Momentary Troubles

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

There are troubles in life.  But all trouble is momentary. Our LORD is eternal. Our lives with Him will transcend time. Trust in Him, for He cares for you!

Amen?

Blessings All!

What if...a Pro-Life Exercise

What if...?

I've been thinking lately that we really should do more to illustrate the absurdity of aborting not-yet-born human babies. I think I've come up with one that will shock and disgust all...it should underscore this heinous act.  It's drastic and I am sure will emote much hatred...but remember this is just an exercise of the mind...a 'What if' scenarios...

So I'm thinking that most people..even people who are pro-abortion and pro-life, like either kittens and puppies. I happen to love both.  Am I right? I mean, who in the world could hate a cute kitten or an adorable puppy?  You've got to have no heart at all to hate one of those.  So what if....there was a 'clinic' that offered to abort puppies and kittens and it was supported by both private finds and public dollars? What do you think the reaction would be to this? I'm thinking that there would be a great outcry...even by those who are in favor of abortion in all it's gore.

So then, what can we say about those who are in favor of abortion of pre-born human babies and not in favor of aborting puppies and kittens?  A few observations.

1) Such people have devalued human life.  Make no mistake.  This IS human life.  A baby (Pre-born baby or not) has it's very own unique HUMAN DNA.  There is none like it in the world...nor has there ever been.  Ponder that for a while.
2) If such people believe in God, their idea of who God is and what pleases Him is warped.
3) Such people are inconsistent. It makes no sense to me. But it does make sense if what I've said in the first 2 points is true.

One thing is for sure, this is a divisive topic.  However, Christian people and those who are pro-life need to be ready to confront this evil and defend human life. I happen to believe that life is a sacred gift from God.  There are many who do not believe in God and yet can recognize that Human Life is special and should be preserved at all cost,

Where do YOU stand and how will you defend your position. Ponder on these things but I am all for what God said to the Hebrews in Deuteronomy. "Choose LIFE"

Blessings all!

Pity Party!

Pity Party!

I decided to throw a party

I invited everyone

but it’s hard to have a party

when there is only one

Sometimes....

Sometimes I sit and wonder in my bed

has everything that could be said about you been said

has everything that could be thought been thought

has everything that could be brought up been brought

but then I know why I believe and you alone are there

nothing has been said about you that can be said

nothing has been thought which could be thought of

and nothing has been brought up which could be brought

who am i who seeks to see your face

who am I who seeks to find your grace

who am i to look above

who am i lord...just someone you love

© 2013 Elbert LaGrew

The Task

The Task

the task is too great for me oh god

my hand too weak and small

my arms feel as if they are wood

my legs shake and i may fall

my mind not strong or sharp or good

my voice trembles each time i call

my gut feels as if it’s too full of  food

i am not up to this at all

Fear not what you lack for I am here

Haven’t I told you so

I have not left you I am near

I said I would be where you go

you will be the head and not the tail

you will stand strong and tall

you will trump both snow and hail

you will answer when I call

So go you now and preach each word

I place into your mind

now go forth and let it be heard

How I saved all mankind

© 2013 Elbert LaGrew

Spring Tonic

Spring Tonic

You know what these are right?  These are Dandelion greens. Every spring my Dad would pick the first ones that came up before they had a chance to flower and he would make a salad of these. He claimed he ate them when he was a boy and that my Grandfather would tell him that they were a "Spring Tonic". I don't know if they are or not, but I pick them every year and have a couple of meals of them. My favorite way is just with a simple vinegar and oil dressing.

I introduced these to my boys when they were young, but it never caught on with them.  So I still have the salad all by myself...but seriously...these are good.  And I think that you can find them anywhere...they grow right on your lawn. :-)  Be warned however, they are not easy to clean...it takes me at least 4 washings with running water. They have a lot of "Dark Matter"...yes...this is the same substance that scientists are searching the cosmos.  All they really have to do is look at the roots of the lowly Dandelion and they could find all the "Dark Matter" of the Universe.  God has wonders all around us, doesn't He?

Give it a try.  Delicious!

Hallelujah

Hallelujah!

The picture above is actually the Fortune I got from my favorite Chinese restaurant where I went to have lunch today. Amazing, isn't it?

Hallelujah is actually a transliteration the Hebrew word which is a combination of You (plural) all Praise Yah [weh]. It is used primarily in the Old testament, especially the Psalms but it is also used 4 times in Revelations.

Psalm 117

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

A Psalm of Praise.

117 Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!
2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!

