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The phoenix was supposedly a bird that, when it died, rose again from it's ashes, or a new phoenix was born from the ashes. This was used to symbolize Christ and the resurrection in early Christian art.
"The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — a symbol of fire and divinity." Wikipedia This makes me think of the regeneration that God does in our lives, the healing of the hurts and wounds we suffer from the enemy of our souls. It also makes me think of the fact that through Him we have the promise of eternal life. That is not the same thing a immortality as immortality is of the flesh, not the spirit. But it does mean that we will live forever, with Him!
It also speaks to me of the verse Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Then too, it was supposedly a bird with gold and red plumes which goes right along with my current handle of redbird.
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Something to Smile About
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Aug 19, 2006 3:57 pm
241 Views
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COWS: Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that our government can track a cow born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she sleeps in the state of Washington... and, they tracked her calves to their stalls. Yet, they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give them all a cow.
THE CONSTITUTION: They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq . Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it's worked for over 200 years and we're not using it anymore.
TEN COMMANDMENTS: The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse....... You cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal," "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery" and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians -- it creates a hostile work environment.
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6
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Good-Bye: Death in the Family
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Aug 18, 2006 5:16 pm
Mood: sad,
288 Views
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My Aunt Louise passed away yesterday evening. She was my mother's oldest sister, she would have been 81 next month.
When I was a little girl she used to baby-sit with me while my mother worked. I loved her and her husband very much, I called him Uncle Ken-Ken.
She had the most beautiful long reddish-brown hair. She kept it long all her life. The last time I saw her she had a braid that she could sit on. That was just a couple of weeks ago.
She lived a hard life but for several years before she went into the nursing home she was going to church. I believe that she found the Lord then, before Alzheimer's begin to take her mental facilaties. Just after my granddaughter's visit I received news that they had found cancer and that she only had been given a few more weeks.
Please keep my cousin, her only surviving daughter, in your prayers, as well as my mother, her two other surviving sisters, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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7
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Last Days?
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Aug 16, 2006 9:23 pm
Mood: crushed,
312 Views
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I Cor. 13:8-10 Beareth all things, believe th all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."
Some are saying that this part of scripture is where Paul is supposed to be predicting that these things will end prophesy and speaking in tongues will end.
"but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease"
I asked that if that were the case, then wouldn't this part have to be included as well?
"whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away"
After all, it is all in the same sentence. I believe it is obvious that he did not mean that knowledge would end, why then would he mean that prophecy and tongues would end?
But the only reply I received was:
I think you may be misinterpreting what Paul means by knowledge. I believe he means the the Holey Spirit inspired Word of God will no longer be penned. In other words, the ability for any human to add to the Scriptures will shall vanish away. And it has.
Which as far as I know not a fact, just an assumption.
So it is my understanding that we are to believe that the gifts of the spirit are all passed away.
That then would include all of these:
Romans 12:6-8
Prophecy
Ministry
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Ruling
Showing Mercy
Speaking in Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues
I Corinthians 12:8-10
The Word of Wisdom
The Word of Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of Spirits
I Cor 12:28
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Miracles
Healing
Helps
Governments
Diversities of Tongues
God forbid! What then is our hope if faith has passed away? Why then do we strive if teaching is gone and helps and mercy are no more? We fool only ourselves if wisdom and knowledge are forever taken from us.
I ask again, how can it be that God would give and then take away? Is there then the possibility that somewhere down the road He will change His mind and take away the grace that He gave? That He will reclaim the sacrifice of His son?
Let it never be!!!! God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. His word never fails. We are His and His gifts are ours, today just as yesterday, for our benefit and for His glory.
Also how would this scripture and the one in Joel that it refers to, be explained?
Ac 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
So if what you folks are saying is true, and the gifts of the Spirit are all gone, have been gone since all the original apostles died and the Bible was completely written, then will one of you please tell me at what point in time we are living since the last days have come and gone? And while we are at it, will one of the folks that say that woman aren't supposed to speak in church please explain why this says a daughter or handmaiden will prophesy?
I truly am not trying to argue I am simply trying to make a point. It is quite obvious that there are scriptures that are contradictory to each other. Does that mean that the Bible is in error?
NO! A thousand times no. It simply means that there are different tools for different members! God gives according to His will and according to the work that He has for the individual.
If you have a gift, Praise the Lord, use it, if you don't, Praise the Lord, 'cause He's given you something different. Stop worrying about what you do or don't have, stop worrying about what your neighbor does or doesn't have and just go about doing the work that the Father has given you to do. Stop worrying about whether it's real or if it's "for" the church today. Stop quibbling about who's right and who's wrong, who's better than who. We are all parts of the same body and we are all necessary. We each have our own work to do and we each need tools that fit the job we have been given. The foot doesn't need glasses and the eyes don't need shoes so if your a foot stop worrying about how glasses work, whether they should or shouldn't be used, how they should be used, if they were meant for todays church or just for the early church. Tend to things that the foot needs to be tending to and let the eyes worry about the glasses. And the eyes need to do the same thing concerning shoes.
