Hey bloggers,
Thanks for the comments on the other site…it’s just something I’m experimenting with. I’ll get back to posting MITN here in a minute…
One thing about the whole “Laws of Attraction” thing that completely rings true with me is the fact that the more you acknowledge and even celebrate little joys…the little miracles…the more they keep coming. It’s why Jesus said that to those who have, more will be given…
So today I'm celebrating the little things...I'm happy that Debye and P. Avery found such a great flight schedule to the Philippines...I'm excited about going to Chicago in the morning...I'm looking forward to us having Sofia next week while Christina visits Daisson, and taking her (Sofia) to have her picture made with Santa, and to ride on the Pink Pig at Lenox Square...Judah made 100 on a very important project (that he really needed to)...Jonah got the lead role in the school play...Jared texted me and said he wants to hang out next week...and every phone call that I got yesterday was just nothing but good news...Bishop Huskins called to ask if we could host the ICCC Conference here in May (we'd be honored)...Dr. Chironna called to talk about getting together soon (first time in a long time)...Pastor Carey Harrell and Pastor Don Hughes both called to schedule me at their churches (and I love both of their churches)...I found a really cool Christmas song to sing this Sunday...our house looks beautiful all decorated (the Newton Citizen called to ask if they could photograph it for the paper)...
These are all just little things, but I'm celebrating them today.
We have so much for which to b e thankful!
47 comments:
His love has no limit,
His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundaries known unto man,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He gives, and gives, and gives again!
I know you never hear from me but I had to comment on the little things.
I am sitting in my dark living room drinking my coffee. I am looking out at the brightest full moon, shining down brilliantly on the lake. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
I feel the presence of my sister, Sue,very strong here with me. She loved nature while she walked in this dimension. I felt her wake me this morning so that we could sit together and take in the beauty of the day. If there really are 18 dimensions, then I believe her spirit is in all 18. She has realized the fullness of Love, which she wasn't sure she knew while here with us.
Thank you Holy Spirit, for the little things, which are really very big...Sandi
You've tapped into the real "secret" of Attraction. The Law of Attraction itself is no secret, it's been here since infinity. Marketing geniuses recently have tried to harness it, make it a commodity, package it under mysterious names, and profit from it. And profit they have. But as long as the energy of thought has been around, so has attraction.
The real "secret" to attraction is Gratitude. The Universe does not respond to need. It responds to energy. Need, in and of itself, contains no energy per se. It is ego driven and is the reason for intention. Gratitude, on the other hand, is not only an emotion, but pure energy and in conjunction with the energies of thought, prayer, intention, and words, acts as a signaling device, if you will, directing the answer to you.
Being grateful , which includes all you have and even what you don’t have yet, not only brings miracles to you, but as you said, keeps the miracles coming.
I, like you, am thankful for EVERYTHING in and about my life. The list would be infinitely long. But not only am I thankful for the things in my life, I am thankful the “little” things you listed happening in your life as well. Not only personally, but as Created Beings, we are connected. It is not just me; but WE. So your miracles are my miracles and vice versa. And for that too, I’m grateful.
Peace and Flow in Chicago,
PM
To those of you that made a New Years resolution last year to:
1- Go to CITN for the first time.
2- Go back to CITN, because you know it is where you belong.
You still have three weeks to make good on your resolution. Isn't that just awesome?
I'm definitely more of a blurker than a blogger, but I had to take my opportunity to be thankful! I am the most blessed man on the planet!!
I have a beautiful wife who loves me and stands by me no matter what! I have 2 incredible kids that love God with all their heart and that love to hang out with their parents. Really! Seriously!
I have the gift of music that not only God trusted me with, but that my parents paid for years ago! Thanks Mom and Dad!
I have Bishop & Pastor Debye as my bosses, my pastors and as my friends! I have pastors with revelation and integrity that truly honor the presence of the Holy Spirit!
I get to pastor the greatest people in the world! (Nation of Worship) I love people who not only love God, but truly love and respect each other! These are people who are not just looking for an opportunity to get on stage and show their stuff! And I'm believing that they are all tithers! (Shout out to N.O.W.! Loved having all 90 of you at my house last week!!!)
