Happy Fortieth!!

Happy 40th anniversary of your birthing day, Frank!

In honor of your birthing day, I thought I'd share some remarks from those who have traversed this rite of passage before you.

"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." Lucille Ball

"Middle-aged spread: unconquered puppy fat." From The Dieter's Dictionary

"You know you've reached middle age when your weightlifting consists of merely standing up." Bob Hope

"Middle age is when you are sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you." Ogden Nash

"It's better to wear out than to rust out." George Horne

"Don't let years convince you that you are old. Beside a Galapagos tortoise, you are a mere child." Pam Brown

"Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen." Mark Twain

"Middle age is when your clothes no longer fit and it's you that needs the alterations." Earl Wilson

"This [the facelift] is the procedure wherein the plastic surgeon perks up your face by standing behind you, pulling your skin back on both sides of your head until the front is nice and tight, and then attaching the flaps of excess skin to the back of your head with a staple gun. Sure it stings, but the visual effect is stunning, as you are miraculously transformed from a person with bags and wrinkles into a person whose eyes appear to be just slightly too far apart. In fact, if you get repeated facelifts, your eyes will gradually migrate around to the side of your head, carp-like, and you will experience a real bonus in the peripheral-vision department." Dave Barry, from Turning 40

"As a graduate of the Zsa Zsa Gabor School of Creative Mathematics, I honestly do not know how old I am." Erma Bombeck

Happy Birthday Frank!

You are the man of my dreams, still.
I love you!

Random Comments

I guess green IS the new black. Thankfully, I love green and can pull it off on more occasions than not.

subject change...

I'm reading through the Bible Chronologically, and it is just too cool! So, I'm reading about Joseph. Right in the middle of the account of Joseph, there is a day given to the story of Judah and Tamar. Amazing.

subject change...

Everyone should have to do a Power Point presentation for an Adolescent Medicine doc on STD's. Way gross! I honestly think some folks might rethink the sex before marriage thing if they really understood the risk they take every time they have sex with someone. Just one instance of unprotected sex (even protected sex has huge risks) can destroy the rest of your life.

The REST of your life.

subject change...

If this book I'm reading is at all historically accurate, the Shawnee Indians were incredibly brutal, cold-blooded and cruel. It is the historical-fictional account based upon the 1,000 mile trek home Mary Ingles made after escaping her Indian captors back in the 1800's (which is a true event in history).

subject change...
We truly need to be devoted to one another in prayer, edification and accountability…all tempered with love. Not because I say so, but because God does:

Eph 4:29-32
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Gal 5:13-26
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

I love You Lord!
Are YOU in-love with God yet?
Pursue Him. Everything else is a WASTE of time, energy and talent.

Lord, don't You care?

Lately, with all the wild weather usurping lives, vacations, holidays and morning commutes you might be thinking, "what in the world is going on?" At my office, conversations turn to the rising death toll in the tsunami stricken countries, the extreme weather patterns and warnings to leave early (for the hour-long commuters) while there is some visibility left in the day. One co-worker has urged us all to rent and watch "The Day After Tomorrow" so we can freak out along with her. People seem a little grumpier, a little more wild-eyed and in general, unnerved by what is going on around the world. Even our dog seems to accuse, "what took you so long today?", when we let him in the house after a long day of faithfully waiting in the water-saturated back yard (albeit, he does have free access to the cold, DRY garage - after passing through a 3 inch deep, 20-25 feet long path of standing water).
Today, however, moods are lightened and smiles break out on relieved faces. Why? If you live in Southern California, you'll know why. The sun! The sun has greeted us this morning and showcased in the east our local snow-laden mountains. Even the dog seems more eager to go outside and check out the non-liquid sunshine!
I'm still amazed when I read the following passage in Mark. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe, the very One Who holds all things together, was asleep in the boat while His disciples fretted and feared for their lives as their little boating adventure met with extreme weather conditions.

