Friday, December 31, 2010

New year goals and my sprint to the finish

Today is December 31st. The last day of the year 2010. The first decade of this century is about to end and in a few hours, and the second decade is about to start. I'm not working today, but I wanted to type in today's date December 31, 2010.  This year has been quite a year, this one really got to me, but I'm proud of myself for the manner in which I've overall handled myself.  For example, there were times I've raised my voice in talking to someone when I felt frustrated,  I don't like doing that, and times I've just kept my mouth shut, rather than open my mouth and insert foot. The times I remained quiet a few seconds to gather my thoughts and think how I should respond to show I have a little bit of wisdom and intelligence, I liked that.  I need to practice that more often.


Photo credit: grietgriet from morguefile.com

On this last day of 2010, I want to thank God for letting me wake up to see this morning. There's no guarantee or promise that I will see the close of this day, but for now I'm grateful I was allowed to open my eyes this morning.  If it's God's will, I will sleep tonight and open them to a new year and a new decade.  Another blessing that will be, to live to see the beginning of a brand spanking new year on the calendar and start fresh. Well, not really start fresh, but to continue to serve God in the best of my ability with the blessings and talents and life He puts in my body. My greatest desire is to give honor and glory to Him. My most earnest desire is to make use of each hour and each day and each month that I am alive to run the race set before me. One day will be my last day in this body, and I dream to hear the Lord say to me, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the lord."  Matthew 25:23 

I'm ready when God's says it's the right time for me to enter into the joy of the Lord.  It might be today, or tomorrow, I don't know which day that may be. Only God knows.  I strive to work at being ready every day, and will continue to do what I know in my heart is pleasing to Him.  It's taken me a while, lots of years of errors, mistakes, selfishness disregard for what's really important,  but thank God for his grace and mercy,  I've gotten on the right track and now  each year I'm maturing firmly in the knowledge of the Lord. It's so satisfying and rewarding knowing it's all about Him. It's all about Him. What I am and what I do is all about pleasing Him, my Lord and Savior, Jesus.

My other goals for 2011 are to live on less stuff, and stop worrying about stuff. God is in control and will never leave nor forsake me. I know that. I need to act more like I know that. And, I want to start an email prayer circle.  Of course I have minor goals, like balance my checkbook and stop procrastinating, and cut out eating sugar all together.

I did some figuring. If it's God's will, and the Lord doesn't return, and I live 24 more years to  age 76, that will be 8,760 more days. I've already lived approximately 18,980 days. I've been a Christian approximately 9,855 days. I want my latter days to make up for the days I've squandered. I need to sprint to the finish. Lord help me. And, thank you Lord for being patient with me and giving me so many blessings every day of my life and for allowing me to serve you. 

I pray everyone take a few minutes and make your willful choice, so you know within your heart of hearts that you've chosen whom you will serve and know according to God's Holy Word, when it's your time, your soul will be called home to heaven for eternity with the Lord. No sin can enter heaven, so unless your sins have been forgiven, when it's your time, your soul will be sent to a holding place called hell, which will later be cast into the lake of fire for eternity without Him. Revelation 20:14-15

Bye bye 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Gratitude will get you everything

In scripture, Luke 17: 11-19, Jesus healed some lepers. This story has been one in which I've  thought, why didn't all the other lepers thank Jesus for healing them?  If I could put myself in the place of a leper back then, it must have been awful to contract the disease, and more awful in that you're separated from your home, and family.  Not only were lepers cast out of town and everyone, they had to shout 'Unclean, unclean!" in order to notify anyone approaching them perhaps on a road, to warn them to stay away. In other words, lepers were doomed-no  human contact, no hope of a cure, and probably the only company they had was other lepers in a group cast from society, until you died. It must have been a very lonely and degrading way to exist while you slowly died from the disease compounded with despair, loneliness and grief. Horrible.
 
But in this scripture, they must have heard that Jesus healed, so this group of lepers came and asked Jesus to heal them. Jesus said, "Be healed, go to your priest to get the clearance and okay for you to reunite into society and your family." They went and along the way discovered they were healed. They must have ran to town being so excited to not have leprosy any more. But, only one of the group, seeing he didn't have leprosy any longer, went back and thanked Jesus. Only one showed his gratitude to Jesus.

I've pondered that and am ashamed that I haven't thanked Jesus for all He's done for me. Every day. Every breath I take, every step I make, every object I can see, every thing that is me, I have Him and Him alone to thank.  I am grateful, but I want to have a great gratitude to the One who deserves my gratitude and praise. He does deserve all praise.


