Christian Photographers Community

 
 


Morning Devotional...


When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.                                   Luke 15:20


Slow are the steps of repentance, but swift are the feet of forgiveness. 

God can run where we can scarcely limp, and if we are limping towards Him, He will run towards us.

These kisses were given in a hurry; the story is narrated so that there is a sense of haste in the very wording of it.

His father "ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him"--eagerly, he did not delay, for though he was out of breath he was not out of love.

Your Father's many kisses will make you forget your brother's frowns.
                                                             ~C. H. Spurgeon~



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Sonja, I'm not sure what you mean by your question?  Archive the votes?  Or Achieve the votes?   ???


Sorry about that .  This is all new to me too! :-[

I heard a story one time about a modern day prodigal son.  A young man left home to make it on his own.  After some time, and a great many failures, he telegrammed home and said, "I will be on the afternoon train on next Tuesday.  If I am forgiven, and you want me to come home, tie a white ribbon on one of the branches of the apple tree next to the track.  Then, I will know if I should get off at the station or not."

The next Tuesday, the train approached the apple tree, and the young man nervously looked out.  What he saw brought tears to his eyes.  On almost every branch was a white ribbon making the tree look as if it were in bloom and leaving no doubt in the young man's mind.

God loves us so much.  I don't think we can even begin to comprehend how much he cares for us.  ya know what I mean? :)

Thanks for that, Karma!   I agree that the Lord's love for us in not able to be measured!

I've missed our Mieka.  I hope she's ok.

 ;DOh how kind of you Ms Pat. I am ok, I am right here

I want to ask ms Karmat if she will have a challenge with me on the DPC. I would like to make a Christian picture there too and see if i can make one more better than Ms Karmat. it will be fun I think, yes?

Ohhhhhhhh....  Lovely to see you, Mieka!

I'm so glad you're ok.

I really must get to bed!

Now, Mieka, please feel free to post lots and lots and lots of photos of where you live in our Photography forum.  I just love the ocean and I miss it so much.  My Jack and I used to walk along the sea shore nearly every night when we lived in Ireland.

Meika -- I have no doubt that any picture you submit would beat mine!  You have an almost uncanny ability to put emotion into your shots.  I can occassionally, but it rare that I achieve that.  

I do think it would be neat one week for all of us members of DPC to take a "Christian themed" shot one challenge and enter them at the same time.  I think Anthony suggested that one time, a long time ago.  

 ???I thought it is for Mothers pictures this time?
I do not have any :(

I think it will be fun ms Karmat. and I did not know Mr Anthony is a rainbow. he made a very nice comments for me. It make me smile ;D

and Ms Pat I will make many pictures for you. I think I can do it. I like the beach too. It has always been my home.

The mother's challenge is the bi-monthly challenge.  In the other photography forum, you can post anything you want, whenever you want.  Just start a new thread, and post away.  (It does help ot limit each post to 3 pictures, though, for those of us on dinosaur computers.  you can post as many pictures as you want, only put just three per post.  Does that make sense?????)

Hi Mieka...  Not just OUR very own mother but anyone's mother or a mother cat or a mother horse or a mother dog or a mother whatever!!!  Anything that reminds us of something "motherly" will be fine to be in the challenge.

BUT...

Mieka, you could post some photos of where you live in just the Photography area.  The Challenge is only one area of our site.

 ;D I see. I will make a beach and a mother picture then all in one.  ;D you will like it.

I have my DQ picture too. It was very nice, it was to be my most best one ever on the DPC. but it was a DQ. I was so sad. So perhaps you will like it in here.  8) I will be sad if it is a DQ in here too ::)

Ms Pat... a Guelph is a very funny name for a town, yes? ;D

 ;D

Now, i must really go to bed.  I am getting sleepy.  Have a good night ya'll and a good day to those of you that get up and on here before i do.
8)

Great!  I'll look forward to that, Mieka.

Oh, it's thundering and lightening here so I must shut down my computer!  

