Bethlehem Search and Treasure!!!

Last weekend my mom and I went to Bethlehem to see the Baby Jesus. We weren't blessed to travel to Israel but to Burnaugh Baptist Church about 10 miles south on US 23. Their members had transformed the church and their grounds into the little village much to our delight. As we entered the town, we received a census form and shown where to go by our official tour guide. She showed us the bakery, temple, clothing, street singers, apothecary shop, carpenter shop, etc.

Throughout our tour, we kept hearing about the birth of a Messiah but we had to hide this from the Roman Soldiers. Our guide was very excited about the birth of the Messiah and her enthusiasm caught on with our group. We just wanted to find the baby!! We looked everywhere. Then a shepherd ran in to tell our guide where He was: in the stable behind the Inn. But, I couldn't see the baby, there was too many people. I was anxious-who doesn't want to see a newborn baby, but I knew this one was special. Finally, it was my turn to get a peak at the Babe. My heart soared at the sight of Him. Before that weekend, I was ho hum about Christmas. The Burnaugh Baptist Bethlehem blessed me and got me excited about Christmas.

Are you excited about seeing the newborn Babe? If not read Luke 2:1-20. Journey there with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and angels. After our search we found the treasure, Jesus. May you find Him this Christmas Season.

Thank You Veterans!!!

Philippians 1:3: I thank my God every time I remember you.

This was going to be a very different post. Now, I'm going to tell you what is on my mind and heart. Several years ago I worked in the Recreation Department of the West Virginia Veterans' Home. There were old and not so old vets there. Some had drug and alcohol problems and some didnot. They ALL served America, either in war or no war. I do thank God for our Vets. Because of them I can write this blog and do other things I take for granted.

Working at the Veterans' Home allowed me to see what men and women truly give up; a huge part of their lives. Military life takes its toll on families. Many lost their family and if they didn't lose them they missed seeing their children grow up in steps. They missed family outings, etc. They gave the most important thing of all: their time.

Thank you Veterans and those soon to be for giving your most precious thing, time to protect me and our Country!!!

Acceptance of Salvation is the Individual's Responsibility

Last month I attended a Bible Study on Hell. It's a terrible place and I don't want to go there. One of the participants asked how someone who had not heard the Gospel of Christ would receive the eternal punishment of Hell. Several years ago, I highlighted this verse during the Oct. 26 reading of the Bible in a Year.

NIV Psalms 98:2-3: The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

This Psalm was written by David or someone in his timeframe. Then, Israel was a nation blessed by God. Many of the surrounding nations were awed by Israel's divine protection because of David's military victories. Israel's people knew God had ordained David to lead them and when he died, his son Solomon was ordained by God to lead them. In Solomon's time, his wisdom and splendor were widely known. Even now, the secular world knows about it. The Sheban Queen came from Africa to see for herself. How did she hear? People involved in Solomon's many business enterprises had been there and told her people about it. Then she heard. Solomon traded all over the ancient world. Others heard by word of mouth. God was exalted all over the ancient world regarding Solomon's (God's) riches and blessings.

Fast forward to 1948. Miracuously, Israel returns to become a nation after almost 2,000 years. Many forces were against her and still are. But, she is still there because God wants her to be there. How many nations have returned after being out of existence for 2,000 years with their basic culture still intact? I'm a history minor and can think of none. This is a miracle and declares to the world today that God exists. Why do you think there is so much hatred and opposition to Israel?

God's declaration, made almost 2700 years ago holds true today: ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH HAVE SEEN THE SALVATION OF OUR GOD. All persons are responsible for their own salvation. Me, you, anyone is responsible for the acceptance of God's salvation. Today, His salvation comes from His Son, Jesus. Have you accepted Him?

God's Will: Hard to find or is it?

Many authors have written about God's Will. Such books may be helpful but they have to follow what God has said in his guidebook to us, the Bible. God does not play "I've Got a Secret." But, you have to read His Word! Along with Proverbs, God has given us much insight as to what His will is for us. For example: 2 Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God wants you to spend eternity in Heaven with Him. There are three steps to avoid Hell and accept Christ as your Savior. I find it helpful to put my name in Bible verses to help me understand them. The steps are:

1. Acknowledge that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 says For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (For Cindy has sinned and came short of the glory of God.)

2. Believe that Jesus alone can save you from your sin. Matthew 11:25. Jesus says to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?(Cindy who believes in me will live, even though she will die,

3. Confess that you can't take care of your own life!!(God knows I've made a mess of mine)Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, yu will be saved.

Jesus lived a sinless life, died a horrible, excruciating death on the cross for us, came alive again after three days and is seated next to God taking up for us!!!

WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO WOULD DIE FOR YOU?

Wouldn't you just be so greatful to that person who took your place on death row?

JESUS DID THAT.

God's Will is for you to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

Obamacare: THE FINAL FRONTIER

Star Trek has been a wildly popular franchise. In one episode Captain Kirk and crew were drawn to a planet to save their people. The good guys were at war with the bad guys. But the war was not really fought, the people were sent into a transporter and were just gone.

Seventy-seven year old Ted Kennedy died about 15 months after receiving the chilling diagnosis of brain cancer. Each of us would be crushed to hear that news. As a wealthy man, Kennedy received the best possible treatment.

A 77 year old citizen with the same diagnosis under Obamacare would not receive the same treatment as Kennedy. He/she would be too old. In fact, no member of the Congressional Delegation would commit to Obamacare for themselves or their families. Why should they? They will receive the best medical for the rest of their lives.

Congress and Obama want to foist this healthcare on the American People. We would become numbers to them. Not a person. The same way they view a baby in the womb. These babies become fetuses; not people. As we age, we will become blobs of tissue not people to them.

On Star Trek space was the Final Fronteir and pure entertainment. But if the progressives have their way aged people will disappear the same way the people disappeared in the transporter. Please contact the members of your congressional delegation and President Obama to say NO to health care reform.

Tiller's Death and Esther

Dr. George Tiller is no stranger to violence. That was his job: to kill babies before they could be born. He was proud of that. Just watch the news clips being shown on the networks. Dr. Tiller proudly proclaimed "they will never run me out of town." The media portrays him as a Christian man just doing his job and states his wife screamed when she saw his body. God help her. She lived with a man who killed countless babies and didn't have the intestinal fortitude to challenge him. She's living off the blood of dead babies. Abortion requires violence against the baby in the womb. Dr. Tiller killed innocent babies on a daily basis. He was proud and he made a lot of money, perhaps up to $5,000 per abortion.

The murder of Dr. Tiller is inexcusable. We all know that God said "Do not murder." For the last seven weeks I've been attending a study of Esther. Haman built a gallows to hang the Jew Mordecai but due to God's providence Haman was hung on those very same gallows. Mordecai received Haman's estate and his position in Xerxes' kingdom. I believe those babies Dr. Tiller murdered now have a place in God's kingdom. I believe Dr. Tiller's fate is more aligned with Haman, as was his character. Haman had decreed the death of all Jews in the Persian. He was willing to kill anyone to get what he wanted. Dr. Tiller killed babies to get what he wanted.
Proverbs 26:27 says "The one one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone-it will come back on him. Dr. Tiller's stone rolled back on him!!

Let's pray for the salvation of the parties involved and that Jesus will be high and lifted up!!!