Beware a Reign of Censorship

Remember Salmon Rushdie and his plight when he wrote his book going against the grain of the muslim faith.

He was forced into exile when the faith put out a death threat against him. The muslims were outraged that he dare touch what they believe "holy scripture".

Often you may run into "Christian groups" that also agree they must enforce a form of censorship. It is more subtle than death threats but censorship reigns within certain groups.

The irony of a "Christian group" trying to censor the public is they don't believe the very scripture they are trying to protect.

There is nothing wrong with people holding bible studies or church within the confides of their "group" of a certain persuasion of faith when that direction is given upfront, but watch out if their censorship begins to inch out into the mainstream of life.

The root of such illogical behavior as trying to censor the public is a disbelief in their own faith. They truly don't believe the greatness of their God. They are acting on a fear that man's ability to taint souls is greater than their God's ability to keep them.

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

They don't have a true belief of their own scripture and therefore fight against anyone they see as a threat to that scripture.

Restricting through censorship is a form of mind control. Don't give into the fear.

The Lord would simply tell us the following.

Matthew 15:13  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

What does the below mean? That the pope believes Christians trust in the one the Jews are waiting for, or that the Jews trust in Jesus? A Kosher Jesus? Maybe I misunderstand.

It reportedly says Jews and Christians share their wait for the Messiah, although Jews are waiting for the first coming and Christians for the second.

Advise to Endurance..lol
Praise God!

Keep On Churnin’! -author unknown


Two frogs were hoppin’ along
On Grandpa’s porch and singin’ a song,
And not lookin’ they made a wrong turn,
And jumped in Grandma’s butter churn.
Grandpa and I witnessed the scene,
But Gramp’s hearing wasn’t too keen-
Sure ‘nough, the frogs weren’t dead,
So I listened to every word they said.
Said the one frog to the other,
“I just know we’re goin’ to smother-
There’s no use to squirm and scream”-
And slowly he sank…
Glub… glub… glub…
Into the cream.
“Not me,” said the other one,
“It’s not over until it’s done”-
And with determination and grit
He jumped and jumped and didn’t quit.
And he jumped and jumped and jumped
some more,
And jumped and jumped, and that
times four.
And before my amazement I could utter,
He had jumped and churned
a small pat of butter!
On it he stood and gave a shout,
And then in a wink that frog jumped out!
As I told Grandpa what they did and said,
He rubbed his chin, and nodded his head,
And with his usual wisdom,
And in his usual mutter,
He said, “It just goes to show-
We need to keep on churnin’
‘til things get butter!”

another version of the same- author unknown

Two frogs fell in a deep cream bowl,
One was an optimistic soul,
But the other took the gloomy view.
“We'll drown,” he cried without more ado,

And with a last despairing cry,
He flung up his legs and said, “Good-bye!”

Quote the other frog with steadfast grin,
“I can't get out, but I won't give in.”
“I'll swim around til my strength is spent,”
“Then I'll die the more content.”

Bravely he swam to work his scheme,
And his struggles began to churn the cream.
The more he swam, his legs a-flutter,
The more the cream turned to butter.

On top of the butter at last he stopped,
And out of the bowl he gaily hopped.

What is the moral?
It's easily found--

If you can't hop out,
Keep swimming around!

To ignore certain persons within a group setting is a cultist practice. I am not talking of an accidental overlooking or needing to think before answers, but a purposeful continual ignoring.

I am well aware of the practice because of relationships before salvation.

There was one in particular that no matter how I tried to open lines of communication I would be ignored for weeks on end. This was even within a setting of being in a same room together, and the only parties within the room.

This person of my past was agnostic whose god was a "power". This person of my past was of cult persuasions and of the world. While I was also of the world at the time, I never succumbed to using this tactic no matter how angry I may have gotten.

How surprised I became for the Lord to save me and I begin to pick up on those same cultism practices within the "church system".

I am sure the Lord lead me to those places within His name, to show me the rudiments of a false man made church.

While I am sure we all are guilty of ignoring others at times, to make it a form of punishment so to speak is cultist. If you are within a group setting that uses such punishment my advice would be get out however you can.

Some very good cult resources can be found at the following link -

Cult Resources

Learn how to fold towels into animals link

I could have used that link years ago as a retired B&B owner. I may have to try it just for fun.