I wish I were there to give you a real live "motherly hug", Mieka!  

I'll look forward to your photos.

Love

Pat

Nin Hao Cami
;D(it is a Chinese welcome)

I think you will like it here, it is a wonderful place to spend a quiet moment. ;D

Good morning everyone.  I enjoyed the devotional this morning.  The words of the hymn was so thought provoking.  It spoke of fleeing from the love of God to go to the dark streets and black wine.  It reminds me of the scripture:

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itselft in fatness."
Isaiah 55: 2.

True satisfaction comes only from abiding in Christ.  I am sure that all on here would agree with me.

I do hope that everyone has a great day today.  And  that we all enjoy the blessing of God.

Anthony.

Karma that is a great idea about entering a challenge for DPC using a christian theme.  I am having so much trouble trying to return the digital camera that was faulty, that I have become disheartened entering the challenges.  Also the digi cam that I am left with I can't use very well, but I would love to begin joining in again, even if I didn't make very high scores.  To cut a long story short, I am up for it ;D

Meika, I use the name rainbow a lot on forums.  It always reminds me of the love that God has towards us all :)

I am sorry I am not replying to everyone lately.  Things are mad over here at the moment.  I look forward to things calming down a bit.

God bless,

Anthony.

Good morning everyone.  It's been fairly busy in here, although most of it is from last night I guess.  Mieka, I look forward to seeing your photo!

Karma, that was a lovely story!  It was so nice.  I'm glad you shared that.  I was going to post more,b ut I am getting so many posts from friends!  I'm looking forward to seeing my best friend, she's coming home Sunday night.  God bless you all.  Jen.

Hi, I'm just here for a moment - gotta get to work.

Hope everyone has an excellent day today.

Ruth Ann

 Welcome Cami

Good morning!

What a beautiful day and wonderful words from Pat, Anthony and Karmat to think about today.

Hello Mieka.  I am also excited to see your pictures.

WELCOME CAMI

I SEE YOU MADE IT AFTER ALL. I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD COME SOON.

Good Morning everyone. It sure was busy here last night. It's back to work for me today. I got a little more packing done yesterday, just a couple of boxes but a few here and afew there will get it done.

I haven't heard anything on my new camera yet. Idon't know how long it takes for them to ship it but I hope it comes real soon.

St story of the prodigal is a special stroy to me. Iwas a prodigal daughter, who came back home  after bing incarcerated for 1 1/2 years to a mother who loved me very much and welcomed me back with so much love. I still miss my mom, she has been with the Lord for 6 years now. I think of her almost everyday. She prayed for me every day of my life while she was onthis earth. Now her prayers have been answered  and Iknow she is looking down at me and smiling to know that here prayers were not in vain.

Hi everyone.  We have an overcast but not cool day here in Georgia.  I have a SeniorNet Learning Center Board meeting this afternoon.  I am really not looking forward to it as I know of a contentious matter involving some of our volunteers that we need to take up.  This is the type of problem you don't like to see in a volunteer organizatiion.

Pat, I can relate to the devotional this morning as we had a prodigal son who finally reached the bottom and came home.  He has turned out to be a fine, upstanding and very successful person.  It is wonderful to know with certainty that God welcomes all of the prodigal sons and daughters who seek him through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I will have to go to the main page again and look at the second icon as you must have been working on it when I saw the first one and voted.  Are we suppose to vote more than once?

Karmat, what prize could you win that would exceed the comment about how your photo had touched a life.  That is really outstanding.  Will you be sharing that photo with us here when your challenge is over?

Mieka, I am looking forward to more of your beautiful pictures.  


Anthony, I hope things get better for you quickly.  Isn't it always darkest before the dawn?

Marilyn, I see this devotional is special to you as well as it is to me today.  I know you are happy that your friend, Cami, has joined with us.

Guess I had better move on.  Karmat has sent me a list of books that will be up on the Christian Book Exchange sometime today, as soon as I get the coding completed.  I will leave a message here with the link so everyone will have a chance to see the titles as I think most of us gather here.

