We cannot change the past, but we can do something about our future. God is saying, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing anew thing!”

So many people are caught up in the past; they let the past hold them prisoner, so much so that they find it hard to move on from it.  Other people become stagnate, not wanting to go forward, they are happy in their “comfort zone”.  

I can remember watching a nature programme, about the hippopotamus. They would stay in the same lake, until it dried up, and all it did was live in the past memories of a lake of water. Some even died where they stood, not wanting to go forward, because they wanted to live in the past, where it had always been comfortable for them. 

I know of some people who live in past blessings, talking about what God used to do, and what it was like years ago. God is a God of the “now”, today His blessing are for us to enjoy and live in. Each and everyday we should reach out to God for a new blessing, a new in soaking of His Holy Spirit, to be filled daily, with something new in God. 

The Apostle Paul says this in Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV), “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”. 

My friend, let these words from God minister to your heart and soul today, Isaiah 43: 18 to 19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”  Let God open up unto you a whole new beginning where you can step forward; away from the failings, away from the broken dreams, away from the sadness and disappointments of yesterday. Let Him fill you with a new hope!  

Isaiah 43: 18 to 19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” He will make a way in the desert, He will make streams flows in the wasteland and bring new fruitfulness into your life. He can make all things new! 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

The tablet of this story contains what appears to be a sort of Judaic sect's apocalyptic gospel, ostensibly transmitted to man by the angel Gabriel. That in itself is not so controversial, since such literature was well known in the era. What's stunning is that some scholars have made what seems to be a decent case that the text proves the pre-Christian existence of a cultural motif of the suffering messiah: one who, no less, is killed and then perhaps even comes to live again three days later. If this is so, it means that this idea was not, as most scholars believed, original or unique to Christianity, but was in fact a known cultural theme that predates the life and ministry of both Jesus portrayed in Gospel texts as well as any historical Jesus.

As with all such finds (such as the famous Ossuary of James, now widely believed to contain partial fraud), a significant amount of skepticism is warranted. But for many reasons, including the length of time the tablet has been around in scholarly hands, it seems like few doubt the legitimacy of the stone and its text, at least insofar as their dated origin. The debate instead revolves around what precisely that text says (much is illegible or missing) and what that means for the cultural and religious beliefs of the time.

“Some Christians will find it shocking — a challenge to the uniqueness of their theology — while others will be comforted by the idea of it being a traditional part of Judaism,” Mr. Boyarin said.

On the face of it, the use of past events to flesh out the Christian story is not exactly unprecedented: many of the Gospels and other early Christian writings seemed concerned with showing that their religion echoes, and thus is legitimately rooted in, Jewish scripture and history (i.e. the idea that Jesus was in some respects analogous to the lamb of Passover). This could simply be one more example, and whether or not this demonstrates post-hoc justification and embellishment or prophetic harmony is a matter of subjective opinion.

However, while some believers may indeed decide that the tablet is actually just another prophecy predicting the life story of Jesus, that line of argument is complicated by the fact that the story of the tablet seems to concern very different events and characters (and if it is a real prediction, then the Bible seems to be missing a rather amazing and key text!)

And the idea that the Christian idea of martyrdom was so culturally "out-of-the-blue" that it just has to be true (i.e. true because it's too absurd and out of the mainstream for the Gospel writers to have dreamed up) is still decisively undermined. To be sure, atheist critics of such apologetics have dealt with these sorts of arguments quite convincingly in any case. But if the translations and interpretations of the tablet pan out, it will be yet another case in which the comfortably certain claims of evangelists are later overtaken by real history, which seems to have no particular inclination to validate such apologetic assertions after the fact.

Will this turn out to be another James Ossuary scandal, where over-competitive scholarship drove breathless conclusions and media stories far beyond what skeptical scholarship should have allowed? Or will this find ultimately alter our understanding of the pre-Christian world and the context in which Christianity took hold?

You were expecting me to have any clue? Nope. We'll have to wait and see!