Could give some new meaning to throwing in the towel.

I have heard that Carnival Cruise ( not related to Tom) has a small book out on the art.

If home schooling it could be something fun time for kids and adults alike.

Notes on our Purpose Driven Church visit.

These notes are simply my observations.
The greeters were very friendly and inviting.
The congregation seemed to be overflowing with teens.
I only noticed one man besides myself carrying a bible.
His was very well read as I could see the tattered edges and pages protruding.

The worship, contemporary, seemed more like watching the band onstage than participation. This watching is something I am not used to and the atmosphere felt to be holding back.

The lights were dimmed after worship to show a small drama on stage of a couple saddened by infertility and thwarted attempts to adopt. They began to question prayer. They left the stage and the pastor emerges.

We were not invited to find scripture as the pastor went through his message. Scripture was placed on a movie screen for all to see.

It started with
NIV Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

The sermon was very good in explaining that sometimes God answers no to our prayers. That God knows what is best for us, and even Paul had answers of no from God when asking for the thorn to be removed from his side.
That if we ask anything according to His will we have the petitions desired.

I did get a little side tracked when he was explaining four prayer categories of-

1- Pessimistic
2-Perplexed
3-Preoccupied
4-Powerful and productive

While I personally felt a little sidetracked I did not hear anything I would consider unbiblical. Some prayer resources were recommended with one being by Charles Stanley. I usually enjoy most anything the Lord provides through Mr. Stanley.

There was no alter call. The offering was taken up at the end with the band playing and we were told that if we were visitors to please not feel we need contribute to the offering. It was for regulars to contribute. We contributed anyway.

There were donuts in the foyer afterward and we were invited to stay, but we had planned to eat out and I felt a little out of place being visitors.

I sort of picked up from the bulletin that there are more intimate settings and studies through the week with smaller group meetings.

Not sure how I feel about it just yet. It was certainly different from what I am used to.

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


This is the way the Lord said to know His church. Not if they have big buildings, large congregations or perfect theology.

If they love one another.

This may be the reason I am looking into finding a Purpose Driven Church. The teaching that each person has a God given purpose.

If one looks at others that surround them as being there for a God given purpose..then they should be more apt to be kind and patient and even love that person.

I have experienced way too much dislike, division and all out hate within congregations that say they love God. What about loving others?

We, husband and I, start out this morning toward that PD church to test the waters.

We will see with the Lord's help.

His mother didn't come to Christ, Welch said, because "I was a cool witness or knew all the right things to say. She became a Christian because I tried and I cried."

I am not so sure that would be the reason one came to the Lord. Family issues are sensitive so I certainly can relate to the thought.

Hummm...just thoughts on my part. I have cried and tried and in praying God's will throughout I have yet to see the results.

Some personal notes from the "Experiencing God", study by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King. THese are my personal notes and not exactly like within the study guide.

Notes 1-

John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The life of this study is that you may know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Knowing God is a relationship and not programs or methods.

The authors true desire is for you to move into relationship with God so that you may experience all His abundant life offers.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Relationship with Christ is a prerequisite to the abundant life described in the above scripture. You must feel led to have that intimate relationship with Christ, and if you feel a need to accept Him now, please review the following scripture.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
( All have sinned)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
( eternal life is a gift from God)

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
( Because of His love Jesus paid the price for your sins)

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
( Confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead)

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
( Whoever calls upon His name shall be saved)

You may have been frustrated because you know God has a more abundant life for you than your former Christian experience has allowed. You may be desiring God's direction in your life. You may have experienced tragedy with a broken life. Whatever the circumstance the author wishes you to be able to-

hear when God is speaking to you
clearly identify God's activity in your life
believe Him to be and do all He promises
adjust your behavior, beliefs and character to His ways
see the direction He is taking you in your life
clearly know how to respond to His direction
experience God doing through you what only He can do

This is all impossible through this study but with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Ask your teacher to be the Holy Spirit, who will teach you all things-

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Dressed for Success

I never had a twin but I am blessed with a sister. Our mom, bless her silly ways, loved to dress us alike.

Matching outfits in different colors were the norm in our youth. The clothing still reside within the wardrobe of my mind. They are a little wrinkled but none the less there.