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We visit every day.  We talk about our children, grandchildren, local politics, aches and pains, sorrows, triumphs.  We discuss the Sunday sermon, our reading of scripture, a new book that touched or troubled us.  We post photographs.  We laugh a lot.  Sometimes we cry.  We make an effort to listen intently.

Our visits to CP is our holy time.  As we read each others posts and look at each others pictures, we posts our thoughts, hopes, and fears to each other and to God.  Our posts are a manifestation of Christ in the world.  Being part of the Body of Christ is not a private walk with Jesus; it is two or three people gathered together with Christ in their midst.  When we show compassion or 'listen' with love, we are expressing Christ.  We are being the church in the world.  Even though we aren't perfect and we don't have all the right answers, we experience Christs's presence in these times together.

Who needs someone to listen???!!!

Oh, how I love this sleeping with the windows open.  There was a forecast for possible rain but I left the windows open anyway.  And God is good.  He sent a strong breeze that woke me in time to lower the windows before the heavy rain, lightening and thunder came.  

Mieka ~ I just love your posts.  When I read your posts, you even have a Chinese accent... ::)  I love your thoughts and questions.  Now to see some photos of the west coast in your area.  I love the Pacific Ocean....USA mainland AND Hawaii.

I didn't get the yard mowed yesterday but must try to get it done today before more rain comes.  It is nice and breezy now so it should dry off soon.

I pray that everyone has a God Blessed Day.

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"May is God's apology for February."

Etta Sue, I love your quote!

Good morning to all here on CP.  Beth and I are just leaving to go to her doctor in Guymon.  Please pray that she will recieve a GOOD REPORT this time!

I will be back later.  Have to hurry now!

I called the place Iordered the camera from to check on myorder. IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH. so I had toreorder it and it should be here in about 10 day.s WHOOPEE!! Then I can learn how to use a digital camera and find someone with a usb port to download it onto disk for me. Frank at the local ISP will probably do it for me.

Marilyn is doing the Pentacostal Happy dance. Haha

We'll be praying, Janet.  Check in as soon as you get back!

Quote from: Marilyn on May 01, 2003, 11:16:44 AM
I called the place Iordered the camera from to check on myorder. IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH. so I had toreorder it and it should be here in about 10 day.s WHOOPEE!! Then I can learn how to use a digital camera and find someone with a usb port to download it onto disk for me. Frank at the local ISP will probably do it for me.

Marilyn is doing the Pentacostal Happy dance. Haha

Glad you're going to get that camera soon, Marilyn!  Hope you're happy with it.

Today's Creation Moment...

Listen here (http://www.creationmoments.com/)

The Animal that Lives Without Air

Psalm 105:5

"Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth..."

When little or no oxygen is dissolved in the blood of most animals or humans, death quickly follows. The chemistry by which our cells generate energy to stay alive needs oxygen. When oxygen runs short, a second, temporary, energy producing system kicks in. This system doesn't need oxygen, but it produces lactic acid which can kill living cells. Therefore this second energy system is an emergency measure, used only when seriously starved for oxygen.

In order to avoid this dangerous situation many amphibians and reptiles that hibernate in ponds, lakes, and rivers have the ability to remove oxygen directly from the water through special tissue on their throats. However, the painted turtle and the mud slider hibernate as close to the freezing line below the water as possible. As a result, they often hibernate in water where the oxygen is quickly used and have lived completely without oxygen for up to 120 days. How do they do it?

During the summer the turtle stores large amounts of a carbohydrate that can provide energy without using oxygen. The turtle has a unique built-in system that detoxifies the poisonous lactic acid that is built up. As a result the turtle can live for months with no oxygen in its blood or in the water around it.

This unique ability is based on a sophisticated understanding of biochemistry. It's clearly not the result of a genetic accident. It can only be the work of the unique creativity of our Creator!