I get to go to/work at the greatest church any where around! I truly love Church In The Now, the people, the atmosphere and everything about it! I love being able to lead you in worship every week. What an honor!
Most of all, I have God living in and through me! Can it possibly get any better than that? The presence of God lives in me! Lord, I love YOU so much!! Wow!
It's truly a wonderful life and I choose to see only what's great about it! I so love not only this season, but I love my life!
(And I do love reading most of your blogs! The secret confession of a blurker, sorry!)
Love, peace and acceptance to all!
Pastor Jimmie
What I wrote to Bishop earlier has just been confirmed back to me...
Sandi,
I never knew your sister in this dimension but while reading your words of gratitude for her presence, I experienced the energy shared between you two. Please don't misunderstand, I know how personal it was for you, but because you choose to share the moment with us, because of our entanglement, you shared the energy as well.
My day is more enriched for it...thanks.
Pastor Jimmie,
The same goes for you. Oneness is a marvelous thing. The gratitude you wrote of, built upon the unconditional love you have for everything and everyone in you entire life, was felt by me while reading as if you and I were the same person. And you know, at the most foundational level, we are. Thanks for allowing me to experience your joy!
And that goes for everybody else that responds to today's post...
I allow what is attracted today not only be magnetized to me...but flow THROUGH me to you as well.
In Complete Oneness
PM
I am thankful for the feeling that I am accepted among all who are in my present dimension.
All the talk of other dimensions recently is very stimulating to me. Perhaps we do transfer and or recieve information from our other selves in those places. It is well to reason along those lines although some may not think it to be reason. Certainly God is without limit and it may be possible that so are we who have been created in that same image.
I have not had an out of body experience associated with near death in this dimension but have for what ever reason or purpose been able to understand those who have had that experience. There have been numerous times, when doing my job as a fire/medic, that a type of zone was entered where I knew the outcome before it happened and later was delighted by statements being made by others around me concerning what had happened.
It really is all good, even those things that tantilize our human emotions to respond with feelings of woe or grief. Those very feelings are important to the whole picture of a better understanding concerning our Creator's Perfect Love that casts out fear.
Donald mentioned yesterday his experience of entering a place where all was at peace as though nothing had ever been wrong there.
That place is even more real than what we consider to be reality in this present dimension. I am further convinced that place is what this place is all about.
There is much said in the Bible concerning that place and its significance to the now. What is more important than that is the challenge to use the power of our own words to bring that place into this place.
After much thought given to a response from PM yesterday concerning something that may have happened before and whether or not it is appropriate to mention here, it is reasonable to assume that there is a measure of contraversy that could be stirred by speaking of things in sound bites that are not complete thoughts. The truth is that all of our thoughts are incomplete but they are more complete now than they were in the Apostle Paul's day.
It is important for us all to listen and to speak progressively. This is the primary force that enables us to advance and it is also what I believe is being referred to as that which the gates of hell can not prevail against. As Bishop has said, and it needs to be repeated often, it does not matter what your view of hell is. The bigger your hell, the more powerful the advancing Kingdom against which it can not prevail.
Great posts from all yesterday and for me SOZ and Larry provoked many good memories.
Donald, you will enjoy Shack.
Bishop, I enjoyed reading the other post and will read more.
Father, Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in this place as it is in the Perfect place.
JB
ps; veriword - ships, we are passing in the light.
"Keep speaking your dream and share it often. And be sure to send me a note when you go on Larry King Live, and on Oprah. I hope you'll have time to visit when you are traveling with the U.S. President, and bringing World Peace to the Middle East."
From Tom Kutts comment yesterday.
You know he wasn't just being gracious...
Destiny, Destiny, Destiny
Ok, I'm done now--I think
PM
Anon 4:32, I was singing that song as I was driving home from prayer this morning. We had a wonderful time of praying together and sharing the goodness of God.
Sissiedo
Bon matin, mes petit choux!
Good morning, my little cabbages!
I think I got that right?!? Some of you french scholars can correct me, if not :)
I always find it funny that 'my little cabbage' is a term of endearment in France. WHATEVER...
must be a food thing (you know the French and their food!)