Mom has passed on but I still look at my sister and see my old outfits in a different color. We have outgrown the outfits, but can never outgrow the memories.

I often feel an urge to pull out a few of those wrinkled memories and iron them. I could press a little mess from the wardrobe, but in reality our wardrobe was never that meticulous.

Tragedy, tears, abuse, divorce add wrinkles to any personal wardrobe. I have to ask myself if success is achieved through prefect pleats. Maybe the wrinkles add character.

While the past is wrinkled, I do foresee perfect pleats in the future.

In looking to that future I realize that I must lay aside all urges to press the mess. I instead hand it over to the only one that can truly dress us for success.

He too will dress us in matching wardrobes. A white array of all matching pleated outfits shine in the horizon. Vessels wrapped in the grace of God.

Maybe mom, bless her silly ways, wasn't so silly after all.

Revelation 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

9:47 AM :: 1 comments ::

bluhaze :: permalink

There is a really cute little hangman game at-
Link to Hangman

You don't have to join the site to play.

I wonder who thought of hangman? Hanging a man with words?

It seems human nature for some to try and hang another with their words. Some were always trying to "catch" Jesus in His words to accuse Him of wrong. That is the nature of the accuser...seeking any word to twist toward accusation.

Mark 12:13  And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

Christian DJ Fired Over Comments

Read article in full at -
"I made it clear that the discussion was not an attack on the character of the pope but, rather, a look at the teachings -- not only of John Paul, but the Catholic Church in general," Minto said.

I personally believe we need be more respectful in certain matters.

Road Rage Platitude

There once was a female named Gertrude
She had such a big, bad attitude
She spit in my eye as she drove by
It's the newest Road Rage platitude

Come one come all! Do not be the last to get in on the newest rage! Road Rage!

You may see gritting teeth and hand gestures.

No mistakes allowed on these roads! No praise that you didn't crash in spite of mistakes! Vengeance is mine saith the ranting driver!

You may even see them turn to follow you a few blocks.

Thank the Lord when they come to their senses and start back in the direction from whence they came!

The Overcomers

I was reading a personal blog where someone was struggling with heavy issues concerning the eminence of death in her family. A sensitive issue with a family member that had abused her as a child. My heart cried for this woman as she is torn between forgiveness and wishing and rejoicing in the death.

Throughout human history I am sure there are many such stories.

One such dealing was recorded in Scripture with Joseph. I often wonder what Joseph would have been thinking as he sat at the bottom of the pit his brothers threw him in.

Genesis 37:19  And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
20  Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.


While Scripture doesn't record Joseph's pit thoughts, I am sure he was filled with a mixture of feelings. The feelings never overcame Joseph however. We see how in the end he forgives the deed.

Genesis 45:4  And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
5  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.


Joseph was an overcomer.

We as God's children through Christ also overcome. Mixed feelings against the abuse from others may be there at times, pit thoughts, but in the end we overcome them through Christ. One such overcomer was Paul.

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.


We see that Paul had learned that contentment. It is a learned aspect of God's children and not a natural occurrence to overcome feelings that come naturally through abuse from others.

The Lord Himself has struggled with me throughout this same type learning process. The battle with mixed feelings while we walk this life out. We all have pit thoughts as we learn to deal and overcome.

We know that through Christ, like Joseph and Paul, we are overcomers.

1 John 4:4  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.


It is important to forgive. To rise above being a victim and become the victor.

1 John 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


Through Christ we are the victor and not the victim. Through Christ we are overcomers.

In celebration of McDonald's anniversary let's each eat a pound of grease and a Big Mac.

I used to love Big Macs until I found out the calorie content. It was way up there although that has been a while...it seems like over 600 or so..can't remember exactly.

I have as I age tried to help hubby and I eat a little more healthy. You really do feel better when you eat better. The thought of a Big Mac now sort of makes me queezy...

PDL Day 11 notes-( end of short series)

Who will you live for, yourself or God?

You may hesitate thinking you are not strong enough to live for God. Do not worry. God will give you whatever you need once you make that choice to try and live for Him.

2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

You may have questions and feel you don't completely understand some things. Do not worry. You don't have to understand all things to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. You can accept Jesus into your life even with all your doubts and questions.. Having a relationship with Christ is really the only way to live.

