It started back in Sunday School

I had one very special Sunday school teacher I shall never forget. I can't pinpoint what exactly it was, but I never wanted her Sunday school class to end.  I was happy right where I was. I don't remember her name, or even her face, but I do remember it was in her class I first learned the names of the books of the Bible. She made it fun and interesting to learn them. It would be many, many years later when I would come across another Sunday school class where I again learned so many exciting things in the Bible. Just like a child again, I never wanted that class to end.

Memorizing the names and placement of the books of the Bible has come in handy when I listen to any Bible teacher or preacher. When they reference to a certain scripture in the Bible I could flip to that book and scripture pretty quickly. I've never needed page labels to locate Leviticus or 1Timothy or Micah.

The Bible is God's written Word

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As I grew slowly in knowledge of what the Bible was about as a whole, it all started to come together and make sense. My Bible knowledge came over a period of almost twenty years, so I might be called a slow learner, but I'm eager and ready for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me so much more.

To me, it has been thrilling learning more in depth of the importance about the stories of Noah and the Ark; Abraham and Sarah; Joseph; Moses and the parting of the Red Sea and the Ten Commandments;  Samson and Delilah;  Jonah and the Whale; David; Solomon; Esther; Ruth; John the Baptist; Jesus walking on water,  feeding thousands of people with just 5 loaves of bread and 5 fish; Jesus being born in a manger with animals and shepherds around; Jesus nailed to a cross, are just to name a few. These stories and people tell of how God worked in the lives of people to fulfill his purpose no matter the mistakes they made. And that's true even today.  And the one who made no mistake and whom God was well pleased, whom was and is his Son, Jesus, the Christ.

A lamb

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From memorizing the books of the Bible to learning more of what's written within the books, I've become more enlightened and knowledgeable of the significance of these stories and God's Word for us and His wonderful plan of salvation for man.


 Here are the 18+ major highlights I've learned since being a student of the Lord.

*The Bible is no ordinary book. It has been sustained through the ages and penned by different men over centuries by the tempting of the Holy Spirit.  All the books together tell of a continuation of stories of God's people, leading up to the birth of the long awaited Messiah, (every book in the old testament tells of something about the Messiah), then, the miraculous birth of Jesus, then his life
and ministry, and after Jesus ascended into the heavens, the Bible tells the story of the spread of
 'the church' throughout the world.

*God chose many men to pen the books of the Bible over many centuries. There couldn't possibly
be one person to witness and write all that the Bible tells.  To make a testimony more believable,
the more people to collaborate a story, the more a testimony or story is believable. The scriptures were guided by the Holy Spirit working through the authors who wrote the books. We have a
written account from more than one man, written and recorded over centuries of time of the stories God wants us to know of his people, his faithfulness, his love and his statutes.

Mt. Sinai at sunset

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*The Old Testament gives history of the beginning and how man became full of pride and drifted away from God. God placed the Hebrew tribe of Levi as those to carry out the taking of offerings to be sacrificed that God demanded to purge sin- the shedding of blood for forgiveness. This was of a blemish-less animal for the time being. This was necessary, but only until the Messiah was to come
to free God's people.  God's law was impossible to live up to- for no man or woman could ever be perfect or be sinless. Some interpreted it too strictly and forgot that God did not want that, He
wants man to depend upon Him, not try to be perfect. Man can't be perfect due the sin nature
passed down to all humans from the first man and woman's disobedience. Adam and Eve were deceived and chose to disobey God when they chose to do something that was prideful, selfish,
and in direct disobedience to God's word to them.

How sin entered into the world

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*The Old Testament books tell of prophets and stories of people who were faithful and of those
who were unfaithful, selfish and greedy and did not listen to the prophets. Within each book, the stories and each subsequent generation from Adam leading up Abraham, then Isaac, Jacob and
down through the line of David and so forth. God wanted his people to trust Him, rely upon him
and worship him. God remained faithful, but the Hebrew people wined a lot and forgot the
wondrous things God did and his promises and instead wanted to go back into bondage and even worship man-made images and idols.  Every time the Jewish people cried to God for help, God
saved them. God never failed them. They failed God.
But a few always remained faithful and God blessed them richly.

a replica of the Ark of the Covenant

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*God takes ordinary people who are faithful and willing, and uses them to do extraordinary things.

