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What does the Book say?
  
My take on things with some interesting if not unusual perspectives from the Bible that are either not considered, or little known about.
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A CHRISTMAS TESTIMONY Nov 29, 2006 1:24 pm
Mood: grateful, 270 Views
Yesterday I received a request from an associate pastor of my new church. I'm going to paste in his letter, and my relpy. They speak for themselves.

Dear Byron,

I would like to invite you to participate with us in financially blessing the families who are in need at River of Life. The holiday season is a financial strain to many people. We would like to give our River of Life family members a small financial boost during this time.

I would like to ask two things of you:
1. We will be taking an offering in the next couple
of Sunday mornings, pray about how much to give.
Please mark you envelops Holiday Blessing.
2. We need your help. Please let us know of any ROL
family members that may be in need during this
time. Our heart is not to miss one person.

Be blessed in this Holiday Season.

Thanks!
We love serving you!
ROL Leadership Team

Dear Brian;

Thank you for your letter. I know what you are doing is a worthy cause. Just a few years ago my family was in such need.

I had my work hours cut, and wasn't making very good money to start with, my wife had health problems, and I had a special needs child. One of our two cars were broke down. Christmas was coming, and we didn't even have enough money with which to eat, let alone think about Christmas presents.
If that wasn't enough, our furnace had suddenly stopped working during one of the coldest Decembers on record around here.

Just when it seemed like we were at ropes end, we got a phone call from the labor union of Quaker Oats. Our family had been selected by the union as a family in need of assistance at Christmas time. They had a program where they took up collections from union members, bought the family Christmas presents, gave them food if they needed, and what ever else they could do to help. When they called they wanted to know the ages and genders of our children in order to select presents.

In tears I explained our situation, and that to us, getting our furnace working, the broke down car running, and food on the table was more important then anything else. But I did tell him what he wanted to know.

Early the next morning a furnace company called wanting directions to our place, so that they could come out and install the brand new furnace the union bought us.
Later that evening the union people showed up with two vans. They brought in enough food for a month, and nearly fifty Christmas presents already wrapped for us. Finally they gave me an envelope with money they collected. Over a thousand dollars was collected by strangers for me and my family. It was by far the best Christmas we ever had. So I know what your doing is very worthy, and I would be overjoyed to be able to help do something like that for someone else.
3 Comments
NOW I"M OFFICIAL Nov 26, 2006 12:19 pm
Mood: pleased, 293 Views
Okay folks, I'll see your banna and toothbrush, and raise you by a Santa hat. This will be my Christmas season look.
6 Comments
LEMONS TO LEMONAIDE Nov 24, 2006 4:23 am
Mood: jubilant, 460 Views
LEMONS TO LEMONADE

Sometimes, certain predicaments, make us wonder about God's purposes. But even when unjustly committed to a locked psychiatric ward, I found that God can turn lemons into lemonade.

I didn't belong in a psychiatric ward, unlike many of the other patents, as was evidenced minutes after my arrival.
While being processed in a windowless, office, I heard a woman running through the halls belting out blood curdling screams that would have frightened Alfred Hitchcock.
I heard attendants wrestle control over her as they half dragged her to a place called 'Exclusion', all the while she was still screaming.

A few minutes later, a big burley, black man entered the office. From my perspective he appeared very intimidating. In a deep gruff voice he told me that he is my staff person today. Suddenly remembering rumors of past alleged patent abuse, I pondered that I was in deep trouble. He gave me a set of hospital pajamas and left.
As I changed clothes, I considered my best actions. Should I refuse to eat? Should I refrain from socializing with fellow patents who were surely insane? Oh what to do?
I silently asked God. While his answers take many forms, most of the time for me, they come as the first thought after my question. As was the case this time. "Just follow the program."
After I was processed in, my staff person handed me a little pamphlet saying, "These are the rules here on the ward. Think of it as your program."
In the last paragraph in back, was strong encouragement to interact with the other patents of the ward, and to participate in all the ward activities. Was that what God wanted me to do? But I had nothing in common with these crazy people. Why would God want me to interact with them?

On my way to the day room, I was stopped by a woman, who asked if I were a police officer.
Her name was Lizz, and she had serious problems with perceptions of reality. Worst of all, she decided she was in love with me, and followed me nearly everywhere.
In the day room, people were watching TV. Others were playing cards. At one table, a man played cards with himself, while holding a complete conversation, even answering his own questions.
Several people, apparently under heavy sedation would come into the day room, walk all the way around it. Then leave and return in about 5 minutes to repeat this procedure. The psychiatric ward was not a fun place to be.

The next day near the end of craft time, Lizz called me over to her, and began talking about how men use her only as ‘piece’.
I had no doubt what she was referring to and certainly didn’t want to talk about such matters. But she just kept going on about how men come over to her house only to get ‘a piece’.
Remembering that yesterday she invited me to her house to come see her, I asked her if she was offering me ‘a piece’ when she invited me to her house. To which she replied, “Well, I never!” Then she got up and left in a huff.
After Lizz was gone I said aloud to nobody in particular, “And you never will either.”

