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Link of the day...[/font]

• Seven Steps to Reading the Bible Great helps!

• MyFaith.com Lots of good information here.

• Creation Moment Listen to the Creation Moment every day for a new creation moment!  We can learn a lot from these! Terrific if you are home schooling.

Verse for Today...[/font]

"The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him." [/color]
~Proverbs 23:24 NIV~[/list]


Quote of the Day...[/font]

If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot..
~John Bunyan~[/list]



Some News We Should Know About...

• Maine Pro-Family Group Fights Spread of Legalized Gambling A signature-gathering effort is underway in Maine in order to get on the ballot a referendum designed to repeal a law that permits slot machines at a Bangor racing track.

• Photo Moment: Giant 49-Foot, 900-Pound Python Snake Captured [/b]

From our forums...

• Thailand Photos~Vol. 8[/b] We've all been enjoying Janet's wonderful photo journals of her recent trip to Thailand.
  
  
  
  Check out our January Challenge
  R E F L E C T I O N S
  
  
  (Click to go right to our challenge!)
  
  
  
  Something to talk about...[/font]
  
  If someone says to you, "But I don't believe the Bible is true."
  
  How can you prove to them that the Bible is true and it is God's Word?  It would be good to back up your answer with scripture.
  
  This will be a good discussion!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Morning Devotional...
  
  
  For it became Him. . . in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
  Hebrews 2:10
  
  It is impossible to perfect One who is already perfect.
  
  Obviously this is not referring to the flawless nature of the Son of Man. To complete and prove this perfection He had to obey the will of His Father, including His going to Calvary.
  
  When He said, "It is finished," His mission was accomplished to the satisfaction of His Father. It was then that the Captain of our salvation was made "perfect through suffering."
  
  Let us worship this Perfect One today!
  --M. Haack
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I SAW ONE HANGING ON A TREE
  (Click to hear music)
   
  
  The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
  and to give His life as a ransom for many.
  Mark 10:45
  
  
  Words:  ohn Newton (1725-1807)
  Music: Ed­win O. Ex­cell, 1917    
  
  
  
  
  I saw One hanging on a tree,
  In agony and blood,
  Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
  As near His cross I stood.
  
  
  Refrain
  O, can it be, upon a tree,
  The Savior died for me?
  My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,
  To think He died for me!
  
  
  Sure, never to my latest breath,
  Can I forget that look;
  It seemed to charge me with His death,
  Though not a word He spoke.
  
  
  Refrain
  
  
  My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
  And plunged me in despair,
  I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
  And helped to nail Him there.
  
  
  Refrain
  
  
  A second look He gave, which said,
  “I freely all forgive;
  This blood is for thy ransom paid;
  I die that thou mayst live.”
  
  
  Refrain
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

How can I "prove" to someone that the Bible is true?  If they don't believe the Bible in the first place, using the Bible really doesn't do anything for them -- they don't believe it.  (karma is going to come back sometime Sunday and put a scripture here that describes people who live in darkness cannot look at the light and that those that are in darkness do not understand the things of God, but she has to find them first.)  I believe these situations have to be prayed about alot and the Holy Spirit has to be directly working on the person for their heart to be softened enough to hear the gospel.  If they are truly searching (and not just arguing like most people who give this argument to me), there are historical documents (Josephus) that are non-Christian (he is actually Jewish) that support the validity of the Bible.  There is also history itself that supports the historical accuracy of the books of the Bible.  Beyond the intellectual level, I think only the Holy Spirit can convince someone who doesn't believe the Bible to be true that it is the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

Before Josh McDowell was saved, he was a pre-law or law student, I believe, who set out to "prove," (in a legal sense, not a scientific sense) that the Bible could not be true and that Jesus could not have been who he said he was.  By the time he finished, there were two volumes, Evidence that Demands a Verdict I and II.  Ironically, though, they didn't disprove the Bible.  When faced with an objective study, McDowell realized that the Bible was true adn Jesus was who He said he was -- the evidence was far too compelling to be discounted.  It has since been revised into one book, that is a bit easier for us non-lawyer types to read. :-)

That is the opinion according to Karma

It is 11 P.M. here on the still cold and frozen island.  We had more snow today.  I can't believe this is B.C.