Photo credit: mobinukaem from morguefile.com


Jesus didn't just heal one leper. He healed all that asked Him. The scriptures don't tell us what happened later, but I wonder if the one who took time to thank Jesus showed his gratitude the rest of this life for his healing. I wonder if he was more compassionate to others when he saw someone suffering or needing help. I wonder if he gave to the needy more and stretched out his hand, his clean hand to help someone in need.  I wonder if the others went back to their lives and never gave it a second thought they could have spent the rest of their lives with leprosy had it not been for Jesus healing them.  I wonder.

But the only thing  I can do is have deeper gratitude, because I could be on a course to hell and the Lake of Fire had it not been for Jesus redeeming me back to God. Jesus saved me from hell when His blood was shed, He died and was raised on the third day victorious over death. Because of Him, I my spirit and soul is saved and I can enter heaven, because the penalty for my sins have been in full by Jesus. I will forever have gratitude in my heart to Him. Because of Him, I have everything that's good and lasting in Him. How can I not have gratitude to Him? How about you?


Visit my other two entralling blogs, UpForGrabsToday and NaturalToBeHealhyGems, and my website, NaturalToBeHealthy.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

You're worthy

Bad. Yeah, that was me. And knowing that, I knew I wasn't worthy to receive God's gift. I am a sinner. I've done things I am not proud of.  I've behaved badly. I've thought horrible thoughts. I've been selfish, self-centered, evil, filthy, corrupt, and didn't care what anyone thought. I've lied, even cheated, and heavens knows all the things I've done. But God was patient and loving to not give up on me. Let me back up to when I was a youngster. I was privileged and blessed with two of the sweetest, gentlest grandmothers.  Whenever I was with either of them on a Sunday, it was a given we'd be going to church. Back then, I didn't know too much about religion,Christianity, and such, but I watched my grandmothers. They were solid and true, and I thank God for them, bless their souls. One was in the country and one was in the city and when I think of her I think of her playing the organ.

As a child I enjoyed listening to my grandmother play the organ

Photo credit: xandert from morguefile.com


 Mom made sure us kids were in church on Sunday mornings, too. So I had an introduction to hearing the Word of God, and most of the time I don't think I got a single thing out of those Sunday sermons. To me sermons were always too long and boring, but I was there mostly doodling on paper and standing when it was time to stand, and sing when it was time to sing from the hymnal. Sunday school was better, because got to do something artsy, and move about or take part in discussion or something besides sit and hear a boring sermon.  I did have one Sunday school teacher whom I loved and enjoyed being in her class so much, that I didn't want to advance to the next class and leave her. It was in her class I learned the names of all 66 books of the Bible. I remember that being a major accomplishment. When you're a kid, 66 of anything is a lot.  All this was the foundation of what was to happen later.

Jesus- the solid foundation of Christianity

Photo credit: taliesin from morguefile.com

I joined the Marine Corps. I distinctly remember a fellow Marine, just an acquaintance, come up to me and tell me that I needed to get saved. I thought it odd that he would tell me that at that time. I knew he was right, but I wasn't ready. I don't think I wanted to make that decision right then, because I was busy enjoying my independence and having fun on the weekends with the guys, and actually having the time of my life.  But what he told me remained in the back of my mind for a long time, especially on Sunday mornings when I was sleeping in. Looking back on my life, and the things I had done, I started thinking  I wasn't good enough to receive the good things of God.  I kept putting God on the back burner, and that also was adding to my guilt of not going ahead in making my decision.  There was conflict going on in my head because I knew that as long as I didn't decide for God, I was really deciding against God, and I knew that was wrong, too, and that added to my guilt feelings even more. One Summer I remember reading every word of a book about Malcolm X, and was impressed with the routine praying times of Muslims. I remember thinking seriously about Islam, but deep inside it conflicted with what knew about God and Jesus. In Christianity you can pray and talk to God any time of the day or night and not have to stop and pray in a certain direction at specific times of the day. The Word taught God loved all equally. The Word taught humbleness, gentleness, goodness, patience, peace, patience, self-control, joy and love.  Something important was missing I didn't see was offered in the Muslim religion, I couldn't put my finger on it- was it the men and women were separated during religious services?  I wondered about that, but I definitely knew something very important was missing. I kept these feelings and thoughts to myself, but kept wondering what choice should I make.  Thank God, He remained patient with me. I had never told anyone about my pondering of becoming a Muslim until typing this right now.  It came down to a major illness to someone dear to me for me to wake up and see that each day is a very precious gift from God and stop wasting time and make up my mind. Life is short. And Islam didn't offer or promise me what I knew Jesus offered. I was a teenager when my brother first got sick, and on into my twenties when God called him home. I used to think I had plenty of time, plenty of years to decide. I was wrong. My brother, six years my junior died in my arms after 6 years of chemo and surgeries dealing with a childhood kidney disease. During those six years not once did I have the thought he would die, until the morning of the day he died. I cried all day long. That day I realized my brother wasn't going to graduate high school or get married, or grow to old age. The world was not going to be the same without this a fabulous young man in it,  and I also thought God wanted my brother with him. Why not me, I thought? Through my red and puffy eyes, that night my eyes were opened I think for the first time, to spiritual things. I willingly opened my heart and asked God to forgive me for all my sins. It took the death of my brother, to finally get me to make the one decision I'd been putting off.  I saw that departing this body actually is beautiful when you're a Christian, because it's true, angels escort you out of here. I was in my brother's hospital room because God wanted me to witness this just as real as real can be. I didn't see angels, but I felt something very strongly that I can describe must have been angels about my brother. I can honestly describe it was peaceful and beyond any words can describe, and it was at that moment that it all made sense to me. It's spiritual, and God's ways are far, far above and far, far better than man's logic and thinking. God does things in a way and manner that can't be explained, but later I can look back and see His hand was in it for the good of all concerned. My brother is fine, I know it, and I was glad he was released from severe pain his body had endured, and his heavenly escort was there to take him into the presence of the Lord.