When I was a child, I can remember one day falling on the ground and bruising my knee. I went running to my father, who picked me up in his arms and held me close. He whispered these word to me, "Everything is going to be alright, you’re safe in my arms”. 

When we fall, or just need that little word of comfort from God, we run to Him, and he lifts us up in His arms and whispers those words to us, "Everything is going to be alright, you’re safe in my arms”. 

Deuteronomy 33:27(NIV), “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms”.  This verse in the Bible is so descriptive, to the point that you can imagine God holding you up with His everlasting arms, those arms of God that never lose their power, nor waver. His arms are mighty to save. Also, as the Bible says in Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV), “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you”.  Also in Acts 4:30, the disciples prayed, “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus”.

In His arms, we are safe. Jesus said, in John 10:28 (NIV), “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand”. In those loving arms of God, we find shelter, safety, and security. His arms are mighty, His arms are powerful, and His arms are gentle. In His arms, we find compassion. His arms surround us and keep us warm, His arms are beneath us holding us up all day long.

Just as a child goes to their father, for comfort and strength, so we go to our heavenly ABBA Father for comfort and strength. We lean on His arms, and feel His loving embrace. Psalm 112:7, Amplified Bible (AMP), “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord”; leaning on His everlasting arms.

My friend, today learn to lean on the everlasting arms of God, where you will find His compassion, His protection, His mercy. Where you will find His mighty arms are powerful to save and heal. When we fall low in our spirits, and we turn to God, we will find that “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms”. He is our support at all times. When we do feel low, we will find the everlasting arms of God there to uphold us. His everlasting arms are there to wonderfully sustain us in our time of need. 

The old gospel song says these words:

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms,

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms,

Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms

Leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

There is a “desert of sin” that people will wander through, for some it’s a wilderness, a barren spiritual highway. But here is a call from God, he is saying, “Prepare the way, make room in you heart for Jesus”.  

The Bible says, of John the Baptist, in Luke 1:76 to 79 (NIV), "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." 

John preached a message from the Lord; it was one of repentance, “prepare to meet Jesus”. Now His message takes on a new meaning one chapter later, Luke 3:3 to 6 (NIV), “He went into all the country around the Jordan , preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation”’.”  In other words, nothing should stop all mankind from looking towards Jesus, for them to prepare the way for Jesus to enter in to their hearts. Every path is cleared; the doors are wide open, the path to Jesus, the highway to the Lord, is clear for the “whosoever” to enter in. 

My friend, He will turn your barrenness into fruitfulness. He will turn your desert into an oasis. He will cause every valley to be filled in, and every mountain and hill to be made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, and the rough ways smooth, and all mankind will see God's salvation. Can you hear that voice calling out to you today, "Prepare the way for Lord”? The gates are now open, the message is now being preached, it’s a message that demands a response. Will you prepare your heart in repentance, and make way for Jesus to come into your life? 

Make way, make way for Christ the King, in splendour arrives, fling wide the gates, and welcome Him into your lives. 

 God bless you my friend, Matthew.

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What an amazing story! The Bible tells us that Jesus came to give recovery of sight to the blind. Let me set the scene, Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem , He would never pass this way again. As the crowds followed Jesus, sitting on the roadside was this man Bartimaeus, who was blind. When he heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, he lifted his voice and shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" It is interesting to note, that Bartimaeus recognised and addressed our Lord as the Son of David. It was ironical that while the nation of Israel was blind to the presence of the “Messiah”, a blind Jew had true spiritual sight! Many rebuked him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him”. So someone said to Bartimaeus, "Cheer up! On your feet He is calling you!" 

Now notice what happens next. Throwing his cloak aside, Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.  He threw aside, “his cloak”. This cloak identified him as being a beggar and being blind. He threw it aside and jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. Right away he no longer wanted to live the way that he had lived, but rather, he wanted to change. Jesus healed him, and he received his sight, and followed Jesus along the road. 

