The B-I-B-L-E
The Bible contains about 800,000 words, depending on the translation. This is about four times as many words as are found in a book of average length.
Although the Bible is so long and deals with the greatest themes that can engage the human mind, its vocabulary is singularly limited. It uses only 6,000 different words, a very small number compared to the 20,000 words that Shakespeare employed while writing his plays.
Not only is the Bible’s vocabulary limited, but the average word in it contains only five letters. However, many of these short words are full of the deepest meanings and are worthy of earnest study. For example, consider these five-letter words: grace, peace, faith, saved, serve, glory and Jesus. Simple, yet powerful.
God invites us to make His Word the object of our heart’s affection. Saving faith can come in no other way except through the Word of God penetrating our sin-thickened souls and softening our hard-hearted spirits. Like the sharpest of swords, it cuts through our neglect of God’s Word and will. This sharp Word is forged in the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf and His endurance of hell’s fiery onslaught. Life can be grand, but only when God’s Word is followed and our faith rests on it alone.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 (NIV)
So I encourage you to read your Bible. Establish your life and faith on God’s Word alone. May you be blessed in the Lord this week…
B.I.B.L.E. ( Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth)
Definitions You May Not Find In ‘Websters’
1. Arachnoleptic Fit: The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked through a spider web.
2. Decafalon: The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
3. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
4. Karmageddon: It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really serious bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer!
5. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.
In God We Trust
I hope you are enjoying your summer, however hot and humid it’s been. I heard we just experienced the hottest July since 1955! What will August, which is typically our hottest month of the year, be like?
So much has been happening lately with our economy. I believe every household has experienced personal financial woes at some time, but we’re seeing problems on a national scale like I’ve never heard of in my lifetime. The fact that the United States’ credit rating was dropped is substantial! I agree with Texas’ governor Perry that we as a nation need to sit up and take notice. It’s time to repent and turn back to God in obedience.
What good is printing money when you have nothing to back it up with? Its only value is in the artwork of the design and the paper itself. Have you ever looked at the back of a dollar bill? On the left circle, which is one side of the Great Seal, are the Latin words Annuit Coeptis, which mean “He (God) favors our undertakings.”
The pyramid in the left circle represents material strength and endurance. Yet the open spot near the top of the pyramid means there is more good work to be done in our country. The “eye” atop the pyramid represents the “eye of God”, watching and reminding us that spiritual matters are more important than material concerns. Under the pyramid, Novus Ordo Seclorum refers to a “new order of the ages”.
On the right circle is an eagle, our country’s national emblem, symbolizing strength and victory. The shield on the eagle’s breast signifies self-reliance. One of the eagle’s claws holds an olive branch, representing peace. The other talon holds arrows, referring to power and protection.
And finally, in the center of the bill we find the words “In God We Trust”. Well, do we really trust God?
If we do, then the first thing we need to do is to trust Him with our finances in obedience to His word.
He will never fail you or let you down. He is a God of no limitations! If this is an area of difficulty for you, I challenge you to try it God’s way…and be blessed!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you this week…
The Awesomeness of God
In chemistry, He turned water into wine…
In biology, He was born without the normal conception…
In physics, He disproved the ‘Law of Gravity’ when He ascended into Heaven…
In economics, He disproved the ‘Law of Diminishing Return’ by feeding 5000 men with 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread…
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs…
In history, He is the beginning and the end…
In government, He said that He shall be called wonderful, counselor, prince of peace…
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through Him…
Who is He? Jesus!
Carried…
My brother in law died this week. His passing was the end of his earthly existence, but the beginning of his eternal existence. For the person who have been born again, it is the beginning we look forward to – an existence with no more pain, suffering or tears, no disabilities or diseases to deal with. But the best part is to be eternally with our beloved Lord who paid the ultimate price to free us from the bondage of sin, blessed us with the gifts of repentance, water baptism and the Holy Spirit.
Life is drama. And every drama has its ending. If a play is poorly done, we sit bored to tears, miserable, and impatient for the curtain to drop signifying the end of the last act. Even when the play is delightful and we are enjoying every part of it – laughing and feeling good – we know the curtain is going to come down.
So it is with life, whether good, bad, happy, sorrowful, delightful or miserable. Some day the curtain is coming down; the last act will close. Christ is coming. When He does, He will claim His own. We will appear before Him in glory.
The play we watch is such a small part of real life; it ends and we go on. Our life now is such a small part of real life, and when it ends, if we know Him, we go on to be with Him! The coming of Christ for us may be like our leaving the theater; whether we wept or laughed, we are ready to get on with living, eternity style!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2
May you have peace this week in whatever challenge you may face through our gracious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…
-Tami L.
God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. His goal is not to pamper us physically, but to perfect us spiritually. -Powell
The Positive Side of Life
Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Look back at Graduation: God’s plan for you…
“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.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As I was looking for graduation cards this week I noticed this scripture on several of them.