Interesting post, Karmat.  Unfortunately, many scholars argue about the unreliability of what Josephus wrote.  That seems to be the norm for most everything......Either people are really seeking truth or merely seeking to disagree.  All we can do is our best for the Lord and not fall into the trap of anger.  Proverbs 4:19    'The way of the wicked is like darkness.  They do not know over what they stumble'.

I brought Misty (cat) inside from the garage for a cuddle and visit.  Try to do this each evening in order to tame her wild nature.  Discovered that she loves TV.  Especially enjoyed Andre Bocelli in a concert at the Pyramids.  Now that is a voice to cause a cat's heart to Zing!  (the container is not bad either)

Papa John, I am so sorry for your loss.  Janet's post expressed the feelings of all of us.  I will pray for your family.

Etta Sue, you may not want another cat but another cat wants you!  

Time to go.  Goodness, even Squeek (indoor cat) is restless tonight.  She has come downstairs, demanding my attention. 

Pleasant dreams all and God Bless.

Liz

you can never prove anything to someone who is  unwilling to accept what you offer as proof. There are people in this world who refuse to believe that the Holocaust happened or that Man really walked on the moon, and those are much easier to prove then the validity of the Bible or the existence of God.

Here's the latest on Shawnee:

Hi Everyone!
I talked to Shawnee and Jason shortly after 3 am their time and ITS A GIRL I don't have any details yet as they were just checking everything out on the baby. I will let you know as soon as I hear something..Please continue to lift her up...
Hugs
Rachelle

Pat thank you so much for returning to posting the links in the opening post  of New Every Morning. I have missed those. The photos are are fantastic. That snake is huge. How would you like to find that in your house, especially if it was hungry and your cat or dog was missing.

In 1 Timothy 6: Paul is writing to timothy telling him to avoid false teachers in verse 20 he says " Timothy, guard what God  has trusted to you. stay away from foolish, useless talk, and from arguments of what is called "knowledge". 21.  By saying that they have that "knowledge" some have missed the true faith."

I know we aren't talking about false teachers here, I do agree with both Liz and Karma. You can't change what someone else believes unless they are searching for something better than what they already think, they know. They will continue to argue a point that is really pointless. They will even twist the scriptures and try to prove they are not true. I would give that person Josh McDowells book Evidence

In the opinion of Marilyn a person has to be ready and willing to have a change of heart before any of it will make sencse the that person. It's sort of like trying to tell a drug addict that life is better without drugs. If the person isn't tired of the life the drugs have them living they will not even seek the help needed to quit.  I speak from personal experience here.  About the drugs that is.

TTYL

Thanks, Pat, for "Seven Steps To Reading The Bible."  Some of you might be interested, too, in a new book that's out.  It's "What's In The Bible?"  It's by R. C. Sproul and Robert Wolgemuth, and it's about the best introduction to the Bible I've ever seen.  It's very, very easy to read, and, having read it, you'll end up knowing more about the Bible than you ever dreamed possible!  It'll make it possible for you to understand the Bible as never before!

Hi everyone.

PapaJohn, I join with the others in sending my condolences to you, Cornelia and all of your family in the loss of your sister.  Know that must have been a terrible shock. 

We are leaving for church in a few minutes.  This is the second Sunday for our new pastor.  Following the service we have a congregational meeting (in fact there is one before the service as well to elect a new elder to replace someone).  So it will be a long morning. 

It is sunny and bright here this morning and above freezing.

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Our New Pastor, Danny Formhal starts today. I am looking forward to the new things he has  a vision for  in our church. He has not finished moving up here yet, some from our church have gone down to drive the second truck today. Some of the women have been helping Sister Michelle to unpack and will be going back to help more on Wednesday.

TTYL

January 16   

Personal Life: Alone With God

And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His
disciples. 
--John 6:3

Just prior to this miraculous multiplying of the bread and fish, Jesus
"went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples"(6:3). That
fact is noteworthy. It seems plain that Jesus withdrew purposely from
the great press of people who had been pursuing Him.

There are some things that you and I will never learn when others are
present. I believe in church and I love the fellowship of the
assembly. There is much we can learn when we come together on Sundays
and sit among the saints. But there are certain things that you and I
will never learn in the presence of other people.

Unquestionably, part of our failure today is religious activity that
is not preceded by aloneness, by inactivity. I mean getting alone
with God and waiting in silence and quietness until we are charged
with God's Spirit. Then, when we act, our activity really amounts to
something because we have been prepared by God for it....