A woman at a nearby table chuckled about my situation. She introduced herself as Martha. I introduced myself as well, and noticed her open Bible. Finally, another believer in a place of such mental destitution. Feeling a bit of humor return I asked, “Understandest thou what thou readest?”
She replied, “How can I, except some man should guide me?”
Then I offered, “This must be of God, because I am such a man..”
Martha’s expression turned from humor to weeping, almost instantly. “Oh could you please? I’ve been praying since Saturday for understanding. (this was Tuesday) I was so beside myself of what to do, that I checked myself in here so that I should not perform the ultimate desperate measure!”
She appeared well educated, and the most normal patent aside from myself, as she began to tell her story.

Martha was a long time Christian, and fairly mature in her faith. She had a decent knowledge of the scriptures that she had learned over the years. Her only weakness was in expressing that faith as a witness to people she did not know well. She was intimidated about bringing new people to the Lord, so she refused to try.
This refusal poured into her love life as well, in that she had married unbelievers. Recently her 3rd husband had announced he wasn’t a Church going man, and left her for a woman over 15 years younger then she, which had her so devastated that she checked into the hospital for help.

We spent all afternoon in deep study of the God’s Word together. When supper came, we broke only long enough to get our trays of food, and continued studying as we ate. Others around us eavesdropped intently. Lizz showed up and took our trays, then was gone.

Shortly after 7 PM Martha’s room mate Jeannie, joined us at the table. She just sat there and listened, not saying a word, until our conversation hit a lull.
Then she asked me, “How do you know if you are going to heaven?”
It was like a light turned on as God spoke to me in the form of a thought. “These two are why you are here. Show Martha the example of sharing your faith by answering Jeannie’s questions.”
So I did, and by the time I finished, Jeannie was sobbing and left saying she had to do some serious thinking.
Martha remarked, “You made that look easy. I can do that.”
I said, “Of coarse you can. You got everything you need, just like it says in 2nd Timothy 1;
If you ever again feel hesitant to share your faith because of what others may say, just remember, you have a sound mind, and they are therefore insane.”

The next morning, Martha and Jeannie came to breakfast, both totally gleaming, however very tired as well.
They were up all night, with Martha teaching Jeannie the scriptures. At some point in the night Jeannie became saved. She told us she knows what she needs to do now, and that her life finally has purpose. She thanked us over and over for teaching her how to get saved.

Jeannie left the psychiatric ward that afternoon, presumably to reclaim her life.
Martha replaced her fear of speaking her faith with boldly releasing her knowledge of the Word.
The next 2 days became a blur as one patent after another approached one or the other of us asking what the Bible says about such and such.
Lizz never bothered me again.
I got out of the psychiatric ward on the 4th day immediately following my hearing, and I never saw Martha after that.

Over a week later, I returned to pick up my craft project, and noticed an older black man off by himself reading a Bible that looked just like Martha’s. I asked him, “Understandest thou what thou readest?”
He looked up and replied, “a few days ago, a woman what gave me this here Bible told me someone said that to her. She taught me how to get saved and changed my life I tell you.”
I replied, “You don’t say.” Then excused myself and quickly left with my craft project.

It was only by the strength of God that I made it to the elevators without crying. Alone on the elevator, the joyful tears began to flow, I and kept thinking, “Yeah Martha! You go girl !!”
35 Comments
IT'S GONNA GET BETTER NOW Nov 21, 2006 3:06 am
Mood: grateful, 294 Views
Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Okay, never mind that my car needs a new head gasket at $1,000. I need a better car anyway, and it just so happens that the same car lot that does my car work has a 93 Saturn in decent shape for you guessed it, $1,000.
Do I have the money for it?
No I don't, but I do have a repor with the owner of the car lot. He will work with me on it. PTL

Having not had my car availble this last weekend, I had to find other means to get to and from church activities. We just had our annual 2nd Coming Conference, but God helped me to find rides with other church members, and made some new friends. PTL

Which also gave me oppertunity to find out that one of my TV stations had a Star Trek marathon this last weekend. I now have recorded 20 hours of Star Trek (origional series) which seldom airs anymore with all the newer Star Trek. PTL

The new car won't be ready for a few days yet, so I will have to limp my old one to work and home.
But I only have two working days this week. PTL

Also never mind that the bad tooth I told you all about a couple months back that needed the root channel has now cracked.
I had not yet managed to raise the money to pay my part of that root channel. But if I did, it would have been money down the drain when that tooth cracked. I have Dentemp that is keeping me from being in pain over it.
Can I afford the dental work I need?
Not today, but I get my end of year bonus in two weeks. Should be just enough to cover it. PTL

