From the beginning of Christianity there's always been this desire to make sure one is totally right with God. Unfortunately there's always been this striving from one's own works to make this happen. Therefore, we have all sorts of dos and don'ts when it comes to man's religions. With that comes the guilt. No wonder so many have walked away from the faith of their families. It's just too much work to be right with God. Do we keep the 10 commandments? ...
Hanukkah is soon to be celebrated. Some have no real idea why they celebrate it like they do but as traditions go, it's something to be celebrated. We all know we look forward to our traditions and celebrations even if we're not sure of the origins of such holidays. Even though Hanukkah has a legend behind it, and I'm speaking of the little jar of oil which was kept burning for eight days with only one day's supply of oil, we're still not exactly sure if that is wh...
The Saga continues as we move towards the celebration of Hanukkah. We left off with the madman, the Syrian King Antiochus, who filled the Jews with terror and persecution. Immediately after the December 25th fiasco when the pig on the altar was slaughtered by the madman and his men the faithful Jews fled to the wilderness hiding in the hills and the caves. They were hunted down as animals and slaughtered when caught. Thousands died as Martyrs as they remained faithful t...
Yesterday I was privileged to hear a Jewish Christian who is well loved and admired in these parts speak on Hanukkah. He said it's directly related to Christmas. Some of which he spoke of I knew, but I was eagerly attentive to his words as he outlined the beautiful Jewish story behind the celebration of Hanukkah also known as The Feast of Dedication. It was fascinating to listen to this troubling but also remarkable true story. The time period was...
This was sent to me by a friend. What A System In The US--Forgive And Forget -- Let Bygones Be Bygones... The rest of the world cannot understand how after bitter election campaigns, American politicians can return to reality. For instance, Sarah Palin has invited to her great state of Alaska the men who defeated her, Barack Obama and Joe Biden . She has provided a moose hunting trip for their enjoyment and has hired two other prominent men to assist them....
This was sent to me by a friend. What A System In The US--Forgive And Forget -- Let Bygones Be Bygones... The rest of the world cannot understand how after bitter election campaigns, American politicians can return to reality. For instance, Sarah Palin has invited to her great state of Alaska the men who defeated her, Barack Obama and Joe Biden . She has provided a moose hunting trip for their enjoyment and has hired two other prominent men to assist them....
What is it about husbands and weather? Geeesh! I think my husband should have been a weatherman. His favorite channel has got to be the weather station. Hands down. I could care less unless I have plans or there's a big storm coming. Otherwise I just deal with it. Not him. Nope. Not only does he have to know our weather here for the next 10 days but he also keeps an eye on where all the kids live in their perspective states and our...
The Rabbi and the Terrorist By Dennis Prager It was obvious to observers around the world that one of the designated targets of the Pakistani Islamist terrorists was the Mumbai Chabad House, the one Jewish center in Mumbai. The 10 Islamic terrorists who came from Pakistan to India chose their targets with great care. If one assumes that the terrorists' primary goals were to destabilize India, weaken growing Indian-Pakistani cooperation i...
People love Angels. Angels have a good reputation. They watch out for us. They protect us. They guide us. In some instances Angels have spoken to us. They seem to get alot of attention during the Christmas Season as many decorate their homes with angel ornaments. Personally I believe I've had an angel intervene in my life at least twice that I know of. There are many angel experiences told by others who feel there just wasn't any other human exp...
Many know that holidays can be depressing. Up until now, I've not experienced that. With a busy family I've been too busy to be depressed. There just seem to be enough time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to get it all done. The cleaning, the decorating, the cooking, the shopping, mailing out Christmas cards etc. Too much to do in a short period of time. Every year about this time I swear I'm going to do the Christmas cards in June. I never do. For...
It's been quite a Thanksgiving weekend both for me personally and world-wide by listening to the news this morning and the last several days. First of course, were the attacks in India. How tragic and unneccessary. For what? Many died at the hands of another just because. Basically. My journalist son called to say the first two reported came from Lynchburg which is where he is. Many already know a Rabbi and his wife were killed. ...
No, it's not who you are thinking of. Yes, there is another Sabrina out there who needs much needed prayer. From time to time I speak about one of our missionaries from our church back home. I'm not sure if I've ever spoken here about Ben but we started supporting him from the beginning of his ministry to Brazil. For a while he was just a single guy with a heart for God and the country of Brazil. Then he met Dani. They've been married a couple ...
We've been here a year now and still have not settled into a church to call home. We wish to find a place where we can be useful. We are able bodied workers who are more than ready to roll our sleeves up and be put to work. We started out in one church, stayed there for about 7 months or so and then moved on. It was clear this church was stagnating and didn't seem to want to go anywhere or do much of anything. They had no children. Quite often I was the youn...
I've been contacted by a few from back home that there has been quite a commotion stirring in Standish, Maine these last few days. It seems as though a little Mom and Pop store right at the top of the hill a few doors down from where I worked has made National News. The owner of the store is hiding out. Like any small rural town you have the hangout place where the locals gather for coffee and gossip and this little store is no exception. Well that's not exactly ...
I'm a big believer in the transforming power of God. Ha! No surprise there. I read this today, thought it thought provoking and agreed 100%. Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.