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

First believe that God loves you and made you for His purpose. Second recieve Jesus as your Lord, (your manager, boss, the one in control of your life). Accept Jesus as the one who died for your sins and your savior.

If you really mean it please say a prayer.

Jesus,

I believe in you and I recieve you. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay for all my sins. As much as I know how, I ask you to come into my life and help me learn to know you, trust you and love you.

If you truly meant that prayer...welcome to the family of God.

You are now ready to start living God's purpose for your life. You need to tell someone. You will need support. You can go to www.purposedrivenlife.com and tell them. They will send you free material to help you start your new life.
___________________________________________
personal notes- while I personally don't believe you can come to God on your own power but must be called. I don't see how this study can hurt and I know God can use it and all things for His glory.
It is sort of like the Lord stated..
Mark 9:40  For he that is not against us is on our part.
Luke 9:50  And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Day 10 PDL notes-

The reason for everything in the universe is for God.

You were created by Him and you were created for Him. God made all things for His glory.

Through nature we can look and see that God loves variety, beauty, organization, wisdom and creativity. The heavens themself declare the glory of God.

Psalms 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

You can know what God is really like by looking at His Son, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Not giving God His glory is called sin. All sin at it's root is failing to give God the glory due Him. In different ways we all have lived for our own glory and not God's.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

None of us have given God the full glory He deserves for our life. This is the biggest mistake we can make. On the other hand , living for God's glory is the greatest achievement for our lives. To bring God glory is the greatest thing one can do with their life.

Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

The larger version of The Purpose Driven Life ( These study notes were taken from a pamplet) , will explain the 5 purposes for your life to bring God glory. A run down of those are.

You bring God glory by getting to know and love Him
You give God glory by loving others in God's family
You give God glory by becoming Christ like
You give God glory by serving others
You bring God glory by telling others about Him

Living the rest of your life for God's glory will require changes in your life. It will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one. Even Jesus struggled with a hard path. Read His words as He struggled.

John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Who will you live for, yourself or God?
_________________________________________
personal notes- very good here. God is the one that initiates the relationship however.

Hubby put out some lettuce, onions and cabbage over the weekend.

He usually plants and maintains while I harvest, cook and can.

I plant and maintain some things and love doing them, but the major gardener in our household is hubby.

He never cooks or cans so I guess it evens out in the long haul.

There is no greater joy than doing what God created you to do, and woman was created for man's helpmate.

Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

I was reading a blog and had to laugh at her description of the Proverbs 31 woman. She based it on her day and it included.

Washing vomit from her kid's sheets
Cleaning out bird cages and fish bowls
Getting to work at 9 am and picking up Hardees at 5 pm for supper
Unwraping wholesome roast beef sandwiches and fries to place them on plates
Crashing to watch TV and going to bed to get the rest to do it again tomorrow

I laughed when I read it but then felt sad afterward. How true for some lives to be ragged out to the point of frustration. I have been there before.

Praise God that He has now allowed me to see the beauty of retirement.

Thank you Lord!

Day 9 PDL notes-

Life on earth is a temporary assignment.

Job 8:9  (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

Compared with eternity life on this earth is extremly short. This earth is not your home.

Psalms 119:19  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

God's children will think differently from worldly children.

Philippians 3:19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Your identity is in eternity and heaven is your home.

We are ambassadors in this world for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

You will never feel at home on this earth because you are made for bigger things. We are preparing for something better.

2 Corinthians 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The temporal things in this world are not what we set our sights on. God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

Your time on earth is not your complete story. The rest of the chapters are in eternity.

Day 8 PDL Notes-

Psalms 24:1  A Psalm of David.>> The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

The Bible tells us that all upon the earth and it's fulness are the Lord's. We personally never really own anything. We are simply stewarts of God's earth. It is a loan unto us.

It was God's before you were born and He will loan it to someone else after you pass on.

God first loaned it to Adam to manage and take care of.

Genesis 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

When we don't own something we rarely wish to care for it. The reason we are to care for what God entrusts us with is because it is God's.

Everything you do has been entrusted you by God and at the end of life your stewardship will be examined.

Matthew 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luke 16:11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

Life is a test and a trust. The more we receive the more responsible God intends us to be.
----------------------------
personal notes- in futher scripture it says God gave not loaned
29  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30  And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
He gave the land to Israel-
Genesis 28:13  And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
He also gives us His only begotten Son.
John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

fundamentalism- Protestant religious movement emphasizing the literal infallibility of the Scriptures.


