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Born Again!

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
(John 3:3)


Born again. Do you know what Jesus had in mind when He said those two words to Nicodemus? He was talking covenant talk. He was telling Nicodemus what it meant to have a covenant with God.

Let me paint the picture I believe was in Jesus' mind. Imagine a baby, a little baby born of an unwed mother. No one knows who its daddy is and no one wants to know. He is a child that nobody wants. He doesn't belong to anyone.

Now, picture the best kind of family you can think of. A family that loves God. The man has a good job. They're blessed financially. They're givers and lovers of people, and they fall in love with this baby. Before long, they adopt it.

What's happened? That baby was reborn. He got a new set of parents. Through adoption, he has now become an heir. Why? Not because of anything the baby has done. Those parents didn't say, "I want you to look at that baby. I'm so impressed with all that child has done for us. He has certainly earned our love and respect."

No, it's a baby. It couldn't have done anything to earn its new life. This man and this woman agreed together out of the love in their hearts and bestowed grace on that child. Now he has access to everything they have. When they offer him a bottle, he doesn't knock the bottle away and say, "I'm so humble and undeserving. Just give me water."

Of course not. That baby acts like part of the family--and not just part of the family but the best part of the family. Because in Jesus' day a covenant or adopted child had the same birthright as the firstborn son.

That's what Jesus was talking about when He said, "You must be born again." He was talking about grace. He was talking about a new relationship of favor. A new family. A new authority. A new power.

If you feel unworthy to receive the rich blessings God has for you today, think about that. Meditate on it, so instead of worrying about and struggling with the needs in your life, you can just walk boldly into the throne room of your Father and receive help to get those needs met.

Discover what it really means to be a blood-bought child of Almighty God with a big brother like Jesus. Discover what it means to be born again!


Scripture Study: John 3:1-8 

Janet I am printing off the devotional, and I will read it thoroughly tomorrow. 

Marilyn That low rumble was with Jake more of a purr, that is if dogs can purr.  Our neighbour has a rotti called Dexter.  He has that low rumbly growl too, especially when he is getting his back scratched.  Dexter has really made up for the loss of Jake.  Some day I will get another rotti, but it will be a coupple of years.

Pat.  About that shelf.  Is AL right that your snoring move things?  I know who an I to talk.  How many nights have john and I kept you awake with our snoring?  Do you need help with the shelf?  I will call you tomorrow.

We are not long home from small group.  We are studying the book of John.  It is so good to have such wonderful fellowship over God's word.

Pat I have been thinking of Judy NcKenna.  Is she well? Are they away?  If you are talking to her Pat tell her I was asking.

It is late and we are tired.

Night all and good morning.
JudyB

Good Morning Everyone!

I'm so happy, Janet, that I'm born again!  Thanks!

Thanks to all of you who visit the "Introduce Yourself" area and post a welcome to our new members.  It's encouraging to them.  Thanks!

Well, it's a lovely day here.  I have a BIG job though trying to figure out my closet!  (The closet is as wide as my bedroom)!

As I was just leaving, I glanced over to the left to read today's verse and it's such a good one!

Dogs (rots or other wise) that bark don't bother me too much.  It's those big dogs that sit and watch you as you walk/ride past.  I'd much rather have a barking dog facing me.  That seems to indicate that it just wants to scare me away.  The silent stalkers mean business . .

Now, my little sister's dog is a big dog in little skin, or at least he thinks he is.  His name is Prince Jag (sort for Jaguar), but in reality it should be Napolean (Kristi calls him BarkBark).  He's a dachshund and barks ALL the freakin' time. 

Gotta go work on some pictures.  Back later!

Good morning everyone! I hope you get your closet situation fixed up Pat! The big do-it-yourself stores here have real lightweight easy to assemble closet orginizer sets. Maybe you should measure the space and check out something like that? If I was there I'd just pop over with some tools and fix you right up!

Good morning:  What a great devotional this morning Janet.

Karma I agree with you on the big silent dogs. I see a lot of dogs on my walks, There are some really sweet Pit Bulls just around the corner they run back and forth along their fence wanting to play. The are from champion stock and have been well trained to be nice dogs. there is that great big Airedale that we met yesterday as she was walking her owner on a leash She is friendly too didn't even bark at us.