Bish, we all have so much to be thankful for! It made my heart smile to read your account of the 'little things.' You always beam when referring to Sophia. I couldn't help imagining your face matching the grin on the Grinch's after his heart grew 3 sizes... you know, completely ear to ear!
PM, I have to acknowledge your entry today. I just loved it! I'll admit to sometimes being annoyed with the whole self-help book genre. I worked in book stores for a number of years. I do, however, understand that some people need to have someone accredited tell them (via book or counsel) how to work through an issue and move forward in life. So, if it works for them... great! But, yes, much profit has been made by those touting what, in my humble opinion, seems to be common sense.
The law of attraction is not a mystery. Seems to me that if one gives back to the universe in whatever manner he is able (time, creativity, finances, knowledge, gratitude, love), that there is no other recourse but for the universe to reciprocate. Good begets good! Thus, the 'energy' that you spoke of.
I have a 'little thing' story of my own. I was supposed to receive a package from UPS the day before Thanksgiving. It never came. This was not a Christmas gift for someone else, so no real urgency. Rather, it was a replacement of one of my gadgets that crapped out on me. And I was impatient! Days went by. I was not happy! So, I didn't really rant, but I was firm with the shipper that I wanted my account reimbursed. They will oblige, but they had to put a tracer on the package with UPS, and go through the technicalities. They are not at fault. Clearly, someone in the minor ranks at UPS (probably temp Christmas help) swiped it. It would be easy to do.
Anyway, got a call last night from a woman at UPS in Newport News, Va asking if I experienced a problem receiving this shipment. She was extremely pleasant! Told her that the package never came, and I decided to go out and get another one. She was very apologetic, and in the course of 5 minutes or less, we were bantering, lauging, joking and wishing each other a Merry Christmas. I went to bed with a smile on my face, confident that the issue is being taken care of! And just a couple of weeks ago, I said to Joe that I needed my heart to grow 3 sizes so that I wouldn't hate UPS! ;} Aahhh, the little things...
And Jimmie, your statement,
"Most of all, I have God living in and through me! Can it possibly get any better than that?"
I'm here to shout from the rooftops that NO IT CAN'T! I go to bed each night and wake up every morning so GRATEFUL to have God as 'my best good friend' (as Forrest Gump would say)! I so often think about and fail to comprehend how/why people choose to miss out on that! I treasure it with everything in me... more and more each day!
God is so good!
And, MAN... how I LOVE gingerbread! Think it's time for me to go so that I can get a cookie ;}
Bless & be blessed!
From The Times
December 12, 2008
Look up tonight for a spectacular treat in the sky
Biggest full moon for years enhanced by shooting stars
If the full moon tonight looks unusually large, it is not your imagination – it is the biggest and brightest full moon to be seen for 15 years.
Each month the Moon makes a full orbit around the Earth in a slightly oval-shaped path, and tonight it will swing by the Earth at its closest distance, or perigee. It will pass by 356,613km (221,595 miles) away, which is about 28,000km closer than average.
The unusual feature of tonight is that the perigee also coincides with a full moon, which will make it appear 14 per cent bigger and some 30 per cent brighter than most full moons this year – so long as the clouds hold off from blocking the view.
The next closest encounter with a full moon this large will not be until November 14, 2016.
n addition to this lunar flypast, much of Britain may also be treated to a strange phenomenon known as the moon illusion. As the Moon rises in the late afternoon, it will appear even larger as it lies close to the horizon. Psychologists have tried to explain this as a trick of the eye, as the landscape on the horizon appears to make the Moon loom much larger, an effect that disappears as the Moon rises above the horizon, although viewing it through a tube, such as a toilet roll, can make it look large again.
With the Moon approaching so close to the Earth, its gravity will pull a slightly higher tide than normal for a full moon. This so-called perigeal tide adds about 0.5m (1.6ft) to the high-water mark, and with freshening southwesterly winds forecast, this may cause some flooding, especially along parts of the South West coast.
Tonight’s full moon is also notable for rising to its greatest height in the night sky for the entire year, lying almost overhead at midnight. This is because we are approaching the winter solstice, on December 21, and thanks to the tilt of the Earth the Moon appears at its highest, as the Sun is at its lowest.
