Thursday, December 22, 2011
One Christmas Miracle
I believe in miracles.
Yes, and there is enough evidence to convince me that God does hear our prayers.
This Christmas miracle story begins back in October with the sad ending of one young man's life and his friend, Sam, in a coma. While the doctors were still running tests, they were in the process of readying the family for the worst news -- that there was no hope.
However, the MRI showed that the essential centers of the brain were still functioning. And by that evening, he moved two fingers.
His mother, Susan Regan said, "At some point, I knew we had to make some sort of decision, and I kept praying."
Now, just before Christmas, Sam is talking, walking with a walker and doctors believe that he'll make a complete recovery.
No matter what your personal beliefs are, that either Sam's day had not yet come or that his mother's prayers were answered, either way it shows the work of the Lord in our daily lives.
God can and does answer every prayer. Even silence is an answer, although it's usually one we don't want to hear.
NOTE: The title of the news story is deceptive, he wasn't readied to donate organs -- yet.
http://gma.yahoo.com/readied-donate-organs-21-old-emerges-coma-204904805.html
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Interracial Couples Not Welcome at Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church?
I was utterly shocked to see the headline of this story. The church voted that interracial couples weren't welcome? What part of Christianity do they not get?
And do they understand that JESUS wasn't "white"? Yeah, Jesus himself wasn't white and obviously wouldn't be allowed in their church (though he didn't have a wife, come on now people!)
Oh my gosh. Talk about going against God's Word.
I would discourage any of the faithful from going to that church because the people are obviously NOT following the Word. If you don't believe me, check out the Word.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from the American King James Version http://kjv.us/numbers/12.htm
1 And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? has he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were on the face of the earth.) 4 And the LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, Come out you three to the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream.
7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked on Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said to Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech you, lay not the sin on us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb. 13 And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech you. 14 And the LORD said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.
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Note not just the anger of the Lord, but also the forgiveness of His people.
Moses begged God to heal his sister. The people waited for her to be allowed back into camp before continuing their journey.
Miriam and Aaron repented and were not just forgiven, but brought back into the fold.
We can only hope that the members of this congregation repent...
And do they understand that JESUS wasn't "white"? Yeah, Jesus himself wasn't white and obviously wouldn't be allowed in their church (though he didn't have a wife, come on now people!)
Oh my gosh. Talk about going against God's Word.
I would discourage any of the faithful from going to that church because the people are obviously NOT following the Word. If you don't believe me, check out the Word.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from the American King James Version http://kjv.us/numbers/12.htm
1 And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? has he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were on the face of the earth.) 4 And the LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, Come out you three to the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream.
7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked on Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said to Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech you, lay not the sin on us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb. 13 And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech you. 14 And the LORD said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note not just the anger of the Lord, but also the forgiveness of His people.
Moses begged God to heal his sister. The people waited for her to be allowed back into camp before continuing their journey.
Miriam and Aaron repented and were not just forgiven, but brought back into the fold.
We can only hope that the members of this congregation repent...
Monday, October 31, 2011
A Glimpse of the Other Side?
"Oh wow oh wow oh wow."
Somehow, when my last day comes, if I'm blessed enough to still be here but able to see the other side, I suspect that my last words will be the same. "Oh wow."
I don't know what he saw, but there's a sense of wonder inherent in that simple phrase, "Oh wow".
It makes me think of the Lord of the Rings, in the final pages, where Frodo and Gandalf are passing into the West, "...the grey-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."
But for Sam, Pippin and Merry, "...the evening deepened into darkness..."
Isn't that the same for those of us left behind? Tolkien had a deep sense of what lies before us all, that moment when we pass from human into spirit -- when we join the vast consciousness that we who are still flesh and blood call God.
I believe that the grey-curtain of death rolled back for Steve and he saw the Promised Land before him.
