Use Them Wisely

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"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." James 3:10

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Tragedy in Connecticut

Courtesy of elitedaily.com

No words can even begin to describe the myriad of feelings I experienced when I learned of the tragic shooting that occurred today. Part of my responsibilities as a teacher's assistant involves reading stories to children, helping them pick out books for them to read at home - children the same age as the little ones who whose lives were cut short this morning. How and why anyone could murder such dear ones is unfathomable to me.

"The majority of those who died today were children - beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them - birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers - men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

So our hearts are broken today - for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost. Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early, and there are no words that will ease their pain."                                                                                - President Obama

Why was such a terrible tragedy allowed to happen?

How could someone commit such a heinous crime?

 I won't even attempt to try making sense of this heartbreaking situation, because, in all honesty, it doesn't make sense to me. I don't know why it was allowed to happen. I don't know how (and why) anyone could bring themselves to gun down another human being made in the image of God, especially a child.Such acts of brutality rarely ever make sense to our finite, limited minds (humanly speaking). We may never know why a young man was permitted to take the lives of 20 innocent little bundles of joy, laughter and happiness and the lives of 6 of their teachers, this side of Heaven.

Parents, hug your children a little tighter tonight. Fellow teachers and child caretakers, be on the alert.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this heartbreaking catastrophe. May God give you comfort and peace as you grieve the loss of those dear children and teachers.

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Don't Let the Song Go Out of Your Life

Don't let the song go out of your life

Though it chance sometimes to flow

In a minor strain; it will blend again

With the major tone you know.

What though shadows rise to obscure life's skies,

And hide for a time the sun,

The sooner they'll lift and reveal the rift,

If you let the melody run.

Don't let the song go out of your life;

Though the voice may have lost its trill,

Though the tremulous note may die in your throat,

Let it sing in your spirit still.

Don't let the song go out of your life;

Let it ring in the soul while here;

And when you go hence, 'twill follow you thence,

And live on in another sphere.

- from Streams in the Desert

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Just a Quick Note...

Edited by Myrna Moore

 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.               {John 15:9}

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: {I John 3:1} 

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The Time I Almost Gave Up

I came across this video yesterday evening. It really gave me a lot to think about.

Jerry Bridges, a man God has used to further His Kingdom, almost gave up on God?

Jerry Bridges, one of the most prominent spiritual giants/theologians of today, almost let doubt (brought on by Satan) cause him to lose his faith?

It shocked me.

Then, after some thought, I realized that it shouldn't shock me when a fellow Christian - well-known theologian or not - admits struggling with doubt at some point in their life. It's part of the natural, or the "old man" that still likes to hang around after we accept Christ. Satan loves to use this "old man" to try to tear us away from our faith.

Some of us struggle more with doubt than others. It has to do with our God-given personality, our life experiences, our own unique viewpoints.

How, then, are we to fight doubt? How are we to fight Satan's blistering attacks on our relationship with God?

We fight it with truth.

This means immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, digging deep to find the truth found in its pages.

This means surrounding ourselves with people who want to know God's truth.

This means becoming part of a church that is committed to teaching the truths found in God's Word.

This means trusting what God says over what man has to say whenever there is a discrepancy or contradiction between the two. Remember that your "favorite" pastors and theologians can be wrong.

There is nothing wrong with seeking advice from your pastor or a spiritually mature Christian about a spiritual/biblical issue or question. Just remember that person you're seeking advice from is human, too, and is subsequently prone to error - unintentional or not.

Not sure what to think about a particular issue? Confused about a spiritual problem/question you have? Don't take [insert your pastor's name here]'s word for it. Take God's Word for it.

You may be seriously considering giving up on God. Let me ask you to resist the temptation to give in to doubt. Seek godly counsel (with a grain of salt). Most importantly, pore over Scripture to find the answers you seek. Ask God to help you find the answers you need in His Word. He'll do it. You just have to ask.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

John 8:31-32 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

II Timothy 3:16-17 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Hebrews 11:1  

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

I John 4:1-6 

“I believe that in the end the truth will conquer.” 

John Wycliffe

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Pray for Our Ally, Israel

Photo by wherejesuswalked.org

Today marks Yom Kippur, "the Day of Atonement," in the Jewish calendar. It is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has articulated numerous times that his greatest desire is to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth, is scheduled to speak at the U.N. conference on this holiest of days for the Jews.

That is equal to Hilter speaking at the Holocaust Museum (had he lived). That is equal to Osama bin Laden speaking at the 9/11 Memorial (had he lived).

Outrageous, you say? Insensitive? Indecent?

That's just the beginning.

The current administration taking up residence in the White House has not made any effort to challenge Israel's neighboring enemies in the Middle East, most of which (if not all) are our enemies as well. What they have called a "bump in the road" has resulted in the loss of scores of American lives and countless Israeli/Jewish lives.

Israel and America's enemies in the Middle East have declared that our nations are seen as one entity in their eyes. If either nation takes military action, they will attack the other. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried many times to coordinate a conference with the current President of the United States, but the President has declined with an ever-growing list of excuses. Netanyahu has been told to "wait." "Wait?" he asks. "Wait for what?" His country is being bombed daily by her hostile neighbors. Iran is on the verge of nuclear capability.

Yet he is told to "wait."

And the leader of America, Israel's closest ally, will not even make time for a conference to discuss a plan of action, let alone extend any kind of support.

Outrageous, indeed.

America's greatness stems from her roots as a Christian nation. She was founded on the principles of Biblical truth. That includes acknowledging Israel's position as God's chosen people, as is laid out in Scripture. In other words, America should be the first to lend a hand when Israel is in trouble. Many former Presidents, even those who made no claim to the Christian faith, have assisted Israel when she needed it.

Well, Israel certainly needs our help now, and the current administration has made it clear that America will not support Israel as she has in the past.

We need to pray for:

• the safety of the nation of Israel.
• the salvation of Israelis/Jews who do not know the Messiah as their Savior.
• the United States of America to remember her place in the world as a Christian nation, and her strategic role as Israel's greatest ally. 

The world is watching our nation - including those who are seeking to harm us and our ally, Israel. America's leaders would do well to remember that.

Please join me in praying for our country, the nation of Israel, and our Jewish/Israeli friends and neighbors who are in distress over these uncertain and tumultous times. 

Avinu Malkeinu, Chaneinu V'aneinu, 

ki ein banu ma'asim. 

Assei imanu ts'dakah vachesed, vehoshiyeinu.

(Hear our voice, Lord our God,

pity and be compassionate to us, and accept 

- with compassion and favour - our prayer.)

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