Another astronomical treat that could be seen tonight and for the next two nights is the annual Geminid meteor shower, one of the year’s best displays of shooting stars. Up to 100 meteors an hour can fly across the sky. The meteors, which are easy to spot with the naked eye, appear to shoot out from the constellation Gemini, hence their name, but they can be seen all over the sky. However, with a full moon so bright, the best place to look is away from the Moon.
Meteor showers happen when the Earth passes through clouds of debris shed from comets. As the tiny fragments smash into the Earth’s upper atmosphere at about 100,000mph, they burn up in streaks of light.
For reasons that are not understood, the Geminid meteor showers are tending to grow stronger each year.
Count your blessings name them one by one.
Count your blessings see what God has done.
Count your blessings.
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings see what God has done.
When I was a young girl one of my parents friends gave me a book that had this song in it .
I have so many little things that I have to thank God for.
I'm thankful that:
I found CITN
My daughter will Graduate this MAY
My husband is a hard working man
I have great friends
I can blogg with a cool group of people
My second book is still in the making
But mostly I'm just greatful to be alive
Count your blessings name them one by one.
Count your many blessings see what God has done.
Anon 11:29,
With what is going on with the moon tonight, I'm wondering if any couples that are trying to get pregnant, might get pregnant, tonight? I'm just saying...
Amen I would also like to thank God for all the little things like people calling for work... the love of my friends... the opportunities that a new day presents. Sometimes it is easy to overlook these blessings while trying to look ahead. I am or rather am trying to be in a constant state of recognition and thanks for all the Lord's blessings.
Oh, yes, the big little things...pleasant sigh.
BLOGINTHENOW--where all the regular bloggers are amazing, brilliant, strong, beautiful and handsome...all the occasional bloggers are witty and engaging and getting better looking every day...and all the blurkers are above average!
I'm enjoying chatty PM! and his endless revelation.
I'm grateful for anon--doing a great impersonation of PM--and for the info about the celestial happening tonight. [Geminid shooting stars increasing? Are their hearts sproinging out of the box?] I emailed my daughter-in-law to have my grandson watch. He doesn't know it yet, but he's getting "Moon in My Room" this Christmas. I enjoy savoring synchronicity, and when its about my grandkids--even better.
This morning I enjoyed remembering seeing NTL at the front door of CITN Wed. night--an excited, committed sentry waiting for anyone who might hear his call to come home. Brings tears to my heart.
Hearing "ICCC in May"! YES! Oh wait, that's huge...this is supposed to be small things.
I love the word YES. It just feels good saying it.
Dr."The One is in the many and the Many are in the One" Chironna. YES!
Knowing incredibly handsome Donald and "drop alive" gorgeous Her Majesty just might be in the house before New Year's. YES!
I'm grateful for JB ALL the time! YES!
Laura is alive! YES!
Jimmie and Sandi, sharing like PM said. YES!
Knowing Sissiedo had fun covering us in prayer. YES!
Imagining Centurion's ear-to-ear smile. YES!
wordver: imoliked...really!
I mo liked that Billionaire Bishop and Passionate Pastor Debye love CITN and US more than we often can comprehend--and yet they keep on. But again...all these things are huge...on this wonderful day of being grateful for God's secret "small" things all up in our lives...YES!
Small Things
One breath
One look
One hug
One touch
To taste what the Lord gives
Giving something to another
Thinking of others rather than self
Being a blessing other than receiving
These are a few of my favorite things
Bishop, love the Winners Blog!!! Cool! Thank you for the extra topping on this wonderful place!
Love todays blog! Thankful for this place, Bishop and fam, and each of you and so many things!!! Especially for Christ!
...just had to check in. Tryin to get some required continuing ed done among a long list! This is my energy boost for today so I'm ready to go again!
Wishing everyone lotsa cheer & love! =)
I am thanful for:
All of the good and bad times in my life. Because of them I've gained some wisdom.
All of the people I've ever met. I've gleaned something from all of them. And I hope them the same from me.