Graduating from high school is a milestone. The future is a mix of the excitement of possibilities with the anxieties of the unknown. It is reassuring to our young adults who find themselves in this position to be reminded that they are children of an omniscient God who knows their future and will be there with them with each step they take. However, there is a greater depth to this verse.
These words were not spoken in celebration, but rather after Israel had been captured and exiled by Babylon. False prophets promised that God would soon punish Babylon, but Jeremiah prophesied that Israel would be in captivity for 70 years. God had a plan and a future for Israel, but this particular plan wasn’t what Israel wanted. They wanted God to deliver them, regardless of the circumstances that had put them here, now! True to God’s word, after 70 years, Israel began to return home, just as the prophets had foretold. God brought Israel out of bondage so His greatest plan of all could be fulfilled: the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who brings ultimate hope and a future to all who believe.
Our society today wants an easy life full of prosperity, joy and happiness, while God’s plan is much greater. He has laid the plan for us to have hope and a future with Him, both now and for eternity. We are only to believe and be obedient to His Word.
May you be encouraged this week to give your undivided attention to trust in the plans God has for your life…
Decisions can take you out of God’s Will but never out of his reach. Seven things you’ll never regret…
1. Feeling reverence for your Maker.
2. Showing kindness to an aged person.
3. Destroying a letter – or not sending an e-mail – written in anger.
4. Offering an apology that saves a friendship.
5. Stopping gossip that could wreck a reputation.
6. Taking time to show loved ones consideration.
7. Accepting the judgment of God on any question.
You Deserve a Break
According to McDonalds “You deserve a break today.” Burger King suggests you should “Have it YOUR way”. They want us to focus of self. Me. All of us have selfish traits; we’d simply rather not have others know about them. We like to think of ourselves as loving and caring people. But when our deeds are examined in the light of God’s Word, we find that often, instead of loving and caring, we are self-serving. Our actions shame us. To make things worse, the same devil that tempts us to be selfish also accuses us after we do something self-serving. He wants us to wallow in our shame.
But Jesus stands between our accuser and us. He takes our shame upon Himself. He died in a place of shame – the cross –on our behalf. He replaces our shame with His love, thereby giving us the strength to act selflessly toward others. He sets us free from the shame of our sin so that we are free to love others as He loved us. For the scripture says,
“Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:11
Praise God for setting us free from the weight of guilt and shame, which alone, we could not bear.
Have a wonderful week!
Fathers Day – 2011
In 1900 a father’s horsepower meant his horses – Today it’s the size of his minivan
In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family’s head, he was a success
Today it takes a roof, deck, pool and a 4 car garage. And that’s just the vacation home.
In 1900 a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived
Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure the camcorder is ready.
In 1900 father’s passed on clothing to their sons – Today kids wouldn’t be caught dead in them
In 1900 a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: “Zach’s at baseball, Madison’s at gymnastics, I’m at adult-Ed, Pizza in the fridge.”
In 1900 fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.
Today fathers pluck the headphones off their son’s ears and shout “WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE…”
In 1900 a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs and bacon and ham and potatoes.
Today it’s Special K. soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol.
In 1900 fathers were never truly appreciated
And today – fathers are never truly appreciated.
The Good in Adversity
It was so good to be in Sunday school this week. I had missed two Sundays in a row due to my job. After working more than 20- 12 hour days in a row, I was given a two day weekend and don’t you know…I had a migraine headache, a definite 10 on my Richter scale! If only I had slept for a couple of hours when I got home in the morning, but no, I was so excited I wanted to climb Everest! My decision to stay awake for over 30 hours cost me dearly. Of course it cleared up just in time to go to work Monday morning!
We live in a world of all kinds of hurts. It can seem as though no one understands the struggles we go through. Our afflictions threaten to undo us. Some wounds are brought on by our choices and decisions. Some come from other people, some from the world around us. Regardless of what causes our pain, the effect is the same. We hurt.
There is one who has suffered for us and suffers with us. His name is Jesus. God’s only Son. He has taken upon himself every hurt that afflicts us. If we are afflicted in our bodies, by his stripes we are healed. If our sins are the cause of our affliction, he forgives us. If someone else sinned against us to cause our affliction, he comforts us and gives us the ability to forgive. If we are hurt by the world around us, we know that one day Jesus will restore all creation, making all things new.
“For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.”
- Colossians 1:19-20
Have a wonderful week in the Lord and may God bless you and keep you, smile on you and gift you. May God look you full in the face and make you prosper…
Your Sister in Christ, Tami Lengyel
You should never let adversity get you down – except on your knees.
The Christian “Tune-Up”
1. Adjust your lights so others may see your good works.
2. Set your timing so as to be at the meeting on time.
3. Adjust the brakes on your tongue.
4. Align your direction so that you may stay on the straight and narrow.
5. Anti-freeze your heart and be fervent in spirit.
6. Above all things, love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind.