If we all took the time we spend attacking and tearing down our fellow Christians and used it to bring in the harvest as we have been commissioned to do can you imagine the number of souls that would be saved?
Please remember above all that I love you all because you are my family. I am not asking anyone to accept my beliefs, just accept that I am not a heretic or an apostate because of my beliefs. Stop condemning me to hell because I worship differently than you do.
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10
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Something to Smile About
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Aug 13, 2006 5:37 pm
255 Views
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FOR ALL THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing, and cares less, tries to make your life miserable.
A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who
responded:
"Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You 're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"
"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser." That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"
"We'll be at this exclusive l ittle place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump, the worst
hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly, and they're overpriced. So, whatcha' doing when you get there?"
"We're going to go to se e the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll l ook the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they
bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes
to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough,
five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say ?"
He said: "Where'd you get the crappy Hairdo?
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3
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Something to Smile About
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Aug 13, 2006 1:23 pm
Mood: amused,
236 Views
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I posted this to Dundeals blog in reply to his post Kids On Church and he suggested that I should have put it on a blog of my own, so, I am. These are about my son Matthew when he was little. The picture is of he and his sister when they were teenagers. Enjoy
Both of my children were born in Japan. All during my pregnancy with my second child my ex and I had been telling our son Matt that we were going to have a new baby and that it would be his baby as well as mommy and daddy's. My husband had brought Matt to the hospital every day to see his new baby sister after she was born and we had made him a part of every aspect of her life at home.
My ex and I attended a Southern Baptist Mission Church there. Just after she was born we took my daughter forward for dedication, as is the custom in that denomination, at the end of the one of the services. My husband had gone and gotten our son, Matt, from the nursery, just before the end of the service, so that he could be a part of the dedication service as well.
During the dedication service, our Pastor, Brother Bob, turned to me and asked if He could hold the baby, Charity. Of course I handed her to him with no qualms whatsoever. Matt, whom my husband was holding, however, had a different opinion. Looking at his dad with a big question on his face, then at me, the pastor, HIS baby, and back at the pastor, he very adamantly declared:
"YOU GIVE MY BABY BACK MY MOMMY!!!!"
Our church family there were all wonderfully amused by my sons protectiveness of his baby sister.
Several years later, when we returned to the states, we were visiting with my husbands parents at Easter and went with them to Mass on Sunday morning like we always did when we were at their home. For those of you who don't know about Catholic mass, especially the special Masses such as at Easter, during the mass, the priest goes through the congregation and sprinkles the people with Holy Water during the Mass.
My mother and father-in-law were sitting in the pew in front of my husband and I with Matt between them. This was not Matt's first time at Mass but it was his first time at a special Mass and he was a between 3 and 4 years old. As the priest passed by us and sprinkled the Holy Water on us my precious son once again made his presence known to the entire congregation of a church by exclaiming:
"HEY, THAT BIG MAN THREW WATER AT ME!!!!!!"
Even the priest and the alter boys had a hard time keeping their composure. Add a Texas accent to my son's voice, since we had just came from a month of visiting my folks down here and consider the fact that we were in Massachusetts at the time and you will realize that the entire congregation became almost hysterical and were trying to hold it in because it was supposed to be such a solemn occasion. Thankfully, we were at the family church and everyone there was totally understanding.
Copyright reserved
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER!!!!
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Aug 11, 2006 12:43 pm
264 Views
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Today is my daughter's 29th birthday. I can hardly believe it has been so long since she first made her appearance at Misawa AFB, Japan. She was a big baby, 9lbs 7 1/2oz. I named her Charity because it means "God's Love" and she was a precious symbol of that. She still is.
The picture was taken just a few weeks ago. That's me in the middle. Charity is the one on the left and Melissa is on the right. Melissa is my daughter as well, by virtue of the fact that she is the mother of my granddaughter Kyndall.
I started out the day by calling my daughter's cell phone three times, leaving her a message because she is at work and singing her "Happy Birthday", on the second call I told her I only had 27 more to go.  I called her the fourth time and let her off the hook, however. She called me back on her lunch break and told me that everybody at work was giving her funny looks because her cell phone kept doing all it's things (ringing, vibrating and whatever else she has it set to do). Apparently I wasn't the only one calling her either. 
So Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby girl. Yes, know she isn't a baby anymore, but she will always be my baby. God has truly blessed me with my children and my grandchildren.
He has blessed me with many other children as well that are mine because He gave them to me,my former step-children and their siblings by their mother; the children and grandchildren of my siblings and their spouses, friends and school mates; foster children; spouses, friends and school mates of my children; young people I have met since my children have left home and their children; friends and school mates of my grandchildren; children I have taught at church in Sunday School, Children's Church and GA's; children in ophanages that I visited in both Iran and Japan; children that I taught English to at a Japanese school through a ministry of my church there.
On day's like today, when I celebrate the birth of one of my natural children my heart and mind turns to all these, my other children. I cannot help but believe that God brings them to my remembrance, not just on days like today but often throughout the year so that I can lift them up to Him in prayer.