Links:
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/steve-jobs-final-words-shared-sister-eulogy-060321674.html
Steve Job's eulogy, delivered by his sister: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/mona-simpsons-eulogy-for-steve-jobs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=steve%20jobs
Somehow, when my last day comes, if I'm blessed enough to still be here but able to see the other side, I suspect that my last words will be the same. "Oh wow."
I don't know what he saw, but there's a sense of wonder inherent in that simple phrase, "Oh wow".
It makes me think of the Lord of the Rings, in the final pages, where Frodo and Gandalf are passing into the West, "...the grey-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."
But for Sam, Pippin and Merry, "...the evening deepened into darkness..."
Isn't that the same for those of us left behind? Tolkien had a deep sense of what lies before us all, that moment when we pass from human into spirit -- when we join the vast consciousness that we who are still flesh and blood call God.
I believe that the grey-curtain of death rolled back for Steve and he saw the Promised Land before him.
Links:
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/steve-jobs-final-words-shared-sister-eulogy-060321674.html
Steve Job's eulogy, delivered by his sister: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/mona-simpsons-eulogy-for-steve-jobs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=steve%20jobs
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Spirit Comes To Me In Dreams
I don't dream very much, at least not dreams I remember. Sometimes I have very strange dreams. Sometimes I have nightmares. And sometimes it's the Spirit, usually warning me.
Right before I bought my house, I had one of those dreams.
I dreamed that I was with my ex at a motel. He was hiding out from the cops. I could come and go from the motel room, I wasn't wanted.
So I'd went out to get some food. I was on my way back to the motel room. The sun was hot, I was sweating. I was walking up and could hear his voice, he was on the phone. He couldn't see me yet. Then I realized what I was hearing, he was plotting with someone to pin his latest crime on me!
I woke up in a cold sweat for real. OMG, all the garbage that fool pulled on me before my eyes were opened to his lies, and then to dream such a thing! And it was so real!
I hadn't seen nor heard from him in months, he was busy with his next girlfriend and their kids. To dream about him, it was a nightmare.
The next day, I saw this house online. I kinda discounted it, but my realtor called and was very excited about it, so we arranged to go and see it the next day. I also told her about my dream and she told me exactly what I was thinking, that it was a warning from the Spirit. We talked for a good while about it.
Right after we got off the phone, it rang again.
It was him. The same old lines, the same tired scenario, he wanted to come home. He wanted to make a fresh start. He'd change if he could come home.
I told him no. I was getting ready to buy a house, I was going to look at it the next day. So he talked and talked, then finally stopped trying to pursuade me. I remembered the dream and it strengthened my resolve, there was no way he could come with me.
Well, I ended up buying that house and moving to West Sacramento.
It was a while, but one day I saw his name on the booking logs. Oh no.
Then I saw his girlfriend's name. OH NO!
It hit me, if I would have let him back into my life, that would have been me, sucked into a crime I had nothing to do with, I would've been with the wrong person at the wrong time.
He went to prison for a while. She eventually ended up in jail too.
Again, the Spirit was right. Thank God I'd listened.
Right before I bought my house, I had one of those dreams.
I dreamed that I was with my ex at a motel. He was hiding out from the cops. I could come and go from the motel room, I wasn't wanted.
So I'd went out to get some food. I was on my way back to the motel room. The sun was hot, I was sweating. I was walking up and could hear his voice, he was on the phone. He couldn't see me yet. Then I realized what I was hearing, he was plotting with someone to pin his latest crime on me!
I woke up in a cold sweat for real. OMG, all the garbage that fool pulled on me before my eyes were opened to his lies, and then to dream such a thing! And it was so real!
I hadn't seen nor heard from him in months, he was busy with his next girlfriend and their kids. To dream about him, it was a nightmare.
The next day, I saw this house online. I kinda discounted it, but my realtor called and was very excited about it, so we arranged to go and see it the next day. I also told her about my dream and she told me exactly what I was thinking, that it was a warning from the Spirit. We talked for a good while about it.
Right after we got off the phone, it rang again.