I am  going to work at Jan's today I have been praying that she is much better today. She was so weak and drained yesterday when I went there to take her some things she needed. When I called last night to check on her her voice was  very weak and the meds sill had not taken effect.
Got to go fix my breakfast.

TTYL

I got my modem for DSL yesterday.  I read the instructions and worked on it this morning.  I got it installed and was really feeling good until it said I should have 4 lights lit up on the modem.  I had only two.  So I called the Support Tech.  Seems the phone company has to come to my house tomorrow and put in a splitter!  Hope he isn't late because tomorrow is Red Hat Day!  So I am back to slow dial up for today!

The seminar for George Lepp was great.  He talked about Canon and Photo Shop....didn't even mention Sony and Paint Shop Pro....which is what I have and use!     But he gave some very good ideas.  Showed us a lot of panorama photos and explained how to make them with Photo Shop.  How to use different layers with multiple photos.  For instance, a mountain in the back ground with mountains in the foreground.  Take two photos...focus on the background mountain in one and another focusing on the foreground mountain.  Must use a tripod because you want these photos to be identical except the focusing.  Then you put one photo layer over the other and erase!  Voila!  You have a photo with great focus in the foreground as well as in the background! 

But again, my photography is for self-gratification...I am not wanting to be a professional!! 

I have to mow the yard this afternoon and then tonight Ivalou and I are going to a Band Concert.  Her grandson is in the 5th grade and it is their Spring Concert!  I went last fall so I am sure they have improved even though last fall they were great!

yes, our heavenly birth was wholly God's doing, not ours.  We deserved only everlasting wrath, but He gave us everlasting love and grace!  The deservedness is Christ's, but the wondrous blessing is ours! As the hymn writer said,  "How can it be that I should gain and interest in the Savior's Blood?  Would He devote that sacred Head for such a worm as I?"

Wow Etta Sue! What an oppourtunity to learn from George Lepp! It sounds like you had fun. Thank you for posting that tip here too! I'll have to try that!

Al you seemed to be starting to sing.
And Can It Be
that I should gain.......... Pat or Al how about some music!!!

Hey Judy, how about a funny!

"Dear Paul the Apostle: We received your application for service under our missions board. Frankly we're amazed you've been able to pass as a missionary. Here's why: (1) We're told that you're afflicted with eye trouble. We require 20/20 vision. (2) We hear that you have to make tents on the side to support yourself. How come? (3) Is it true that you have a prison record? Think how this would reflect on our organization. (4) It's reported from Ephesus that you made so much trouble for the local business community there, that they refer to you as the man who "turned the world upside down." We deplore sensationalism in ministry. (5) You refer to yourself as "Paul the aged." Our new pension policies don't anticipate a surplus of elderly recipients. (6) Doctor Luke, the physician, reports that you are a frail little man, frequently sick, and always so agitated over your churches that you sleep very poorly. He indicates that you pad around the house praying half the night. Our ideal applicant has a clear mind and a robust body. We believe that a good night's sleep will give you zest and zip so that you will wake up full of zing. So, we regret to inform you, Brother Paul, that in all our experience we've never met a candidate so opposite to the requirements of our board. If we should accept you, we would be breaking every principle of current missionary practice. Signed, Most surely, J. Flavius Fluffyhead, Secretary, Foreign Missions Board."

Hi Pat and Everyone:

I'm at work and sneaking a post.   I went to a new doctor today.  She's a medical doctor that believes in natural remedies.  I hope she's not new age.   Some of the literature might indicate it.   We will see.

Hope you're all well.    God Bless

Love Ruthie

P.S.   Will vote later

Hello folks!

Well, I've been trying to work away at my closet but making not much headway!    So I went off to Canadian Tire and bought a round table like Ruthie has for my deck!  It will be delivered before the weekend.

I wonder where all of you are?

Have you had a nice day?

I have been cleaning the office/living room vacuuming the couch and washing the quilt I keep on it for the dogs to lay on. I was going to do the bedrom too, but I am tired now and need to relax awhile, I will do the bedroom tomorrow aftrnoon after I get home.

Jane is feeling much beter she had some real food today.  instead of broth and jello.

TTYL

Hey Y'all, here's a link to a new photo:

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7343/615/1600/Living%20room.0.jpg

I couldn't put it here 'cause it's too wide!  I used my "Stitching" program to put 12 shots of my living room together. Just thought i would share!

