June 23 Storm 

 

Pond

 

 

HEART

HEART:
Pursuing What God Has Written on Your Heart

Genesis 6:5-6 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

1Samual 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’S command.”

Psalms 4:4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 14:10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Romans 2:14-15 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 1since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.

Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Outreach

Becareful of putting too much into outreach that we forget the importance of inreach, and it suffers

Any comparison,,,,, at all ? ?

My friend Jon posted his thoughts and opinions about a couple items including abortion, the war in Iraq, who the U.S. funds.. etc. etc. I want to quote one part of his post and encourage you to click on his name above and read his entire post. Actually check his blog often he has some deep, thought provoking and sometime provocative posts.

(Before I get into the meat of today's lesson, I want to make a point about these pro-life protesters. I think it's cool what they're doing, but I worry about the traumatic potential for regretful almost-mothers. I wonder if the abortion conversation would be better in a one-on-one environment of mutual respect. Also, I believe the term "intellectually dishonest" would apply to anyone who would support these banners but be opposed to an equally graphic depiction of what happens on a battlefield. There are plenty of innocent children and pregnant women who have been killed by our bombs and guns and tanks. Who will speak for them? I found it ironic to hear "pro-life" Bush celebrating the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi while driving past these protesters.)

Now I know that his whole loong post was not about abortion or the death of Zarqawi. But to compare the death of an innocent unborn child (of whom the prolife part spoke of) to the head of a terrorists group Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who, if he hadnt been blown up, probably would have admitted to all that he has done. Calling President Bush "Pro-life, which he claims to be, and then questioning the death of a terrorist under his command........??? Can they be compared at all??

I don't condone abortion of any kind. I don't condone or support war or killing of any kind. I think that this day and age war is not supported in scripture at all. Would any of you feel comfortable picking up a gun and killing someone that you know nothing about. Just because the commander says to kill? Not me.

So, A comparison of an unborn human being and a terrorist,,, is one mor acceptable to see deliberately killed????

Is someone's head on backwards?

We live in a nation that strives to save our trees - but not our babies.*

We live in a nation that sends millions of dollars in aid to other countries - but can't help the starving here.*

What if there is no God?

Posting those song lyrics below make me think, what really is God's will? The title is not a real question I have, just an attention getter. I know there is a God and I know he has a will. A pure and perfect will at that! But sometime when we really really want something we tend to forget that God has a perfect plan for us, and if we sit backa and say "Your will be done" and mean it and believe it,,, ,,, ,, what other option is there? I may say that alot, "What other option is there" and in realityI don't believe there is another option for someone who believes in God. If we are placing our hope and trust on the living God, how can failure or less than best be an option. It simply can't! There are millions of questions that people have that they want answered.... NOW! But as we know, many of the questions will not be answered and were not meant to be answered until we see Jesus face to face. When thinking of heaven and the importance of our salvation, it somewhat puts other things into perspective. When will my current job end? Will I ever get married? Does God really have a 'one' out there for me? Will things ever be peaceful at my home? Why did things happen how they did? Why do I feel alone? Do people really not care? Why can't we know God's will? Is God really working on a plan for us or are we waiting in vain? Those and many other questions go through people's minds all day long. But, they can all be silenced with one realization; God does have a plan and a perfect will. That to me is the calming assurance. If we know that, we are calm and reassured. God can take out the doubt that remains and give us the full calm assurance that there is no other option for things to be but "Good" and there is no such thing as failure when our faith and trust are in Jesus Christ. Even tho we feel that we do not deserve to be interceded for sometime, He is there and listening and ready to present us spotless before the Father!

Not my will; but Yours

I am not skilled to understand

What God has willed

What God has planned

I only know at his right hand

Is One who is my Savior

 

 

Double Bolt

Double bolt from June 1 

Confidence in the promise

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Psalm 119:41 May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise

2Peter 3:9 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

Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me

Psalm 25:7-11 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great

1Peter 3:17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Luke 22:42-44 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

FIREFOX beats the rest

HAD to borrow this from TAJ's blog !! Firefox vs. the rest

Lightning from June 1 storm

These are pics from the June 1 storm. Click on the pics to view a larger size! 
 
  

Thunder Storm Pics

 
 
 
  

Tonights Thunder Storm

Here are a few shots of Lightning from the storm that just blew over Thursday night!  
 
 
  

close up

  

Newest addition to my pond

You ever hear that song called "If Jesus came to your house" ?

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest, And all the food you'd serve him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there
That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.
But--when you saw Him coming would you meet Him at the door With arms outstretched in welcome to you heav'nly Visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the radio--and hope he hadn't heard?
And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud, hasty word?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And so I wonder--if the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the thing you always do.
Would you sing the songs you always sing and always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
And at the dinner table would you say of word of grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you read,
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Him with you everywhere you planned to go?
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closet friends,
Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on
Or would you sigh with great relief when he at last was gone?
I might be interesting to know the thing that you would do,
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

I always heard that song and it really got me thinking about my house and the things we do in the comfort of our own homes. It really is a thought provoking song. What do I have that I would hide if Jesus came into my house? Well, then today I heard a song that seems to ask the question "what if Jesus came to your church"? Todd Agnew "my Jesus"

Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ,
Why do you look so much like the world?