It was him. The same old lines, the same tired scenario, he wanted to come home. He wanted to make a fresh start. He'd change if he could come home.
I told him no. I was getting ready to buy a house, I was going to look at it the next day. So he talked and talked, then finally stopped trying to pursuade me. I remembered the dream and it strengthened my resolve, there was no way he could come with me.
Well, I ended up buying that house and moving to West Sacramento.
It was a while, but one day I saw his name on the booking logs. Oh no.
Then I saw his girlfriend's name. OH NO!
It hit me, if I would have let him back into my life, that would have been me, sucked into a crime I had nothing to do with, I would've been with the wrong person at the wrong time.
He went to prison for a while. She eventually ended up in jail too.
Again, the Spirit was right. Thank God I'd listened.
God Is Everywhere
Even when we cry out to God, "Why? Why?" He is always there for us.
Each of us have a day that comes and we leave our family and friends behind. That day is always too soon, whether its day one or at 100 years old. For those left behind, it's still too soon.
The worst are the tragic and unnecessary deaths, when our loved one is in an accident, or worse, murdered.
Our days are numbered and when it comes, it comes.
Still, God is there for us. He lifts us up and comforts us in our sorrow. We depend on Him for all things, in the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, in life and in the death of the body. We depend on Him, knowing that life is short and when our day comes, we go Home to His unending love.
RIP Josh. May justice find your murderer and your family and friends find comfort in knowing that you're kicking it with God now. We miss you, but in the grand scheme, we'll be with you soon enough...
Each of us have a day that comes and we leave our family and friends behind. That day is always too soon, whether its day one or at 100 years old. For those left behind, it's still too soon.
The worst are the tragic and unnecessary deaths, when our loved one is in an accident, or worse, murdered.
Our days are numbered and when it comes, it comes.
Still, God is there for us. He lifts us up and comforts us in our sorrow. We depend on Him for all things, in the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, in life and in the death of the body. We depend on Him, knowing that life is short and when our day comes, we go Home to His unending love.
RIP Josh. May justice find your murderer and your family and friends find comfort in knowing that you're kicking it with God now. We miss you, but in the grand scheme, we'll be with you soon enough...
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I Like This Bible
Don't get me wrong, I still have my King James too.
But I really like this Bible: The New American Bible published by the World Catholic Press.
Basically, they took the entire text of the Bible back to the earliest sources available and translated them into English.
There are tons of footnotes, clarifying and giving extra historical information.
I really like this Bible, it grounds me in history as well as Faith.
But I really like this Bible: The New American Bible published by the World Catholic Press.
Basically, they took the entire text of the Bible back to the earliest sources available and translated them into English.
There are tons of footnotes, clarifying and giving extra historical information.
I really like this Bible, it grounds me in history as well as Faith.
Friday, May 20, 2011
I'd Like To Say Something Before The World Ends Tomorrow
Mr Camping is full of poop.
There.
I said it.
I'm sure that Harold Camping really believes what he's promoting.
Luckily for all the sinners out there, and that includes the faithful (because we ALL sin -- only Jesus was perfect!), you probably still have time to get right with the Lord.
I say probably because none of us know when our day will come. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be that the Lord doesn't call you home for another 50 years. Or you could have a heart attack and go Home tomorrow, on the day that Mr Camping has predicted.
I suspect that once it becomes clear that he's wrong again (don't forget his prediction of 1994), he's going to be quiet for a bit, then announce that he made a mistake and set a NEW date for the Rapture.
But as for tomorrow, not gonna happen.
If you're reading this, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and you're really upset about Mr Camping and his predictions, especially if you were one of his true believers, feel free to e-mail me. I'll be happy to talk to you and look up a local pastor for you.
Or a lawyer if you prefer, although unless you've thrown away your life's savings, I really wouldn't recommend spending your valuable resources on suing the man. Forgiveness truly is Divine and lawyers are very expensive.