*Man, unknowledgable to the things of the Spirit, would rather listen to the evil one, just as Adam and Eve did in the Garden. But still, the devil couldn't keep 'The One' who was to come and bruise
 his head from being born, or be killed, nor could he get Jesus to succumb to temptation and sin, or from being the one whom God was well-pleased.

*Satan used to be a beautiful angel. But when Lucifer desired to be worshiped and be like god himself, God expelled him from the heavens and now Satan, the evil angel, the adversary, is
destined to the Lake of Fire. He reigns as the master of lies and deception, and makes it his job to deceive those who are not keen to his tricks to get them to turn from God, as he has.  He knows
your weaknesses and uses his powers to make you fall for his lies to lead you away from the truth
of God's Word. He wants to destroy your future and take you from all God has for you because he's
a sore loser. Before Jesus, because of sin, man's destiny was spiritual death . Jesus foiled Satan's
plan because Jesus now holds the keys to life and death, so, Jesus alone is the One whom belongs
all praise, honor and glory. Satan wants that and will try to get it by deception, lying and setting up his own makeshift kingdom to make himself a god. That's what he wants. But there is only one
God, and it is not Satan, aka, Lucifer. Jesus has won spiritual victory for us.

*The New Testament is about the coming of the Lord, the Messiah and his life and death and the church.  John the Baptist was a 'voice' telling of Jesus' forthcoming-he was a messenger who said, 'he's coming, he's coming'. Then when Jesus arrived, John the Baptist said, 'here he is'.

*Jesus was born supernaturally of the Holy Spirit to virgin woman, named Mary. Joseph married Mary and was Jesus' earthly father and he did what was told of him by angels to keep Jesus
protected from those wanting to kill him.

The Son of God, our Messiah was born in a manger

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*Jesus, at an early age, amazed the elders with his wisdom of Godly knowledge. Then he began
his amazing ministry which Paul and some of Jesus's disciples recorded for us to read.

The Middle East

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*The good news of the gospel spread by word of mouth of miraculous healings and miracles
Jesus performed, and later by his disciples, and by Saul, a devout Jew, who used to kill
Christians, but became a believer after his encounter with the Lord, and renamed Paul.

*In spite of all that was foretold of how the coming Messiah was going to come, etc. Jesus met
every prophesy, yet people doubted and they still doubt. These things about Jesus sounds unlikely
to have happened, but there are recorded eye-witnesses other than the authors of the Bible.  The
Jews wanted their Messiah to be a warrior or someone to free them from the Romans.  But the Messiah conquered more than that.  But the Jews and much of the world today have yet to
believe that. The Messiah came to save man from spiritual death. He was the perfect sacrificial
Lamb through which Man might be redeemed back into good graces with God. No more animal sacrifices. Jesus bridged the gap between God and Man separated by sin. Jesus was the Lamb of
 God- being part-human, part-God, the perfect sacrifice God accepted. Any person can accept
God's free gift by faith and be firmly assured their sins would be forgiven.

A Roman coin

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*God, the Word, the Holy Spirit, are all Spirit. God sent a part of himself to us to be our ransom
 so our 'dead spirits' could become 'alive' and have spiritual life forever. That spring of living
waters and everlasting life is found in and though Jesus, and Jesus alone.

*The Bible is full of jewels of wisdom and knowledge. You can read the words and it not make
any sense. That's because it's a holy book and not until your spirit is made 'alive', all you will see
 are printed words on paper. Once you ask Jesus into your heart and accept him as your Lord and Savior, your spirit becomes 'alive' and you will begin to see the Bible come alive and the stories
 begin to have rich meaning and wisdom. Each time you ask God to open your spiritual eyes a bit more, he reveals a bit more in his Word. Only God can do that, and only Jesus can stand in for
you, paying the price owed for your sins.

Flag of Israel

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*Bible stories tell of the grand story of God's unconditional love to us all. God does not force
anyone or make anyone do anything. The choice is yours to make- either you choose to be with
Him or against Him.  So you're either for God, or for the fallen angel called Satan, who is the
god of this world.  God could force you to make your choice, but that's not of his loving character.  God knows to be made to do something your heart isn't into is not loving. God wants you to freely choose to come and love him, not force you to.