Now, in the case of our Lord, the people came to Him, John reports,
and He was ready for them. He had been quiet and silent. He had sat
alone with His disciples and meditated. Looking upward, He waited
until the whole hiatus of divine life moved down from the throne of
God into His own soul. He was a violin tuned. He was a battery
recharged. He was poised and prepared for the people when they came. 
Faith Beyond Reason, 130,133.
   
"Lord, I'll spend a lot of time in the company of people today, but
just now I come in quietness and silence to wait for You to fill
me. Amen."

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Papa John, you have our deepest sympathy, may God console you both.

Friends, I don't think we can convince anyone of the validity of the Bible, but when the Holy Spirit prepares the ground, then the Word itself convicts and convinces, we don't know who has been prepared, so we preach to all who are willing to hear!

SMOKEYTHEDOG!!

gottruth

GOD CREATED about sums it all up.  Everything is created by God.  But I agree....a non-believer will not listen to a believer unless he wants to listen.  It would be easier to prove why a non-believer doesn't believe.

Papa John ~ I gasped when I read your post.  I couldn't believe it.  But what a way to go.  God in your heart and you are sound asleep.  Take comfort that she was in no pain and what a glorious home-going Genevieve had.  God bless you and Cornelia.

What a day so far.  I caught Jerry online before leaving for church and told him I was leaving soon.  My garage is detached from the house but I opened the garage door with the remote.  But when I got outside, the garage door was still shut.  I tried the remote on the outside of the little door and the garage door was froze to the ground.  I tried to unlock the little door and the lock was frozen...couldn't get the key in the lock.  So I went to the garage door and kicked the bottom.  Still wouldn't open.  I kicked some more....it opened.  Did I mention we had/have snow everywhere?  Did I mention that Stray Cat was climbing up my coat while I was trying to do all of this?  Anyway, Stray Cat went back to the deck and I left for church.  25 miles of snow covered slick roads but we made it.  On the way back the roads were all cleared except for a few places where the wind has blown the snow back on the roads.  But I am home now for the duration. 

Oh, yes!  Stray Cat met me in the garage.  I had to be a quick change artist to get him out and shut the door and then repeated it when I got to the house except I wanted in the house and wanted him to stay out.  But I did put some food out for Stray Cat.  I do think Stray Cat is here but not a house cat!!!!!!

I wonder if Stray Cat would take care of my mole problem?  Hmmmmmm?

Sorry, Etta Sue, but it seems you have been adopted.   

It is still cold here, too, and the wind is making it even more bitter.  Beth wanted to go to church, so we took her, then brought her here for lunch.  Now she is back in her place, and on her computer.

Our new pastor will be here four weeks from today.  I can hardly wait!!  Being without a pastor is really hard on a church.  We have had some good fill-in speakers, but need our own pastor!  There is a vision-sharing and planning meeting tonight, along with a spaghetti supper.

I am really sleepy for some reason, so I may give in and take a little nap.

A big WELCOME TO SMOKEYTHEDOG AND GOTTRUTH to CP.[/b]

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It snowed most of last night and is now raining.  At last the snow will start to melt!

Etta Sue, your stray cat needs a name.  How about 'Scat'.  A name like that can serve two purposes...

I took some pictures of some of my daughter's collection of Teddy Bears to show TBear.  Of course others are welcome to look:








The skating bears are a cushion in the bedroom with all the bears.  Lots are in the closet waiting for a cabinet to show their stuff!

God Bless.
Liz

Shawnee's new baby girls needs prayer here is the latest from rachelle.

Hi,
Thank You-I will let her know-baby still needs lots of prayer as she had a hard time breathing on her own and also has a little infection-Its been a very difficult time for Shawnee and Jason and baby..Please continue to lift them up.
Thanks
Rachelle

I had a wonderful day today at church.  Charles Price (our Pastor) is preaching from Exodus 20.  The 10 commandments.  He was saying how we can keep the ten commandments, or the law, because we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. 

The weather is very cold.   But after all this is winter.

God bless

Love Ruthie

Hi Pat, I was reading the posts and the topic how to answer someone who doesn't think the Bible is true.   I will answer tomorrow.   I have some great answers.   This is one of the problems we address in Level 3 of Evangelism Explosion.  See you tomorrow right here!

Love Ruthie

Now, it's time to lock the door.

New Every Morning~Lord's Day January 16

Night everyone!