The day I got saved and the day I recieved the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. No telling how I would have turned out without those two life changing events.
My wife, who has stuck with me through all we've been through.
My three daughters(one daughter in law) and three sons(one son in law)
Bishop, Pastor Debye and all of those who recieved my family and I back into CITN.
The jobs that my wife, my adult children and I have, during this economic adventure.
Our two dogs. (our adopted children)
The next thirty years, that are going to be incredible.
The services at CITN, where the praise and worship prepares my heart to recieve the fresh revelation that comes through Bishop.
oh...and I'm going to see two of our grandkids in a Christmas play next week...YES! No pink pig in their city...but we'll all enjoy your ride Sofia when we see the pic we're expecting Papi will post--smile!
(ps...congrats Jonah, your success reminded me of their Christmas play. High five to Judah, too! Like PM said, we can feel your successes and joys as our own.)
Wow, really beautiful stuff here today, guys...thanks for being in the flow!
Big things, little things and all of the things in between! I got a JOB today......YAYYYYYY---doing cartwheels!!
Now tracy, don't go and pull something and have to miss your first day at work!
One of the things that I have been thankful for lately is my wood burning fireplace and my oil lamp. In an effort to save gas & elec costs I have been doing my Bible study by oil lamp for a couple of hours, then turning it off and praying in front of the fire. It is extremely cozy and I relate back to the time when Jesus walked the Earth & had similar circumstances. Very thankful for God's Word which gives health to all my "bones" and renews my mind.
Was meditating on the 23rd Psalm last night and this came to me:
"He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake."
He leads us into correct pathways and situations that will allow us to show forth His reputation, His attributes, our covenant. To the extent we are willing to accept as ours (and speak forth without shame or hesitation) His Name and all that is contained in His covenant, He is willing AND BOUND by His covenant (which He established forever by the Blood of the Lamb) to perform it and show us off as His own. Kinda makes you want to get loud & proud doesn't it?!
"I AM a child of God,
A joint heir with Jesus,
I have all things that pertain
to life and godliness,
I AM the righteousness of God in
Christ,
I CAN do all things through
Christ.
I AM healed,
I AM free,
I AM restored
I AM seated WITH CHRIST in the
Heavenlies,
I AM my Lover's and my Lover is
mine!"
1 Peter 2:9:
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that should show forth the praises of Him, who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
Deut 8:18
"But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is THIS day.
"...My cup runneth over..."
"My container(my soul) is overwhelmingly satisfied by the Spirit of God which dwells within me, to the point that it spills out all around me, touching everything with God."
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, though art with me."
"What great Light has caused even death or the unseen to cast a shadow?" The resurrected Christ surely is with me so that His immense Light will create shadows even in the darkest of nights."
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
"Goodness, mercy, favor, kindness, comfort, sweetness and love are hunting me down like a relentless Bloodhound that smells the covenant on me and will NEVER give up until he has smitten me with God and everything that IS God, and I will SIT DOWN in the house of my Father, as Jesus the Christ also sat down and rested from His works, in complete wholeness and satisfaction, listening with rapt joy as our Father says, 'Well done, my child.'"
God is SO GOOD!
Enjoyed all the posts today!
I bless you Sandi! God knows the Glorious end! Peace and comfort to you and your family.
Jimmie, glad to have you out of the "blurkshed" and onto the "silver screen"! Well said and total agreement with you!
Bishop, be sure to tell "Blogo" we said hey in the Windy City, I heard he had a gathering of priests at his house this morning before starting his work day...
"Chicago Style Pan Pizza!"
That sounds good right about now!
Peacemaker- I make sure to have many "energy" drinks each day...keeps me spiritually "wired"!
"Donald mentioned yesterday his experience of entering a place where all was at peace as though nothing had ever been wrong there.
That place is even more real than what we consider to be reality in this present dimension. I am further convinced that place is what this place is all about."
JB- Both you and the quote from Donald are hitting the nail on the head! There is something just so RIGHT about being brought to a place "where nothing was ever wrong there", that so rings true with my spirit man!! This saying evoked such a hope, a peace and a knowing within me that all is truly well, and to eat only from the Tree of Life!
Congrats, Tracy!
