects the head therefore we must renew our minds by focusing on the Word and keeping our thoughts on the Kingdom.
4. Shield of Faith. The shield is not an item of clothing, but it is necessary for the armor. All through the Book of Psalms God is said to be our Shield. Pick up your Faith in God. You can lay it down and become vulnerable to the enemy. Pick it up and stand side by side with others (in the Church of Faith) and you all become a mighty fighting force. Just like the Romans depicted in the movies with their line of battle with shields in front, above and all sides. Unbeatable.
5. The Sword of the Spirit. It is as it says. The sword is the Word of God. The Bible. But it is much more. It is the Word of God used in and by the Holy Spirit in the Believer. Pick it up and use in His Spirit for attack and defense.
6. Prayer. Now prayer is listed as part of the whole military thing because without a good supply line the army will fail no matter how they won the battle.
So here we are at the end. Take it all off and put on the glorious garments the Lord has for you.
Prayer: Lord, help us to take off all actions and attributes that do not bring Glory to Your name and Kingdom and help us to put on the things that would further your Kingdom. Amen
Now we come to the conclusion, “The Putting On”.
In Ephesians 6:13-18 (NAS) we read:
"Therefore take up the full Armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore,
having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
I’ve heard a lot of versions of this passage and in a sense all of them are true. Here is my take on the armor of God.
The girdle of Truth. Take off all the falseness and lies and put on truth. Just tell the truth. Be truthful. Not to the point of hurting others but don’t be a liar. No matter what else you do, being caught in a lie can undo all of it.
1. Breastplate of Righteousness. Take off all evil and be clothed in righteousness. Not our own but Christ’s. The Word says our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Not good for anything. Stand before God in Christ. In Right Standing with the Father.
2. Shod with the Gospel of Peace. Take off all strife. And put on Peace. The Gospel in a whole is Peace. Peace with God, Peace with self and peace with others. Being always in strife can crush your testimony. Who always wants to be in turmoil?
3. Helmet of Salvation. The helmet protects the head therefore we must renew our minds by focusing on the Word and keeping our thoughts on the Kingdom.
4. Shield of Faith. The shield is not an item of clothing, but it is necessary for the armor. All through the Book of Psalms God is said to be our Shield. Pick up your Faith in God. You can lay it down and become vulnerable to the enemy. Pick it up and stand side by side with others (in the Church of Faith) and you all become a mighty fighting force. Just like the Romans depicted in the movies with their line of battle with shields in front, above and all sides. Unbeatable.
5. The Sword of the Spirit. It is as it says. The sword is the Word of God. The Bible. But it is much more. It is the Word of God used in and by the Holy Spirit in the Believer. Pick it up and use in His Spirit for attack and defense.
6. Prayer. Now prayer is listed as part of the whole military thing because without a good supply line the army will fail no matter how they won the battle.
So here we are at the end. Take it all off and put on the glorious garments the Lord has for you.
Prayer: Lord, help us to take off all actions and attributes that do not bring Glory to Your name and Kingdom and help us to put on the things that would further your Kingdom. Amen
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Black History Part 3: Andre' Cailloux and the Black Regiment
"Through death and hell betide,
Let the whole nation see
If we are fit to be
Free in this land; or Ground
Down, Like the whining hound-
Bound with red stripes of pain
In our old chains again!"
Oh! What a shout there went
From the black regiment!
From "The Black Regiment" by George Henry Boker
In this 3rd part of my posts on Black History, I would like to tell of Capt. Andre' Cailloux and the Native Guards of La.
They were the first black regiment that was mustered in by the Union Army during the Civil War.
I am interested in these guys because of the connection that I have with them in history. My family fought at the siege of Port Hudson, La. during the war and one did not return. They were in the 1st Al. Vol. Reg. Inf.
They were with the troops from Arkansas had these men as their worthy foe.
The native guards charged the hill that the Alabamians and those from Arkansas held.
So great was their bravery that the confederates risked their lives to carry water to the wounded blacks on the fields. News of the attack and their bravery filled the northern papers. Making way for other blacks to be enlisted. Swelling the ranks of the Union.
But unknowing to the north, the south also took notice and many petitioned the Confederate congress to enlist slaves. Capt. W. C. Oates told congress that if his troops thought they were fighting to keep blacks enslaved, they would pack and go home. The south did start enlisting blacks but it was to late in the war.
Their actions also showed whites that blacks were not under-evolved humans and not more monkey than man.
That they could do what white man could do.
Too bad this lession was not remembered in later years during World War 1 and 2.
Andre' Cailloux was the Captain, who received his civil and military education in Paris, that lead the attack of the Native Guards. He advanced with his arm shattered from a shot and when he advanced forward a cannon shattered the rest of him. His bravery made history in making him the first Black officer killed in American History.
Links of interest:
Andre' Cailloux at Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Cailloux
Article Commemorating Andre' Cailloux's Death at Port Hudson
http://www2.netdoor.com/~jgh/bravery.html
The Black Regiment by George Henry Boker
http://www.civilwarpoetry.org/union/battles/black-regiment.html
Port Hudson
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/71hudson/71hudson.htm
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
No Nudist In The Kingdom: Part Seven
In parts 1-6 we looked at items in 1 Peter 2:1-3 and Colossians 3:8-9 that we are to “put off” or better translated as “take off” as in taking off a coat and laying it aside. And we discussed how the Lord always gives us something better to put on when He has us take something off. Therefore not leaving us Spiritually naked. Now in Eph. 4:31-32 I would like to show you the final two items that we need to shed before being able to put-on what the Lord has for us.
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,
be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another,
tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV
Bitterness, just the sound of the word tells us that it is bad. It’s the attitude that we have to a person or an event in our lives that leaves a bitter taste in everything we do or say. One of the best tricks of our enemy is to make us bitter. There may not be a worst testimony for Christ than a bitter Christian. Second, we see clamour as another ill fitted garment for a Christian. Do you know someone in your Church or workplace that is constantly stirring up trouble? And they love it. They seem unable to function without doing it. Well that person wears the cloak of clamour. Take it off.
We have already gone through the others in this verse: wrath (Col. 3:8), anger (Col. 3:8), evil speaking (1 Peter 2:1), and malice (1 Peter 2:1 and Col. 3:8). Also; guile, hypocrisy, envy (1 Peter 2:1) along with blasphemy and filthy language (Col. 3:8). In conclusion to the “Put Off” section on this series I plan on sharing the “Put On” part. Unless I come across more put-offs like before.
Please notice the last part of this verse, ”And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Being kind to others and tenderhearted (opposite of hard-hearted) is the tool used to take off the garments of bitterness and clamour and place it into the fire, like a leper’s garment that is defiled and unable to be used for anything else.
Prayer: Lord, help us to take off all actions and attributes that do not bring Glory to Your name and Kingdom like bitterness and clamour. Give us the right attitude to live and the right words to speak. Amen
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