*The Bible is for spiritual growth and knowledge and to know the mind of God through the life
of Jesus. No other book can do that. People can reference the Bible, but the Bible is a
one-of-a-kind special living book, a holy book. But to those whose spirit has not been awakened
by the Holy Spirit, mysteries and the wonders of the Bible are scrambled, and the Bible to them is nothing more than some old book on the shelf.

Scrambled

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*I've learned that God is a good God. I've learned faith has to be tested in order to grow. I've
learned that with Jesus, I have nothing to fear, for He is faithful. I've learned that the Holy Spirit
is my counselor and I need to spend time in the Word and be quiet to hear his gentle voice.

*And, lastly, I've learned that God is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscience, and Holy. He is Spirit.
He always has been, and always will be. He is not 'the man' upstairs. And, God loves you and I
so much that he sent his Son to die for us so we can have spiritual life for all times.
                                                                  -----------

I know there so much more the Holy Spirit wants to teach me. I'm grateful to all my Sunday
school teachers, and all with the gift of teaching and are using their gifting to teach about the
many wonders found in the Bible.

I would like to hear from you of what you've taken specially to heart from the Bible, God's Holy Word.

Until next time,
I'm keeping on that straight and narrow path, with the Son as my guide.

Heaven or Paradise- spiritual or sensual?

I've been reading on some key differences between the Christian and the Muslim religions.
The both claim to have God, either called God, the Heavenly Father, or Allah, and
they both claim to offer Heaven or Paradise to it's believers upon death.

A depiction of angels in heaven

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But, I've come across major differences in how to reach Paradise and heaven, the goal for getting there, what you will do there, and the question of will there be any sex?

(The answer is at the bottom if you must see it right now)


Allah promises the reward of Paradise for men complete with virgins for his sexual delight. Lots of voluptuous, untouched, beautiful, virgins with appetizing vaginas and non-sagging breasts for his pleasure and permanent, eternal erection.  So, the Muslim man has to do good things and he will be heavily rewarded so he may have his sexual desires fulfilled by enticing virgins. Now, for any healthy, red'blooded man, having strength to sexually pleasure virgins might very well thought to be 'Paradise'.  However, if the goal for getting to Paradise, is for his sensual pleasure, that sounds pretty selfish and one-sided. Virgins are there. Is Paradise another place for the females to have to work? Is their Paradise having to use their bodies to pleasure a man? Is there any time females can have a Paradise of their own and not have to be about sexually pleasuring a man?

In Paradise and Heaven- yes or no?

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 Muhammad the messenger, had strong sexual urges and I've read he married and had sex with a very young girl. This teaching gives the impression that sex appears to be something men can't imagine ever being without and if they see more than a few inches of a woman's skin, they might have lustful thoughts. So the woman has to dress in a manner to not give the man any temptation. She is to dress modesty covering herself from head to toe so men can't view her and become sexually tempted.

The Prophet Muhammad taught sin can be forgiven by doing good and sin is just an act not an inherent nature.  I also read this teaching says even though a believer can do 'bad', they can also do 'good', and that would wipe out their sin. This raises some questions. For instance, who determines how much 'good' is enough to erase sin? What is the definition of 'good' and who can claim to wear the title of 'good'? How much prayer is enough to wipe out a person's sin? How will a person know they've prayed enough? And for a person to do bad, there has to be an inherent nature within them in order to do 'bad' or think 'bad' thoughts. So if there's any speck of 'bad', how can that person remove the nature that is within himself?  He/she may not do 'bad' all the time, but it's still within himself/herself even though they don't necessarily do 'bad' things all the time.

God demands perfection. Even thought Muslims know of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only beloved son to God. The rest of the story is God stepped in and provided a substitute for Abraham. This was an example showing that substitute later would be, Jesus, God's only Son, who was obedient and was sacrificed to have his blood shed to pay for the sin of mankind. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because he was part of the godhead, part of the 'us' who created all things. He humbled himself to be born of a woman by the Holy Spirit.  So, God, spiritually stepped down from heaven in human form to become The Sacrifice himself for us. That is of the Spirit, but also of the flesh so Man's spirit could live and not die and his sins be forgiven. No other way would have sufficed. If God provided of Himself to pay for our sins, then no imperfect man can do "good' if he is himself imperfect.  When Adam and Even sinned, a sinful nature was passed on to every person born of human parents. What is a sin nature? A good explanation can be found here, and 'the misconceptions of sin nature' paragraph is especially good.