Some people that claim the above don't walk as if they believe it.

I, however ,need to focus not on their walk but my own. The Lord had to tell Peter basicly the same thing when Peter asked what John should do.

John 21:20  Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Basicly the Lord here was telling Peter...hey what I am having John do is none of your business. You just mind your own and follow me.

Good advice.

On with the PDL notes here. While it seems a little work based it also seem filled with compassion.

Day 7 PDL Notes-

The way you see your life shapes your life. How do you picture life? That is your life metaphor.

Example- If you view life as a party then your priority in life will be having fun.

Have you ever stopped to think that you may be basing your life on a faulty metaphor?

To fulfill God's purpose for your life you will have to challenge worldly wisdom and replace it with God's.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

This life is a test, trust and temporary assignment.

God will test your character, faith, obedience, love, integrity and loyalty.

Many times throughout the Bible people failed personal tests. We also see people that passed their tests and were blessed.

You will be tested by major changes,delayed promises,impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism and senseless tragedies. When you understand that life is a test you begin to see that nothing in your life happens by chance. The smallest incidents are designed for character development.

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The tests you pass within this time will be rewarded in eternity.

James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

KJV Scripture substituted again.

I love my husband so much.

When we first married he used to try and help me in the kitchen. That stopped soon after one day he was washing dishes and left the dish rag in the garbage disposal.

I come along and turn on the disposal and what did we get? A mess for which it took him about a year to get fixed.

While I never doubt that God is sovereign, I think He sometimes just let us grind up the dish rag.

We see Moses being told to speak to a rock and then hitting it. We see him kill an Egyptian and causing a period of exile getting his life ready for the next move of God in his life.

Sure we have no free will concerning salvation. God chooses us, we don't choose Him...however the learning involved would be pointless without human error.

Dear Lord,
Your will be done and keep me from grinding up the dish rag.

Peculiar People Take Heart

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Through my Lord's Word I maintain my place within cyber world, not to be troubled.

Fellowship upon many Christian message boards is more like war than fellowship. Often one can find themselves thinking along the lines of our Lord when He cried out..I honor my Father and you do dishonor me.

John 8:49  Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

So in looking for more untroubled waters, I join a "blog" community.

The problem is that while it was a "blog" community, it was not a "God"community. The first comment I received linked me to some satanic site chanting words of darkness and displaying aborted full term babies with makeup on their faces. I shuddered as I deleted the comment and link.

Which incident disturbed me the most, dishonor from the enemy or dishonor from one claiming to be my brethren?

I would be a most unusual subject to not be troubled.

But...the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Peculiar people take heart.

Deuteronomy 14:2  For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Praise God!

Lame Songs and Lame Blogs

As I venture into PDL I feel I must take a break as it is becoming so work based for me. I will continue as I feel lead but at this time I will regress to more enjoyable blogging.

Psalms 139:14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.


I am wonderfully made even throughout lameness.

That lameness being silly, lame, songs that surge through my head at times. These verses circle in my head to my complete helplessness at times. Often in the middle of important tasks like washing dishes or folding laundry or vacuuming I find myself moving to tunes within my head.

Even prayer at times is not exempt.

Dear Lord,
I praise you..
She'll be comin round the mountain when she comes.

I lift up your name and bring these petitions to you.
She'll be comin round the mountain when she comes.

Lord you know the needs of our family at this time.
She'll be comin round the mountain.
She'll be comin round the mountain.
She'll be comin round the mountain when she comes.

....Alas...The picture may not be pretty for the eye is not single at these moments.

Lame songs and lame blogs. Even lameness can be wonderful.

Marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Day 6 PDL notes-

This life is only a preparation for the next. We were designed for eternity.

Ecclesiastes 3:11  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

We know that when this body is no longer we have an eternal body waiting us.

2 Corinthians 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

We need to live in light of that eternity and not just for the here and now. When we understand eternity then the petty things of here and now seem trivial.

Paul saw the pettiness of the here and now and recorded it in the following Scripture.

Philippians 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Death is not the end of you.

We can not even imagine the majesty that awaits us in heaven.