Mark 4:35-40
On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side."
Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.
And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
So I wonder what a "rebuke" to the wind would have sounded like? In the dictionary, rebuke (as a verb) means: a. To criticize or reprove sharply; reprimand. b.To check or repress. Then He says to the sea, "Hush, be still." The Greek for "hush" is pronounced see-o-pah'-o which is from siōpē (silence, that is, a hush; properly muteness, that is, involuntary stillness, or inability to speak); to be dumb; figuratively to be calm (as quiet water): - dumb, (hold) peace. The Greek for "still" is pronounced fee-mo'-o from phimos (a muzzle); to muzzle: - muzzle. The wind obeyed and the sea "became perfectly calm."

"Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Colossians 1:13-20
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Rest in these truths, child of God. Don't focus on the tumult around you, focus on Christ "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Do you know Him yet?
Do you long to?
Have you attempted the 15-minute challenge?
Are you in-love with Him yet?

Praise God! He alone is worthy of our praise, adoration and our life wholly dedicated to Him.

How to live, then, by God's Grace...

Titus 2:11-15 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

From Matthew Henry's Commentary -
The doctrine of grace and
salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good. We must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. A gospel conversation must be a godly conversation. See our duty in a very few words; denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly, notwithstanding all snares, temptations, corrupt examples, ill usage, and what remains of sin in the believer's heart, with all their hinderances. It teaches to look for the glories of another world. At, and in, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete: To bring us to holiness and happiness was the end of Christ's death. Jesus Christ, that great God and our Saviour, who saves not only as God, much less as Man alone;
but as God-man, two natures in one person. He loved us, and gave himself for us; and what can we do less than love and give up ourselves to him! Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a peculiar people unto God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is profitable. Here is what will furnish for all parts of duty, and the right discharge of them. Let us inquire whether our whole dependence is
placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. And the further we are removed from boasting of fancied good works, or trusting in them, so that we glory in Christ alone, the more zealous shall we be to abound in real good works.

Indeed!

Are you in love with God yet?

Hungry and thirsty???

Did you see the mountains this morning? As I was driving to work this morning, I glanced over in the direction of the mountains. The clouds were clearing, the sun was shining and the majestic mountains glowed in their pristine white blankets. I said, "Wow, God! How majestic You are! Look what You did!"

So, are you in-love with God yet? Why not? Are you willfully, intentionally pursuing a love relationship with our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and Friend?

Isaiah 55:1-5 Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation which knows you not will run to you, because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

John 7:37-39 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

What are you hungry for? What are you thirsty for? In some cases, it may be literal, but for most of you, I'm talking about that restless longing, looking, searching taking place inside of you crying out for substance, meaning and purpose in this life.

Stop and wonder for a moment at those (martyrs) who were willing to die for their faith in Christ. Could it be they understood these Truths to the point of death? I guess the point I am trying to make is not that you should be willing to die for your faith in Christ Jesus, but that you should believe these Truths. Believe these Truths: Jesus gives us living water…to the point that "it will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." Jesus is also the Bread of Life. Jesus satisfies.

Are you in love with Him yet?

Mathew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Are you in love with Him yet?

And remember, it's not about you...not one bit. If you are a believer, your life should be all about Jesus Christ.

What Matters Most in 2005 . . .

I thoroughly enjoyed, although a bit uncomfortably at times, Pastor Keith's message yesterday! In my notes, his message will be titled: "My 2005 Challenge." What was the gist of his message? I took from it that I need to have a willful intention to obey Jesus' answer to the question "What commandment is the greatest of all?"

I liked how the Amplified Bible spells out His answer…

Mark 12:29-31 (Amplified Bible)
Jesus answered, "The first and principal one of all commands is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God out of and with your whole heart and out of and with all your soul (your life) and out of and with all your mind (with your faculty of thought and your moral understanding) and out of and with all your strength. This is the first and principal commandment. The second is like it and is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these."

Mark 12:28-31 (New American Standard)
One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?"
Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Needless to say, I was certainly challenged. It was great how Pastor tied this in with the following passage. For we women, the oh, so familiar Mary & Martha account: the vocal, busy worker and the silent, seated listener.

Lord? Don't you care???

Luke 10:38-42
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

What one thing is necessary?
To love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
How will that be for you?
How will that be for me?

May 2005 be a year of finding out! May we pray for and encourage each other to intentionally pursue obeying this commandment!

Now I have to figure out the fasting thing.

Fall in love with God!