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In the Bible, heaven, is promised to those who repent and who's sins have been forgiven through accepting by faith of His Son, Jesus, the Messiah- whose shed blood was the once and for all sacrifice paying the penalty of sin for that person's soul. Through His Son, your 'spirit man' can live forever in a glorified body in heaven, or be out of the presence (spiritual death) of the Lord, in hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire.  Sin can't enter the home of the Holy Father, whom is Holy Spirit, and heaven is eternal. and the spirit of man is eternal. Being good can't pay the price to get into heaven. There's nothing that man, a sinful person can do- no amount of good works or living good or being a martyr will rid him of his sinful nature, so man can't be a perfect sacrifice to pay for his sin, thus he is incapable of saving himself.

 In heaven, even with glorified bodies, we will be recognizable. Glorified bodies will not have fleshly desires. God designed sex to be for a husband and his wife for the purpose of procreation. In heaven, there will not be a need for marriage, therefore no need for sex. The church IS the bride and Jesus whom we're eagerly waiting to be with. Marriage on Earth is for raising families. Christians will be the family of God.
The goal in heaven is to worship the Son and rule with him.

I especially like this site to read questions that are answered using Greek word translation that really help with the meaning of scripture.

So, there are many major philosophical differences.


                          MORE COMPARISONS ----

1. The Bible is printed 200 million copies every year.
    The biggest Quran publisher has printed 240 million books since 1984.
                                                                    ***
2.Mohammad self appointed himself as a prophet, he got his first revelation from God at age 40 and he died from and illness that was feverish.

Jesus, meaning 'The Anointed One' is more than a prophet. A prophet is a messenger with a word from God. Jesus is the Word, made flesh and came and dwelt among us. He is our Great High Priest, which is much more than a messenger.
                                                                 
In the Bible, the Messiah, or the 'anointed one' is Jesus, even Islamic believe Jesus is the promised Prophet and Messiah and would return to Earth to defeat the anti-christ.
                                                                   ***
3.Mohammad was born of two earthly parents and died by the effects of being poisoned.
 Jesus was born as prophesied in the line of David of a virgin and the power of the Holy Spirit. His  birth was announced by angels and always was with no beginning or end.
Jesus was before Abraham, meaning he always was with the Father. He died on the Cross, spent time in Paradise to get the keys of death from Hades and was resurrected on the third day. His tomb is empty because he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for the saints. His name is more majestic than the angels.
                                                                   ***

4.Mohammad had many women and children enslaved and he died years after being poisoned.
Mohammad also fought in many physical battles. He did no healing or sacrificing of himself to save anyone.
 Mohammad claims to have had contact with Gabriel, an angel.

Jesus was about His Father's business at an early age, and did not seek possessions, wives, concubines or have anyone killed or enslaved. He purpose on Earth was solely to spread the love of God, and be the final sacrifice so our spirits can enter heaven and thus escape the due penalty of death our sins demand, thus saving us from hell and the Lake of Fire.

Jesus only did what was pleasing to the Father. He is the Light of the World and came to free people from their sins.
Jesus has direct contact with the Father. Angels worship him.
Jesus is God's firstborn ( Hebrews 1: 6)

Jesus came to free us from the penalty of sin

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Jesus is the immortal King of Kings, Lord of Lords of the everlasting Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is spiritual, as God is Spirit. The enemy is spirit. The battle is spiritual. Jesus has victory for us in this arena. Just have to wait for the right moment when Jesus returns and all the children of God  will then see The Kingdom at hand with Jesus ruling on high. The spiritual victory has already been won.

Check out this site- three sections breaking down- The Son is God, Jesus is God, and Jesus is Jehovah.

CONCLUSION- Things of a sensual, sexual nature have nothing to do with heaven or paradise. 

God is Spirit (VIDEO)


 -There is no intent on disrespecting anyone's belief or religion. This blog entry is only my brief understanding of the subject and is not intended to suggest that I know all there is to know about any religion-

Still on my journey along the narrow path set before me.

Please leave your comments.

Trial marriage anyone?