Prayer: Lord, there is nothing that is impossible for You. I thank You for Your love for me in carrying my sin to the cross and rising from the dead so that I might have new life. Let me never forget that Your great power is used in love for me. Amen.

REF.: Janet M. Storey and Kenneth B. Storey. Out Cold. Natural History 1/92, p. 23-25.

I just clicked on the CALENDAR[/b] (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?action=calendar) button above and I see that two of our members are having birthdays this month!

Do you have your birthday listed in your profile???

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Be sure to check out the books that Karmat has offered to us today.  It looks like some really good Christian reading.

It is a little late in the morning for me to get here but better late than never.  I enjoyed reading the devotional as well as all the posts and I will not try to respond to all the posts.  We are already on page three and it isn't noon yet.

I will give a welcome to Marilyn's friend CAMIE.  WELCOME!

The story of the prodigal son is so sad up to the point where he went back home.  He wasted the bounty he had received from his father.  He was rebellious and selfish.  Often we may look at our lives and see some of his qualities and when that happens we need to repent because God loves us and will receive us with open arms.  When we see the father running to greet his son we see the happy ending except for the other brother who had stayed at home.  We don't want to be prodigals when he was away from his father..  We don't want to be like the other brother who stayed at home and had no love for his brother and who was self righteous.  END OF SERMON.

My back is feeling much better today.  Maybe by the time I have the MRI it will be OK again.

Mieka,  you can see that you are one of our favorites here.  You are our youngest member and I think maybe I am the oldest.  I always enjoy your posts.

I hope you all have a great day.  It is beautiful here today with a low of 62 and a high of 85 and late today we may have a shower or two.

Etta Sue, I liked your quotation.  We have all kinds of weather.  I like May better than February.

--- Papa John    ;D  

Pat: I went back to the home page and voted on the 2 nd icon. Thanks for the reminder.
Marilyn

 Ms Etta Sue
Mieka ~ I just love your posts.  When I read your posts, you even have a Chinese accent...

I learn to write my English in a special school in China. I know it is not so good yet. Sometimes I look back at my words and I wonder what I said ::) so I hope you will forgive me and help me when I make a mistakes.

Captain John
Mieka,  you can see that you are one of our favorites here.  You are our youngest member and I think maybe I am the oldest.

Mr John you are my treasure. It has always been my wish to one day have the wisdom as you have, that only comes with age. I wish for you many more years of good health.

Ms Janet
I pray for both you and ms Beth. I hope she is ok.


Ms Pat... a Guelph is still a very funny name for a town, yes?   :P

Hello LettyB ;D
(is it Ms LettyB?) it is very nice to meet you, I am Mieka.

Letty, it's great to see you posting.  We get some who come and register and then they never post!  ::)    I hope you just go and have a great time looking at the photographs.  We have many and you can comment wherever you wish.

Now, I've put a fresh pot of coffee on so pour yourself one and pull up a chair and join right in.  The conversation is just great in here!

WELCOME LETTYB

We are so glad you came to join us. Pull up a chair and tell us about yourself. where do you live and about your family. We are a bunch of people who love the Lord with all our hearts. We welcome your fellowship.

Marilyn

Victor Oliver is in court today a week early. He was scheduled for May 7, but when Peggy called last night to make an appointment for a visgt they told her he was going to court today. Ater choir practice tonight I will let you know what it was all about.

Marilyn

Please pray the All of the truth will come out and that those things he is innocent of will be brought to light.

Welcome LettyB
Glad to see you posting so soon.  We can't wait to get to know you.  Please feel free to post whenever.

Welcome Cami and LettyB!

I'm Karmat, the well-behaved member of the group! :P

Since when are you well behaved Karma. LOL Rotfl
You are a nut.

Karma: I found out that I am going to have to use my own computer to dowload the photos from the new camera The computer is set up for a USB port but does not have one. Ask Nards if I can just use a USB converter.

The new camera will be here in about 2 weeks and I don't want to install my software on someone elsews computer.

Marilyn

Gosh, there are 45 posts already, I don't think I am going to be able to reply to each one and I don't like leaving people out.