God's gift of Jesus to you is for the asking
Photo credit: melodi2 from morguefile.com

I quietly in my heart, by faith, accepted Jesus, God's greatest gift to me later that night of March 17,1982.  My decision was the right decision, and my faith continues to grow stronger. My spirit rejoices more and more, there's nothing else like it.  My experience that night taught me there's no fear to die. God's word tells that after the last breath here, the next breath is with the Lord.  If you haven't already asked Jesus into your heart, why are you waiting? The gift from God is waiting to be received by every single person, and all you have to do is ask, and God's greatest gift, Jesus, is yours. He's already paid-in-full the penalty for your sins. The greatest love in all the world has been demonstrated by God for all people. Take it.

 And you're worthy.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

God is still changing hearts and setting captives free

Religion is such a strong topic in daily news headlines. A question I'd like to have answered is what do people see in the Islam religion that's better than of the Christian religion?

Read what I learned from an American woman, who had married a Muslim man 

      A few years ago, I did for a few months have occasion to speak to a woman who had married a Muslim man. She was American born. She told me she was divorced from her first husband, a doctor in California, and had four children. She then married a Muslim man, converted to his religion, Islam, and moved to Iran with her kids. I never knew of a stronger woman than her from hearing about what she endured in Iran. She told me some stories of horrible things that happened to her and her children while in Iran. Her eyes were blue, so with the traditional clothing she wore in Iran, she could not hide the color of her eyes. She told me she learned enough of the language to go to market and ride in a taxi, but even talking the language and obeying the customs there, from listening to her many stories during the time I spent with her, (she was very health conscious and attended some of my essential oil classes), I thought she endured more than I thought any one person could survive and still come out alive. There should be a movie made of her life, it was that spell-binding hearing the things she told me. She risked her life getting out of Iran, and at anytime any man or woman could have blown the whistle on her during her plight, and her fate would've been very grim. She told me she wanted better for her children and she knew she had to get back to the U.S. She did work and secretly saved up enough money to travel.  She had to leave all belongings and be very cautious at every turn under the cover of dark to make it out of Iran with her kids. They left with practically nothing. Her precious books she had to leave. She said books were very rare there. She saw no one cares about books or reads.  And she had brought a suitcase of jewelry to start a small jewelry business there, but her husband's family took it all upon her arrival, and she had no say so in the matter.  Her daughters at a very, very young age, she permitted to marry, the men were brothers, and she told me all day women were expected to clean the house, scrub the floors on their hands and knees daily, and had to haul water and practically were slaves to housework. That basically was their position, an immaculate house, cook, raise the children, and please their husbands-and any hope of an education for her girls was totally out of the question.  And for woman, their every move is under watchful eyes. She told me she had labored hard at growing a vegetable garden, but her neighbors helped themselves to whatever they wanted. Because she was a 'white female' she couldn't do a thing to prevent any neighbor boy or older woman from taking from  her garden what ever they wanted, when ever they wanted. She said one step out of line and it's understood women get beaten and bruised unmercifully. That's how they are kept to stay in check.  Heaven forbid if you're home by yourself, and your husband brings home a male guest. If you're in one room and walk to another room, not knowing your husband has brought home a guest, and he sees you with your head uncovered, or too much of your neck showing, or too much above your ankles showing in your own home,  it's your fault.  It's always the woman's fault.  In Iran, she told me a man can commit rape, but it's not the man's fault. The woman has to suffer for being sexually violated, and also suffer for disgracing her family because she was raped. And it's her fault. The man rapes the woman, but she pays the penalty and nothing happens to him. Her life is essentially over and he gets no reprimand at all for violating her.  She told me even male children are taught early to disrespect females, and young girls are taught their position in life is below men.