 Trial marriage? What is this world coming to?  In Mexico, trial marriage may soon be available- making try-out-a-spouse legal to test if a 2-year trial run spouse works for ya.  I wonder if there's an exchange of vows at a trial marriage ceremony, and if so, maybe the vows go something like this-  'I promise to give you two trial test-years of my life as your beloved, and at the conclusion of our two year trial marriage contract, you or I can decide if two year marriage made us both happy and is worth going forth, or we can agree to end our trial marriage peacefully with no hard feelings, beloveds no more. With that said and both agreeing to,  let's give it a trial run, so help us God." Then, the couple is declared trial husband and trial wife. May they live happily for the duration of their contract.

After the two years are up, there's no need for a divorce. Just part and go separate ways. Pack you things and off you go, the trial marriage is over, no divorce papers to sign. Doing it this way, the divorce rate will decrease because it's eliminated. Just walk away free and clear to decide upon a trial  marriage with someone else  or until you find someone and your both decide it's the right trial spouse and you want to make it a permanent spouse and marriage rather then a trial one. 

Marriage has been reduced to sampling different pairs of shoes until you find just the right fit.


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Marriage is by definition a union, a joining together.  God created marriage to blend and connect two people together into one. ONE. You wouldn't want to sever your own arm or head or heart because it's joined with the other parts making you one complete body.  Marriage is supposed to be like you're super-glued together with the intention of never becoming unstuck from your spouse  What kills most marriages is jumping into a marital relationship without giving much thought or importance to what's required and involved  to maintain an exciting, thrilling, alive and happy marriage.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Marriage requires daily effort on each party,  and that's the problem.  Many do not fully realize what is going to be required in a marriage before saying their vows.  Then, when it's discovered that give and take, communication, understanding and forgiveness is to be provided,  they aren't ready to give that,  so the marriage suffers.  Trial marriages brings the holy sanctity of marriage down to the level of short-term flings, which never do last.

A marriage was initially meant for the bonding and joining a man and female together to become one in the sight of God, to reproduce themselves and raise and nurture their children in the knowledge of God, to continue generation after generation.  Marriage is not to be taken lightly and marriage is much more than a legal means to bed with someone.  I understand there's a high percentage of divorces in Mexico, but children born of the union, now confused, have to become accustomed to their parents, once together, now separated.  It really is a shame that grown people do not realize innocent children born in a marriage are the one's suffering the most from their parents divorcing.  Couples should keep this in mind, being firmly committed with  a rock solid marriage first before deciding to bring children into the mix.  Marriage is supposed to be a commitment in which you never give up to make it a permanent union.

So, is trial marriage the answer? I see this as a legal way to change sleeping partners every two years and skip having to pay a divorce attorney.

For Sheena

On June 21st, I got news that Ira, my Pastor's oldest son, was dead. At first I thought my hearing was bad, but no, it was true.  Ira Anthony Walton, named after his father, at 33 years of age, was with the Lord.

The very moment Ira took his last breath, angels escorted him, his spirit, into the presence of the Lord. Ira is free from his earthly body, and now amongst the angels in heavenly places.


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A numb feeling came all over me.  I believe every person had that same feeling sweep over them when they first heard of the tragic news.  Ira was and will always be well loved.  Ira was a one-of-a- kind, real special young man,  and I think I speak for many in saying anyone could sense there was something extraordinary about Ira within a few minutes of meeting him. He had 'what we're all seeking in our own lives' going on, and inner happiness that couldn't help but ooze out, and his happiness with life shined brightly for all to see.

I've thought of his family, already missing his presence. His Father and Mother and brother and oh, his twin sister.  They all must be devastated.  But most of all, I thought of Ira's wife, Sheena.  She was the one he'd given his love and his heart to.  She caught his eye. and he married her 10 years ago.  Sheena has it going on, too. The both of them were no doubt one very, special couple. They were young, and very much in love, and very happy together- it was obvious without a doubt.


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Sheena, I see you being strong for your four children. But I also know you miss your husband very much. I know this was all unexpected. You and Ira had so much planned for your dear family's future and it was coming true.  But, Ira, being realistic and wise, made sure his family would be cared for, just in case. His love for you and four little ones is very evident, even now.