I must welcome our latest member LettyB.  It is so good to see you posting, but always remember that when certain people say they are well behaved, there is always another side to the coin ;)

I've had a useless day today.  I tried to do a hundred and one things and managed only to finish the one thing.  There must be a spiritual lesson for us there somewhere.

It's good to see so many people posting today and nice that the talk is centred on the Lord.

See you all later.

Anthony.

 :D   Good day to all of you here today....it is nice and warm here today...a little on the wet side but am thankful for the rain..we need it very much.

Anthony....I know exactly how you feel when you set out to do a hundred things and only accomplish one....it seems....but the Lord had other things in mind for you to accomplish today ...so just rest in that and do not worry bout it.....God has you in His heart and hand.... take care brother.

well I just wanted to thank you all for praying for me and sympathizing with me..over my aunt's death....my mom and sister are  doing well and everything is settled and going well....my poor aunt though was not a believer and I fear I will not get to see her in heaven.....oh my heart aches.....

well am off now...talk to you later. take care and God bless you all.
Paulette.

I have a question for you allllll!!!

Do you have a dvd player?  
I just bought one and need help hooking it up. I am normally a wise at this stuff but I tried two different ways to hook it up and none of them worked.  Do I need a special cord or something?  grrr....help!!!!!!

Sonja, I had to get one of my grandsons to hook up my DVD player! :-\  So I'm afraid I'm no help at all.

WELCOME, CAMI!!  WELCOME, LETTYB!!  We all hope you will be come regular posters here!  We love to visit and fellowship together, and sometimes tease one another.  It's a fun place to gather.

Beth and I just got home from seeing her doctor.  It is Bell's Palsy that she has now. :(  They put her on three more prescriptions, and said it may clear up in 3 to 4 weeks, but could last as long as four months.  Poor Beth--when she smiles, her mouth goes clear over on one side of her face!  So we really hope it goes away very soon.

We are going to Hugoton tonight to a Women's Aglow meeting.  Some people we know will be there, and we know these people know how to pray in faith for healing.  Beth needs to be immersed in prayer, praise and worship, and this is a wonderful time for that.  I am missing another event I had planned to attend, but this is far more important.

It's great to see so many posts today!

I have just spent the las hour looking u p the ocupations of the 12 tribes of Israel and thier flags on the internet and printing up about 35 pages of information for Inez. She asks me the most in depth questions, and wants me to find the info for her. It is very educational for me to. I couldn't even begin to be as well versed in the Bible as she is.

We visit every day.  We talk about our children, grandchildren, local politics, aches and pains, sorrows, triumphs.  We discuss the Sunday sermon, our reading of scripture, a new book that touched or troubled us.  We post photographs.  We sing.  We laugh a lot.  Sometimes we cry.  We make an effort to listen intently.

Our visits to CP is our holy time.  As we read each others posts and look at each others pictures, we posts our thoughts, hopes, and fears to each other and to God.  Our posts are a manifestation of Christ in the world.  Being part of the Body of Christ is not a private walk with Jesus; it is two or three people gathered together with Christ in their midst.  When we show compassion or 'listen' with love, we are expressing Christ.  We are being the church in the world.  Even though we aren't perfect and we don't have all the right answers, we experience Christs's presence in these times together.

Who needs someone to listen???!!!

Whew!  I talked to Jerry in IM and he said he would come over and help me mow the yard.  Then it rained.  A light rain.  He got here and we went to Noblesville for lunch.  When we got back, we each got on a mower and my grass is mowed.  I did some weed-eating while he filled the tanks and did some maintenance on the mowers since both of them are being contrary in starting this year.  BUT the yard is mowed for another 5 days!

There were predictions of thunder storms this afternoon but they aren't here yet.

I wanted to mention that today is the 52nd annual National Day of Prayer here in the U.S.  There is a website at www.nationaldayofprayer.org  if you would like to check it out.  Beth and I listened to the program as we drove, and it was really good.

