Sharing thoughts

This was a wonderful testimony from a man who is a mayor in one of the cities of Iraq. Yes, we all know that war is horrible; and they know it best who have to do the fighting, and they who have lost a loved one. However, listen to what this man has to say and see that even in war, much good can come out of it:
"Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. "Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered...the courageous soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of al-Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3rd ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them. To the courageous men and women of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life, to the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months, to those who spread smiles on the faces of our children and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city... God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget... Let America, their families and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life." Najim Abdullah Abid Al-Jubouri, mayor of Tall Afar in the Iraqi province of Nineveh (Tall Afar was the main base of operations for the terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi)
What a testimony...and may we join this very special man in thanking God for what He did in that place - and in other places in Iraq, news of which is not printed on our newspapers or spoken of on the TV.
Yes, war IS terrible - but because of it, those who are in the medical field can tell you of countless, and invaluable, advances made in plastic surgery, for example (among other areas).
Since I believe that ALL is of God, that HE rules in the affairs of men (Daniel 4), and what will not praise Him He will restrain (Ps. 76:10 KJV), AND since GOD is love, then...somehow, in ways we cannot understand, ALL events serve His purpose. Knowing Him, we can rest. Amen.

Sharing thoughts

Today, I came across a piece of free verse that has blessed me more than once over the years. It is called: Redemption and Creation...

Is man sorry first, and then forgiven,
or
forgiven first and then sorry?

If he is sorry first,
then
God forgives His friends,
but
if he is forgiven first,
then God forgives His enemies.

We don't need a God
who
forgives His friends.

Did Christ die
before or after
Adam fell?

In time, after
Adam fell,
but in eternity,
before Adam fell.

In the
mind of
God
Adam was
forgiven
first
and then
created.

This is
what the
"good news"
of man's
redemption
is all about.

He was
redeemed
first
and then
created!...

I am not
forgiven
because
I repent.

I repent
because
I am all all ready
forgiven!

2 Cor. 5:19 Amen

Sharing thoughts: March 2006

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." --Henry David Thoreau Familiar, of course, but a reminder that the crowd is often wrong. Jesus never listened to the majority, and so...besides, a crowd can so easily turn into a mob!

This speaks to me, for I do seem to "hear a different drummer" - for example, when it comes to what is important to me, especially in matters of faith (have been called a heretic because I believe that Jesus Christ is indeed the Savoiour of ALL men). There are other areas as well, but that (for me) is the primary focus.

I believe abortion is wrong - and people are more important than animals.

Also, forgiveness - for the believer, it is not an option, it is a must. It does not depend on feelings; it does not mean the one forgiven is right. It is, simply, something that I am constrained to by, by the love of Christ in me. He forgave me, He forgave ALL. We are to do the same. I realize that for one who is not a believer, a Christian, forgiveness is probably not possible - it is He in us that enables us to do so. Amen.

Sharing thoughts

So far, no one has found this site, and so...no comments on what I have written. No problem, although it would be interesting to have a response, or a reaction. Perhaps, in time, someone will happen upon this place, read some of what I have shared, and venture a reply.

In the meanwhile, it is an opportunity to write about things special to me, and sometimes very controversial to some. Also, I can add a piece of poetry that I especially enjoy, or a saying, or a word play of some sort.

I used to write haiku, and still do...and for the grandsons, limericks. Fun to come up with rhymes that would fit each one. Even politics can be interesting (not name calling, or vicious remarks, etc., but...noticing what is going on). Guess you could say my interests tend to be ecclectic, with my main focus on God, He who is my Life, and Christ Jesus, who gave me life. And that influences everything else...

Sharing thoughts

Sharing thoughts

Another day, and another opportunity to enjoy setting down some thoughts...

One of the ways I celebrate life is by volunteering at a ministry here in Bartlesville, called Voice of the Martyrs. As the name indicates, it is a ministry that reaches out to, helps, encourages, and prays for those in other countries who are persecuted because they love Jesus Christ, and refuse to deny Him. It has been going on, in ever greater degree, since the beginning of the last century.

So many Christians keep speaking of the "great tribulation" that is coming. As Corrie Ten Boom pointed out about 30 years ago, that is an American belief; in other parts of the world, such "tribulation" has been going on for decades.

Another point - that "tribulation" of which Jesus speaks was meted out dramatically and thoroughly by Titus when he demolished Jerusalem. Reading the historical records makes that clear, plus there are numerous "clues" of such in the letters of Paul, Peter, and John.