In any case, do not lose heart. God is with you all the time and whether or not Mr Camping is right or wrong, he can't take God away from you. Not now, not ever. The Lord is not willing that ANY should be lost. That includes you.
So on Sunday, go to church and thank the Lord for the blessings that you have, the blessings you will receive, and the good life that the Lord has promised you.
And after church, gather with your family and break bread together. The storm will pass, the sun will shine, life will go on.
And on Monday, look up disaster preparedness and get your emergency plan in place. Just because Mr Camping is utterly wrong about the end of the world, doesn't mean that you won't eventually be in a disaster. But it will be just one of the regular earthly types -- earthquake, flood, fire, tornado, hurricane -- you know, the ones that happen to all of us.
The Lord is with you and me and even the unbelievers. They just don't know it yet. And the Lord is watching over them too, guiding them to a path that will lead them Home in the end.
We all go Home in the end.
Just not tomorrow...
There.
I said it.
I'm sure that Harold Camping really believes what he's promoting.
Luckily for all the sinners out there, and that includes the faithful (because we ALL sin -- only Jesus was perfect!), you probably still have time to get right with the Lord.
I say probably because none of us know when our day will come. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be that the Lord doesn't call you home for another 50 years. Or you could have a heart attack and go Home tomorrow, on the day that Mr Camping has predicted.
I suspect that once it becomes clear that he's wrong again (don't forget his prediction of 1994), he's going to be quiet for a bit, then announce that he made a mistake and set a NEW date for the Rapture.
But as for tomorrow, not gonna happen.
If you're reading this, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and you're really upset about Mr Camping and his predictions, especially if you were one of his true believers, feel free to e-mail me. I'll be happy to talk to you and look up a local pastor for you.
Or a lawyer if you prefer, although unless you've thrown away your life's savings, I really wouldn't recommend spending your valuable resources on suing the man. Forgiveness truly is Divine and lawyers are very expensive.
In any case, do not lose heart. God is with you all the time and whether or not Mr Camping is right or wrong, he can't take God away from you. Not now, not ever. The Lord is not willing that ANY should be lost. That includes you.
So on Sunday, go to church and thank the Lord for the blessings that you have, the blessings you will receive, and the good life that the Lord has promised you.
And after church, gather with your family and break bread together. The storm will pass, the sun will shine, life will go on.
And on Monday, look up disaster preparedness and get your emergency plan in place. Just because Mr Camping is utterly wrong about the end of the world, doesn't mean that you won't eventually be in a disaster. But it will be just one of the regular earthly types -- earthquake, flood, fire, tornado, hurricane -- you know, the ones that happen to all of us.
The Lord is with you and me and even the unbelievers. They just don't know it yet. And the Lord is watching over them too, guiding them to a path that will lead them Home in the end.
We all go Home in the end.
Just not tomorrow...
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Osama bin Laden Is Dead
Yes, I saw people rejoicing.
I don't know, I just felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
Personally, I don't think the Lord encourages us to rejoice, even when it's over the death of a horrible, horrible man who facilitated the murder of thousands of innocent people.
Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord...
I don't know, I just felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
Personally, I don't think the Lord encourages us to rejoice, even when it's over the death of a horrible, horrible man who facilitated the murder of thousands of innocent people.
Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
What's Up With The World Ending In 2011?
I've been driving by signs announcing that the world is ending this year.
REALLY?
Yes, Harold Camping has done it again. He's out there announcing that according to his mathematical calculations, the Rapture will arrive on May 21, 2011. And to take it further, that the world will end on October 21, 2011.
REALLY?
Like he didn't learn the last time, on Sept. 6, 1994, when his followers waited for the Rapture that never came?
Look, if you really read the Bible, Jesus and the Word are very clear that NO ONE knows when Christ will return, and in fact no one knows when the end of the world will come. It is very clear, verse after verse after verse. We do not know when the end will come, just like we don't know when our own last day will come.