My friend, there comes a time in everyone’s life when Jesus comes across our path in such a real way. Will we throw aside our old way of life? Will we throw off the cloaks that identify us with our old way of living? Will we throw way our cloaks of sinfulness and jump to our feet to be clothed in Christ Jesus and a new way of life, and follow Him?  

Jesus calls each of us by name. He will stop where you are, where you are sitting today, by the roadside of life, but you have a choice to make. Will you let the crowds discourage you from reaching out to Jesus, to calling out to the Son of David for a miracle in your life? If you want anything from Jesus, you have to ask Him. As you call out to Jesus today for that miracle in your life, don’t let what other people think, put you off from pressing in and receiving something from the Lord. 

Bartimaeus had to stand up and take a step towards Jesus in full view of everyone. It takes faith to stand up and go forward to receive something from God. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 (KJV), “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”. 

Just as Jesus healed Bartimaeus, so that not only could he see, but he could start a new life. So also, Jesus will stop by you at the roadside of life, as you call out to Him, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." As you do, hear these words to encourage your heart, "Cheer up! On your feet He is calling you!" Your miracle is only a few steps way, all you have to do is reach out to Jesus in faith, for he is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is the same healing, delivering, saving, life changing and miracle working Jesus today, as in the days of Bartimaeus. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

How amazing it is, Father, that your tender and fearless Son came back to You to prepare for us. He stands in Your doorway, while you are on the couch of Creation, waiting for the Holy Spirit to walk us into your very living room. How deep that love must be.

You are God, anxious to wrap your arms around everything we are, challenging us to look deeply and directly into your eyes until we know that you see every bit of everything we are, and you’re not going to let go, and you’re not going to look away.

In this season of Easter, plant that knowledge in us, Father. Strengthen us to live out our identities as your Easter people.

Sometimes, like the disciples and the women who came to the tomb to finish the burial anointing, we struggle to wrap our minds around the magnitude of a risen, death-conquering Christ. We believe, but we need help to reach beyond our own understanding to put our hands and our feet into motion and seek you where your glory dwells, where we are invited to stand because of Jesus’ love.

Water us with your grace, Lord. Encourage us to look at the places we most need your mercy, and work with us to come into closer relationship with you.

This morning we ask prayer for our nation, our soldiers, our children, ourselves in the frenzy of a busy culture, and we pray specifically for those in the hospital and for those resting at home.

We ask your blessing, that you would enliven your word in us today, that our hearts, minds, and ears would be prepared to hear. Amen.

How amazing it is, Father, that your tender and fearless Son came back to You to prepare for us. He stands in Your doorway, while you are on the couch of Creation, waiting for the Holy Spirit to walk us into your very living room. How deep that love must be.

You are God, anxious to wrap your arms around everything we are, challenging us to look deeply and directly into your eyes until we know that you see every bit of everything we are, and you’re not going to let go, and you’re not going to look away.

In this season of Easter, plant that knowledge in us, Father. Strengthen us to live out our identities as your Easter people.

Sometimes, like the disciples and the women who came to the tomb to finish the burial anointing, we struggle to wrap our minds around the magnitude of a risen, death-conquering Christ. We believe, but we need help to reach beyond our own understanding to put our hands and our feet into motion and seek you where your glory dwells, where we are invited to stand because of Jesus’ love.

Water us with your grace, Lord. Encourage us to look at the places we most need your mercy, and work with us to come into closer relationship with you.

This morning we ask prayer for our nation, our soldiers, our children, ourselves in the frenzy of a busy culture, and we pray specifically for those in the hospital and for those resting at home.

We ask your blessing, that you would enliven your word in us today, that our hearts, minds, and ears would be prepared to hear. Amen.

Anyway, inspired by Ali, I decided to scrapbook while on the trip. I'll talk about the experience when I get back or if I can blog while on the trip. Gotta go, leaving in a few hours. :-)

Have a great 4th of July celebration y'all!

