08-02-2009 8:29:31 AM EST
Wake Up!
What does it take to wake up an individual? Have you ever slept through a storm? Do you know that some people can sleep through a fire? Sirens sound but they do not hear the alarm. You may wonder about such individuals. Of course someone who is deaf would be oblivious to sounds. But, some who can hear may be sound sleepers. Some parents have revealed that on the weekend, they have to rouse their children by throwing cold water on them. How much water they use is another matter. On week days, these same children have to rise early enough to be ready to meet the bus at 8:00 a.m.
Rousing an individual by turning on a bright light works well for some people. Others need a loud horn or an alarm clock But that is physical. Many sleep mentally, emotionally and spiritually. With the invention of television, very little is left to the imagination. Some television programs are so formatted that after about fifteen minutes, it is possible to deduce the remaining plot and its resolution.For those who are not so mentally alert, the captivation means endless hours of game shows, comedy,drama, and the absurd. Who is smarter than a fifth grader? Nobody who wants to walk off with a fat cheque! have you ever wondered how a fifth grader can be smarter than a college graduate?
Emotionally, many persons are sleeping, though they appear normal. These individuals may have lost or misplaced their goals in life; and they find life has become an existence. Talk to an optimist and he or she is hopeful about achievements in a future which may or may not materialize; yet they carry their dreams close to their heart. On the other hand, the pessimist sees no future. Live today and die before tomorrow. In reality, tomorrow is made for some. Tomorrow may never come at all. Some persons see the reality that lies before them, often grim with no escape. Such is life, according to them.
07-03-2009 7:34:16 PM EST
More Than Enough
Do you know that god wants mankinf to take Him at his Word? believing God demands more than head knowledge. The Bible says that even demons believe and tremble. maintaining a personal relationship with God surpasses Bible reading and prayer though these are integral elements.
This morning as I started my journey, I felt praises swelling within. "Living happy" provides a deficient explanation of such an experience. When you think that Thursday is Wednesday, get ready! But on Thursday - yesterday - I experienced a chilling reality. God and I needed to sort out a complex matter! At such times, my path leads to the bush - the wildeness woodland. Camp Ebenezer loomed on the horizon of my mind. God planted the seed during meditation in 1992; and He is showing me... better than He can tell me.
Where do you begin when you need to chat with God? praise! The LORD inhabits the praises of His people. Now , when it comes to praise, I have a built in microphone in my throat! I love to sing and praise God in different ways. Praise is my "thing" As i began the praise session, I remembered a dream in which a young child told me my singing sounded bad.
"How can I improve my singing?" I asked her.
"Sing in the Spirit," she replied. The dream ended.
To me,"singing in the Spirit" gives me a license to sing 'bad', loud, in my own comfortable key and make up lyrics and melodies. Some of the 'songs' are poems; and some of the ' poems' are songs. in fact, a few have been located on the 'traditional' keyboard. Although an astute musician may declare that there is no note between B and C or F sharp and G, it does not mean they are non- existent. At least not to me. God gave my voice; and He is the Master who issues gifts, talents and abilities. Mahalia Jackson and Miriam Makeba have inspired my concept of music. I like their style.
Thus, with my car windows rolled down- and while inhaling the refreshing, crisp Crooked Island breezes, I praised God boldly. Could I believe me?As the praise emerged, i felt the abiding presence of the Lord Most High
06-24-2009 7:27:46 PM EST
Cloud Of Witnesses
Who is the 'cloud of witnesses' that Paul the Apostle refers to in his epistle?
Somewhere in the Bible, Paul says something about 'seeing that there is a mighty cloud of witnesses...'. I find that people hedge this part of the Bible because they don't want to believe people are already in heaven.Such people ask why would Jesus need to return if people are already in heaven? Well Enoch and Elijah are there and Revelation talks about the forty elders and martyred saints. of course this may be two completely different topics. Even when Jesus returns, He is expected to descend with a heavenly host. Could someone please help me with this question and clear up the matter with Bible references?
I surveyed the people on Yahoo Answers and received the answers below.
"You're never going to get everyone to agree one way or the other. People argue for this and against, both using Scripture. You need to look at Scripture yourself, and ask God to reveal the truth to you, and come to your own conclusion.
The verse you're referring to is Hebrews 12:1. It begins with "since"...so you need to look at what immediately precedes it, because that's what it's referring to. Hebrews 11 is the "book of faith" where it talks about all the great people of faith throughout Scripture, like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. So Hebrews 12:1 is calling these people "witnesses". And your argument makes complete sense; why would you refer to these people as witnesses if they're "asleep" in the grave? They'd be completely ignorant of what's going on in the world, they wouldn't be able to "witness" anything."
"The "Cloud of Witnesses" is mentioned in Hebrews 12:1
Hebrews 11 tells us to whom the writer is referring, who have gone before us and given testimony to faith. Hebrews 11 is the great chapter on faith, recalling the life-testimonies of Enoch, Noah, Abraham & Sara, Isaac & Jacob, Joseph, Moses & his parents, Joshua & Israel, Rahab, and many others (Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. [read further: Heb. 11:33-40])"
"Towards the end of your question when you refer to the cloud of witnesses returning with Jesus after the tribulation, that's the Church age saints that were resurrected in the Rapture. Think of it, he couldn't RETURN with something he didn't TAKE AWAY, could he?"
Now that you have seen actual comments - and you can check them - feel free to add your opinion.
06-20-2009 11:37:10 AM CST
Today I am starting a blog. I thought about calling the blog Recipe For Living; but who knows the right mix for life? However, I did 'throw together' something to whet the appetite of readers. Finally, I changed the page to Natural Vitamins. Everyone needs vitamins; and vitamin D comes naturally from the sun. The physical sun is 93 million miles away and affects our life through our climate, weather, plant life and vegetation as well as in other ways. Without the sun, planet earth would be so cold- a frozen wasteland.
Now think about the SONshine from the Son of God, our Kinsman - Redeemer and Saviour. He is no farther than a prayer away. In fact, before you call He answers; and while you are still speaking He hears.Who on earth do you know with such characteristics? Since I function under the unction of the SON, I expect to blog 'Fruit' salad regularly. For example, the poem -which is really an original song called Unspeakable Joy -has been waiting eagerly to reach the internet. But, I have found out that some poems I think are songs are really poem; and some poems I do not suspect are really songs. A few of these have been published in my book Just A Minute,LORD! In time I will share them. Until then, enjoy Natural Vitamins and Recipe For Living.
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