My children may never know just how much they mean to me and what effect they have made not only in my life but in the lives of so many other children, some that they do not even know of.
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6
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Thank You All
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Aug 10, 2006 8:29 pm
Mood: grateful,
236 Views
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My precious brothers and sisters, I just wanted to let you all know how very much I appreciate all of you. The past few weeks have been pretty hectic for me and my visits here to BC have been hit and miss but each time I have come to my blog to post something or to check what is going on I am reassured of your faithful and godly love and support despite my sporadic visits. You are all truly a blessing to me and I love you all very much.
The fact is that when I do get a chance to get online I tend to go to the blogs of those I have on my watch list first and check out what is going on in you guys lives. Bill (Dundeal) makes this a chore since he insists on posting about a million times a day (I am allowed to exaggerate btw, since I am from Texas).  I usually also try to get to the magazine and check out what is going on there as well.
My visit with my granddaughter and her mom was wonderful but very tiring. I was hit by some strange new allergy just before they got here and it has also contributed to my exhaustion I believe. Normally when I sleep I wake up every couple of hours, this past few weeks it seems all I've done is sleep and am only awake a couple of hours.  Hopefully things will go back to normal soon.
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5
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PRAISE THE LORD
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Aug 8, 2006 5:27 pm
Mood: thankful,
230 Views
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This is my oldest sister that this happened to. She works at a Sams club in San Angelo, Texas. Ladies please be careful. All my love, Cecilia
August 8, 2006
I am ok and not harmed in any way, shacking and nervous. A man tried to steal my purse just now, but police caught him. I am send you all a warning. ALWAYS LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS, NO MATTER WHERE YOU STOP. For gas, mail, water, stop sign, ATM, drive thru windows AND WATCH FROM A DISTANCE FOR FEET STANDING, THAT YOU CAN SEE UNDER YOUR CAR, WHEN GETTING BACK INSIDE. WHEN SHOPPING LOCK YOUR PURSE WITH A CHILDS SAFETY BELT AND CLOSE IT GOOD AND TIGHT. EVERY DAY SOMEONE HAS TO REPLACE THERE SAMS CARD FROM BEING STOLE IN THERE PURSE. I just got off at Sam's Club, drove to fill empty water jugs behind Block Buster on Sherwood Way across from HEB. I filled 2 bottles and started the 3, when I heard my purse fall. I turned around and a man was bent over my purse on the passenger side and was standing up. I went around the car to see what he was doing. He dropped my purse and picked up his bike. I ran after him, and almost caught him. He saw I was very near, so he dropped the meat he was carrying to paddle faster. By then a man across the parking lot yelled that he would follow him in his truck. He didn't get a chance to take anything from my purse. A second man chased the thief and between the 2 of them, the thief was caught, and police now have him, and he had a warrant for his arrest and theft for stealing meat from HEB. So God got him with 2 birds and one stone. Thank you Jesus. I praise my Heavenly Father for my protection, because he sent me two angels to help catch a thief. The blood of Jesus kept me from getting hurt. I send the same Gods protection, blessing and favor to each of you. all my love Kathy
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4
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URGENT!! PRAYER NEEDED
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Aug 7, 2006 12:49 pm
Mood: optimistic,
302 Views
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Please, everyone, pray for my neice Missy and her husband Jason. Satan is attacking their marriage. They have 3 children, the baby just turned a year old July 1st. Missy's mom, my sister Rita, is dying of congestive heart failure. There are many, many things happening in their lives right now. Please, lift them up in prayer with me, help me to flood the throne of God on their behalf. My most heartfelt gratitude to you all, my brothers and sisters, for your loving kindness.
Your sister in Christ's love,
Cecilia
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14
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Bandit's Blog
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Aug 6, 2006 1:37 pm
240 Views
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Hello everyone,
Just thought I would drop a line or two to let everyone know about everything that is going on around here.
Mom has been very tired lately. Her granddaughter was here for a week and we had great fun but I think mom is getting too old because she was plum tuckered out after they left. Kyndall and I had lots of fun together, running and playing. She wasn't even afraid of me like most little kids are. I'm am very frisky and that scares little kids usually but not Kyndall. While Kyndall was here we made a wonderful discovery.
Gus and Dovie have two eggs that they are setting. Yes, even Dovie is setting them while Gus takes a break to eat and get a drink. So we may have baby doves very soon. Isn't that great??
Also while Kyndall was here she started calling the algae eater Shyfish because it always hides. So mom has decided that that will be its name. Sort of a strange name but that's okay I guess. We still haven't decided on a name for the Beta yet.
One of mom's aunts is very ill and has only been given a few more days to live. She is in her late 80's or early 90's. I would like to ask you all to pray for her and her family. Mom went on Tuesday to see her but she did not know who mom was.
Well, I guess that I will stop for now. Hello to all my animal friends here at BC. I will talk to you all again real soon.
L8R, Bandit
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To link to this blog (redbird1122) use [blog redbird1122] in your messages.
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