Chorus:
Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant
So which one do you want to be?

Blessed are the poor in spirit, do we pray to be blessed with the
Wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Chorus:

And who is this that you follow
This picture of the American dream
If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side
Or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes, curly brown hair and a clear complexion
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins
But the Word says He was battered and scarred
Or did you miss that part
Sometimes I doubt we’d recognize Him

Chorus:

Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet
But He reached for the hurting and despises the proud
I think He’d prefer Beal St. to the stained glass crowd
But I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud

I want to be like my Jesus
Can I be like You
I want to be like my Jesus

So not only what if Jesus came to your house.. but now what if he came to church????? I know there are people who would say,, no problem our church is fine, but they are the same people when asked about the song "IF we are the Body" they claimed that our church does ALL those things questioned in that song. And I wondered to myself.. where in the world are they looking or do they have blinders on only seeing what they wish was true. But the truth is Jesus doesnt have to come to our church to see what its like, He already sees and knows everything.

Oh, and how about another question. What if Jesus came to your workplace? Uh, no we won't answer that one. We're allowed to get angry.. its work !!

what did marriage do

I've noticed a somewhat disturbing trend and a somewhat comforting trend in people I know after they get married. I guess the two trends offset each other and everyone is happy. Alot of my friends/most of my friends are married and some of them seem to become more responsible people while the others seem to become less responsible people. What I mean by that is some of them do what is normal for married couples to do, take on the added responsibility and do right with it, making the sacrifices that they are obligated to do when they take that step. And the other group seems like they had parents who made rules that the kids did not like and now, after marriage, they are finally free and they act like the kid that is on vacation, with no rules. To each his own I guess.

Lord show me ...

I was sort of wondering how it is when we know something is God's will or not. We pray and ask God to show us his will or show us if something we are contemplating is his will, but all the while there is our own human desires in the back of our minds that wants what we want. And we subconciously decide what must happen for us to know it is God's will or our answer to prayer. Like we may be praying to know whether or not its God's will for us to quit our job or not and decide that if the boss curses us out and threatens us one more time we know it is God's will for us to quit. Or, we may be praying for the wisdom to know what to do in the situation of how to handle a problem. And we ask God for the answer but all the while already know what we are going to do. Probably doesnt make sense, but sometime it is amusing of how some people blame a mistake on the fact that they felt it was God's will. A better approach is do what we feel is right and be certain that God will show us in some way if it is not his will. And being open and willing to accept the reprimand we may get from Him. \\\\\

Storm

This is all I got from our 5 A.M. storm today. The storm musta been too far away, all the lightning was above the clouds except for this one. Stay tuned after some big storms hopefully I'll get some good lightning shots........ without getting struck would be nice. although it could make a nice picture.... hmmmm 

Where is that pot of gold?

 

Couple Daisys from my backyard 

Philly Cop shot and killed

Philadelphia got a dose of some of the lowest life Monday night as a man who was robbing a bar was interupted by police. He commnted that "I"m gonna blow this cops head off". And he did just that. He shot police officer Gary Skerski once in the neck. He died about 2 hours later. He leaves behind a wife and two kids. He was a 16 year veteran. The City is deeply saddened by the murder of one of our police officers. This is a photo from the surveillance camera and a police sketch of the man when witnesses saw him outside the bar without a mask on. Sad day for Philly cops.
 

New Pics

Actually no new pics. I'm sure you'd much rather see new pics than to see that I'm whining and complaining. Sometime I wish God would show me what in the world his plan is because it's not really making sense to me right now!

I see light

Working my way back toward the surface, I'm almost there. Thanks, my friend!

Good Friday!

It's Good Friday and I think I am the only one who didn't have off from work. Please tell me i'm wrong so I can feel less bad about working. Anyone else work today? Actually it is a good friday cause I still have a job, so i'm glad for the work, really! :)

Deer at Sunset

Right below the camera lens in this picture there is a fence. You know, like the normal fence you see around most farms. I felt like just leaning on the fence and staring into the sky forever. I did for an hour or so, but then reality set in and I had to go home and return to everyday life. The stars were bright too. I had a great picture but I messed up a setting and totally over-exposed the shot. Not worth looking at let alone posting. If you are interested in seeing the rest of my photos and keep track of when I update, you can do that HERE. You can also view Full Screen size versions of all my photos posted here. Some of them, like THIS ONE look alot better in a full screen view.

Jon Carlson Move to my City

Hey Jon, I read your short musings of displeasure for your seedlings for a revolution. I can empathize with you for the start of a grafitti take over. Look at what my neighborhood looks like. It's ironic you wrote what you did, i took these pics tonight before I read your blog.

A couple new pics from Sat. April 1