In addition never mind that in my divorce my ex-wife took me to the cleaners and managed to get $500 a month alimony for the next 20 years, or until she remarries.
Recently she called to tell me she is now engaged. Tentitively the wedding will be next Sept. I'll only have to pay alimony for about a year, instead of the next 20. PTL

I had not been given oppertunity to see my kids for the last year and half because even though they are grown up, they still live with their mother. Now that she is engaged, she is being human about the kids seeing me. PTL

Annette, My adopted big sister and senior most friend I had on BC has left us because she found the romance she had been seeking for years.
I wished her and John well, and miss her already.
But now I got two new adopted big sisters. PTL

And in addition, Sharyl, who was the first friend I made here on BC had been gone for the last few months, is the only friend on here before Annette has just returned. PTL

Yup, it's all better now. PTL
4 Comments
NEW BIG SISTERS Nov 19, 2006 1:45 am
Mood: sleepy, 290 Views
My very first friend from here on B.C. fullofjoyeternal is back.

Sharyl; I had just deleted you earlier this week, if I had known you were coming back, or if only I would have held on a little longer.

As we know, Freedom Rider has left us a couple weeks ago, which leaves a couple voids because she was my adopted big sister, as well as senior most friend when Sharyl left.
But Freedom Rider's positions have now been filled by 2 new big sisters. [speeritwoman,(Barb) and spiritfilled052,(Marilyn) are now my new big sisters, so you folks better watch out.


Well if Sharyl is back, I'll be happy to have her in my network again.
But now my adopted little sister Beckthter is my new senior most friend.
She's the pretty young redhead from accross the pond who is first on my list.
We don't hear from her nearly often enough.
9 Comments
STUCK WITH BENG STUCK Nov 15, 2006 4:50 pm
Mood: frustrated, 318 Views
What a drag. My car broke down yesterday. I managed to get it to the shop. My machanic said he wasn't too busy and could get to it right away.
Next time I heard from him was early this afternoon. It was a bigger problem then he thought, and he offered me a ride to work this afternoon.

That was the last I heard from him. He never showed, called, or returned any of my phone calls.
And worst of all, had I known I wasn't going to make it to work, I at least could have found a ride to my Wednesday night church service which starts in 15 minutes.

So now I burned up two whole vacation days, with a possible 3rd one coming.
I think I'll get ahold of Yendor and see if knows of any believer machanics in my area.
Meanwhile, I'll work on my book a little more.

Hope everyone else's day is going better. bless
5 Comments
WHAT HAPPENED TO TROPICAL GUY? Nov 11, 2006 1:31 pm
Mood: worried, 299 Views
Does anyone know why Dennis left?

I noticed he disappeared from my friends network, and I can't find his profile, or any of his posts on other blogs.

At first I thought he dropped from my network over political disagreements, but he is more mature then that, and now he is gone.
2 Comments
More World Wide Weather Net Nov 10, 2006 12:53 pm
Mood: blah, 323 Views
If this works you are seeing a radar picture of Eastern Iowa.
Right now we have it all.
Winter Storm warning in the northern most tiers, Winter weather advisery a little to the south, with a little fog.
Freezing rain, fog, and sleet in centural north.
Sleet, rain, and fog in centural Iowa.
Rain and mistry fog in south cenural Iowa.
and severe thunderstorm watch complete with severe thunderstorms in the southern most parts.
And a few dry spots as well.

How's about the rest of you?
3 Comments
Republican Senator Goes To Heaven Nov 5, 2006 8:55 pm
Mood: mischievous, 264 Views
While walking down the street one day, tragically, a US female senator is hit
by a truck and dies.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems
there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts,
you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the senator.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is
have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose
where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the
senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts her to the elevator and she goes down,
down, down to hell. The doors open and she finds herself in the middle
of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in
front of it are all her bedmates and other politicians who had worked with
her.

Everyone is very happy. They run to greet her, shake her hand, and
reminisce about the "good times" they had during their lives. They play a
friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a
good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that
before she realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives her a hearty farewell, a butt pat, and waves while the elevator
rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St.
Peter is waiting for her.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls
moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a
good time and, before she realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and
St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now
choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then she answers: "Well, I would never
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I
would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts her to the elevator and she goes down, down, down to

hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and she's in the middle of a
barren land covered with waste and garbage. she sees all of her friends,
dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more
trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to her and puts his arm around her shoulder. "I
don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and
there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar,
drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just
a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at her, smiles and says:

"YESTERDAY WE WERE CAMPAIGNING, TODAY

YOU VOTED!!!"
0 Comments
WORLD WIDE WEATHER NET UPDATE Oct 31, 2006 2:38 pm
Mood: cynical, 284 Views
Well Indian summer is over in Iowa. Tonight is expected to reach the upper teens, and tomorrow only the 40s. Already temps are dropping like and ancour. It's down to 37 from 39, in a little over a half hour. Better grab my coat.

You know, Iowa nearly always does this on Halloween. Must be our trick or treat.
8 Comments
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