Nice living room, Ritz.  Do you play the guitar?

Ritz - the first time I saw that one about Paul's application to the missionary board it was addressed in a way that amused me a lot.  It was addressed to "The Reverend Saul Paul."  I love that whole thing, except that there might just be too much truth in it - sometimes missions boards are really like that.

There have been some really nice photos uploaded lately.  Take a look before hitting the hay!

OUR GALLERY 

In His Grip,
Kevin

Nice work on stitching those photos together Ritz.
I have been over in the gallery checking out Jims photos. There are some great photos that have been uploaded of the Pacific Northwest.

TTYL

Hi everyone.  Pat and I went with our senior's group from our town to the Georgia Acquarium, which is the world's largest acquarium.  It is truly magnificent.  I was worried about the crowds but they handle the people very well as the areas are large and the viewing areas are spectacular.  I have never seen so many fish in my life.  We had two buses come to take us but the second bus had mechanical failure so the first load went down (which we were on) and then it came back and got the second group.  We left around 9 am and got back about 2:30.  I took a lot of photos and I hope they will turn our well.  Quite frankly I am so tired tonight, even after taking a nap when I got home, that I am just going to say goodnight and get a good nights sleep.  See everyone tomorrow.

Hi, friends, it was a quiet day at work, so I enjoyed reading as a guest while on the job. Never fear, the deadlines will be tight again, so this is just the calm before the storm. 

I visited the ear doctor today, who reminded me to keep water out of the ear, but otherwise, unless a problem develops, I'm not to see him for 9 months to a year.

For that I'm very grateful. Now - to see the dentist early tomorrow morning!

Ruth Ann

Pat I just got in and I read your post that you bought a round table....... How does that "fix" your closet problem?

I have read all the posts.  Looks liker eveeryone had an enjoyable day. 

I have a lot to get accomplished, so I am off for now.

God Bless
Judyl

Quote from: JudyB on May 09, 2006, 09:00:37 PM
Pat I just got in and I read your post that you bought a round table....... How does that "fix" your closet problem?

It doesn't

It gave me a change of mood!

Ruth Ann!
It's soooooooo good to see you.  I've been so concerned wondering where you were.  Or maybe I just missed you.

We'll have to have another chat soon.

Luvya




Larry

I'm so sorry that you are so tired.  Please try to get rested and do nothing till you feel better!   

Hi, I am back from the Band Concert.  But my g-nephew informed me it was 6th graders, not 5th graders.  I remember last fall that they would play a half a dozen notes and that was a song.  This evening was very entertaining and I recognized all the songs.  The kids really liked playing 'Star Wars'.  You could tell they practiced a lot and it was very good.  This was the first year they had Band every day of school and you could tell it was worth it.  The kids were so well behaved also....and so proud.

I got caught up with my TV programs.  Then searched one more time for a DC cord for my GPS in my car.  I have a windshield mount that has the cord but I am looking for what I used before I got the windshield mount.  Can't find it anywhere!!

My computility room looks a mess because I have it tore up when I was installing the DSL...then had to stop for the phone man.  I am assuming he needs to get to the jack so I left everything in the middle of the floor.  But the fur effect that I had behind the computer desk is no longer there!!  (Car fur!)

Time for beddy-bye!!  G'night!

We are just in from an exhausting day in Amarillo.  MORE bad news.  Can't Beth ever get any GOOD news?  I have to take her back to Amarillo and check her into the hospital for extensive tests on Monday; they said probably for a week, or at least several days.

I will tell you more about it tomorrow.  Right now, I'm headed to bed, with a prayer that I will actually be able to sleep a whole night for a change.

Hello folks,

Please forgive...

But I'm going to just change the date to tomorrow along with Janet's NEM as I've been on the phone tonight with Katie Sturtz' son and the news (for those of you on SeniorNet) isn't good and I can't think of doing the devotional for New Every Morning tonight.

I'm sorry. 

I was planning on going up to Traverse City, Michigan with my daughter to see her one more time to witness to her but I guess it's too late.

I'll chat with you tomorrow.

Love

Pat

Pat, at times like these, we can pray that seeds you have sown grew when you didn't know it.

Janet -- I'm so sorry about Beth.  I am praying that you ahve a restful night tonight.