It is so refreshing to have a President who knows the Lord and knows He is the one Who holds our future.  He freely admits his dependence on God.

Well, I'm just about to leave for the Guelph Hiking Trail Club executive meeting so please keep the home fires burning while I'm gone!

Get lots of new folks in here this evening.

Goodnight, Anthony!

Good evening everyone!

[size=45WELCOME CAMI AND LETTYB!!!!][/size]

It's good to see so many people posting.  God bless you all.  Jen.

You have come to a tremendous place.  I am so in awe of the excellent  knowledge of the bible that comes from so many - Pat S., Anthony, Papa John, Marilyn, Larry, .Etta Sue, Jerry, .....too many to list and forgive me for not naming everyone.

We drove to Cheyenne today so Don could have a CT scan of his lungs at the Veteran's Hospital.  Gas was a terrific price of $1.21 a gallon so we did fill the tank.  After a late breakfast, we stopped at a restraunt and the waited told us that the group of women meeting there were wild and crazy - it was a women's group from the local Baptist church!  They were fun!  

Janet:  Our oldest son once had Bell's Palsy and it did not last too long - he even had to take an interview and explain what had happened but got the job just so you know that it usually goes away fairly quickly.  Best wishes to Beth.  

Carol

 :'( This is the most sad words I have today
ms Tenderheart. ....my poor aunt though was not a believer and I fear I will not get to see her in heaven.....

How can it be that this kind God can walk away from one that he loves, who did not undarstand his wish.

Slow are the steps of repentance, but swift are the feet of forgiveness.

I have so many friends who do not know there is a God at all. Can they not have a repentance in heaven for that which they did not know as wrong? There are so many in far away places who are not allow to talk of God.  How can it be that they can not go to this heaven? ???

tenderheart~(I love that name!)... and MIEKA~ We can never know the depths to which God will go for any of us.  He never wastes a moment, and even a nanosecond can be all He needs to speak to/reveal Himself to a person's spirit.  Even when we think the person is "out of it", unconscious, in a coma, whatever terminology one wants to use, GOD can be there.  I believe there will be a lot of surprises in heaven.  I would never choose to believe a person is totally lost for that reason.  We don't know how or what God did in that last fleeting moment before death.

I hold to that for a lot of people I have known.

Good question Mieka!  I often wonder that myself. I try to teach or tell the people I know that do not know God about him and what they need to do to be saved.

I figured out how to work the dvd player.  

Zachery and I went to the old folks home and he wanted to volunteer to bring food to some of the elders who still live in an apartment, but they said he is to young.  He has to wait till he gets 13.  He is thinking of a way he can help these folks.  They usually get the meals brought to them by a nurse, but since they aren't getting paid for it they aren't going to do it anymore beginning May 12.
Do any of you have any ideas?  It would sure help.
Thanks Sonja

"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13

They will be taught, yes? but perhaps in heaven?
I want everyone to get to go to heaven :-[

Of course we all want everyone to go to heaven.  That is especially true if we have learned the awfulness of separation from the love of God - eternal separation in Hell.  

But remember the Psalm that says, "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable."  The entire human race has offended that perfect God (Romans 3:23), and all deserve the separation from His love that must come.  Thank Him that He rescues some.  Thank Him that He rescues any.  None of us deserves eternal life with Him.  

Oh let's pray for every soul while they are living.  But we must love the offended God more than offending man - no matter who he is.  It's certainly true that a nanosecond is more than enough time for God to bring about repentance, but we also must learn to love God so much that we bow before His perfect justice, even when it is hard.

Remember the saying, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, and only what's done for Christ will last?"  We need to add - "and only what's done in THIS life will last."  I'm sorry to have to say it but  Scripture teaches that there's only one place for repentance - here and now.

Thanks Al for that lovely reply to Mieka.

Mieka, it's a solemn thought to face death and the Lord makes it so clear in His holy word that we must be ready to meet Him as either our Saviour or our Judge.

After death is absolutely too late!  

