Back from my Sabbatical and I am sad

I have it from a reliable source that The Local Malcontent has decided to discontinue his blogging and this makes me sad: I have enjoyed the posts of my friend's thoughts and I will miss reading them. There needs to be more Malcontents in this world. Farewell Ron, Leticia and Dillon.

Some of the things I learned from The Local Malcontent:

Groucho Marx is cool
Red State Update
Mark Levin
Michael Anthony Tanner
Southeast Oklahoma is THE coolest place in the USA to live

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Revelation Twelve

¹ Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. ² Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
³ And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. ⁴ His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. ⁵ She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. ⁶ Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
⁷ And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. ⁹ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. ¹² Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
¹³ Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. ¹⁴ But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. ¹⁵ So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. ¹⁷ And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12, New King James Version)

Finishing John - On Sabbatical until 09/23/2009

Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and parts Nineteen through Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #19 - John Chapter Eighteen (19.58MB MP3)

Study #20 - John Chapter Nineteen (17.90MB MP3)

Study #21 - John Chapter Twenty (15.50MB MP3)

Study #22 - John Chapter Twenty-one (15.33MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.

Paul: Loud and Clear - Part 1

Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified Bible)

I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

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Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and part Eighteen of Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #18 - John Chapter Seventeen - Part Two (15.71MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.

That's What You Get For Jumping On The Bed!

That is what the Doctor said. Poor Monkey. Fell down and broke his head.

Not me: The Monkey.

My head is okay, it is my arm and shoulder that cause me pain.

Back in August of Two-thousand Seven I had the opportunity to go through TASER training while working for security at my current place of employment. And because I have the worst luck when it comes to training related accidents, I not only got the joy of 50,000 volts through my body, I also received a commuted fracture of the ball of my left humerus. Ouch.

It has been two years and I am still dealing with pain from the damage. In the last six months I have been seeing a doctor about more treatment for decreasing the pain and improving the health of the arm. Slow Slow Slow.

I had another MRI done last week and was able to plot yet another step in my journey to recovery: may have to have surgery and I may not. Time will tell.

I tell you all of this, not to evoke sympathy but to remind myself that there is not one thing that we go through in life as Christians that is not Father filtered. Not. One. Thing.

Praise God! He is working in me His will and I will be the better for it, just ask the Apostle Paul:

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:7-10, New King James Version)

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Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and part Seventeen of Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #17 - John Chapter Seventeen (14.94MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.

Exodus 15:1-19 (The Song of Moses)

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying:

“I will sing to the LORD,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!

The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

The LORD is a man of war;
The LORD is His name.

Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.

The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.

“Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.

And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.

And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’

You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

“Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.

You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.

“The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.

Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.

Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O LORD,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.

You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O LORD, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

“The LORD shall reign forever and ever.”

For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

(Exodus 15, New King James Version)

A Song for You

This is my favorite Christian Praise and Worship song. I found this one shortly after I became born-anew and I just love to listen to it over and over again while I sing it to the Lord. I don't know who the lady is that is singing but I think that she has one powerful and beautiful voice.

King of Kings

Have a glorious weekend. I hope that this song helps you start a joy filled week.

Today's scripture passage is from The Song of Moses:

The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
(Exodus 15:2, New King James Version)

Nine Eleven

Pray for our Nation.

Pray for Israel.

Praise God!

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from The Local Malcontent:

Meet Michael Anthony Tanner: A Genuine American Hero

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Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and part Sixteen of Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #16 - John Chapter Sixteen (16.44MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.

Times of the Sign II

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Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and part Fifteen of Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #15 - John Chapter Fifteen (16.16MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.

Our Lives: Relatives and Absolutes

I absolutely forgot to post yesterday because I was trying to keep up with the lives of my relatives.

This past Monday, my mother went into the hospital because of chest pains: she had all kinds of tests and procedures done and it was determined that it was stress and not her heart; she has a very large heart that is full of Jesus. Prayers were said and Faith was exercised and the Lord is glorified. My mother quit smoking Thirty-two years ago and she has a very good heart for a woman of (Insert mothers age here and she will hurt you). I was concerned for her, but not worried about the outcome; since it was determined that her heart is healthy then it must be stress. My mother flits about between Oklahoma City and Branson, Missouri overseeing the operations of two radio stations that are part of the Oasis Radio Network and her monthly schedule would take a toll on someone half her age. She is very good at what she does and her work ethic is one that has made her well favored by her 'Corporate Masters'. This past Monday may have been a sign that she is moving just a little too fast and maybe she needs to slow down, but knowing her like I do, she will stay in bed for a couple of days and let Dad cater to her and then she will be right back at work on Monday looking for a higher gear to shift into to make up for being off for a week. Mother is just that way.