If you follow the Word, you have no need of false prophets. Sorry Mr. Camping, but that's exactly what you are, a false prophet. Christians don't need this kind of fear-mongering among the flock, we have way too much work to do for the Lord.
You don't have to believe me, take it right to the Word. I found a website where the verses are gathered together, so you don't have to search your whole Bible for relevant information. Of course, I'd encourage you to take this back to your Bible and read it all, all the way through, so that you are not deceived by the false and the foolish.
Check it out: http://www.scripturemenu.com/BibleVerseList.html?topicid=47
And don't be fooled by those who really should know better than to try to place themselves above the Lord and His Word.
If the WORD said May 21, 2011, then I'd take this very seriously. But the Word doesn't say that at all.
Thieves in the temple.
Yep, let me say it again.
Thieves in the temple...
Links:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-01-01/bay-area/17466332_1_east-bay-bay-area-first-time-camping
http://www.ebiblefellowship.com/may21/
REALLY?
Yes, Harold Camping has done it again. He's out there announcing that according to his mathematical calculations, the Rapture will arrive on May 21, 2011. And to take it further, that the world will end on October 21, 2011.
REALLY?
Like he didn't learn the last time, on Sept. 6, 1994, when his followers waited for the Rapture that never came?
Look, if you really read the Bible, Jesus and the Word are very clear that NO ONE knows when Christ will return, and in fact no one knows when the end of the world will come. It is very clear, verse after verse after verse. We do not know when the end will come, just like we don't know when our own last day will come.
If you follow the Word, you have no need of false prophets. Sorry Mr. Camping, but that's exactly what you are, a false prophet. Christians don't need this kind of fear-mongering among the flock, we have way too much work to do for the Lord.
You don't have to believe me, take it right to the Word. I found a website where the verses are gathered together, so you don't have to search your whole Bible for relevant information. Of course, I'd encourage you to take this back to your Bible and read it all, all the way through, so that you are not deceived by the false and the foolish.
Check it out: http://www.scripturemenu.com/BibleVerseList.html?topicid=47
And don't be fooled by those who really should know better than to try to place themselves above the Lord and His Word.
If the WORD said May 21, 2011, then I'd take this very seriously. But the Word doesn't say that at all.
Thieves in the temple.
Yep, let me say it again.
Thieves in the temple...
Links:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-01-01/bay-area/17466332_1_east-bay-bay-area-first-time-camping
http://www.ebiblefellowship.com/may21/
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
We Don't Always Like The Answer
God answers every prayer.
Even silence is an answer.
But we don't always like the answer we get. When we're praying for a miracle, it's hard when God says "No".
My daughter's friend was lying in the hospital, terribly injured in a motorcycle accident. We prayed and prayed and prayed for the miracle, that he would wake up.
But this was a time when God said no.
He was actually going to be taken off life support the next day. The call went out and everyone rushed to the hospital. This fine young man's body was shutting down and he wasn't going to make it through the night.
In all of our sadness for our loss (and Heaven's gain), it was clear that God gave us the answer by taking him Home. The family didn't have to wonder if they'd made the right or wrong decision, despite the doctors' expertise in these kinds of injuries.
God made it clear. "I have taken him Home already. He is safe with Me."
We don't always like the answers we receive, but God always answers our prayers.
Even silence is an answer.
But we don't always like the answer we get. When we're praying for a miracle, it's hard when God says "No".
My daughter's friend was lying in the hospital, terribly injured in a motorcycle accident. We prayed and prayed and prayed for the miracle, that he would wake up.
But this was a time when God said no.
He was actually going to be taken off life support the next day. The call went out and everyone rushed to the hospital. This fine young man's body was shutting down and he wasn't going to make it through the night.
In all of our sadness for our loss (and Heaven's gain), it was clear that God gave us the answer by taking him Home. The family didn't have to wonder if they'd made the right or wrong decision, despite the doctors' expertise in these kinds of injuries.
God made it clear. "I have taken him Home already. He is safe with Me."
We don't always like the answers we receive, but God always answers our prayers.
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