My friend moved and I've long lost contact with her, but I can never forget the horrible things she told me women under Islam religion have to live.  Out of respect, I never asked her why did she continue with this religion after she escaped from Iran.  I'll never know.  I did a google search just to see what I could find on people converting to Christianity. This never makes it to the headline news. God doesn't need headlines. He works quietly one-on-one on the inside.  No one and no heart is out of reach of God's influence.  Maybe these Christian converts got their hands on Christian literature, or studied the Bible for themselves, or heard someone give their testimony, or listened to a Christian radio or TV program.  Maybe they listened to God speaking to their heart. It pleases my heart to know no one is out of the reach of God, no matter what their religion or belief,  God is God, and He can touch and change any one's heart. He changed Saul's heart and he was converted from a Christian-hater to Apostle Paul, a changed man, a man who was very influential in the early Christian churches. And God changed my heart one night when I couldn't sleep. I received the gift of life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. No heart is out of reach. Of course, only God knows the condition of your heart. Who knows, maybe Saul was puzzled and secretly envied that Christians were willing to die for there belief in Jesus. Spread the good news of the gospel at every opportunity, for you can never know what heart is seeking to know the truth of the gospel and that no matter what they've been up to then, Jesus is waiting to be invited into every beating heart.
                                                                                                                                            Here's a list of some people who've converted from Islam to Christianity. Some people on this list are from very devote Muslim families, or very learned in the Muslim religion.

There is no heart in the world out of God's reach

Photo credit: duboix from morguefile.com

Until you invite Jesus by faith into your heart, you remain under the penalty of sin.There is no amount of good deeds you can do to get out from the penalty of sin. Jesus, and Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the life.  I don't find any other that can compare to Jesus having being the only way approved by God, the sacrificial lamb, becoming sin, and dying, thus when I have faith and accept Jesus, then I am accepting I believe who He is, what He did, and by faith, my sins are forgiven. Before Jesus, those looked forward to the Messiah to come and had to have priests offer animal sacrifices to temporarily cover sins. Jesus is the Messiah, He is Son of God, and He is the only Way. God is love and Jesus came to show you how much He loves you by dying for you so you can be freed  from spiritual death. That's good news for all. All you have to do is believe, exercise faith and keep exercising it until it becomes strong faith day by day, and ask Him into your heart and the spiritual transformation takes place.  Right now, this hour, this day is a real good time to do that. All I can say since the night I quietly asked Jesus to be my Savior, forgive me of my sins, and make me a changed person, I have been freed and it's a wonderful feeling. No matter what I am a child of God and I've been set free. What are you waiting for?

Ever in the warmth and glow of the author of my faith.

Monday, December 20, 2010

A new version of 12 Days of Christmas

In church yesterday the kids sang a new version of the familiar song, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. This version is more to my liking, for the lyrics are about gifts available to those with Jesus in their hearts.  I'd give credit to the author, but I don't know who that might be.  This new version is sung exactly like the older version, only the lyrics are changed.

     On the (first - twelfth ) day of Christmas Jesus gave to me,

1.  And salvation full and free  ( sing 'full' like it has two syllables)
2.  Everlasting life
3.  Peace in my heart
4.  Love for all man                (sing 'love' like it has two syllables)
5.  Joy for my soul                 ("joy"- hold it out like you hold out "five")
6.  Power from on high
7.  A body glorified
8.  A robe and a crown
9.  Mansions up above
10.A street of pure gold
11.A 1000 tongues to sing
12. Eternity to praise

Enjoy singing it. Share it.

Sing a new song this Christmas
Photo credit: anitapatterson from morguefile.com

Thank you to young ones for singing this song so well,  and Anna and Chastity for your accompaniment.