This story in the book of Mark paints a beautiful picture of servant-hood. This lesson on servant-hood comes on the back of the disciples going to preach, and seeing the power of God confirming His word, as they anointed the sick with oil. Those who were anointed were marvelously healed, delivered, and set free, by the power of God.

But here is the humility of His followers, they gave what they had to feed the hungry and they served the people. 

Jesus looked up to heaven then gave thanks for the offering of the fish and loaves. He then broke them up and gave them to His disciples to serve among the people; so few disciples feeding so many.  Is that not the case today? When God wants to feed the hungry soul with His manna from heaven, where are the workers to serve? Jesus looked up the heaven and gave thanks, not only for the fish and the loaves, but to God for what was about too happen.  From five loaves and two fish, Jesus fed a hungry crowd of not only five thousand men, but on top of that, all the women and children. Jesus, through the power of God, did the miracles, and the disciples served.  

The disciples not only served the crowd, but when everyone of one of them were satisfied, the disciples picked up the twelve basketfuls that were left over. Not only did they give to the Lord what they had to feed the hungry, but God blessed them with so much more in reply. Not one disciple complained, but they served the people with joy in the Lord. Obedience brings blessing, and serving brings joy. 

My friend, we are called to serve God and each other. We are called to serve those who are hungry in their soul for the manna from Heaven, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. True discipleship is to serve God with everything that you have, to help those in the ministry, and to do what you can to serve, so that the hungry are fed. If that means, feeding the poor, or serving those in need, or simply putting our faith in action by picking up something and doing something for God, then let us adopt this verse as not only our statement of faith, but as an attitude unto the Lord. Ephesians 6:7, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord”. 

Unfortunately the work of the Lord is hindered so many times because, as the Bible says in Matthew 9:37 (Amplified Bible), “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the labourers are few”. When we give ourselves to serving the Lord, let us do so in whatever area He has called us to, with joy. As we serve in His harvest field, feeding the hungry souls with His bread from heaven, Jesus will give us a miracle harvest. He will cause the “baskets” of our churches to over flow with His blessing as we learn to serve as the disciples did. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

For example, if you type about:robots in Firefox v3.0 you will get a special message. Also check out what about:mozilla and about kitchensink do. Although the latter is not technically an easter egg, it's worth checking out.

Google are themselves masters at easter eggs & hoaxes. PCWorld.com survey some of their better attempts.

The early believers had met together to pray, and the Bible says that they were in one accord. Acts 1:14 (NIV), “”They all joined together (in one accord) constantly together in prayer. Just as the clouds bring the rain, so prayer brings the blessing. As they prayed, God spoke to them. The Bible says in Acts 2:2, "There came a sound from heaven”. Heaven is not silent when we pray; God loves to speak to us when we pray.  

If I had a dog whistle, and blew it, not many humans will hear it, for it is on a different frequency. When we a tune our ears to the frequency of heaven, we hear things that not many humans hear, because when we pray to God, our spiritual ears are attuned to His voice. But there are times when, as we pray, God opens up heaven, and everyone who is near us hears the sound that comes from heaven.  

Listen to what the Bible says happened when Jesus prayed to God in John 12:28(KJV), “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again”. 

When we pray God listens, and He speaks to us. The Bible also records what happened in Acts 4:31(NIV),  “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly”. Then again in Acts 16:25 to 26, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed”. 

When King David cried out to God in prayer for help in 2 Samuel 5:24, God said to him, "And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then bestir yourselves, for then has the Lord gone out before you." A sound sent from heaven by a rushing wind. Also, when Elijah went up on the mountaintop praying to the Lord, God opened the heavens and spoke to him in the still small voice (1 Kings 19:11 to 12). 