I'm going to put a link in here again to one of Jack's "Walking in the Old Paths" that might help you understand this a little more.

The Lamb of God (http://www.christianphotographers.com/files/walking2.html)

We had a good choir practice tonight.


Janet: I asked the choir members to pray for Beth and explained the situation to them.

We I will check the other forums and say good night. I have been spending too much of my time on the computer again.

God Bless you all
marilyn

Mieka, I thought this little illustration that Papa John put in our practice area might make it a little clearer to you.  You see, sin separates us from God.  Jesus came and gave his sinless life on the cross in our place, to purchace our forgiveness.  The only thing required of us is to accept His sacrifice, and ask Him to come into our hearts, cleanse us of our sin, and be Lord of our lives.  But God isn't only a God of love, he is also a God of justice, and justice demands a penalty for sin--that penalty is death; meaning eternal separation from God.

Now, when we do accept Jesus as our Lord, the cross becomes the bridge across that great gulf, so that we may come into God's presence.  And the wonderful thing is that He also cleanses us from all our filthy sins and unrighteousness, makes us new and clean.  He says "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation."

The sad news is that if a person dies without accepting Jesus, he never gets another chance.  He cannot go to heaven, because no sin is allowed to enter heaven.  No!  God doesn't want ANYONE to go to hell---but He gives us a free will, and we must choose where we want to spend eternity.  God never forces His will on any of us, we must make the choice for ourselves.

This is why we must all be alert at all times, ready to tell others the good news of the gospel.  None of us wants even the person we may like the least to go to hell!  So we need to always walk in love and lead others to Jesus.

Dear Mieka, I hope you understand what I am trying to explain here.  These things may sound harsh, but God is God, and if we reject His Son, then God will reject us, and say "Depart from me, ye worker of iniquity, for I never knew you!"

 :-[ Mr Moak and Ms Pat :'(
I do not want for this to be. :-\
There are SO many who never get to learn of Jesus. :'(
It is not of their fault that they did not get to live here where they can learn of Him. :'(

Oh, Mieka!  You have such a tender heart, which is precious in the sight of God.  But the Bible tells us that if a person looks at the things God has made, all the creation tells us He exists, and that no one has an excuse to say they never heard about God.  But because we do love others and want them to go to heaven is the reason thousands and thousands of missionaries have gone all over the world for hundreds of years to preach to people who otherwise would never hear the Word preached.

It is good you do not want anyone to go to hell.  Now what you must do is take every opportunity to tell others of Jesus' love.  Then you will have the joy of knowing that because you were obedient, other people will also be in heaven for eternity.  

In Luke 16, beginning in verse 19, you can read the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus, who ate crumbs from the rich man's table.  The story clearly illustrates that after death, there are no second chances to accept Jesus, because of the great gulf that is between hell and paradise.  Read from verse 19 to the end of the chapter and you will understand it better.  God bless you, Mieka.

Ms Janet I did not ever know of Jesus until I come to live here. I know of many who did not ever know of Him. How can they accepting Him if they do not even know he is there?
:-[ I am so sad from this.

 :-\
But the Bible tells us that if a person looks at the things God has made, all the creation tells us He exists, and that no one has an excuse to say they never heard about God.

He is "I AM", yes? he is Jahova, yes? and many others...yes?
is he also Ala, is he Buddha?
are they all God? ??? I have a fear to ask this, I hope it is not bad of me. :-[
??? ??? ???

No, my dear Mieka, Budda is not God, nor is Allah.  There is only one true God, the maker of heaven and earth!  And He is a jealous God, who will not share His glory with another!


Mieka, it is sad, that not everyone will go to heaven, but it is true.  Now that you know the truth, you will be faithful to tell others about Jesus.  I know the church in China is growing by millions each year!  They may suffer, be imprisoned, and even killed for their faith in the Lord, but they still preach and tell others, because they know He is the greatest treasure of all eternity.  And it is hard to understand but true, that we grow in the Lord even more in the hard times than in the easy times.