Friday, December 17, 2010

There is no comparison

 Next week is Christmas Day. Yesterday, a nice gentlemen greeted my Mom and I by saying, "Merry CHRIST-mas". I thought that was a perfect way to put emphasis on 'The Reason for the Season'.  Yes, Christmas is all about Christ.  It's all about the  greatest event in history, which still has a profound effect upon every life that's ever breathed.  It's history, it's historical, and there's no question about it- the birth of Christ in Bethlehem was God's greatest gift to us. Jesus actually lived and walked on Earth. He humbled himself from heaven, to be born to a woman, a virgin, a supernatural pregnancy so He would be born of flesh, like us, and then die for all mankind. He is deity, 'The one perfect sacrificial lamb', holy, and there is no comparison to Him.

Our Lord and King- humbly born in a manger
Photo credit: nagygl from morguefile.com

So, of course I had to Google and see what I could find on comparisons, and what I found is interesting- there's a link below for you to 'click' on.  I'm going do further research myself later,  but for now, at this CHRIST-mas time, celebrating the birth of Christ, the start of his mission of love on earth and showing us God in the flesh, and to ultimately win the victory for each of us so we don't have to ever be apart from God. He willingly bore all of our sins by dying in a horrible manner as a man, thus paying the penalty for my sins, and yours if you believe and accept him. The victory is your if only you'll exercise faith, believe and accept His gift.  I think about what Jesus did for me and it is more than I can put into words. There are no words to describe the love Jesus shown for me and for you. God himself sacrificed himself for me.  That makes no sense, but that's what a loving God did- This proves God doesn't want me to die, and that goes equally for you, too. I have tears in my eyes, I don't know why, but I do. I so want everyone to uplift Jesus and make him the central focus of all your Christmas celebrating. Take some quiet time within your heart of hearts and dwell upon the fact that God chose to send His Son to be born in a manger. A simple, unlikely place for the Son of Almighty God be born. But that's our God, who humbled himself to be born among animals and hay.  So humble and sweet he came to us as a baby. Can't get more humble than that.  Praise God! Everyone have a very blessed Christ-mas with your Savior and your loved ones.  Make sure to share the Christ-mas story with young ones, so they learn and hear what and who the Christ of Christmas is. Never allow the real reason for the season get drowned out by all the glitz, glitter, snow, shopping, tree or toys.

I'd like to hear how you're keeping Christ the real reason for celebrating Christmas Day.

 Click here to see a list of non- comparisons between Jesus and Muhammad. I will be posting later of my personal research finding on this.

Keeping my face in His warm, glow of love.

The name of Jesus is Wonderful. I see no comparison can equal His Name.
Scripture references- Psalms 148:13      His name alone is  exalted
                                  Luke 2:21              an angel gave his name
                                  Acts 4:5-12            salvation is by no other name
                                 Philippians 2:5-11   His name is above every name
                                 Revelation 19:6:16  King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Monday, December 13, 2010

The joy of being pruned

I was looking back on the closing year of 2010.  How quickly the past twelve months have past.  I generally try to look at the positive side of life, and think about lessons I've learned. The 'ups and downs' of life are to be expected and a normal part of life. I've found the 'down times' are when the growth occurs for me most profoundly.  Though at the time, it doesn't particularly seem like it because what's so 'in my face' is the problem and/or pain I'm feeling.  But Paul in the Bible says to 'count it all joy.'  Count it all joy being in pain and distress?  That sounds like a contradiction, but it's the way God has to deal with contrary and stubborn men, women and children. In the Old Testament, God's people, the Hebrews are a perfect example. Even after God provided the way to get them delivered from slavery and get out of Egypt, they actually wanted to go back. And that contrary behavior is still being practiced today. God blesses us so much, but we (people in general) still want to make our own choices and have our own way with a spirit of entitlement -that we deserve a ride on easy street  our whole life, so to speak, and don't even think or want to obey God's Word. Then when things go badly, our cries to God are how could He allow such a terrible thing happen?  Maybe it's our own doing and if we'd been obedient to God's Word the first place, things would be different.  But, just as the Hebrews cried to God after they found themselves in trouble from doing that which God warned them not do, they repented of their sin and their disobedience, and God was faithful and loving and removed them from their trouble. There is no mountain of situation beyond God's power to turn around for His people when God's people then and now return to obeying and worshiping Him. God is still the same. His Word endures and never changes. We would be so much better to learn from history.