Joining you in cyber cartwheels:
*-*-*-*-*------- (i flatlined ;p)
Funny, I actually ran into a former employer today. She was a manager of mine about 11 years ago... little retail shop. Can't remember how much older she is than me, but I'm thinking maybe 8 years. That would put her early/mid 50's. She has 4 kids. Only one of her sons was married at the time that I left. They are now all married, and she has 10 grandchildren with another on the way! YIKES!!! I MUST find a more appropriate method for gaging time than by whether or not my aging dogs are healthy! Talk about different dimensions... I feel like I'm stuck somewhere in one!
Weird!
Later, gang!
Thrown about in oceans waves
upon the powdery banks
I stare into the sky above
and unto God give thanks
Where would I be without his hand
ethereal though it seems
but strong and sure it will prevail
in all our hopes and dreams
Now every heart and every face
by which my being pass
I see a treasured echoed heart
peering through stained glass
Thank God who's grace in love sustains
down darkened paths and radiant days
Thank God for each and all of you
a gift of love your through and through
Pastor Jimmie you should post here more often. Your words are almost as beautiful as when you tickle that ivory!
ver: nonmusi
Your talents stretch far beyond just the musical.
From:
growthingod.org.uk/english.htm
Where are you from?
Which denomination are you? What group do you belong to? Which Bible college or Theological college did you go to? What books have you read and which tapes have you listened to? Do you speak in tongues? Tell us more about your background, because we want to know where you're coming from. You say things that are different from what we have been taught. All this will help us to know whether we can trust what you say. You should be properly labeled, so that we can know whether or not you are safe.
Where did Jesus come from? Which synagogue did he belong to? What rabbis had taught him the scriptures? What was his background?
Jesus himself gave us the simple answer to this question. He said,
'I came from the Father'.
He was not from the Nazareth synagogue. They had in fact thrown him out of it. Nor, in the sense that really mattered, was he a prophet from Galilee. He was not even from the land of Israel or the Jewish people in the final analysis. He was FROM GOD. That was the only source that really counted.
The same was true of John the Baptist. 'There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.'
Peter inwardly knew and understood this and expressed his faith in the familiar words, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' How did he know this? In the words of Jesus: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.'
The Pharisees failed the test. 'We know that God spoke to Moses,' they said, 'but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from.' (John 9:29).
They failed the test for just one fundamental reason. They did not know the Father. They could not recognize the voice of the good Shepherd.
It takes no great discernment to recognize past men of God. For the Pharisees this meant Moses or Abraham or David. For us it might be Luther or Wesley or JNDarby or Smith Wigglesworth. With hindsight and helpful biographies we can look back at what they achieved and honor them for it, and declare ourselves their followers. In their day they were often rejected and persecuted.
So the Pharisees 'built tombs for the prophets and decorated the graves of the righteous', but crucified the Son of God when he came to them.
The test for us is to know the God of today and to receive his word of today and accept his messengers of today.
Jesus said, 'My sheep hear my voice.' If we truly want to be his sheep, we will learn to recognize and love his voice and to distinguish the true from the false.
Oneness - yes - Being from God.
"As is the individual, so is the universe. As is the human body, so is the cosmic body. As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind.As is the microcosm, so is the microcosm." -- Vedic Poem
After seeing that moon last night, I'm thinking September is going to be a big birthday month.
God knows I am thankful for all the good in my life, and there is a lot of it. But frankly right now, what you wrote bishop seems like a fairy tale to me. I know you could have written about as many or more "negative" things as you did positive things, that is always our choice. However speaking of the little things right now makes me think of myself as riding a LITTLE bicycle, peddling as fast as I can and continuously seeing a HUGE truck right over my shoulder. I know the roses are there, and God knows I am trying to look around and smell the roses, but they are only a blur in my peripheral vision.
I do not have time to write about it all………
Y'all pray for me, I know it is all good and I will never quit confessing that.
God is good, ALL THE TIME.
and God is God, ALL THE TIME.
My hope is in the Almighty!