Today I want to remind you to Praise the LORD. We get too involved with just living and sometimes we forget what is really important...seriously the MOST important thing that we can do. Give thanks.  And not just focused on just anything...but One Thing. The LORD.

Take a moment...right now...where ever you are and just think of how many things the LORD has done for you.  I am not even talking about what He has done for you in the past week or year...how about just thanking Him for today!

Don't worry about thanking Him for tomorrow.  We may never even be there.  Just thank Him for now, always now. If we arrive at tomorrow...well it won't be that any more will it?  And neither will we.

Blessings All!

Hot and Cold -- Daily Devotional | Everyday Christian

Hot and Cold -- Daily Devotional | Everyday Christian:

'via Blog this'

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:7, NLT

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.    --Philippians 4:7, NLT

Words Do Matter

Watch this video and then read the Scripture. Think on these things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Hzgzim5m7oU



Matthew 12:35-37
35 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”


I realize this now...I didn't when I was younger.  Friends, words do matter.  You are the only person who can control what you say and that is a huge responsibility. Do not take it lightly.

In my life I have tended to be harsh.  I now realize that this was an act that I used for defense and because of how I was brought up...not an excuse, just the truth. Instead it became and offense,  Not that I intended that to be sure, but nonetheless it was.  How hard it is to break bad habits! It is better to never have started them in the first place.  So please examine yourselves.  If correction is needed, start NOW. Do not wait.  Damage will result.

The good news is that Jesus can help.  Examine His words! Read His Word! Live His Word!  Jesus spoke harshly when needed, but if you read carefully, He spoke many more words of encouragement and healing than He spoke words of condemnation.

Lord, I pray that everyone who read this will examine their own words and correct them if necessary before it is too late to repair damaged relations and hurt souls. Bring them a word of knowledge and wisdom in dealing with this and turn their eyes upon You, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

Amen!

Blessings All!

Playing the Game

Hebrews 13:5-65 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 6 so that we confidently say,“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.What will man do to me?”

When I was in middle school, we had a coach for an after-school athletic club called ‘Township League’.  In the summer we used to gather to play baseball and in the winter we played basketball.  The coach was there to teach us and mentor us.  He volunteered his time because he loved kids and because he was a great guy.  Harold Torro was his name and I shall never forget him or the lessons he taught us.

I remember particularly this one incident when I was playing basketball. Mind you, I was about 5 feet 4 inches at the time...not much shorter than I am now, and I was terribly overweight.  I have been practically all my life.  Not very good at a game like basketball which requires speed and agility.  But I had a desire to be part of the team.   Coach would send me in for a quarter or so every game and I loved it.

This one time as I was on defense, I fouled a player. Coach called me on it correctly and quickly and sent me to the bench.  I was heartbroken.  Here I was, a small, over-weight 7th grader trying to play with the big guys and I wasn’t doing too well and I felt badly because I really did not want to foul anyone...it was that I was just too slow.

Coach came up to me after I was sulking a while and he put his arm around me and said, “LaGrew, if you don’t foul every now and again, you’re just not playing the game. Now go in there LaGrew and give it all you got.”

I never forgot that lesson and I never forgot those words he said to me that night.  It encouraged me and taught me a lesson that I have taken and used through my entire life.

Jesus taught his Disciples the same lesson.  He never required them to be perfect and never to make mistakes.  He encouraged them and taught them that doing something for the Kingdom may indeed lead to mistakes, but that even in the midst of failure and heartbreak, He would be there for them.  Not just once, but every time and all the time

Christians, I have heard it said, shoot their wounded. We are all wounded in one way or another.  Every one of us have committed fouls in the game.  Everyone of us have done things we may not be proud of, yet Christ has not forsaken us.  He, like my Coach so many years ago, points out where we have gone wrong, but then, He puts his arm around us, hugs us and says, “Go back out there and give it all you’ve got.”

This year, make that commitment.  Do not give up even though you may fall short.  We all. in some way, contribute to the building up of the Kingdom of God.  Let us encourage one another and build each other up in love.  Let us all get back in the game. Let us all win for Christ!

Blessings!

©2013

Worthy to be Praised

A Psalm of Praise.

117 Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!
² For His lovingkindness s great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!

This Psalm is the shortest in the Bible, but it packs one of the biggest meanings.

This year, instead of focusing on our shortcomings, our circumstances and our problems, let us instead be the few who Praise the Lord!

This is my goal...no matter is any follow. Will you join me? Yes?

Let us all Praise the Lord!

Blessings!