1 Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

God has given us glimpses through His Word and we know that right now He is preparing an eternal home for us.

Just as the nine months you spent in your mother's womb preparing for your time on earth, so is the stay on the earth.

Hebrews 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

It is wise to live each day as if it were your last.

This life is not all there is.
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personal notes- still seeming a little work based in favor of faith based to me.

Day 5 notes- PDL

Knowing your purpose will energize your life. A clear purpose motivates.
It is meaningless work that wears us down and not so much hard work.

Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. People spend their lives trying to establish a legacy. What will matter however is not what people say or think but what God thinks about you.

You were not put on earth to be remembered but to prepare for eternity.

Romans 14:10  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

God will ask us two crucial questions.

What did you do with My Son, Jesus Christ?
What did you do with your life?

The first question will determine where you spend eternity.
The second will determine what you do in eternity.

What drives your life?

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personal notes- Jesus chooses and saves us we don't choose Him.
I can do nothing with the Lord except God allow it.
It seems work based but we will continue and see.

Day 4 Notes-

Drive- to guide,control,or direct

What drives your life? Many things can drive a person's life from problems, pressures, deadlines,relationships ect.

Here are 5 common ones

1-guilt
2-resentment
3-fear
4-materialism
5-need for approval

All these things will lead to dead ends. It is important to know God's purpose for your life because it is the only drive that will bring fulfillment to your being.

Knowing God's purpose for your life will give your life meaning. Hope is something all persons need to cope. If you have felt hopeless look at what God says about His plans for you.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God's purpose for your life will bring about a true peace.

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Knowing your purpose will focus your life. It is human nature to get distracted and without knowing God's purpose it will keep you in a state of change. Change of direction, jobs, churches, relationships and all externals. The changes are made hoping they will fill an emptiness in your heart. These changes however will never fill or solve the problem.

The men and women through history that have made the most impact are those who maintain focus. One of the most focused leaders of the Bible is Paul.

Philippians 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

If you want your life to have impact then focus it.
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personal notes- This also reminds me of the Lord telling us to keep our eye single

Matthew 6:22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Luke 11:34  The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

However, I don't believe, this can not be accomplished on our own effort without melt down.

Thoughts on the previous five points. While they are certainly good and there would be no harm in practice. It does seem to be a limit to God. We certainly can not say those are the only points of God. Anyway on to day 3.

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Day 3 Notes-

You are not an accident.

Your parents may not have even planned for you but God did. You are alive because God wanted you created.

Psalms 138:8  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

God detailed every single part of you.

Psalms 139:15  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

He has planned all things concerning you even your birth and death upon this earth.

Your life is for a purpose.

God does not condone sin or evil, but God is able to redeem any situation and turn it for His good.

Regardless of the circumstance of your birth, ( unplanned by parents or planned by them), you can celebrate the fact that God created you to be just what you are.

We are the focus of His love and He created the earth just for the purpose of putting us in it.

Ephesians 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

God was thinking of you even before the world's foundation.

Isaiah 45:18  For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

God formed it all because He is love. God does not have love but He is love.

1 John 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

We discover meaning and purpose only when we make God the reference point of our life.

You are not an accident!
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personal notes- I used KJV again where the original did not.

I found the five points on a web site but so far have not seen them in this little booklet so I guess they were omited.

1. Worship - Planned for God's Pleasure
2. Fellowship - Formed for God's Family
3. Discipleship - Created to Become Like Christ
4. Ministry - Shaped for Serving God
5. Evangelism - Made for a Mission

Day 2 Notes

How do you discover the purpose you were created for?

1- speculate- guess or theorize about life purposes
2- ask the creator- find out what your creator has to say about life through His Word the Bible

God has not left us in the dark to wonder and guess. God is not just the starting point of your life He is the source of it. He clearly shows the five purposes of our lives through the Bible.

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:


In Christ we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we hear of Christ He has His eye on us and designed us glorious living. Part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.

1- You discover your identity in relationship with Christ
2- God was thinking about you long before you thought about Him
3- Your purpose fits into a much larger cosmic purpose God designed for eternity
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personal notes- I am not sure about the five purposes refered to here. This study is taken from a booklet based on PDL and not the actual book itself so maybe it is missing something.
again I have used KJV scripture where the original was not.