You can also change things by being faithful to pray for those who haven't heard, that the Lord will send laborers to tell them of Jesus and that He died to save them.

Mieka, do you read books?

If you do, a really good book to get your hands on is entitled "Eternity in their Hearts" by Don Richardson.

It's an amazing book which describes what some missionaries found when they went to tribes where no one had been before to tell about the Lord Jesus.

You can get this book at Amazon and here's a link to it...

Eternity in their Hearts (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0830709258/002-3588518-9740065?vi=glance)

This book touches on a bit of what Janet said to you

Quoteall the creation tells us He exists, and that no one has an excuse to say they never heard about God.

Mieka, don't be sad.  Be glad that you've heard about our wonderful Saviour!  And tell everyone you meet about Him.  That's why we mustn't waste any time.  This should be our "full time occupation" now...telling others about Him.  One verse in the Bible says, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel"  and so this should be our desire to do this to tell everyone.

 :( Ms Pat
It's an amazing book which describes what some missionaries found when they went to tribes where no one had been before to tell about the Lord Jesus.

And before they went there to teach them did everyone before not get to go to Heaven?
They all had a God i think, yes? but is it all the same God?
:-\ :-X :-[ :'(

God sent His Son into the world to save sinners.  He would not have sent Him if we did not need Him.  We are absolutely lost without Him.  He alone must become Lord of our previously rebellious lives, and this cannot come about except through repentance and faith during this life.

Ms Pat I will have this book tomorrow ok.
"Eternity in their Hearts" by Don Richardson.

Mieka, I think you will have a happy surprise when you read that book!  And please go back and read my last two messages above, okay?  Thanks, Sweetie!

 :-\ I feel alone now. My most dear friends only know of Buddha.  :-[ will I never get to see them again? it was my hope.

Thank you Ms Pat and Mr Moak and Ms Janet.
:-[ I have a sadness in my heart from this. I have some shame from my words here today, I see I have much to learn still.

I'm coming in late tonight.  The questions our sweet Meika ask are so heartfelt.  I know I've asked the same questions.......and always I've come to the Truth, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He told us that, and is He a liar?   He said also, "No man comes to the Father, but by me".  Why would He say such a narrow thing, if it were not true?  Jesus came because we so needed a Savior.

Meika, my own father......I don't know that he is in heaven.  As Jaywalker said, we don't know what can happen in the instance before a soul leaves their physical body,  but I don't know. I understand your sadness.

 I would love to believe that the whole world will be saved, and in heaven.  It's hard for me to know that some will not be.   But I trust God.   I used to talk to Him a lot about this when I was a new Christian.  I would cry, would get angry, I would feel the sadness...and if you will take your sadness and always stay close to God, then I know that God Himself will speak to you and give you peace.  He gave His own dear Son for us....for you, dear Meika.  If His most precious gift....the life of His son....was not needed for our salvation, then God's gift would be for nothing.

   You are not alone dear Meika.  You are in Christ, and He in God..and in You.  Remember that.....you are never alone.   God will not leave you alone, nor leave you comfortless.  He will hold you and be a Father to you, sweetheart.  Cry all your sadness to Him. He will hold you.  Some things I don't know for sure, but these things I know.  

  You are loved, Meika.  and we are so blessed that you are here.  God be with you and speak deep into your heart.   love, nita

Mieka, don't ever forget that there are a lot of folks in here who love you so much.

I know that I'd just love to somehow get down there to California just to give you a big hug and hold you in my arms.  

But the Lord's arms are there for you too.  And He's so special--more special than any of us are.

Thanks for asking these very difficult questions and also thanks for those who have taken the time to help you as well.

God bless you, Mieka.

Now, it's time for me to go to bed and I'll chat with you tomorrow.  OK?  Do you have a date together??

It's time to lock this door now and we'll open the next thread but please feel free to post in there anyone who is still awake.  

I'm sure that Anthony will have some great words of help pretty soon as he'll be waking soon.

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