But wait there's more: I said relatives. As in more than one:

My Grandmother and my aunts made the trip to Oklahoma City on Tuesday to see my Mother while she was in the hospital and to see first-hand that Mother was doing better and on the mend. You are going to love this:

My eldest Aunt, Sharron, while in the room with my mother slipped on a water spill and broke her hip. Yep, that's what I said: she broke her hip while visiting my mother in the hospital. The hospital did a report and my aunt was treated in the ER downstairs and then moved to a room to await the outcome; she is going to have her hip replaced courtesy of the hospital. That sure is nice of them.

And as an added bonus: my brother, David was hit in the head by an automatic door that was activated by a nurse that he and my father were talking to about my mother. He said that both he and my father were looking straight at her when they were talking and that she hit the button and said. "Come on.", and that when he turned to go he ran into the door with his head. David is okay but he said that for a little while he had bad thoughts about the nurse and the door.

My wife and I are very pleased with my mother's prognosis but we are even more pleased that we did not make the trip up there too: there is no telling what would have happened to us had we entered the building.

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” (Luke 5:26, New King James Version)

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Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and part Fourteen of Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #14 - John Chapter Fourteen (20.97MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.

David Willis

My younger and only brother, David, turns Thirty-one today. It is a momentous day for him; he is no longer in his twenty's.

I praise God that he got to grow up.

Take the above link and read my brother's survivor story. I want to be like him when I grow up.

John Chapter Twenty-one

John 21 (New King James Version)

Breakfast by the Sea

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?"
They answered Him, "No."
And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Jesus Restores Peter

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

The Beloved Disciple and His Book

 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

At the Horizon XLI

Driving along the road, you can't always see the horizon because there are hills and valleys in the way. The horizon is still there, always. There will come a time in our lives when the road ends and we reach the horizon. Who will you meet there?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 KJV-Bible

Today is my birthday and the horizon is getting closer and closer. Praise GOD, I know who I shall meet then!

Times of the Sign

He touched you where?

This post title sounds like a Jerry Springer episode blurb, I know. Well its not and you don't need to be watching that kind of stuff anyway; this is not me being legalistic but just good advice. That stuff will rot your brain and turn your mind to mush.

When I was younger, I had a problem with crowds. Didn't matter if it was church, school or a family reunion for that matter, crowds were not for me. After I came to Christ, that all changed. I now have friends that I have never met. Everyone that I come in contact with on a daily basis that even gives the slightest hint of eye contact gets a nod or a hello or a smile. This is one of the things that happens when Jesus comes in with Love: fear takes a hike.

Please, don't get me wrong, I am not one of those happy, bubbly, perky types. I show my joy and happiness in a way that more fits my personality.

I have yet to meet a stranger that Jesus doesn't love as much as He loves me.

Just something to think on while you are standing in line at the grocery store.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, New King James Version)

Psalm Twenty-two (Mesiac Nagid) Yahousha

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.

All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. (Psalm 22, King James Version)

Love will not try to browbeat you if you disagree with it

This post is about one specific thing that love does not do: Love does not try to convince by harsh argument or belittlement what it believes if those beliefs are not the same that are held by you. The body of Christ believes many things that have nothing to do with the Gospel and some of those things are held so fiercely that they cause division in the body when they are allowed to interfere with our primary purpose on this planet.

First Corinthians Chapter Thirteen
The following link is to a web site called CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry). The author of the site is Mr. Matt Slick who is a Christian Apologist. I may disagree with Mr. Slick on a couple of points but they have nothing to do with our Salvation, Sanctification or Redemption and Who is responsible for all three. I would encourage you to follow the link and take a look at the Doctrine Grid that Mr. Slick has put together.

I may not know you personally, but I love you because Jesus Christ loves you. I want to love you as much as and just like He does me. Not always going to happen but I try because of Him and what He has done for me.

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Audio of the day: Dr. Chuck Missler and part Nine of Twenty-two in his study of the Book of John.

Study #9 - John Chapter Nine (14.55MB MP3)

This collection of audio is from the 1990's and is not the most recent series of studies in this book. You can find the most recent recordings for sale at Doctor Missler's website Koinonia House. The audio that I am offering can be found at Firefighters For Christ free of charge.