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I know you're probably not wanting any thanks for being strong in public and looking like all is fine. I can only imagine, how much your heart grieves in the night when you reach out and the other side of the bed is empty. I can only imagine how deep your grieving might be. My heart grieves with you. And if I'm correct, your grieving is shared by many others whom Ira touched.  Your husband was one special man, but to you, a special friend, confidant, provider, protector, husband, companion, lover, and father of your children.

Sheena, you and Ira were about important business of raising your children and serving God together. That was very obvious that you were a strong, together team, and something you can always hold dear and special within your heart. Your children are some of the best-mannered and respectful children I have every met. That's why I've enjoy bringing  little gifts and would like to spend time with them this Summer in the kitchen creating some eatables. Your children are a joy to be around.  They are a direct reflection upon how you and their father spent quality time teaching them manners. Be very, very proud of that.  And most important, your children have a firm foundation in their relationship with the Lord, again a direct reflection upon their parents. It is so wonderful that all your family is saved, and I'm certain little Isaac will follow the same path.  And, I'm certain within your heart, knowing Ira is 'Home', and you will see him again, gives you a sense of pleasure.Your family is now even more special as Ira is in heaven overlooking you all and no doubt himself filled with such amazement exploring heaven in the Lord's presence.



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Ira, will live on in our hearts. He is missed, but for a short while. We all look forward to meeting again on the other side. His work and yours will continue on in your children and in you. He made an impact upon my life as well, in giving me an example of what a devoted, young, Christian family looks like.  Thank you. And may God continue blessing your family abundantly.

 With my sincerest respect and admiration,  Katrina

Evangelist Billy Graham's big events

I've been thinking about Mr. Billy Graham. Checking on his date of birth, he's in his nineties.  I remember back in the late 60s and early 70s watching his televised crusades with my grandmother. It was special televised programming and at first I didn't know why it was such a big event. But now I do. Those crusades are no more, but those crusades were a ministry through which  Mr. Billy Graham was instrumental in spreading the gospel to thousands upon thousands of people.

Those crusades attracted thousands of people in the cities which they were held, and when Mr. Graham gave the invitation, I watched and remember thinking that some people had to walk down many flights of stairs then out onto the center of the field to gather around the stage Mr. Graham was speaking from. He waited. And I watched with my grandmother, while we shelled peas as the people made their way to accept the invitation. Then Reverend Billy Graham prayed the sinner's prayer and the people repeated after him what he had prayed.

The prayer, if prayed sincerely from the heart, was asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior and believing upon him as the Son of God who died in the sinner's place having paid the dept owed for sin. When this prayer was said, sinners are adopted into God's family by faith.  Their 'dead in trespasses' souls were made alive- born again, instantly. The prayer doesn't save anyone, it's Jesus that did and still does. It's a God and grace thing, but it takes knowing we humans are sinners and we have to exercise faith in God to believe in his divine plan that saves us from spiritual death. As I grew older I understood the significance of those crusades and I will always be grateful that I get to view them with my Grandma Lillie Bell when I was a youngster.

Here are some early photos of Billy Graham, intent on spreading the gospel far and wide.

His speeches are priceless, timeless, and very easy to understand. View Billy Graham in the video below. He gives such good examples and mixes humor with truth when he speaks.




Do you want to be pardoned from you sins?
There's no other way but by Jesus. It's only left that you want it and accept what's already been provided for you. It's a decision you make deep down in your heart. Like those many people at Billy Graham crusades, who walked to the center of the field and stood or kneeled and gave their heart's to the Lord.

If you missed his crusades, that's alright, you can receive the Lord into your heart and be saved just the same. In your room or quietly where ever you are right now, what matters is that you realize you owe a debt that must be paid to God for your sins. You can't pay the debt yourself because it requires the shedding of blood, the death, of a pure sacrifice to pay the penalty. Jesus was that sacrificial lamb for you, in your place so you (your soul)could live in heaven when your fleshly body dies.  

It will be a big event in your life, and one monumental event to your soul, when you invite Jesus into your heart. God bless you and God bless Mr. Billy Graham for his ministry leading thousands of souls to the Lord so they could be made spiritually alive by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Another classic video of Billy Graham speaking about excuses  for not making your commitment to Christ.




May TODAY be the day you make your commitment to know Christ in your heart. RIGHT NOW is the time to settle it. Now!