Prune away till all that's left is what is good for service
Photo credit: mccoy from morguefile.com


After my crisises have past, I can look back and clearly see God was right with me, carrying me the entire time, working and pruning me. God gives me insight, wisdom and develops me and allows me to grow and mature from those 'down times' of life. Pruning me makes me able to produce spiritual fruit and be effective for service to the people God brings into my life. I can be of service to them from the lessons I'd personally learned from my pruning.
If I hadn't been lead through the 'down times' in life,  I couldn't offer wisdom from first hand knowledge nor help anyone.

So God, prune me until I am become more and more in the image you need me to be for service for you. When I'm being pruned, I'm being molded, sharpened and shaped more in the likeness of Jesus. And that I can count all joy that I'm being made perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  And, that's for you as well.



Scripture references: Philippians 2:13; Nehemiah 9: 6-31; James 1:2


Question- What is God pruning in your life for you to accomplish?
Click on the comments link at the end of each post to leave your comments for me-I welcome your comments as well as your thoughts on what I've written.


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Until next time, I'm keeping my face in the glow of the Lord.


BONUS: Who likes to experience pain or have irritation in their life?  But, just like a bead nucleus causes irritation inside an oyster, which causes it to develop a sack around it, a beautiful pearl results.  So, maybe that irritation and pruning is God's way to develop something worthwhile inside you. Think about it.

Pearls are made from an irritation inside oysters

Photo credit: kconnors from morguefile.com

Friday, December 10, 2010

Singing about the joy of the world

It's soon to be Christmas Day 2010. The day Christians celebrate the most wonderful thing to have happened in history.  We celebrate the birth of Christ coming into the world as a little baby born in a manger amongst animals. The Messiah's birth was foretold centuries before and nothing could alter God's plan of His appearance into the world as a baby boy.  Imagine, God's plan and gift to us, diety be born into flesh, to grow, and then to become the one sacrifice for all mankind in order to bring man back to right standing with God. God paid the price Himself. That's the character of God. His love is without limits for us. He himself suffered for us so our sins could be forgiven. What an awesome gift! What a magnificant gift! What love that shows! Jesus is joy born to the world. And all anyone has to do is believe who He is and what He's done and this is God's gift every person in all the world.  The angels announced His birth. Wise men sought Him, and wise men and women still seek Him.

God's gift to mankind was born in a manger

Photo credit: cohdra from morguefile.com


This is the greatest gift of all. Praise God our Father almighty and to Jesus our Lord and Savior!

Here's a list of 80 or so Religious Christmas songs with lyrics- click on the song and sing to your hearts content with joy in celebrating the most wonderful news that Jesus Christ was born. May your heart be filled with joy. And I wouldn't mind a bit if you shared this with others.

Christmas is all about Jesus. Let's make Him the primary reason we're joyous. It's because of Him that we even know what  love, joy, and peace is.    Happy Birthday my Lord !!!!!  And have a blessed and joyous Christmas everyone!

P.S. I don't know the melody to most of these songs, but I can make up a melody as I sing the  lyrics and praise God. It's in my heart and that's all that matters. And no one hears me but the Lord and my dog, who accompanies me as I sing and play my harmonica for the Lord.

Singing of our newborn King at Christmastime

Photo credit: ppdigital from morguefile.com

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Reaching beyond measure

Very early this morning I looked up and gazed at the dark sky decorated by bright stars and the moon. It was beautiful. Now I've just read that scientists have under estimated the number of stars in the universe. Their new estimation is 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars are out there. I just had to type all those zeros. The way to say that number is 300 sex-trillion.

I know scientists maneuver complex sophisticated equipment and use calculus and mathematics and all that. They've re-calcuated their original scientific star count.  You know what I think? I think no matter how much they count, they will never be able to accurately determine the number of stars in the sky.  God is not to be equaled. He made the universe and His creation is too vast and far reaching for anything man can ever count or measure. God is immeasurable, and His creation is higher and wider than man can conceive or imagine. His greatness is the number of stars times infinity to the infinite power. The heavens can't be measured no matter how smart all the scientists in all the world are. Infinite. Hard to get the smartest human mind around infinite. No computer can calculate that number because the zeros would keep on going without end infinitely. Man can't even make up the name of that number, other than call it 'infinite'. Cannot ever be measured.

Only God knows the number of stars and calls them by name
Photo credit: seriousfun from morguefile.com


Scripture references- Genesis 1:16; Psalms 33:6 and 147:4; Rev 22:16


There's one star called the Bright and Morning Star. Click here then scroll down to #12,  and while scrolling down, see the many other names Jesus is called.

Keeping my faith and gaze toward the Bright and Morning Star.