More to come...about what, cannot yet say.

Sharing thoughts

Sharing thoughts

An oops - am learning about how to publish a post, and thus should have no more repeats in the future...Lord willing. Of course, that particular quote by Dr. Morgan does bear repeating.

Sent off a letter about Intelligent Design to the Editor of our local paper...had fun composing it, and it does make a very valid point:

It seems that the matter of teaching of Intelligent Design in the schools has become a rather divisive issue these days. Perhaps it would be more acceptable if it were called "unintelligent" design…or "accidental" design?

I find this quote by C. S. Lewis is wonderful (and for some, just might settle the debate – or, at least, give some perspective): "If the solar system was brought about by an accidental collision, then the appearance of organic life on this planet was also an accident, and the whole evolution of man was an accident, too..If so, then all our present thoughts are mere accidents and the accidental by-product of the movement of atoms. And this holds for the thoughts of the materialistic and astronomers, as well as for anyone else’s. But if their thoughts – i.e., of materialism and astronomy – are merely accidental by-products, why should we believe them to be true? I see no reason for believing that one accident should be able to give me a correct account of all other accidents."

What a perspicacious observation!!

Sharing thoughts: March 2006

Sharing thoughts: March 2006

This is really interesting for me, being able to share thoughts, ideas, those things that I enjoy...and I don't have to run them through an editor, or try and please someone else. How special!!!

Am learning how to write in a different way (the keys I am used to using don't work the same. More brain stretching!) Good to learn new things, new ways of doing things.

This is a quote I want to share. What a difference it would make if all Christians saw this:

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, a well-known Bible teacher, hailed as "the prince of expositors" wrote in his book, "God's Methods with men," pages 185,6"Let me say to Bible students that we must be very careful how we use the word˜eternity. We have fallen into great error in our constant use of that word. There is NO word in the whole Book of God corresponding with our˜eternal, which as commonly used among us, means absolutely without end...Men have divided the church, separated from each other, and persecuted one another, upon a thought conveyed by an English word which has no equivalent in the Bible.

We cannot conceive of a Creator who knows the end from the beginning, one who IS Love, who has infinite wisdom, and infinite power, giving to any being life, life which is never to end, but to continue in suffering to all eternity. The Bible does NOT teach it anywhere in the original languages. God's punishments are remedial and take place within the span of the ages during which He is accomplishing the making of man in(to) His image and likeness. Punishment will last no longer than is necessary to bring man to hate his sin and be reconciled to his Saviour."

More another time...

Sharing thoughts: March 2006

Sharing thoughts: March 2006 All this is very new to me - it is special to be able to share different things, subjects, that are important to me, that are interesting. For example...Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, a well-known Bible teacher, hailed as "the prince of expositors" wrote in his book, "God’s Method’s With Men," on pages 185, 6, "Let me say to Bible students that we must be very careful how we use the word ‘eternity.’ We have fallen into great error in our constant use of that word. There is NO word in the whole Book of God corresponding with our ‘eternal,’ which as commonly used among us, means absolutely without end...Men have divided the church, separated from each other, and persecuted one another, upon a thought conveyed by an English word which has no equivalent in the Bible. We cannot conceive of a Creator who knows the end from the beginning, one who IS Love, who has infinite wisdom, and infinite power, giving to any being life, life which is never to end, but to continue in suffering to all eternity. The Bible does NOT teach it anywhere in the original languages. God's punishments are remedial and take place within the span of the ages during which He is accomplishing the making of man in(to) His image and likeness. Punishment will last no longer than is necessary to bring man to hate his sin and be reconciled to his Saviour." What a difference it would make if more Christians understood this...and surely our witness to others is received when there is the realization that God is not some impotent deity who cannot bring His creation to a triumphant and glorious conclusion.

The wonder of it all

It truly IS a wonder, to have the opportunity to share, to speak about things that are important to me, to have fun with anagrams and good stories...and to be able to do it so freely. No need to be a newspaper columnist, or someone of "religious importance." No, when I speak of what I believe - that God is my Father (as well as the Father of all), that Christ IS the Saviour of all men (and not a "wannabe" Saviour), the there is a wonderful purpose and plan which our Father is working out for ALL His creation - it matters not if others agree or not. I know what I know - and it is a joy to be able to tell of it freely. Wow!!!

An experiment

The thought of blogging is new to me, and yet - what a wonderful idea it is. PTL for whoever came up with the idea. An opportunity to express thoughts, share ideas, talk about my faith. Enough for a beginning...will see what happens now!