My friend, when you pray, God sends a sound from heaven, either straight to your heart as an individual, or a sound in the mulberry trees, or a mighty wind, or even in the still small voice. No matter how God chooses to do so, He will open the heavens and speak to you as you pray. As we devote ourselves to prayer, and as we gather in one accord to seek the face and will of God, He will break open heaven with a “SUDDENLY” moment, and pour out such a blessing, that it will bring His power that breaks every chain and sets the oppressed free. 

Today, as you pray to the Lord, may God open up heaven as you pray, and may His power fill your life.  May you experience that same move of God as the early believers did when they prayed to God, in Acts 2:2 (KJV),  “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting”.  

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

O God, why are you silent? I cannot hear your voice;
the proud and strong and violent all claim you and rejoice;
you promised you would hold me with tenderness and care.
Draw near, O Love, enfold me, and ease this pain I bear.

(Here are the missing interior verses, supplied from ELW:)

My hope lies bruised and battered,
my wounded heartis torn;
my spirit spent and shattered
by life's relentless storm;
will you not bend to hear me,
my cries from deep within?
Have you no word to cheer me
when night is closing in?

Through endless nights of weeping,
through weary days of grief,
my heart is in your keeping,
my comfort, my relief.
Come, share my tears and sadness,
come, suffer in my pain,
oh, bring me home to gladness,
restore my hope again.

May pain draw forth compassion, let wisdom rise from loss;
oh, take my heart and fashion the image of your cross;
then may I know your healing, through healing that I share,
your grace and love revealing, your tenderness and care.

The text is ©2003 by GIA. I agree with "Lutheran Huckster" that the outer verses stand well on their own.

Another thing this leads me to is the following two versions of O Sacred Head, from the African American Heritage Hymnal (which sets the first to a recent tune, REDDING, by David Hurd, © 1983 GIA, and the second to PASSION CHORALE):

O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded
vv. 1-3, 5 tr. Robert S. Bridges, v. 4 tr. James W. Alexander

O sacred head, sore wounded, defiled and put to scorn;
O kingly head, surrounded with mocking crown of thorn;
What sorrow mars thy grandeur? Can death thy bloom deflower?
O countenance whose splendor the hosts of heaven adore!

Thy beauty, long desirèd, hath vanished from our sight;
Thy power is all expirèd, and quenched the Light of light.
Ah me! for whom thou diest, hide not so far thy grace:
Show me, O Love most highest, the brightness of thy face.

In thy most bitter passion my heart to share doth cry,
with thee for my salvation upon the cross to die.
Ah, keep my heart thus movèd to stand thy cross beneath,
to mourn thee, well-belovèd, yet thank thee for thy death.

What language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow, thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever! And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for thee.

My days are few, O fail not, with thine immortal power,
to hold me that I quail not in death's most fearful hour:
That I may fight befriended, and see in my last strife
to me thine arms extended upon the cross of life.

O Sacred Head Surrounded
tr. Henry Baker, pronouns presumably modernized

O Sacred Head surrounded by crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding Head, so wounded, reviled and put to scorn!
The power of death comes o'er thee, the glow of life decays,
yet angel hosts adore thee, and tremble as they gaze.

I see thy strength and vigor all fading in the strife,
and death with cruel rigor, bereaving thee of life;
O agony and dying! O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying, O turn thy face on me.

In this, thy bitter passion, Good Shepherd, think of me
with thy most sweet compassion, unworthy though I be:
Beneath thy cross abiding forever I would rest,
in thy dear love confiding, and with thy presence blest.

Both versions (as well as the one at field stone cottage, which I take to be the full Alexander translation) are based on the Latin hymn, incipit Salve caput cruentatum, attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th century, as rendered into German as O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden (10 verses here) by Paul Gerhardt in the 17th century... A thoroughly powerful hymn in any version; I remember singing it on a couple of occasions at the Tenebrae service at St. Paul's (now COTA) back in the '90s...

He sent them out two by two. Now there is wisdom in what the Lord did, for so many people want to be 'The Lone Ranger' in the ministry. But, the Lone Ranger belongs to the comic books. What many people tend to forget is that the Lone Ranger had a friend, who helped him out of many a tricky situation. His name was Tonto. In the words of an old song, “Everybody needs somebody sometime”. 