Peace,
Dennis
I was blessed to be in town and able to come to the service Wednesday. Thanks to all the dear people who reminded me of why CITN is so special. Bishop, if you ever have anyone who questions the importance of being in the building, please refer them to me. Love and peace from the Last Frontier.
Bish, apropos of http://www.awordforwinners.blogspot.com/, (which is excellent by the way) I noticed this site & thought it could be a creative portal: http://truenorthsnacks.com/story/
hey everybody, haven't been here in a few days. I've been catching up on some of the blogs for the past hour and wanted to say "hi".
I'm still reading.
hmmm...little things...I'm thankful that my son and I will be making some biscotti together this afternoon.
I am thankful to sing with the choir...so please pray that my scratchy voice today will clear up so that I can actually sing tomorrow morning...thanks.
oh, happy belated anniversary to BITN!
singularity of mind, yet individual thought-by my friend Herbert Herms, spoken to me last week.
From:
http://growthingod.org.uk/english.htm
Assembling Together
'Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching' (Heb 10: 25).
From time to time well-meaning friends have reminded us of this verse in Hebrews, fearing that we might be ignoring it. Well, let's have a closer look at it.
Where and when should we assemble? In the old days the answer was pretty obvious: 11 am on Sunday at the local church! All we had to do was to turn up, and as long as a few other people did the same, there was an assembly. We were obeying Hebrews 10:25! The only problem we encountered - and it was a serious one - was, "Was Jesus at the centre of the gathering?" Sometimes, we hope, he was. Sometimes he was at the fringe. Sometimes he wasn't there at all.
The Greek word for assembling in this verse is episunagogh (episynagoge) from the verb episunagw (epi-syn-ago) meaning to assemble. This word has 3 parts. ago means to lead. syn means together and epi means at or to. synago (from which we get synagogue) means to lead or gather together. The word for assembling (epi-syn-agoge) therefore means a gathering together at....
That's fine, but it doesn't say where or when. To find out where, we need to turn to 2 Thes 2: 1: 'Now we beseech you, brethren, by the presence (or coming) of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together to him.' We have the same word episynagoge, but this time it does tell us where! We have to gather together to him! He is the meeting place.
When we go to church, we meet the other people who go to church. When we go to Jesus, we meet the other people who go to Jesus.
Of course this agrees with what Jesus himself said. His words were: 'Come to me' - not 'Go to church'. He also said, 'where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' He is the meeting place. Again the Greek word for gathering together is sunagw.
Now a parable. Once I saw a circle with myself and others on the circumference. I wanted to get closer to my brothers and sisters, and so I moved round the circumference in one direction. But as I got closer to some I got further away from others. When I reversed my direction it was no better. Again I got closer to some, but further away from others.
So I gave up, and stopped trying to get closer to my brothers and sisters, and instead moved towards the centre of the circle, and others did the same. And what do you think happened? We all got closer to each other. And who do you think was at the centre of the circle? The same one who said, 'Come to me.'
Starting to decorate the house today. My daughter brought down the decorations from the attic. I was wanting to put up the manger & stockings today. I opened the chest and found three stockings that a friend had made for my parents & I. It brought a tear to my eye. I'm thankful they are with the Lord but I sure do miss them.
To all those of you who have lost a loved one I pray peace over you during this holiday year and those to come.
Love and peace
To all and to all a good night
Laura,
I hope the Spirit's presence surrounds you with love and care in many tender moments this Christmas. I'm reminded of a story my mother told me recently. Her mom had passed away when she was 12 years old. Having a very vivid dream one night she was in the presence of her mother. Shocked and overcome with joy my mother embraced her and said, "Mom I have two boys now" My grandmother took her by the hand and said, "Yes. I've been following the path of your life." Then she woke up. A cloud of witnesses indeed!
Pastor Dennis,
What that old devil means for bad, you know God is working out for good. In all these things I pray that what is being revealed in you will not even be able to compare to the present sufferings you may endure. We're praying for you.
"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger or threatened with death? No! Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us." Romans 8:35-37
I also want to make add a note that my 6:51 post was not an argumnet discouraging church attendance, far from it! To me that was a word that said when we do come together in the physical, how much more will we come together in the Spirit in Christ! Assembled together in Him!
One Love!