Who says you're entitled anything?

I think the 'spirit of entitlement' has gotten a little out of hand. It's getting close to total disregard for the pride of working toward earning something.  Today, it's 'I want it because I want it..and I will have it by taking it from someone or put my claim to it no matter what.' Almost gone are the days of working toward earning something, gone are the days of proceeding through the channels designed to make a person have the good feeling of accomplishing something worthwhile.
Today, force your way in and take it, push aside the law and neglect who you've stepped on to have what you want.

What's taken by breaking the law is not right

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Let me paint a  picture of what I'm talking about. Lets say you have a nice home and yard which you've worked many years in order to come up with a down payment and then work on your job to save to be able to purchase items to add to your home.  You went to school to learn a trade, qualified for a good job, and  earned enough for a down payment for your home and work to keep in maintained inside and out, including paying taxes.  You decide to take a much needed vacation. While you're away, someone breaks into your home and makes themselves comfortable in your home. This family likes your home so much, they claim it's now their home. You come back from your vacation to find this family occupying your home. They say, this home is large enough for all- you live on the main floor and we will live in one bedroom and come and go as we please, we won't bother you. We will pay for our expenses and you keep the house in your name, pay the taxes, but we want to live here because we like it here. Is this family entitled? This is also an example of what's happened to those who've broken through our country's borders and want our country's laws to cater to them just because they like it here. 

Here's another picture-Let's say you've worked and saved to purchase items for your home.  Someone breaks in and steals your belongings. They've stolen what isn't theirs. Is this person entitled to your things? Of course not. This person is found guilty of trespassing and stealing, and now has to pay the penalty for this crime.

While incarcerated, this person wants the pleasure of color television with access to the best books and gets a free education with three free meals every day without having to work to earn any of this. While incarcerated he expects to be treated as if he's a guest in a hotel with access to a workout room, play games, talk on the phone, have visitors- in general, paying the penalty of a crime is actually an easy time with benefits. Is this person entitled to have these pleasures for breaking the law and violating home of another?


Each of the above examples show how people want to have what they desire, but without regard for earning it and disrespecting the rights and privileges of those who've earned the right of possession.  The 'spirit of entitlement' is rampantly spreading out of control faster than a wildfire on a dry, breezy day.

Stay within the laws of God and the land

Photo credit: cohdra from morguefile.com

 
Bottom line- Every thing belongs to God. We are just the users and care takers. There are such things as being greedy, haughty, and selfish. Neither does God want anyone to disrespectful of the rights of others.        Question- Who says anyone's entitled to have anything? Answer-God does, but within respectful boundaries that make possessing anything equally fair and right to all.



Scripture references-

Scientists, space, and the missing day

For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible, here's something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in control. Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called 'myth' in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, Maryland, and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development. 'I think one of the most amazing things that God has done for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. Created by God- every planet, time & outerspace Photo credit: wallyir from morguefile.com They were checking out where the positions of the sun, moon, and planets would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now.  We have to know this so we won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down. They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, and it came to a halt.  The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and they said, 'What's wrong?'  Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time. They scratched their heads and tore their hair out. There was no answer. Finally a Christian man on the team said, 'You know, one time I was in Sunday School, and they talked about the sun standing still.'  While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, 'Show us, ' He got a Bible and went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense.' There they found the Lord saying to Joshua, 'Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before Thee.' Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy!  And If darkness fell, they would overpower them.  So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still!  That's right.... 'The sun stood still and the moon stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!'  (Joshua 10:12-13) The astronauts and scientists said, there is the missing day!  They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close but not close enough.  The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes.....not quite a whole day. They read the Bible, and there it was about [approximately] a day.  These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble 1000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits.  As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story:  Hezekiah, on his death bed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he was not going to die.  Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof.  Isaiah said 'Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?' Hezekiah said, 'It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees.'  Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD!  Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes!' Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe!  Isn't God so amazing? References:  Joshua 10:8, 12-13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11. (the above was taken from an email I received. I didn't get the author of who had written this so I could give credit,but you can look up the scripture references which gives credit to God. For most of creation, Man has not devised anything that can measure the vastness and greatness of all that God has done and I don't think Man ever will be able to measure God. But that's where some old fashion 'faith' comes in quite adequately). Keeping on the narrow path where it's never crowded....