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary was a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer. On 29 May 1953 at the age of 33, he and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary could never have done it on his own. Tenzing helped him every step of the way, and together they reached the top. 

The great revivalist Charles Finny had a friend called Abel Clary, who would intercede in prayer for God to bring revival. Moses had Joshua, Elijah had Elisha, and Paul had Timothy. 

My friend, so many people want to be the one-man band; the lone ranger in the ministry, and think that God can only work through them, when there is a whole body of believers that God can work through. Jesus sent them out two by two. He wants everyone to be involved for them to see that God wants everyone to play their part. Could it be that some people who are lone rangers in the ministry are insecure, and at times suspicious of other people’s motives? Or, is it that they are afraid that someone may be better than them at doing something? Lord, deliver us from such attitudes.  

For where would the Lone Ranger be without Tonto, or Sir Edmund Hillary be without Tenzing, or Charles Finny be without Abel Clary, or Moses be without Joshua, or Elijah be without Elisha, or even Paul be without Timothy? The more we work together, the more we get done. Teamwork in Jesus is the key. Teamwork: T= together E = everyone A = archives M = more. 

The Bible says in Mark 6:7 (NIV), “Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

En la pantalla de inicio de GDM escribe, tal cual: Require Quarter. Una vez introducido, escribe tu usuario y contraseña como lo haces habitualmente y ¡¡no olvides el monedero!! :-D

Fuente: FOSSwire.

‘Twas the night before Easter, and there in the tomb

Lay the crucified Savior, wrapped like a cocoon,

But the darkness gave way as the Angel drew near,

And the guards fell like dead men, none lifting a spear.

With the stone rolled aside by the Angel’s strong arm,

The grave being empty gave the women alarm!

When they hastened to take the disciples the word,

They hardly believed the report that they heard!

They ran to the tomb and confirmed it was true,

But, being perplexed, didn’t know what to do!

As they gathered together much later that day,

Their hearts were made glad when they heard Jesus say:

“Peace be unto you; as my Father sent Me,

Even so send I you* over land, over sea,

To make more disciples and tell the Good News:

If they take Me as Savior, their sins I’ll excuse.”

Like the thief on the Cross who repented that day

Was accepted by Jesus, the Life, Truth and Way,

Even so can you enter the Paradise Gate –

Just accept His forgiveness; please, don’t wait too late!

--Roberta N. Tuthill, Copyright 08/16/2006

*John 20:21

Numbers 20:17 (KJV) The king's highway, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders. 

As pilgrims in a foreign land, the people of Israel passed from one country to another to get to the Promised Land. They wanted to go by the safest route, using the king’s highway.  This was a safe highway, a trusted highway, one that you could rest and feel secure on, and one that the King himself had taken.  

If you follow on the king’s highway, it will lead you to the promise of a safe home. When you are this highway, you do not deviate to the left or right, but you keep going straight ahead. It is a sure path to take.  

My friend, we are like pilgrims in a foreign land, “This world is not our home, we’re only passing through”, so as we travel along the King’s highway, we travel on the road that Jesus Himself has taken. This highway is a trusted one, one on which can rest and feel secure. We are not tempted to travel on another highway that leads only to destruction. But, when we travel on His highway, one day He will lead you home to the promise of heaven. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way”. There is no better road to travel on in this life’s journey, from here to glory, than on the King’s highway. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

John 21:22 (NIV), Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 

On Saturday night, the 5th of April 2008, I was talking with a good friend about this verse of scripture. Then on Sunday morning at church, a preacher spoke on the same verse.  

Why do we sometimes compare ourselves to what other people are doing for the Lord? Or, compare the size of our congregation with another church? Or, our gifting in the Spirit of God to that of someone else? Or, even how many souls your church won for Jesus this week? So many people are insecure with what they have, and they find themselves saying to the Lord, "But what about so and so? Lord, what about this man doing that or that woman doing this for you?” 