Thanks Donald and Elle- when someone celebrates with you when you have something good happen that is true covenant! Been waiting a LONG time for God to move on our behalf like that- thank you for celebrating with me..still doing cartwheels and no Donald haven't pulled anything thus far (Lord don't even go there!!) And Elle don't you flat line on my behalf...just do small somersaults..close to the floor-just as good in my book. Love you both and thank you. I find it interesting and cool that the two who celebrate with me are part of my blog family and have never even met me. Thanks guys, luv you mucho grande. Sorry word ver fiesta hmmmmmm
Hey Dennis everything is going to be allright-promise. just wait and see....
This isn't a little thing, but I am celebrating getting an A this semester, so my EdS GPA is a 4.0,, WOO-HOO as far as the little things, I'm all about keeping things in perspective
1. Instead of stressing over the list of people I get gifts for, I'm thankful that I have people that I love and want to bless this holiday season
2. Instead of getting frustrated over my mom's "Don't get us anything" speech: I remember she's exhorting me over the value of good stewardship-and get something just as nice, but less expensive
3. I celebrate 28 years of life and 39 years of marriage for my parents
4. I celebrate my job as a teacher and look forward to a new batch of students
5. I look forward to my 2nd niece seeing her first Christmas
6. I give thanks for the traveling mercies I received for the trips to Statesboro I made this semester for class
7. I celebrate my friends and family, and my pastor
8. While I don't plan on being this size forever, I celebrate being "fluffy" (within reason), because it means I've never known hunger
Ebony I am going with inflammatory condition for myself. Yep that is it I am inflamed, going to take an ibuprofen now...
Thanks Y'all,
This is a test,
It is just a test,
Had it been a real calamity with no hope,
There would be no God.
Therefore since there is a God, and He is Good and always working all things together for our good....
This is a test,
It is only a test........
Guess I just need an understanding ear and a place to vent sometimes.
Thanks for your prayers.
As of Yesterday Morning
I have a brand-new Grand baby boy who is the cutest little dude you have ever seen. He makes No. 3 for this daughter and 9 grandchildren overall! Momma had a C section and is doing fantastic, going home tomorrow.
Got an email from a young man in Bulgaria today telling me how some of my web sites have helped him. And he is now a convinced Christian Universalist!
Also I have been conversing through email with a professor at Wheaton College in Chicago who has been helped to further his belief in UR through my web ministry. He even called me on the phone last week; we had a great conversation. He has many questions but he is convinced of the truth of UR. (I won’t give his name out of respect for his position and privacy) These kinds of things can make you realize it is all worth it.
And for these and many more, I am thankful.
Grace to you,
Dennis
ver. word "obays" no kidding!
Who can satisfy my soul like you,
Who on earth can comfort me and love me like You do,
Who could ever be more faithful, true,
I will trust in You, Lord
I will trust in You, my God
Living Water, rain down Your life on me,
Cleansing me, refreshing me with life abundantly,
River full of life, I'll go where You lead.
I will trust in You, Lord
I will trust in You, My God
There is a Fountain
Who is the King
Victorious Warrior and Lord of Everything
My Rock, My Shelter
My very own
Blessed Redeemer Who reigns upon the throne
Who could ever be more faithful and true
Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Lord Jesus, there's none like You
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood!
(Refrain)
Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace.
I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
and I know that thou art with me,
wilt be with me to the end.
I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven's table-land,
A higher plane than I have found:
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray, 'til heaven I've found
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
Isaac Watts (July 17, 1674 – November 25, 1748)
Recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymn writer, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.
Born in Southampton, Watts was brought up in the home of a committed Nonconformist — his father, also Isaac Watts, had been incarcerated twice for his controversial views. At King Edward VI School (where one of the houses is now named "Watts" in his honor), he learned Latin, Greek and Hebrew and displayed a propensity for rhyme at home, driving his parents to the point of distraction on many occasions with his verse. Once, he had to explain how he came to have his eyes open during prayers.
"A little mouse for want of stairs
ran up a rope to say its prayers."
Receiving corporal punishment for this, he cried
"O father, do some pity take
And I will no more verses make."
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