Being a Christian does not mean we are to be constantly comparing ourselves with others, but rather, we should take on board the words of Jesus, "What is that to you? You must follow me." 

My friend, if we all focused more on our own walk with the Lord, and let God develop what he has for us individually and corporately, without comparing ourselves with others, don`t you think we would then be more successful in winning the lost, and seeing church growth? 

God bless you my friend, Matthew

아침을 먹고 배가 든든해진 우리는 일단 Stephansdom에 들어가기로 결정했다. 건물안은 르네상스방식이란 느낌이 났다. 덜 화려한 프라하성의 성당이란 느낌이었다.

타워에 올라가 도시를 보기로 했다. 높은 북쪽 타워는 공사중이라 안타깝게도 입장금지 (누구말로는 10년째 공사중이라는...).

그래서 반대쪽에 있는 낮은 타워에 올라갔다. 계단을 오르는 것이 아닌 엘레베이터 방식이어서 편했다.

위에서 찬바람 맞으며 일단 사진찍고 턴.

사실 이곳은 고소공포증 있는 사람에게는 조금 무섭겠더라.
옥상으로 올라가는길에 밑이 적나라하게 보이는곳이 있는게 정말로 살벌하기때문에...

저곳에서 벌벌 떨면서 기다리다가 엘레베이터를 타고 밑으로 내려와 성당에서 나왔다.
성당 밖에서 반기던 것은 엄청난 말똥냄새...

우리는 트램을 타고 링을 한바뀌 돌기로 결심.
링을 도는 트램에서 유명한 건축물들은 거의 다 보이더라.

그런후 우린 오페라 근처에서 식당을 찾아 헤메다가 체인점 삘나는 가게에서 점심을 해결했다.

난 프라하에서 먹었던 덤플링을 잊을수 없어서 덤플링/고기 접시를 시켰다. 동네는 달라도 맛은 비슷하더라.

이렇게 오전을 보낸 우리는 일단 Hofburg주위를 구경했다.
광활하지만, 겉에서보기엔 웅장하지 않은 Hofburg를 지나면 바로 박물관지대가 보였다.

같이 있던 일행은 박물관/미술관 싫어하는 관계로 내부는 일단 스킵 =_=;

그래도 여기까지왔으니 Hofburg안에는 들어가보자는 이야기가 나와서 우리는 왕가 보물창고로 갔다.
그곳에서 왠 스페인 일행이랑 같이 합쳐서 단체표 끊고 싸게 들어갔다.

내부는 보물이 많더라 정도... 보석도 다이아랑 백금빼고 다 있는듯...

오후4시라는 어정쩡한 시간에 할일이 없던 우리는 찻집에 갔다.
이름은 Demel.

왠지 관광객 전용인지 찻집 올라가는 계단엔 케익을 만드는 곳이 공개되어 있었다.

이 posh해보이는 찻집에서 차를 마시며 시간을 때우다 저녁은 스킵하고 스테판플랏즈로 돌아와 지하철을 타고 돌아갔다.

가는길에 가이드북이 없으니 정체모를 건물들을 그냥 사진찍어대며 지나갔다.

사실은 전에 같이 일했던 사람이 하우스파티 한다고 해서 그쪽으로 놀러가서 술퍼먹고 놀았지만 프라이버시의 문제로 스킵 ㅋ.

Chose your path, Neo: will you go for the blue or the red pill?

Oops, looks like Roger Rabbit once again swapped my fifth dimension pills for chocolate easter eggs!

Then, I have no choice but to take BOTH pills ;)

It is essential for us, as followers of Jesus, to know our times, to utilise all that is at our disposal to advance the Kingdom of God , to know what to do to win the lost, to disciple and shepherd God's sheep, feed them, lead them, and guide them by the leading of God's Holy Spirit. Knowing what to do, having understanding and wisdom of how to minister to the lost and saved, and to feed them both with the Manna from heaven, is truly a gift from God. 

To understand our times; the time in which we live is changing at a fast and furious pace. However, no matter how far humankind has come in knowledge and all the breakthroughs in medicine, and computer technology, they lack a spiritual hunger and a spiritual encounter with the living God.  

The message of the gospel must never change; it must never be diluted to tickle the ears of the listeners. The message of the gospel is one of power; it is as the Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:16 (NIV), “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God, unto salvation for everyone who believes”.  What this changing world needs is for believers to know our times and how to preach this powerful message with the power of the Holy Spirit, in all its fullness.  

The men of Issachar knew what to do. Likewise, we must seek the wisdom of the Lord, in what to do and how best to do it, as well as what to use to further the gospel, in a unique way that is appealing to all. To use modern-day methods that do not distract from the message, but rather enhance the message of the gospel to appeal to all generations. We must try to cross that divide and bridge the generational gap, with whatever means possible. We must minister to those who are hurting with the compassion of the Lord; feed the hungry and be a comfort to those who need someone to be there for them, be a friend to the lonely, and help those who find life difficult. We need to not just talk a good game, but reach out and minister to others in sincerity, and show the world, by our actions what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  

My friend, may we adopt the same principles in our walk with the Lord, as we see in our text from today; 1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV), “Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do”. May God give unto us all the Spirit of wisdom in winning the lost, to make disciples of all nations, to know our times, and what to do. In doing so, we will become more effective for the Kingdom of the God.  

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

How many times, I wonder, have you ever prayed, “Lord guide me, show the way forward”. Or have you asked God for direction and for the right road to take? I love Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd, He leads me, and He guides me. 

Show Me Your Way, that I may walk with you.

Show me your way, I put my hope in you.

The cry of my heart is to love you more,

To live with the touch of your hand; stronger each day,

Lord show me your way.  

Guide me in your ways; teach me 'O' Lord. Help me learn about you more and more each day, for my hope is in you. The Bible says in Proverbs 20:24(NIV), “A man's steps are directed by the LORD”. Let my steps follow in those of Jesus.

My friend, as we pass through this life, wherever we find a barrenness of God’s word, let us bring something of God into it. Let the barren land bring forth fruit, let the dry land be watered with His word, let the wasteland be an oasis, the rough places made smooth, the hills and mountaintops made low, that every one shall hear and see the glory of the Lord!

Psalm 25:5(NIV), “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long”.

Let us bring the gospel of Jesus Christ into all the nations of the earth, so that, as the Bible says in Habakkuk 2:14(NIV), “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea”.

Guide us in how to witness more effectively for you. Guide me 'O' Lord, to share your truth with the “whosoever”, about the good news of Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my God. All through lives journey, from here to glory, guide me every step of the way.

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim though this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till I want no more.

Lead me all my journey through; strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer.
Be thou still my Strength and Shield, be thou still my Strength and Shield. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Some time ago, I watched the film by Mel Gibson called, “The Passion of the Christ”. Towards the end of the film, you see Jesus being nailed to the cross. Mel Gibson played the man who drove one of the nails into the hands of Jesus (played by the actor Jim Carviezel.) When Mel Gibson was asked why he wanted to play that part, he replied, "Because, it was my sin, that put Jesus there, it was my sin that is nailed to the cross." 

Jesus took away not one man's sin, but he sins of the world. So whose sin was it that put Jesus on the cross? It was your sin and mine, and also the whole world. But when Jesus was on the cross you and I were on His mind. Jesus took away our sin, by nailing it to the cross. 

My friend, we need not live in shame, nor condemnation because of our sin, it has been taken away, Jesus nailed it to the cross! It is only by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour than we, by faith receive and live in that promise of God. 

This old gospel song says it so well... 

'O' the bliss of this glorious thought,

My sin not in part, but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord 'O' my soul. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.